Parang High School

Tandang Sora St., Parang, Marikina City

Media and
Information
Literacy
Implications of Media and Information

Quarter 2 – Activity Sheet 3

 Most Essential Learning Competency:
Discuss the implication of media and information to an individual and the society

➢ Parts of the Module

• What I Need to Know – These are what you will be able to know after completing the
lessons in the module.
• What I Know - This will measure your prior knowledge and the concepts to be mastered
throughout the lesson.
• What’s In- This section will give you an overview of the lesson.
• What’s New - This section provides a short discussion of the lesson. This aims to help
you discover and understand new concepts and skills.
• Activities - This is a set of activities you will perform with a partner.
• What I Can do - This section provides an activity which will help you transfer your new
knowledge or skill into real life situations or concerns.
• Additional Activities - In this portion, another activity will be given to you to enrich your
knowledge or skill of the lesson learned. This also tends retention of learned concepts.
• Assessment - This will measure how much you have learned from the entire module.

➢ What I need to Know

You will discuss the implication of media and information to an individual and the society

Specifically, this Activity Sheet will help you to:

• Enumerate the implications of media and information;

• Identify media content that reflects these implications;
• Deduce the effects of media and information from various contents;
• Make a personal assessment of one’s engagement in media and how this
engagement elicits personal change.
 ➢ What I Know

Direction: True or False: Write True if the statement is a fact; otherwise, write False
.
_______ 1. The media force feeds information to unwilling receivers.

_______ 2. Media and Information literate individuals enjoy an improved quality of life.

_______ 3. Media and information literate individuals actively participate in politics.

_______ 4. Only paid online content generates income.

_______ 5. IT based jobs are needed in the media.

_______ 6. Media and information have re-made the learning environment.

_______ 7. Media and information literate individuals are in total disconnected to the world.

_______ 8. Creation of jobs is the media’s role in the economy.

_______ 9. Critical thinking is a skill necessary to become a media and information literate

individual.

_______ 10. Communication between media and information literate individuals has become

more complicated.
 ➢ What’s In

In 2016, a Broadway stage musical made waves for tackling

sensitive issues regarding today’s generation, including
social anxiety, depression and suicide. This is entitled “Dear
Evan Hansen” and tells the story of Evan, a teenager
suffering social anxiety. You may view an excerpt of this
musical through this link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9rf5wFq3zk

Here are the lyrics of the song “Waving Through a Window.”

Take time to read it and think about how a person can feel
left out in a world when everybody is practically connected
by social media.

Waving Through a Window

From “Dear Evan Hansen”
 ➢ What’s New

It is natural for teenagers to be technology savvy, but elderlies tinkering millennial gadgets is
something unusual. Read these news articles about senior citizens engaged in digital technology
and answer the questions that follow.

1. 'Lola Techie' urges senior citizens to be IT savvy

Tam Noda (The Philippine Star) - June 27,

2013 - 12:56pm

MANILA, Philippines - Local television

personality Tessie "Lola Techie" Moreno is
urging senior citizens to use information
technology to spread their "elderly wisdom"
especially among the young.

The Information and Communications

Technology Office of the DOST (DOST-ICTO)
has tapped Moreno to give talks to senior
citizens in various barangays in Quezon City
as part of the celebration of the national ICT
Month 2013 with the theme "Inclusive ICT
for a Smarter Philippines".

As part of its program, the DOST-ICTO

through the National Computer Institute
(NCI) is conducting basic computer literacy
courses specifically designed for senior
citizens. The program is focused on
communication tools particularly social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Skype.

Moreno, a 71-year-old grandmother, known for her role as a computer-savvy lola in a series of
television commercials and viral videos with local telecom operator Bayantel, told the elderly
on how they can improve their lives using IT as she shared her real life experiences in learning
how to use technology, and how it has made her to be more productive despite learning how to
use it at an advanced age.

In her talk, Moreno said that there is a next generation of the elderly who are catching up in the
use of ICT.
"ICT can open up opportunities to enable us to use our collective elderly wisdom to contribute
once more to society," Moreno said. "Through ICT, we can warn the new generation not to
commit the same mistakes again as we did in our time, offer some solutions by actually
showing them how, through our loving example, and advocate for reforms through social
media, blogging and email campaigns."

For Lola Techie, the availability of "Skype" breaks the barrier of distance in talking face-to-face
with her children and grandchildren.

Yet Google helps her in doing important researches. While Facebook and other social
networking services like Twitter, Plurk and Multiply keep her connected with the digital world.

