Exploring the Transformative Journey of Media and Information Literacy

Jenno Raffy De Vera
4 min readMay 23, 2023

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Introduction: As a student in today’s digital age, it is crucial to possess the skill of critically analyzing and navigating through an overwhelming influx of media and information. Throughout my journey in the course of Media and Information Literacy (MIL), I have experienced a profound transformation in both my academics and my character as a student. This reflection aims to delve into the various tasks and projects within the course, exploring how they have impacted my cognitive, interpersonal, and intrapersonal skills as a student. By connecting these transformations with specific strategies and theories employed by our teacher, we as students can gain a comprehensive understanding of the value and effectiveness of MIL.

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Impact of MIL on Academics and Character: Media and Information Literacy has served as a catalyst for my personal growth, expanding my horizons and enhancing my critical thinking abilities. The student can witness the transformative impact of MIL through each task undertaken throughout the course. The program extends beyond the typical idea of education and encourages students to participate in practical, real-life scenarios, creating a captivating and enlightening learning experience.

Acquiring and Enhancing Skills in MIL:
Case Study Task: The case study task enabled the student to apply MIL concepts to real-life scenarios, honing their cognitive skills by analyzing and interpreting complex media situations. Through extensive research and critical thinking, the student developed a deeper understanding of media manipulation and its implications for society.
Fake News Task: The fake news task served as a practical exercise in verifying information, strengthening their cognitive and interpersonal skills. Collaborating with fellow students and utilizing fact-checking methods helped me navigate through the abundance of misinformation, differentiating between trustworthy and untrustworthy sources.
Pinoy Baiting: Engaging in Pinoy Baiting activities helped me develop my interpersonal skills as I actively participated in discussions, debates, and forums. This assignment gave me an opportunity to comprehend the various viewpoints and beliefs regarding media portrayal and clichés, promoting compassion and receptiveness.
Visual Design: The visual design component of MIL provided me, as a student, with an opportunity to enhance my creative and technical skills. Through creating visually appealing infographics and presentations, the student gained skills in effectively communicating information and data, which helped improve their cognitive and interpersonal abilities.
Podcast: The podcast project allowed the student to develop their audio production skills while effectively conveying a message or story. Through careful scripting, interviewing, and editing, the student cultivated their interpersonal skills, ensuring a compelling and engaging final product.
Other Projects: Other projects within the course, such as group discussions, research papers, and class presentations, contributed to my holistic development of MIL skills. These activities challenged the student to think critically, articulate their thoughts, and collaborate with others, fostering a well-rounded skill set.
Important Lessons and Effective Strategies in MIL: a) Media and Information Literacy (MIT) Literacy: The strategies employed by my teacher to integrate MIT literacy throughout the course were highly effective. By aligning tasks such as the case study, fake news analysis, and Pinoy Baiting with the core principles of MIT literacy, the student was able to grasp the intricacies of media manipulation, critical analysis, and ethical media practices.
b) Functions and Theories of the Press: The instructor adeptly established linkages between the Spanish, American, Martial Law, Post-Martial Law, and Duterte epochs and the roles and principles of the press. The discussion of the film “The Post” provided insights into the challenges encountered by the media sector and the crucial function of journalism in a democratic society.
c) Media Manipulation and Design Elements: The instructor’s focus on the aspects of visual design, text composition, and audio podcasting served to enhance comprehension of the manipulation of media. Through the incorporation of these components in our endeavors, we acquired a pragmatic comprehension of how media can be manipulated via diverse design methodologies, underscoring the significance of critical evaluation.
Conclusion:
The Media and Information Literacy course has proven to be a transformative experience, broadening my academic horizons and contributing to the development of my character. The amalgamation of diverse tasks and projects has facilitated the acquisition and refinement of crucial cognitive, interpersonal, and intrapersonal competencies. By means of the proficient pedagogical approaches implemented by our instructor and the utilization of theoretical frameworks such as MIT literacy, functions and theories of the press, and media manipulation, I have acquired a thorough comprehension of the media terrain and its influence on the populace. As I progress along my journey, I possess the requisite competencies and expertise to effectively traverse the intricate realm of media and information.

references:

Unesco, & Baktria Press UNESCO. (1970, January 1). Media and Information Literacy. UNESCO.org. https://www.unesco.org/en/media-information-literacy

Leymun, Ş. O., Odabaşı, H. F., & Yurdakul, I. K. (2022, May 14). Eğitim Ortamlarında durum çalışmasının önemi. Journal of Qualitative Research in Education. https://enadonline.com/index.php/enad/article/view/1218#:~:text=Case%20studies%20offer%20an%20opportunity,of%20educational%20settings%20and%20purposes.

Libguides: Misinformation & Fake News: Case Studies & Examples. Case Studies & Examples — Misinformation & Fake News — LibGuides at Central Washington University. (n.d.). https://libguides.lib.cwu.edu/c.php?g=625394&p=4391900

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