Media and Information Literacy

"Writing is the painting of the voice."

[eramei]

The Power of Media And Information and the Responsibility of the Users

"The power is control, the power is in you"

By Yours Truly

"If you can control information, you can control people." Tom Clancy stated.

That sounded pretty dark and grim like it's actually saying that it's that easy conquering the whole world. Howevet, unbelievable as it may sound, in the future, in the past or it may be happening already as of this moment, no matter the time, people are being controlled through information and the medium that gives the people the power to do that is media.

According to the Dictionary, media are communication channels through which news, entertainment, education, data, or promotional messages are disseminated. Media includes every broadcasting and narrowcasting medium such as newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, billboards, direct mail, telephone, fax, and internet. In short, it has already become a part of our very lives. We can't even fathom what would it be like without it anymore. For sure, if it were to happen, it would be a catastrophe. We would never be able to function properly. It's a situation that wr wouldn't ever want to know nor experience.

Moreover, since it can control so much information, it can either bring a person to its success or destroy its life in the process. It holds so much power and influence that in just one click or one broadcast, it can easily make the innocent guilty of a crime they never did and it can make the guilty innocent and get away from a crime they actually committed. Media controls the mind of the masses, that's why that situation is possible.

Yes, it has such power, that's the more reason why we must not allow media to have complete control over our lives. We must not become someone who is easily manipulated with information. We must know how to use media properly and approximately in accordance to its different platforms. It's our responsibility as its users to not corrupt its purpose that wasn't really negative from the moment it was created. We, the users, must be aware that everything we see or read in media is nor all true. We must know how to wield its power and surely, it will greatly benefit us all.

[eramei]

Depression---the greatest foe of the current generation. This is considered as one of the most dangerous cases in the world as this not only affects the emotional state, but also affects the mental, physical, and spiritual health of a person. Depression refers to the great amount of negative energy residing in a person's body, bringing only pain and sorrow to the person experiencing it. There are many causes of depression---mostly concerning relationships with other people. These causes are seen through the insecurities, fear, and doubtful  nature of a human being. It is sad that the particular possessors of this particular illness are the youth.

Perhaps, due to lack of self-trust and confidence, they tend to fall into a pit of despair and fail to get up, sometimes leading to many cases of suicide. As much as there are many causes for depression, there are also as many cures. A person suffering depression should be accompanied by people who could make that person smile. Sometimes, due to small things like a pat on the back, a shoulder to cry on, an ear that will listen to them, their depressions fly away. These people suffer a lot, as if they carry the world on their backs and in order to help them realize that those burdens will just make them more miserable and end up missing out on the beauty that life has to offer. This will also help them realize that they are more than what they think themselves to be---that they are more beautiful when they smile at the problems they face.

[eramei]

What are the positive effects of Social Media?

It Facilitate Online Learning

The use of social media has helped the students to learn through various online learning platforms available to them. The use of YouTube to watch educational videos has helped the students to gain wider knowledge.

Access to Information

There are many groups that students can join through online platforms, that are related to their course of study, demographic, school, environment and much more. Joining this group on Whatsapp, Twitter, Facebook and others will help the students to have access to quality information as at when needed.

It helps to Gain Wider Knowledge

Social media helps to enhance student academic performance and increase their knowledge through data and information gathering. When students are been given an assignment in school, they go through various online platforms to gather information so as to find solutions to their assignment.

It helps to build Relationship

Students can get to know each other better through social media networks. It helps to bring together two or more people, where they can share their problem, which it can get solve by their fellow colleagues. If a student’s finds out that he or she is having a problem in a particular course, he or she can open up through chat and finds a genius who can provide a solution to the problem.

What are the negative Effects of Social Media?

It Waste Time

Many students find it difficult to go about their normal life without making use of social media. It has been observed that student does not listen in class, they are busy chatting and reading stories online. They waste their time chatting with friends and families, instead of reading and practicing what they have learned in school.

It Causes Distraction

Many students stick to their gadget without concentrating on their study. It is a bad idea to waste away judicious time on social media platforms without gaining anything from it. Students should not be carried away by social media platforms because it will affect their academic performance.

It causes social problems

Social media has created many social problems in the society. In these modern days, many students tend to choose online communication rather than having real time conversation, and this leads to students becoming an introvert.