2. San Pablo City’s elderly trained on new tech gadgets

By Saul Pa-a September 4, 2018, 5:17 pm

SAN PABLO CITY, Laguna – In the run-up to the special day celebration for Grandparents Day
every second Sunday of September, a popular mall in this city is organizing its gadget literacy
tutorial through the annual “Oldies but Techies” program for the elderly to keep them abreast
with modern communication gadgets.

Evelyn Verzola, mall manager of SM City Pablo, told Philippine News Agency on Tuesday that
their tutorial program, which started in 2011 as “High Tech si Lolo at Lola Ko,” is now dubbed
“Oldies but Techies” to keep pace with the techie generation.

Verzola said the mall management has partnered with Power Mac in introducing and guiding
the senior citizens on the latest apps and social media platform.

“We really want to make our grandparents feel welcome here in SM from the moment they
enter our malls up until they leave, we want them to have memorable moments with their
family and peers,” said Nina Wong, the mall public relations manager.

Wong said the city mall here is undertaking the modern communication apps literacy program
for the elderly sector, which is implemented across all SM City supermalls nationwide as part of
the SM Cares programs for senior citizens in partnership with their mall tenants.

“This techie learning program is only one of many services offered to the city’s senior citizens
besides granting them free movie passes and other social programs such as free medical
checkups, free eyeglasses and special flowers for them as well as to the marginalized and
disadvantaged sectors,” she added.
The mall management said the techie learning sessions for the senior citizens are a way to
spend more time with their family and their fellow elders and in recognition of their roles and
contributions to society.

“They (senior citizens) deserve nothing less just as we honor mothers and fathers with special
days we also dedicate a special day for them to show our love and affection and this “techie”
activity would certainly thrill them,” a maller remarked.

Another shopper also said: “magandang program ito kasi, lalong na pag buo ang pamilya sa mga
techie communication gadgets ngayon tulad ng chats at mga posts at puede sila mag-games
para di mainip (this is a good program as this brings the family closer using techie
communication gadgets now like the chats and posts and they can also play games to while
away the time).”

A computer instructor also commented that teaching the elderly how to operate gadgets bring
them simple joys as they are delighted to tinker with the equipment they had not seen or used
during their time.

Guide questions:

1. What are the benefits senior citizens get in learning new technology?
2. What can the new generation learn from the elders who are techie savvy?
3. How do modern communication gadgets bridge the generation gaps within the
family?

A senior high school student might ask why Media and Information Literacy becomes a core
subject in the curriculum, while it could have been a specialized subject meant only for students
who are inclined for further academic studies in communication and media arts. The reason is
simple: every citizen must be media and information literate.

One of the proponents for this conclusion dates back to 2010, in the 3rd United Nations
Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Global Forum on May 2010 in Rio de Janeiro Brazil. In one of
its thematic sessions focusing on the social impact of media literacy, media literacy was
identified as “an empowerment tool that facilitates the active participation of citizens in the
political process of contemporary societies.” MIL is considered as a platform for social inclusion,
especially in the new digital environment, where the youth who are becoming more and more
exposed to social media, are challenged to become more involved participants in their
communities. Moreover, the new digital environment promotes a certain “participatory
culture” that empowers individuals to get actively involved in democratic societies, thus
enabling them to participate in social discourse and deeper dialogue with their communities.
Education is the key factor to inform societies about the implications of media and information
literacy. Thus, UNESCO’s Teacher Training Curricula for media and information literacy was
highlighted as the new resource that identifies the core competencies and areas in general
education associated with MIL. In 2010, discussions on MIL were not yet highlighted in exiting
curricula for general education around the world. Therefore, the need educate people in this
brand new perspective was seen as a much-needed course of action.

The end point of the 2010 Rio de Janeiro Forum was the identification of the attributes of
media and information literacy: a necessary source for social inclusion, and a platform that
facilitates the development of citizenship participation in pluralistic societies. All MIL initiatives,
whether within or beyond the formal education settings were regarded as key elements for the
promotion of intercultural dialogue.

Meant for a Better World

UNESCO refers to Media and Information Literacy as the essential competency and skills that
enables people to engage with media and other information providers effectively and develop
critical thinking and life-long learning skills to socialize and become active citizens. Therefore,
media and information literate individuals have improved the quality of life, show active
participation in politics, promote economic opportunities, enjoy an improved learning
environment and become a more cohesive social unit as an individual.

