#informationliterate

Being media and information literate is an excellent skill to possess these days. In this current generation and the situation we face, we have to fit in and be knowledgeable about today's upgrading high technology to continue learning without being at risk with the virus by conducting online meetings instead of the typical face-to-face classes. These skills allow us to be well informed about using these newly developed technologies accurately and responsibly. As technologies are currently being widely used, it is essential to be a media and information literate individual to make your voice or opinions heard more conveniently and faster. It also enables us to identify where we can get authentic and reliable information about specific topics and be responsible digital users.      

Media and information literacy assist us and gives us the empowerment to have an ability to develop and adapt yourself /others to the rise of technology.  An individual must be media and information literate to be vigilant and survive the knowledge and issues the world imparts to us. Everyone is expected to utilize the available sources of information from media in a responsible, ethical, and effective manner by being smart, critical user, and life-long learner.

Being media and information literate helps a person to think critically at all times and to strengthen his or her interpretation and observations from the information provided. Critical thinking permits an individual to look at an issue and realize there is extra information to discover, assess, and apply before coming up with conclusions. Information proficiency provides the puzzle pieces needed to unravel, decode, or evaluate information gathered from observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication.

The value of a wise and careful media user will result in well-informed individuals. These two values are interconnected with each other, being careful is being wise as well. It is because being wise helps people to discern faulty information from truthful ones. To be able to think twice if those sources of information are reliable and credible. In that way, we practice carefulness, we dissect even the smallest details of the specific information. We become well-informed individuals and also an example to the world who has a huge number of media users who easily believe in what they see and read and be scammed. 

The value of being a Media and Information Literate Individual

Literate characterizes an individual having learning or instruction and that implies that in the event that you aren't taught, at that point you're not educated. Including that the media is exceptionally expansive in the 21st century for the reason that the world is having the Social Media barring the News that originated from the TV, radio or even papers, the data would maybe spreads in only a split of seconds however not realizing that a portion of the data are not valid, at that point this comes the benefit of being a Media and Information Literate. An individual must probably utilize, comprehend, ask, make, impart and think fundamentally. It is critical to have the ability to viably get to, arrange, assess, and make messages in an assortment of structures. Being Media and Information educated isn't only for yourself to see however for you to spread the data to other people; about helping any one to wind up skillful, basic, and proficient in all media frames with the goal that they control the translation of what they see or hear as opposed to giving the elucidation a chance to control them; this likewise elevates passage to data and learning, and building learning social orders. It additionally delivers cautious and basic masterminds. In different words,this will enable you to turn into a splendid collector and sender of data in media and in some other stage.

“Do not believe all that you hear and see.

Always check the original source of information.”

― Lailah Gifty Akita

Photo Credit: Kate Hunt

Being an information Literate

Information is significant among information seekers and of course information literate. It must be done in an ethical manner with a good purpose not in a way to hurt others in order for you to get your revenge. Information must be done through a serious and systematic process in order for you to have an accurate and precise result prior to that let us go beyond our knowledge about Information and let us go to Media and Information. Media and information is a complex set of systems and an array of information presented through various mediums. An understanding of the purpose, goals, aims and craft of creating media is required. Media must be evaluated, and the consumer must be able to identify types of media and the goal of the creators in creating and presenting the media.

An information literate is breakdown in some characteristics he/she determines the nature and extent of information needed, he/she must access the needed information effectively and efficiently, evaluates information and its sources critically and incorporates selected information into his/her knowledge base and value system, he/she uses information effectively and wisely to accomplish a specific purpose, and lastly an information literate understands many of the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information, and accesses and uses information ethically and legally. We live in the Information Age, and "information" is increasing at a rapid pace. We have the Internet, television, radio, and other information resources available to us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, just because so much information is so easily and quickly available does not mean that all of it is worthwhile or even true. Being an information literate is so much as I said in my first sentence in the beginning because it enables us to be able to navigate through various types of media with great success that is precise and accurate. I think it is important to know where to find the best source of information for your needs. Being able to evaluate information and a) decide if it is the best source and the right info for your purpose and b) find other similar sources of information of the same type is key to navigating through all the information that is now available to us.

"The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn"

Information literacy is a persons' ability to know when there is a need for information. All of us should have this ability especially at this era where fake news are widespread.

So, what are the characteristics that make up an information literate individual? First, one should be able to know how to access different information. I'm pretty sure anyone has this characteristic since information can be found ANYWHERE. Next, he should be able to identify and evaluate information simply because not all of them are true and/or is not credible. An information literate individual should consider checking these things. Also, he should be able to apply information to his daily life. Knowledge has no use to you until you find ways to put it into practice. Lastly, he should be able to create information. This ability greatly demonstrates your ability to be an information literate.