Media and Information Literacy

People Media
People - Groups of individuals that are able to collect, store analyze, and synthesize informa�on.

Media - A means or channel used to collect, transfer, and synthesize informa�on for the purpose of
dissemina�ng it to the public.

Text Media
- A means or channel that makes use of symbols (characters, leters) which individuals can
analyze, interpret, and glean informa�on from.

• Text
- A backbone of informa�on and a combina�on of characters and symbols being used to
transfer, store, synthesize, and analyze informa�on.

Characteris�cs of Text Media

• Accessible in mul�ple formats
- Text media is not limited to books, magazines, or newspapers. It can also come in the form of a
billboard, sub�tle to a movie, or in image arranged to reassemble words.

• Easily recognizable
- Since this medium is widely used, it is easily recognized as a channel of communica�on. If a
person looks at a phone message, they can already tell that these characters mean something
and contain informa�on.

• Provides �me for considera�on

- Processing informa�on takes �me, but since text media requires individuals to read and analyze
the characters to gain informa�on, user o�en have �me to process this informa�on while
seeing it.

• Customizable – can be general or specific

- Unlike other media forms, text informa�on is customizable. It can be used to transfer general or
specific informa�on. Addi�onally, text media is o�en combined with other media.

• Literary cri�c
- Although it is commonly used, text media requires individuals to be literate in the meaning of
the characters being used. This need for comprehension sets a limit on the capabili�es of text
media.

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Text Media

• Advantages
- Low produc�on cost
- Communicates complex topics effec�vely
- Clarifies other media
- Easily changes, updated, and customized
- Highly accessible

• Disadvantages
- Less memorable or engaging compared to other media
- Requires more considera�on and processing
- Based en�rely on learner mo�va�on

Selec�on Criteria of Text Media

- Selec�on criteria refer to key aspects that individuals must take note of to determine the best
use of text media in a scenario. Using selec�on criteria allows text media to be used effec�vely
in dissemina�ng informa�on.

• Purpose and appropriateness to the audience

• Relevancy to today’s world and society
• Alignment to the organiza�on or individual’s objec�ves and viewpoints
• Sustainability and cost-efficiency’

Design Elements and Principles of Text Media

• Emphasis
- Focused on highligh�ng or giving importance to specific parts of the content. Techniques
include making the text bold or italicized, increasing the weight, darkening, or lightening the font
color/background, or changing the size of the text.

• Contrast
- Develops interest in one’s content and elements. Two or more subjects that are en�rely different
need to be placed in rela�on to each other. Techniques include placing bright images on dark
backgrounds (and vice versa), large font with small font, serif, and sans serif font together, cool
and warm colors, and the height and width of the elements.

• Organiza�on
- Compartmentalizes and arranges all elements of the page/media to establish a theme or
cohesive structure. Techniques include adding whitespace to certain areas to show division,
grouping similar elements together in one (1) loca�on and establishing borders to clarify new
ideas or sec�ons.

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Design Elements and Principles of Text Media

• Repe��on
- In line with organiza�on, this establishes consistency and a sense of theming across the medium.
Techniques include using the same bullet styles throughout, placing images in the same loca�on,
and having the same page style and border.

• Alignment
- Focused on the posi�oning of all elements on the medium. This can be centered, le�, right,
jus�fied, one (1) column, two (2) columns, or more.

• Proximity
- Focused on the loca�on of each element and their rela�on to each other. Proximity establishes
the rela�onship of an element with another. For example, the content of the first topic must be
located away from the �tle of the second topic if it is unrelated. For headings and subheadings,
these two (2) are usually placed very close to each other.

VISUAL MEDIA – Defini�on, Characteris�cs, Criteria, and Design

- Means of communica�on that relies heavily on the reader’s ability to see and perceive things in
order for informa�on transfer to occur

• Visual
- Images, pictures, illustra�ons, and diagrams that are used to convey a message both explicitly
and implicitly

Characteris�cs of Visual Media

• Minimizes text
- Since informa�on is depicted directly as images or diagrams, the need for text has been
removed.

• Delivers the message quickly

- Unlike text media, visual media does not require the user to invest large amounts of �me to
perceive, understand, and process the informa�on it is trying to send.