The following implications of media and information literacy is extracted from the “E-Learning
Guide on Media and Information Literacy” available in https://sites.google.com/.

Media and information improve quality of life

Anyone can attest that life before is different than life today. The dawn of every age in history
has always been brought by developments that change society’s way of life. From the stone age
ushered by cavemen who developed stones as tools, to today’s information age brought about
by media and information technologies, the change of era from then until now is prompted by
the desire to make things better.

There is no denying the extent of how the media and information age has drastically improved
the lives of people. Communication has been made easier. Information has become widely
accessible. Conducting research has become more convenient. There is entertainment content
for everyone. Things that used to take time to long distance communication are now
instantaneous. The cost of getting information is down from exorbitant to incredibly cheap –
often even free. What was one for the select few, are now for everyone. All these and more are
enjoyed by media literate individuals and prove just how much the quality of life has improved
thanks to media and information.
Media and information for greater political participation

The media and the government have a long-standing relationship in the field of public service.
While the government serves the people by leading the nation towards progress, the media
serve them by informing the public about subjects they need or want to know. Politics is a
persisting media content, particularly in news.

Former President Benigno Aquino III once alluded that the Filipino people are his boss. Unlike
bosses, however, not everyone has the time or resources to verify if those in the government
serve the best interest of the Filipino people as a whole. So the media does this job for them. It
is said that the media serves as the eyes and the ears of the masses in the government.
Through media reports of government activities and issues, the publics are informed of the
political affairs in the country and are further encouraged to take a more active role in the
government.

Media and information promoting economic opportunities

The media industry has grown in number in today’s information age both in content and in the
workforce. The open content contribution nature of the new media has made it possible for
ordinary individuals to offer their materials for consumption often for free or at times for a
cost. Typically, if online content is free but has gained popularity, advertisers will offer to buy
digital ad space on a web page. Even YouTube, a free video host, pays video contributors if their
videos get enough views or if their channels have a high subscriber rate. Paid content, on the
other hand, creates direct revenue. Free or not, media and information give contributors a
platform for earning additional income.

It is true that the influx of media offerings has led to the creation of more jobs in the media. Of
course, if there is an increase in content, there’s a need for more people to manage them. The
convergence of various media platforms has created hybrid mediums that requires experts to
run them. The persistent need to always be in the know has called for specialists to maintain
the ubiquitous nature of media and information. New jobs like social media managers or
multimedia specialists have been created because of this growth. Even IT based jobs which
were once rarities in the media are now a necessity. As media and information grow, so does
jobs that require media and information literate individuals and when jobs grow, so does the
economy. Employment or the lack thereof persists as an economic problem in most developing
countries like the Philippines. The media industry in the age of information plays a vital catalyst
role to address that.

Media and information for improvement of learning environment

Many believe that media and information have made learning easy, accessible and inexpensive.
Which these are true, the improvement in the learning environment brought by media and
information goes beyond convenience, availability and cost. Its true implication is that it made
the learning an object of desire. For so long, the concept of learning has been a sores subject
for many. This is not because everyone is just innately opposed to learning -in fact, the birth of
the information age proves the exact opposite- but because the learning environment people
were exposed to is simply unattractive. For so long learning has been perceived as a tedious yet
necessary part of everyone/s lives. Learning is schools meant understanding – or at least
attempting to- subjects for the sake of passing or getting good grades. One’s education is given
importance because it is pre-requisite to a good which is then equated to a good life.
Traditional learning environments have caused people in general to lose appetite for
knowledge. Luckily, media and information have cleansed society’s palate and have reinvented
learning.

Media does not force feed information to unwilling receivers; instead, media has made
information sought after. By offering a wide variety of content through various platforms, there
is information that would appeal to everyone. The media also made learning a choice instead of
a necessary evil. After all, no one is commanded “google” a topic or enroll on a certain online
course, people who do so chose to do it. Since the media is a source of information and
information age is characterized by the abundance of data, media and information have been
closely linked to the improvement of the learning environment in the present age. A media and
information literate individual take advantage of this to further his or her lifelong learning
process.

Media and Information individuals as more cohesive social units

The concept of unit cohesion stems from a military concept of the bond soldiers have that
makes them more effective in working together to complete a mission. Media and information
literate individuals are said to be more cohesive social units than those who are not. By keeping
them informed, as well as connecting them in ways that were not possible before, media and
information literates becomes more cohesive social units. This creates a bond that does not
only have relational implications but also creates societal impacts.

