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Media and Information Literacy: Need, Importance, Example

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05th Sep, 2023
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    Media and Information Literacy: Need, Importance, Example

    The problem of educating consumers to evaluate, examine, and make use of the very diverse spectrum of media accessible in the 21st century has made media and information literacy an ambitious objective. Users now need to gain media literacy not just concerning conventional media and visual representation but also about the abundance of new technologies accessible and the creation of apps enabling completely novel methods of information transmission. 

    The issue of who will educate our children has not yet been resolved. Is it not reasonable, in general, that media and information literacy become pillars of the educational curriculum since schools are the places where students learn critical thinking, analysis, and decision-making? With the best Software Developer training courses, you can learn diverse skills to advance your career. 

    What Is Media Literacy?

    Media literacy is a broad range of skills that enable individuals to consume, analyze, modify, and even create many media types. In essence, media literacy may assist someone in critically thinking about what they read, see, or hear in the media. In this context, the word "media" refers to a wide range of media, including the internet, movies, music, radio, television, video games, and publications.  

    To be media literate, one must be capable of decoding media messages (understanding the message and the medium), assessing how the messages affect one's emotions, ideas, and behavior, and intelligently and responsibly producing media. In addition, pupils may benefit greatly from mastering media information literacy. 

    What Is Media and Information Literacy?

    Media and Information Literacy (MIL) strives to empower people to engage in an inquiry process and critically think about the media and the content they receive. According to the UNESCO meaning of media and information literacy, the goal is to empower people to take active roles in their communities and make ethical decisions. The modern media environment makes it extremely important to have media and informational competencies. Whether the news comes from reliable sources or not, it is important to consider who and what to believe critically. 

    Why Is Media and Information Literacy Important?

    Critical thinking is vital for citizens, particularly young learners who need to solve issues, gather information, develop views, assess sources, and more. MIL is a vital skill, especially with the abundance of data and accurate and false information accessible online. A person who knows the meaning of media literacy skills will be able to ask inquiries and look for solutions to the internet debris because of the pace of information delivery. 

    The instructors are given better information to empower the next generation of people throughout the teaching and learning process. Media and information literacy's meaning is to impart critical knowledge about the roles played by media and information channels in democracies, practical awareness of the circumstances, and the fundamental skills required to assess the effectiveness of media and information providers in light of their roles as expected. 

    How Does Media and Information Literacy Work?

    The foundation for learning media and the function of media in our society is through media and information literacy. MIL also imparts some of the fundamental abilities required for critical thinking, analysis, self-expression, and creativity, all of which are needed for members of a democratic society. From printing to radio, from video to the internet, citizens may analyze media and information in a variety of mediums. 

    What Are Some Dimensions of Media and Information Literacy?

    The term "media and information literacy" (MIL) refers to three often recognized dimensions: 

    • Information literacy 
    • Media literacy 
    • ICT/digital literacy. 

     As UNESCO emphasizes, MIL brings together stakeholders, such as people, communities, and countries, to contribute to the information society. In addition to serving as an umbrella, MIL also contains various competencies that must be employed properly to critically assess each of its many components. 

    Media Literacy Examples

    Some media literacy examples are: 

    1. Television  

    For more than 50 years, families have enjoyed watching television. Today, viewers may access a movie or television show anytime they want, thanks to the pay-per-view or no-cost on-demand options offered by many cable or satellite systems.  

    2. Blog Posts  

    Anyone can instantly share information through the internet, which is a constantly evolving platform for quick, decentralized communication. The internet provides venues to educate, enlighten, inspire, and connect, as well as to persuade and control, including news sources, social media, blogs, podcasts, and smartphone applications.  

    3. YouTube  

    The YouTube platform engages audiences throughout the globe. With more individuals accessing the internet since its 2005 launch, YouTube's popularity has risen significantly. 

    4. social media  

    Social media is one of the most recent platforms that media strategists might use. Social media ads have become commonplace in less than ten years. 

    5. News Papers  

    This is the first kind of media that includes all printed materials. Reputable print media sources that are professionally produced and created to satisfy the demands of certain audiences. 

    6. Magazines  

    Since the middle class didn't start reading magazines until the 19th century, publishers had to start selling advertising space to cover the high cost of printing and increase circulation. 

    7. Video games  

    Video games have been around since the early 1980s, and kids have only become more and more fond of them. Modern video games are engaging and thrilling, and the lifelike images and audio give players the impression that they are really in the scenario.  

    8. News Websites  

    The internet is full of opinions from regular people who post with various intentions, which occasionally makes it difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. However, some websites host peer-reviewed information from reliable sources that are essentially digital versions of traditional print sources.  

    9. Podcasts  

    An audio file that your viewers may listen to whenever they want is all that makes up a podcast. As pre-recorded content, podcasts are not ideal for situations requiring audience participation. 

