Media and Information Literacy Overview

Media and Information Literacy

• Students will learn to evaluate media and information by understanding codes, conventions, and messages in relation to audience and producers.
• They will also produce and assess group presentations using similar frameworks.

Understanding Language in Media

• Language encompasses symbolic ingredients and technical codes that professionals select for communication.
• Technical codes include sound, camera angles, shot types, and lighting, guiding the audience’s interpretation of media.

Importance of Media Language

• Media serves as a vital linguistic resource for research and teaching by providing rich data.
• It significantly contributes to the language learners are exposed to and often serves as a primary model for native speakers.
• Media is a social institution that presents culture, politics, and societal narratives.

Codes and Conventions in Media

• Media codes function as the foundational elements that create meaning, helping audiences decode communication (e.g., emojis, slang).
• Conventions are established expectations concerning how these codes are arranged for effective storytelling.

Symbolic Codes

• Symbolic Codes: Elements that relate to real-life situations, enhancing audience connection (e.g., emotional reactions depicted in characters).
• Setting: Indicates the time and place of the media's narrative, which can vary in scale and realism.
• Mise en Scene: Refers to all visual elements within the frame, including set design, costumes, and composition.
• Acting: Involves the portrayal of characters through expressions and body language to drive narrative and tension.
• Color: Has strong cultural significance, with specific colors used symbolically to convey messages.

Technical Codes

• Audio: Distinguishes between diegetic sounds (originating from within the story) and non-diegetic sounds (external commentary or music).
• Camerawork: Focuses on camera movement and positioning to create effects and meaning.
• Editing: Involves arranging and manipulating visual and audio elements to enhance storytelling.
• Lighting: Uses various lighting techniques to highlight elements, creating mood and atmosphere.
• Written Codes: Employs formal language for narratives and themes, including subtitles and credits.

Conventions of Media

• Conventions guide audience expectations in media presentations (e.g., structure of films and news articles).
• Form Convention: Specific arrangements that audiences anticipate (e.g., movie titles, newspaper layouts).
• Narrative Convention: Traditional structures for storytelling that professionals rely on.

Plagiarism

• Defined as failing to credit original sources through:
  • Copying text without citation.
  • Paraphrasing without acknowledgment.
  • Altering structure without credit.
  • Claiming originality through minimal word replacement.
  • Inadequate citation practices.
• Important to differentiate between plagiarism (misappropriation of authorship) and copyright infringement (unauthorized use of material).
• To avoid plagiarism, maintain originality, seek permission for substantial use, and always cite sources properly.

Netiquette

• Refers to acceptable online behaviors governing communications in digital interactions.
• Core principles include treating others as people, adhering to ethical standards, and being culturally aware.
• Additional guidelines involve maintaining an online reputation, sharing knowledge, and respecting privacy.

Digital Divide

• Describes the gap between demographics that have access to technology and those that do not, affecting literacy and social mobility.
• Recognized as a current concern, with advocates arguing for access to technology as a human right necessary for societal improvement.

Internet Addiction

• Represents compulsive online behavior that negatively impacts relationships, work, and health, involving games, social interactions, and access to information.

This quiz focuses on the legal, ethical, and societal issues within media and information literacy. It aims to evaluate and analyze the codes and conventions used in various media forms, considering the perspectives of audience and producers. Students will demonstrate their knowledge by assessing and producing relevant media content.