The media is said to have the power to affect social change. While this is true, it is not the
media that does the heavy lifting to create change in society, it is the individuals in the society
who developed a clamoring need for change because of media. The media and information
literate individuals sharing that same goal, development would not occur.
 ➢ What I Have Learned

One of the most iconic songs made for a movie is Justin Paul and Benj Pasek’s “This Is Me” from
the movie “The Greatest Showman” (2017). This has become an anthem during the time when
diversity was the demand in many social institutions. Read the lyrics of the song. You may even
sing along with a lyric video via YouTube, then answer the questions that follow:

Guide Questions:

1. “This Is Me” is a musical interpretation of the cries of the marginalized, disenfranchised, the
bullied and the outcast. Do you believe that this song does its work to promote social inclusion?

2. Search various interpretations of this song through different platforms. Which members of
society are represented in the videos? If you do not have internet access, observe the picture of
the cast of “The Greatest Showman” below and use it to help you answer this question.

3. Cite other media and information utilized to foster social inclusion in a pluralistic society.
 ➢ What I Can Do

Let’s Compare Notes

Let us look into how the implications of media and information are reflected in actual situations. Since I
am a GenXer (a 1990’s youth) and you belong to Generation Z (anyone born from 1997 onward,
according to Dimock [2019]) let’s try to compare notes. I’ll tell you accounts during my youth when
media and information educated me, and tell me yours based on the latest trends and news.
 ➢ Assessment

Here are 8 visual contents from the

internet. Identify their implications to an
individual or society. Choose from the
following:

A. improves quality of life

B. promotes greater political

participation

C. provides economic opportunities

D. improves learning environment

E. hones individuals as more cohesive

social units

Afterwards, support your choice using

one or two sentences per content.

➢ Additional Activity
Reflection

Is the song “This Is Me” still ringing in your ears? I hope you can share a bit of your story and
tell how media and information change the way you look at yourself and how you see other
people. A short 100-word essay will mean a lot.
 ➢ References

Dimock, M. (2019). “Defining generations: Where Millennials end and Generation Z begins.” Pew
Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/01/17/where- millennials-end-and-
generation-z-begins/#:~:text=Anyone%20born%20between% 201981%20and,
part%20of%20a%20new%20generation.
Joseph Ardingale (2019, January 26). Waving Through A Window - Dear Evan Hansen (Live at Tony
Awards 2017) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=h9rf5wFq3zk
Noda, T. (2013). “'Lola Techie' urges senior citizens to be IT savvy.” PhilStar Global. Retrieved from
https://www.philstar.com/other-sections/news-feature/2013/06/27/958884/ lola-techie-urges-senior-
citizens-be-it-savvy.
Pa-a, S. (2018). “San Pablo City’s elderly trained on new tech gadgets.” Philippine News Agency.
Retrieved from https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1046918.
Pasek, B. and Paul, J. (2017). Waving Through a Window [Song]. On Dear Evan Hansen. Kobalt Music
Publishing Ltd..
Pasek, B. and Paul, J. (2017). This Is Me [Song]. On The Greatest Showman. Atlantic.
“The Media and Information Literate Individual.” E-Learning Guide on Media and Information Literacy.
Retrieved on 23 October 2020. Retrieved from https://sites.google.com/view/ elearningmil/lessons/the-
media-and-information- literate-individual.
United Nations Alliance of Civilizations. (2010). “The Social Impact of Media Literacy.” 3rd UNAOC Global
Forum. Retrieved from https://www.unaoc.org/what-we- do/projects/media-and-information-
literacy/the-social-impact-of-media-literacy/.Citizen Journalism" by Nick Gulotta is licensed under CC BY
2.0
e:Whang-od tattooing.jpg" by Mawg64 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Spiderman over the Lima, Peru cityscape" by T.78UopXx is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Department of Education – Region IV-A CALABARZON
Writers: Ronan DC. Vergara
Reviewers: Cristeta M. Arcos
Dolorosa S. De Castro
Illustrator: Ronan DC. Vergara
Layout Artist: Ren Mac Mac G. Motas
Management Team: Wilfredo E. Cabral, Regional Director
Job S. Zape Jr., CLMD Chief
Elaine T. Balaogan, Regional ADM Coordinator
Fe M. Ong-ongowan, Regional Librarian
Susan DL. Oribiana, SDS
Dolorosa S. De Castro, CID Chief
Cristeta M. Arcos, EPS In Charge of LRMS