Understanding Literacy and Media Literacy

• Literacy is the ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate, and compute using printed and written materials in varying contexts.
• Literacy includes a continuum of learning, where individuals achieve their goals, develop knowledge, and participate in society.
• Media refers to physical objects used to communicate, including mass media like radio, television, computers, film, etc.
• Media encompasses any physical object used to communicate messages.
• Media is traditionally a source of credible information through an editorial process determined by journalistic values, with editorial accountability attributed to an organization or legal person.
• Media has been recently used to include new online media.
• Media literacy means the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media in various forms.
• Media literacy aims to empower citizens by providing them with the competencies (knowledge and skills) necessary to engage with traditional media and new technologies.
• Information is a broad term that covers processed data and knowledge derived from study, experience, instruction, signals, or symbols.
• Information literacy id the ability to recognize when information is needed, locate, evaluate, and effectively communicate information in various formats.
• Technology literacy iis the ability of an individual to responsibly, appropriately, and effectively use technological tools, either working independently or with others.
• Media and information literacy are essential skills and competencies that allow individuals to engage effectively with media and other information providers.
• Media and information literacy also develop critical thinking and life-long learning skills to socialize and become active citizens.

Evolution of Media

Pre-Industrial Age (Before 1700s)

• Fire was discovered, paper was developed from plants, and weapons/tools were forged with stone, bronze, copper, and iron.

Examples of Pre-Industrial Age Media:

• Cave paintings (also known as "parietal art"), which are numerous paintings and engravings on cave walls or ceilings, existed around 38,000 BCE.
• Clay tablets were used as a writing medium, especially for cuneiform.
• Cuneiform, one of the oldest forms of writing, was used for over 3,000 years in 15 languages.
• Papyrus is made from the papyrus plant.
• Papyrus was used in ancient times as a writing surface for documents, rolled up into scrolls.
• Acta Diurna in Rome (130 BC)
• Dibao in China (2nd Century)
• Codex in the Mayan region (5th Century)
• Printing press using wood blocks (220 AD)

Industrial Age (1700s-1930s)

• People used steam power and developed machine tools.
• Iron production along with manufacturing of various products, including books through a printing press was established.

Explore the definitions of literacy and media. Literacy encompasses the ability to understand, interpret, and communicate using written materials. Media literacy involves accessing, analyzing, evaluating, and creating media in various forms, empowering citizens to engage with traditional and new technologies.