It Causes Health Problems

The use of computers, mobile phones, and various gadgets to access online platforms by students may harm the user if they use it for long hours frequently. Students may be exposed to bad posture, eye strain, physical and mental stress. Too much use of education technology tools for accessing social media by students is harmful and there must be a limit.

All educational stakeholders must ensure they coordinate the use of social media platforms by setting up a policy that can help to regulate the negative effects aspect of social media. Students must also be ready to learn and listen in class, they should not make chatting their priority. Students should pursue an excellent academic performance and gain adequate knowledge that will help them in the future.

Source: http://blog.blogdash.com/media-industry/positive-negative-use-social-media-students/

[eramei]

IPConnection

Mediya

This idea was created for the sole purpose of helping the Indigenous people  have a better life in terms of connecting to our technology. According to other observations/articles across the Internet, these people cannot use the digital world in a way that they could endanger their community and culture if not given proper supervision. 

That’s why! We thought of “IPConnection - Mediya” Project.

We know that the thing they need the most is a connection to the Internet where they could find information about certain stuffs. For example, they definitely need to have awareness if they are being taken advantage of their property, they need to have knowledge about laws. They also need to have awareness on what’s currently happening in the country. In short, they need to “know”.

The features of Mediya are the following:

- It has an artificial intelligence wherein it has its own will to protect the Indigenous people of any bad intentions of other people. It knows whether their information is illegally being transmitted to other clouds and it prevents it from happening.

- It is water proof!

- It has a voice recognition feature wherein it has the ability to recognize their voices as well as use their language for communication.

- It has its own Solar Panel and Power Bank inside where it could save solar energy in order to function at night. 

[eramei]

Explore Its Universe

        Exploring is the key to obtain knowledge and the ability to choose the right things. You must first take the first step of exploring something new and something you don’t have any idea about what’s in, because in this way, you ‘truly’ learn. So how is this connected and vital to how I choose information from a wide variety of sources? How I know I chose the truth and nothing but the truth? How i know I chose the right and appropriate answers to my questions?

         First and foremost, since we are already in the 21st Century, it’s a fact that the internet is our main source of information and not all of the information found within it is true. Hence, this is where I explore.

         In terms of Academics, I visit not only one website but many. Furthermore, I target the websites that are reputable and known to have always given the right information to its visitors. Of course, everyone must do this to avoid getting the wrong information.

         On the other hand, in terms of personal entertainment, I always first consider my own safety specially concerning malwares, spywares and the like. I download many apps and visit many websites. I explore every little bit of sources related to what I want to read or watch. But how do I know the right one? I read comments and reviews about them. I explore many things first before I choose.

         Therefore, I firmly believe that exploring the different universe of the internet will give one the ability to differentiate true information from fake information and choose the right thing.

[eramei]

How media affect people’s everyday life...

“We're surrounded by distractions. Whether it's emails, phone calls, text messages, social media notifications, or people entering and leaving your workspace, those distractions end up eating a good portion of your time.” -John Rampton

“The great thing about social media was how it gave a voice to voiceless people.” - Jon Ronson

This drawing here shows how I myself perceive media in my life as a student. How much it greatly affects my grades and time.

[eramei]

That’s Who They Are

         Being ‘Literate’, what does it mean?

         According to the dictionary, If you're literate, you can read and write, and since you're reading this, that's what you are. But does that meaning really apply in today’s generation? Where there are diverse media, cultures and more advanced technologies?

         Now, what does that have to do with being ‘Information Literate’ ? First and foremost, In accordance with the meaning the dictionary gave – ‘being information literate’ means you can read and write information. But, with today’s booming changes in media, somehow makes the ‘being literate’ more complicated.

         How so? Well, a good example is living in the 21st Century. Because people are commonly exposed to social media, digital tools and devices, they develop their minds more than the people who weren’t. Literate individuals comprehend as well as critique, can build strong content knowledge, value evidence, use technology and digital media strategically and capably, and understand other perspectives and cultures. In what way? Just through their cellphones, opening apps or social media or even using search engines. They can access these information fast and easily. Just one click, type, scroll and read – people can be knowledgeable about the things they want to know, to prove, to share or even create.

         In short, ‘Information Literate Individuals’ have the ‘power’ since they are on the ball, well- informed people – as they say, “Knowledge is power,” and that’s who they are.

[eramei]

Evolution of Media

"Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution." - Albert Einstein