• Highly customizable and varied

- With the rise of new media, visual informa�on has become a large preference for many users.
Aside from simple pictures, illustra�ons, and diagrams, visual media is also portrayed as
simula�ons, games, movies, and other interac�ve or engaging tools that transfer informa�on.

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Characteris�cs of Visual Media

• Easily updated to be relevant
- Relevance and staying updated on trends are easy for visual media since it is directly linked to
observa�ons and depic�ons of life and events.

• Accessible and recognizable

- Since the format and modes of using visual media is highly varied, it becomes highly accessible
as well. Addi�onally, individuals can immediately recognize visual media and its message.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Visual Media

• Advantages
- Quick to transfer informa�on
- Retained in the memory beter
- Has a high level of engagement
- Wide audience reach

• Disadvantages
- Higher priced than text media
- Requires �me and effort to develop
- Can’t be used effec�vely to supply large amounts of informa�on

Selec�on Criteria of Visual Media

- Selec�on criteria refer to key aspects that individuals must take note of in order to determine
the best use of text media in a scenario. Using selec�on criteria allows text media to be used
effec�vely in dissemina�ng informa�on.

• Mo�va�on and Vision

• Relevance and currency
• Engaging and eye catching
• Cohesive design that is understandable

Design Elements of Visual Media

• Lines
• Shapes
• Values (degree of light and dark)
• Texture (how an image looks like how it would feel)
• Color
• Form (volume and thickness of an image)

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Design Principles of Visual Media

• Repe��on
- Consistency of all visual elements and even text in the overall medium. This is to establish
cohesiveness throughout the medium.

• Center of Interest
- The area which first atracts the aten�on in a composi�on Considered as the most crucial part
of visual media.

• Balance
- The visual equality in shape, form, value, color, etc. This can be achieved based on symmetry or
asymmetry.

• Harmony
- The overall composi�on of similar units to form the major view of the medium.

• Contrast
- Offers change in value crea�ng a visual discord in a composi�on. It is o�en used to create
emphasis by showing the major differences of objects (e.g., size, shape, color, etc.)

• Direc�onal Movement
- Focused on the visual flow through the medium. It suggests the mo�on of objects and how the
reader will perceive them. Techniques can include the placement of dark and light areas so that
the aten�on is directed to these areas first.

• Rhythm
- Movement in which some elements occur regularly Focuses on the flow objects.

• Perspec�ve
- Created through the arrangement of objects in two (2) dimensional spaces to look like they
appear in real life.

AUDIO MEDIA – Defini�on, Characteris�cs, Criteria, and Design

- A means or channel that makes use of cera�n sounds which have significant meaning to collect
informa�on without using vision
- Audio media can be divided into two (2) types: analog (direct duplica�on, aims to replicate the
original sound) and digital (recreated sound from segmented parts).

• Audio
- Percep�on of sounds with certain notes and frequencies

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Selec�on Criteria of Audio Media

- Selec�on criteria refer to key aspects that individuals must take note of in order to
determine the best use of text media in a scenario. Using selec�on criteria allows text media
to be used effec�vely in dissemina�ng informa�on.

• Purpose and appropriateness to the audience

• Relevancy to today’s world and society
• Alignment to the organiza�on or individual’s objec�ves and view points
• Sustainability and cost-efficiency

Design Elements of Audio Media

• Dialogue
- Speech, conversa�ons, voice over, etc. Any sound that makes use of specific intona�ons to
convey messages from one individual to another.

• Sound Effects
- Addi�onal sounds outside of music and dialogue. These are o�en used to give emphasis and
se�ng.

• Music
- Vocal or instrumental sounds combined to produce a piece with harmony and form

• Silence
- Absence of audio or sound. These are o�en used to give emphasis or set the pacing of audio
media

Design Principles of Audio Media

• Mixing
- Combina�on, balance, and control of mul�ple sound elements

• Pace
- Time control, edi�ng, order of events, linear, non-linear, and mul�-linear order

• Transi�ons
- Techniques used to move from one (1) segment to the other. Transi�ons vary depending on the
rela�onship of the two (2) segments and also the context with which it is being used. These
include segue, cross-fade (abrupt cut from one (1) to the other), V-fade (first sound fades
completely before the second sound starts), and fade to black (similar to V-fade but with silence
in between the two (2) segments.

