INFORMATION AND MEDIA LITERACY

Bharati S. Tubachi Senior Information Assistant Information Centre, The Printers(Mysore) Private Ltd., #75, M.G Road Bangalore-560 001 AND Padmavati S Tubachi. Librarian, DPM’ Shree Mallikarjun College, CANACONA GOA

CONCEPT

• Basic meaning is ability read, write and Calculate

• There are different types of literacies like simple literacy, Information literacy, Information and Communication literacy, media literacy, legal literacy etc

INFORMATION LITERACY

Used by library community• Library orientation: Library orientation concentrates on how to

use a physical collection of the library. • Bibliographic instruction: On the search and uses of resources. • Information fluency: Capability or mastering of information

competencies• Information skills: Focuses on acquiring abilities of

information search Information literacy concentrates on cognitive and

transferable skills, such as problem solving, evaluation and communication skills

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION LITERACY

Computer literacy: This covers instructions on use of computer and computer tools like PC operation, e-mail."

Digital literacy :Promotes competency with computers and software

MEDIA LITERACY

The ability to access, analyze, evaluate and create media messages in variety of forms.

DEFINITIONS

Some definitions of Information Literacy Moore(2002) “A mastery of the processes of becoming informed” Doyl(1992) : “Information Literacy is an ability to : recognize a need for information; identify and locate appropriate information sources, know how to gain access to the information contained in those sources; evaluate the quality of information obtained; recognize the information; and use the information effectively.”

Association of College and Research Library(2000) “Information Literacy is a set of abilities requiring individuals to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information

CHARACTERISTICS OF INFORMATION LITERACY ARE

Information Literacy enables the person to;• Recognize the accurate and complete information as the basis for intelligent decision making.• Recognize the exact need for information.• Formulate the questions based on information needs.•Identify the potential information source.• Develop appropriate search strategy.• Access the information sources using technology.• Evaluate information.• Organize the information for practical application.•Integrate new information into the existing fabric of knowledge.•Use of information in critical thinking and problem solving

WHY INFORMATION LITERACY Information in the field of education in general and higher education in particular plays an important role. There has been shift in teacher centered learning to student centric learning where students are expected to learn independently. Due to research oncomplex and interdisciplinary topics & the application of ICT in Information production has resulted in availability of information in different forms like print, digital and multimedia. This has made the academicians and the students to experience the problems in finding the resources they needed for their study. Newly admitted students often find the library is a confusing place as they do not have idea how to make use of libraries for their curricular needs as well as for general knowledge. Even teachers are expected to upgrade themselves with knowledge of ICT for efficient and effective teaching. Information literacy is needed to overcome this problem

BENEFITS

FOR TEACHERS• Encourages contact between fellow teachers• Encourage cooperation• Encourage active

learning• Encourages effective use

of • technology

FOR STUDENTS• Emphasizes the inquiry approach to learning• Emphasizes the ability to locate, analyze, synthesize, evaluate & constructive reuse of information• Inculcate thinking skills• Motivates them to participate

in more of constructive learning• Learning emphasis on

teamwork

MEDIA LITERACY

Another important literacy that is gaining importance is Media Literacy.

1. Media Literacy is a 21st century approach to education. 2. It provides a framework to access, analyze, evaluate and create messages in a

variety of forms – from print to video to the Internet. 3. Media literacy builds an understanding of the role of media in society as well as

essential skills of inquiry and self-expression necessary for citizens of a democracy.” The proliferation of mass media and new technologies has brought about massive changes in human communication processes and behavior.

4. Media Literacy aims to empower citizens by providing them with the competencies (knowledge and skills and attitude) necessary to engage with traditional media and new technologies.

5. It includes the following elements or learning outcomes: Understand the role and functions of media in democratic societies; Understand the condition under which media can fulfil their functions; Critically evaluate media content; Engage with media for self-expression and democratic participation; and Review skills (including ICTs skills) needed to produce user-generated content

DEFINITION

• According to WIKIPEADIA ”Media literacy is a repertoire of competences that enable people to analyze, evaluate, and create messages in a wide variety of media modes, genres, and forms.”

• Livingstone, S. (2003) defines Media Literacy as “The

ability to access, analyse, evaluate and create messages across a variety of contexts” “the ability to encode and decode the symbols transmitted via media and the ability to synthesize, analyze and produce mediated messages.”

NEED FOR MEDIA LITERACY• Changed face of Media due to vast growth of Information and ICT application to the field• Exposure of people to this large quantity of media messages.• Need to build up better understanding of how the media work in the digital world and that that citizens better understand

the economic and cultural dimension of media. • Media literacy helps to help the people to understand, to produce and negotiate meanings in a culture of images, words and sounds. • A media literate person can decode, evaluate, analyze and produce both print and electronic media.

IMPORTANSE OF MEDIA LITERACY IN EDUCATION:• To increase students’ understanding and enjoyment of media.• To facilitate understanding of how the media produced, how they are organized, and how they construct their own reality. • Media literacy includes the interpretation of all types of complex, mediated symbolic texts made available by “traditional’ or electronic (digital) means. • One of the reasons for this is that there is an integrated media environment, which encompasses print, audiovisual and computer media

ADVANTAGES OF MEDIA LITERACY1. Meets the needs of students to be wise consumers of media 2. Connects learning with real life and makes media culture as a rich

environment of learning 3. Gives students and teachers alike a common approach to critical

thinking4. Provides an opportunity for integrating all subject areas 5. Helps the people to meet state standards6. Increases the ability and proficiency of students 7. Media literacy's "inquiry process" transforms teaching 8. Focuses on process skills rather than content knowledge9. Uses replicable model for implementation 10. Not only benefits individual students but benefits society

INFORMATION AND MEDIA LITERACYIML is a combination of information literacy and media literacy. The purpose of being information and media literate is to engage in a digital society; one needs to be able to use, understand, inquire, create, communicate and think critically. It is important to have capacity to effectively access, organize, analyze, evaluate, and create messages in a variety of forms. The transformative nature of IML includes creative works and creating new knowledge; to publish and collaborate responsibly requires ethical, cultural and social understanding. Information and Media Literacy (IML) enables people to interpret and make informed judgments as users of information and media, as well as to become skillful creators and producers of information and media messages in their own right.

CONCLUSION

Nowadays literacy has become part of the life whether it is simple literacy or Information literacy or Technology literacy or Digital Literacy or Media literacy. Literacy is an essential set of abilities created for every individual to excel in his/her field .In this contest, creating awareness of these Literacies has been the prime role of Librarian in the society to mould the society into Information rich society. Librarian’s skills in the areas of technology, education and teaching skills are crucial in their new re-educational role. Teaching skills are key to today’s environment where librarians are taking an active role in forming partnerships with faculty in achieving key information literacy outcome and librarians are recognized as teachers. & Librarians possesses the BEST KNOWLEDGE.