MIL – LESSON 1

Learning Objectives:
In your journey through the discussions and different tasks, you are expected to:
1. recognize the different components in the communication process;
2. understand how these elements connect and influence each other;
3. differentiate media literacy, information literacy, and technology literacy; and
4. Describe the influences of media and information to communication.

THE CONCEPT AND NATURE OF COMMUNICATION

Communication is one of the most basic and natural human activity. From the moment of birth, humans
start communicating by crying to express their needs and feelings. Communication enables people to
express their opinions and ideas as well. According to the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary, it
is the method of transmitting messages or information from one location to another. As it may sound
simple, this process of communication is complex in nature as it involves different elements that will
make or break its success.

TYPES OF COMMUNICATION
Communication has many forms. People can share ideas using different media and in several ways.
Generally, communication can be classified according to channel and purpose/style.

According to Channel

1.Verbal Communication
The term "verbal communication" refers to the use of words to share information with others.
People typically carry their own beliefs, opinions, feelings, and thoughts to a conversation, which
poses an obstacle to conveying the correct meaning. It is important for the sender of information
to put himself in the receiver's shoes. These words may be spoken or written.
a. Oral Communication - Spoken words are used in this type of communication. It
includes face-to-face conversations, speech, telephonic conversation, video, radio, television,
and voice-overs. Pitch, volume, rhythm, and other non-verbal aspects affect oral communication
b. Written Communication - Written signs or signals are used to communicate in written
communications. A written message may be typed or written by hand. Messages may be sent
via email, letter, report, memo, and other types of printed medium. The vocabulary, grammar,
writing style, accuracy and consistency of the language used all affect the incoming message.
2. Non-verbal Communication
Nonverbal communication is characterized as the sending or receiving of messages that are not spoken
or written. These are gestures, body language, tone of voice, or facial expressions, in addition to spoken
and written language. The speaker's body language is the most important aspect of nonverbal
communication as it reinforces the meaning of a speaker’s message. B. According to Purpose and
Style
1. Formal – Formal communication is mainly used in professional settings. Corporate
meetings, conferences, academic lectures, political sessions, and legal proceedings all use it.
Because of its formal nature, it places a heavy focus on proper grammar and pronunciation.
2. Informal - Informal communication is unstructured conversation. This usually happens
in everyday communication with family members, friends, or relatives. Colloquial speech, slangs
and intimate language are generally used and accepted in this type of communication. Informal
communication does not put a high priority on the manner in which messages are transmitted.

THE COMMUNICATION PROCESS

The communication process is made up of four key components. Those components include the
sender, encoding, message, medium/media of transmission, decoding, receiver, feedback, and the
context of communication. Other element includes the communication barrier called noise. It is through
the communication process that the sharing of a common meaning takes place. The communication
process begins with the sender and usually ends with a response from the receiver.

ELEMENTS OF COMMUNICATION
Context
This is the prime component of every communication process. Context represents the setting in
which communication happens or takes place. This context may be physical, historical,
psychological, social, chronological, or cultural
Sender
The sender is an individual, group, or organization who initiates the communication. This source
is initially responsible for the success of the message. The sender's experiences, attitudes,
knowledge, skill, perceptions, and culture influence the message. All communication begins with
the sender.
Message
This is the subject matter of the communication. This may be an opinion, attitude, feelings, views,
orders, or suggestions.
Encoding
Since the subject matter of communication is theoretical and intangible, its further passing
requires use of certain symbols such as words, actions, or pictures etc. Conversion of subject
matter into these symbols is the process of encoding.
Channel/Medium
The person who is interested in communicating has to choose the channel for sending the
required information, ideas etc. This information is transmitted to the receiver through certain
channels which may be either formal or informal. The sender decides which is the most practical
 and effective way transmit the message. It could be face-to-face, over the phone, on the internet,
using a handwritten or printed letter, and many more.
Receiver
Receiver is the person who receives the message or for whom the message is meant for. It is
the receiver who tries to understand the message in the best possible manner in achieving the
desired objectives.
Decoding
The person who receives the message or symbol from the communicator tries to convert the
same in such a way so that he may extract its meaning to his complete understanding.
Feedback
Feedback is the process of ensuring that the receiver has received the message and understood
in the same sense as sender meant it. This oftentimes ensures that a two-way communication
have been done.
Noise
Noise is any type of communication barrier that hinders the success of the communication
process. Communication will be more effective and interactive if there is no noise existed. It
could be a physical noise such as the loud inappropriate sound from the surroundings; or a
sematic or language barrier such as differences in how words or phrases are expressed and
interpreted. Psychological noise also distracts the process of communication especially in the
receiver’s end.

MEDIA, INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY LITERACY

21st century is characterized as the new age of media and information. This is brought about by the
technological advancement that led the utmost accessibility of information both online and offline. While
media and information has never been as accessible as they are today, this leaves an immense
responsibility to people to morally and competently access, use and share information in different
platforms. The term “literacy” has changed over time; more than the ability for macro skills- it has been
redefined to three important competencies- these are media, information, and technology literacy.
Media Literacy, according to UNESCO, involves understanding and using mass media in either an
assertive or non-assertive way. It is the ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate,
and compute, using printed and written materials associated with varying context. It involves
understanding and using mass media in either an assertive or non-assertive way. It is the ability to
read, analyze, evaluate and produce communication in a variety.
The Association of College And Research Libraries (ACRL USA) defines information literacy as a set
of abilities requiring individuals to "recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate,
evaluate, and use the needed information effectively."
In a time when technological advancements have brought an ever-growing amah of information,
people are drowning with way too much data while the abundance of information may have advantages,
verifying its authenticity, validity, reliability, remains a problem for all. Information literacy help solve
that.
 On the other hand, Technology (Digital) Literacy includes the ability to read and interpret media, to
reproduce data and images through digital manipulation. It also refers to a person's ability to perform
tasks effectively in a digital environment.

Technology Literacy is the ability to safely, responsibly, creatively, and effectively use appropriate
technology to: • communicate;
• access, collect, manage, integrate, and evaluate information;
• endeavor to predict future needs, solve problems and innovatively create solutions;
• build and share knowledge;
• improve and enhance learning in all subject areas and experiences;
• apply technology and critical thinking to real-world experiences;
• develop the knowledge and skills to adapt to changing technologies; and
• use technology to meet personal needs, interests and learning styles.
ACTIVITY 1