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Design Principles of Audio Media

• Stereo-imaging
- Making use of le� and right channels to add depth to the sound

MOTION MEDIA – Defini�on, Characteris�cs, Criteria, and Design

- A type of visual media that simulates and represents movements

Advantages and Disadvantages of Mo�on Media

• Advantages
- Increased engagement
- Simula�ons of events that are difficult to observe
- Skill and Affec�ve learning
- Beter understanding of processes

• Disadvantages
- Fixed pace
- Misinterpreta�on
- High Cost of Produc�on

Design Elements of Mo�on Media

• Speed
- The pacing of the movement can be based on addi�onal audio or the context of the scenario. It
helps project the theme and emo�on of the informa�on.

• Direc�on
- This is where objects move can reflect the progression or moving forward of informa�on
transfer, or it can signify crucial symbolize regarding the rela�onships of the characters.

• Mo�on
- These are the triggers that signify the change in direc�on of an object.

• Timing
- This can be objec�ve (which is measured in actual units of �me) or subjec�ve (where it is
psychological rather than accurate to passage of �me).

Design Principles of Mo�on Media

• Speed
• Timing
• Transi�ons
• Sound and Color

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Manipula�ve Media
- Manipula�ves in the context of educa�on are physical tools of teaching, engaging students
visually and physically with objects such as coins, blocks, puzzles, markers, etc. The use of
manipula�ves is construc�vist because students are ac�vely engaged in discovery during the
learning process. A teacher provides the materials along with basic direc�ons, but students
should be allowed to explore the materials and ask ques�ons before and during the lesson.”

Types of Manipula�ve Media

• Tradi�onal Manipula�ve Media
- Tradi�onal Manipula�ve Media is actually being used in par�cular schools, wherein they use
different materials that the students can use to have a hands-on experience regarding the
lesson.

EXAMPLES:

ADVANTAGES: DISADVANTAGES:
- Hands-on learning - Not available for everyone
- Increase confidence & mo�va�on for learning - Disinterest in discussion type learning
- Opportunity for collabora�on - Expensive
- Mul�sensory
- Varia�on in learning

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Types of Manipula�ve Media

• Virtual and Digital Manipula�ve Media
- With the dawn of the digital age, educa�on should keep up with the 21st-century learners’
interests. To do so, educa�on has been merged with technology in such a way that students can
learn more with the aid of these devices.

EXAMPLES:

ADVANTAGES: DISADVANTAGES:
- Hands-on learning - Not available for everyone
- Increase confidence & mo�va�on for learning - Distrac�on
- Plenty of resources - Dependence on them
- Engaging
- Flexible and easy access
- No clean up needed

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Brief History of Manipula�ve Media

• Johann Heinrich Pestallozi (1746-1827)
- He asserted that students need to learn through their senses and physical ac�vity He argued for
“things before words, concrete before abstract.”

• Friedrich Frobel (1782-1852)

- He is the “Father of Kindergarten.” He created the world’s first kindergarten in Germany.
Influenced by Pestalozzi’s ideas, Froebel’s kindergarten was filled with “toys” categorized as a
specific set of “gi�s” that are physical objects such as balls, blocks, rings, �les, and s�cks. These
gi�s were carefully designed to help children recognize and appreciate the common paterns
and forms found in nature.

• Maria Montessori (1870-1952)

- She extended Froebel’s ideas by developing materials for older children and inspiring a network
of schools in which manipula�ve materials (Montessori materials) play a central role. To create
an “educa�on of the senses,” Montessori developed new materials and ac�vi�es to help children
develop their sensory capabili�es. Montessori hoped that her materials would put children in
control of the learning process, enabling them to learn through personal inves�ga�on and
explora�on.

• Jean Piaget (1896-1980)

- He theorized that children must first construct knowledge through “concrete opera�ons” before
moving on to “formal opera�ons,” thus, the need for concrete manipula�ves to develop direct
physical experience, equilibra�on, assimila�on, and accommoda�on.

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