Certainly, media and information literacy is an essential skill that we need to

develop for us to take advantage of the use and benefits of technology in the modern

society, while avoiding its pitfalls. Here are some tips for the responsible use of media

and information.

1. Ensure personal information safety – Do not display or give away your personal

information on your social media account. When you are using applications and

websites, read first the “terms of use”. It’s wise to take a close look and read all the

sections thoroughly.

2. Get permission – When posting videos or pictures of other people on your social

media account, do not forget to ask for the owner's approval and of the people who

appeared in the video or picture.

3. Think before you click – When posting or sharing on social media, think first if the

information you are going to post or share is accurate, helpful, informative, nice, and

kind to others. Avoid posting or sharing inappropriate, uncomfortable, or rude

insights on your account.

4. Keep your password safe – Keep an eye on your account; do not let others know

your password. Update your password often to avoid your account from being hacked

or used by a poser.

5. Spread positivity – Share positive and uplifting posts to your friends. As much as

possible, avoid negativity and hate in your account because what you post on social

media becomes a reflection of yourself.

PRINT MEDIA

This type of media paper and ink is reproduced in a printing process that is

traditionally mechanical such as books, newspapers, magazines, journals,

newsletters, and brochures. Print media may include text, graphics, or a

combination of both.

Text Media

A type of print media which is a simple and flexible format for conveying ideas,

whether handwritten or printed. Not all text media are print media. Text media may

also be displayed on-screen as part of broadcast media, multimedia, or new media.

Visual Media

A type of print media that refers to pictures, photos, images, and graphics
used to channel communication using the sense of sight. Visuals combined with

text are also considered as visual media. Like text media, visual media are not

limited to print media, however. “Visual media” is a general term for any medium

that mainly makes use of sight as a channel to receive the message.

Examples of Visual Media

1. Informational Graphics (Infographic) – is a visual representation of

information to understand the high-volume and complex data easily, e.g.,

graphs, charts.

2. Cartoons – a sketch or drawing intended as satire, caricature, or humor,

e.g., comic strip, editorial cartoons in newspapers and magazines.

3. Photography – A photograph is an image created by light captured on a

light-sensitive surface, which is usually photographic film. Nowadays, few

people use photographic film. The advent of digital photography via digital

cameras and cellular phones has made taking photographs easier and less

expensive.

BROADCAST MEDIA

A type of media that reaches target audiences using airwaves as the

transmission medium. Examples of broadcast media are radio and television.

Audio Media

A type of broadcast media that uses audio or voice recording as a medium in

the delivery of information. These are devices that appeal to the auditory sense.

Multimedia

A type of broadcast media concerned with the computer-controlled

integration of text, graphics, drawings, still and moving images (video), animation,

audio, and any other media where every type of information can be stored,

communicated, and handled digitally. Multimedia can be recorded and played,

displayed, interacted with or accessed by information-processing devices, such as

high-tech and automated devices, but can also be part of a live presentation.

Media and Information Sources

In searching for information, one needs help in locating appropriate and

reliable sources while also having access to them. There are three main sources of

information: indigenous knowledge, libraries, and the Internet. In many instances,

Indigenous Knowledge

Indigenous knowledge is the distinctive knowledge kept to a specific group of

people. Local knowledge, folk knowledge, people’s knowledge, traditional wisdom, or

traditional science are other terms used for it (Senanayak, 2006). Communities

generate and transmit this knowledge in certain periods to be able to adjust to their

agricultural, ecological, and socio-economic environments (Fernandez, 1994).

Meanwhile, according to Brouwers (1993), indigenous knowledge is “generated

through a systematic process of observing local conditions, experimenting with

solutions, and readapting previously identified solutions to modified environmental,

socio-economic and technological situations.” It usually becomes the basis of a

certain community for their daily life. Indigenous knowledge is transferred from one

generation to another, either orally (oral tradition) or through cultural rituals. Oral

traditions involve legends, folktales, epics, myths, and folk songs.

Dewalt (1994) identified certain features of indigenous knowledge that are

highly relevant in conservation and sustainable growth:

 Locally appropriate. Indigenous knowledge signifies a way of life that has

advanced with the local conditions.

 Restraint in resource exploitation. Production is for survival needs only; only

those necessary for immediate survival are taken from the environment.

 Diversified production systems. There is no abuse of resources; various

strategies are utilized to avoid risks.

 Respect for nature. A ‘conservation ethic’ often exists. Here, the land is treated

as sacred.

 Human dependence on nature for survival. All species are interrelated; hence,

one affects the other.

 Flexibility. Indigenous knowledge means adapting to new circumstances and

being open to outside knowledge.

 Social responsibility. There are strong family and community ties, and with

them, feelings of obligation and responsibility to preserve the land for future

generations.

B. Library
As defined in Cambridge Dictionary, A library is “a building, room, or

organization that has a collection, especially of books, music, and information that

can be accessed by computer for people to read, use, or borrow.”

Aside from books and journals, libraries also house advanced e-resources.

Most libraries offer the following services:

 User services function in linking people to the information they are looking

for.

 Technical services function in gathering, cataloging, and preparing library

materials.

 Computer services function in maintaining databases, software programming,

web page design, and computer hardware maintenance in the library.

 Administrative services function in managing the library and services,

conveying contracts with sellers, supervising library employees, and preparing

budgets.

Libraries are classified as academic, public, school, and special.

 Academic libraries serve colleges and universities.

 Public libraries serve cities and towns of all types.

 School libraries serve students from Kindergarten to Grade 12.

 Special libraries are located in specific environments (e.g., hospitals,

corporations, museums, military, private business).