    What Is Information Literacy?

    The term "information literacy" describes certain abilities required to locate, evaluate, and effectively utilize information. Information literacy refers to a person's understanding of their interaction with the digital world and their interpretation of the information they discover. It also entails the need to utilize such knowledge morally. Study techniques and academic writing, critical analysis, evaluation, and evaluation-based thinking are some traits of information literacy. 

    Information Literacy Examples  

    1. Communication  

    Transfer of information or exchange has done orally, in writing, or by any other means. The effective communication or exchange of ideas and emotions 

    • Verbal: This includes face-to-face communication, telephone communication, and other media 
    • Non-verbal: This includes things like our posture, body language, gestures, how we dress or behave, and even our fragrance. 
    • Written: Writing comprises letters, emails, social media posts, books, periodicals, the internet, and other forms of written communication. 
    • Visual: Graphs and charts, maps, logos, and other visuals may all be used to convey information. 

    2. Computer Technology  

    The term "computer skills" describes the capacity to efficiently operate a computer and associated technology, and it includes both hardware and software expertise. You can also opt for a Full-Stack Developer course with placement to learn more about front-end and back-end web development and start your career as a full-stack developer. 

    3. Critical Thinking  

    The process of learning critical thinking techniques improves one's capacity to access information and related concepts. Making a rational decision based on an objective study of information and research results is referred to as critical thinking.  

    4. Research  

    The capacity to identify, acquire, collect, assess, use and present knowledge on a certain issue is referred to as having research abilities. These abilities include conducting research, conducting critical analysis, and formulating theories or solutions to specific problems.  

    Importance of Media and Information Literacy

    People in the frame will outright deny facts if they believe that the information contradicts their beliefs, regardless of whether those beliefs are related to politics, the effectiveness of vaccines, the presence of conditions like global warming, or even the nature of reality as we currently understand it. The fact that we can often verify the integrity and correctness of the information serves to make the entire scenario more annoying and terrifying. 

    But other individuals don't care because they purposefully ignore or justify certain facts since they don't agree with them. And because the internet and allied media can mislead sensitive individuals by spreading these harmful notions. 

    It's critical to have the ability to sort through the abundance of information available, whether we're discussing the personal lives of individuals or a corporation's marketing plan. Media and information literacy skills are essential for personal and professional aspects of life. 

    Need for Media and Information Literacy in Today's World

    Individuals in 2020 will have an overwhelming variety of media sources. The 24-hour news cycle, television, videos, podcasts, blogs, specialist websites, text messages, blogs, and vlogs are now available in addition to the print and radio media that are still in use. 

    For better or worse, anybody can make content thanks to technological advancements.  

    Regrettably, not everyone considers ethics or a truthful way. Even if some opinions are wholly erroneous and inaccurate, when individuals band together in an organized manner, it often gives the impression that they could have a point. As a result, we are constantly surrounded with genuine and deceptive information due to today's technological advancements. Thus, media and information literacy are more important than ever in the modern world.  

    Difference Between Media, Technology, and Information Literacy  

    BasisMedia literacyInformation literacy
    DefinitionMedia literacy is the skill of accessing, evaluating, manipulating, and producing media in a variety of formats.  Information literacy is the skill of recognizing the need for information and being able to search, assess, and utilize information effectively to solve a problem.  
    NatureIt focuses on how media functions and how to create media.  It also includes knowing how to use the information efficiently and how to assess it.  
    FieldIt ties more to the media business, content, and societal impacts.It has some connections to library science.

    Conclusion

    Similar to digital citizenship, several definitions and terminology are used to define media and information literacy. Whether we refer to it as information literacy, internet literacy, digital media literacy, or any other term, the key premise is that literacy includes the capacity to interact intelligently with media and information sources. You can check out KnowledgeHut Software Developer training to develop a thorough understanding of the in-demand digital technologies to launch your career in software development. 

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    1What is the impact of media and information literacy?

    Individuals who are proficient in media literacy are equipped with the ability to first think critically about media. It also fosters other abilities like creativity, teamwork, and communication and improves digital literacy skills by connecting with media, information, and technology. 

    2What are the types of media literacy and information literacy?

    Media and information literacy includes all sorts of information resources, including oral, print, and digital. In today's increasingly digital, linked, and global society, media, and information literacy is a fundamental human right that fosters greater social inclusion. 

    3What are the stages of information literacy?

    The five elements of information literacy include identifying, finding, evaluating, applying, and acknowledging sources of information. 

    4What are the skills of media and information literacy?

    Information and media literacy skills are the combination of knowledge, attitudes, and abilities necessary to understand when and what information is required, where to get it, how to organize it once obtained, and how to utilize it ethically. 

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