MEDIA AND INFORMATION LITERACY

Media and information are a powerful voice of the people to express feelings and thoughts. People nowadays are already
media and information literate, but to engage in a digital society, one needs to be able to use these tools, and inquire,
understand, communicate, and think critically.

Opportunities

 Online Shopping. Through online shopping and by using a web browser, consumers can directly buy goods over the
internet. Consumers may visit the website of the retailer directly or search alternative vendors’ websites using a
shopping search engine.
 Citizen Journalism. It is the collection, dissemination and analysis of news and information by the public, especially
by means of the internet.

Challenges

 Age-inappropriate content. With the unabated spread of media, one has to be very careful about access. There is a
wealth of information one can gain from the Internet, but there is also content that is unfit for children and
young people like pornography and violence.
 Illegal content. The Internet has also been, and continues to be, used by unscrupulous people to further their
illegal activities, like human trafficking, the use of force, force, fraud, or coercion to obtain a commercial sex act
or labor, and child pornography. Some groups also use the internet to further the ideas of racism and
discrimination.
 Privacy invasion and identity theft. Data posted on the Internet may be accessed and used for illegal activities.
Personal information may be willingly shared as pictures or text on social media or inadvertently given by users
as part of such offerings as games or surveys. It is important for users to be aware of the risks before they
decide to share their personal data. A way to get sensitive personal information is phishing. It is a fraudulent
attempt to obtain sensitive information such as username, passwords, and credit card details by disguising
oneself as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.

Threats and Risks of Media and Information

It is stated in the Philippine Constitution that each person has the right to freedom of opinion and expression. This
right includes freedom to hold and express opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart
information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers. With this right, we can negotiate, chat, and
express our opinions and ideas, if we show respect to persons whose opinions differ from ours. Showing respect
means listening to others as they explain their respective sides and trying to understand their perspective and why.
We do not have to agree with them. Instead

of dismissing them, we can engage them in a discussion and avoid being aggressive. We can disagree peacefully.
Furthermore, this simply tells us that we should never abuse or misuse our freedom of speech. Always remember
that an opinion is a self-report of feelings or personal judgement accompanied by responsibility of thought. These
are some laws against the abuse and misuse of media and information, which violate the rights of others and
threaten them in some ways.

Libel / Slander

A person commits libel if he/she, with malice, publishes a false statement that is damaging to another person’s
reputation, office, trade, business or means of livelihood. n the Philippine constitution, libel is a violation of Article 355
of the Revised Penal Code. As stated in this article, libel can be committed in the form of writing, printing, and other
similar means. If the hurtful statement is spoken, the statement is slander. General example of libel/slander: Spreading
false rumors about someone having an extra-marital affair, damaging the person’s reputation.
Piracy

Piracy refers to the unauthorized duplication of copyrighted content that is then sold at substantially lower prices on the
black market. It is illegal under the Cybercrime Law, which states that acquiring any digital copy of any copyrighted
material is punishable by a fine from Php 200,000 to Php 500,000 and six to twenty years in prison. The Intellectual
Property Code and the Anti–Cam cording Law were previously in place to combat piracy in the country.

Cybercrime Law

The Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10175) covers all other online anomalies such as identity
theft, child pornography, data misuse, cybersquatting and other computer-related and internet facilitated practices.
This law became controversial in 2012-2013 since it also criminalizes libel in the online world, limiting certain exercises
of freedom of expression.

B. Education, Economic, Social and Political Aspects and Influences of

Media and Information Literacy

Media Innovation

What is innovation? It is the process of developing a new method or process or product that better serves existing uses
or start to serve a previously unidentified need. When we talk about media innovation, it includes the change in several
aspects of the media landscape – from the development of new media platforms to new business models, to new ways of
producing media texts changes in other areas such as education, society, economy, and politics.

Influence of Media on Education

Nowadays, media plays a crucial role in strengthening society as it helps us to know the current societal issues not only
locally but also globally. It also enhances the teaching and learning processes inside the four walls of the classrooms.
Media comes in different forms and each form affects the way people learn and interpret information.

Influence on Society

Media’s power appears unstoppable. Almost everyone is exposed to countless media images, advertisements,
magazines, etc. With the advent of social media like Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, Twitter, email and the like, we
are connected in ways that were not possible before. The communication line is always open. Because of these,
necessary societal interactions, camaraderie, and development of friendships are facilitated.

Economic Influence

The new media has made it possible for any individual to offer products and services online. The various media
platforms are a means to augment people’s income. It is indeed true that the new media affect the economic progress
and stability of the country. Innovation in media has likewise created new online jobs opportunities such as tutorials in
various subjects, airline booking, art selling, product reviews on YouTube, blogging, photography, and other IT related
jobs.

Political Influence

With the wider internet reach in the Philippines and the corresponding increase in Filipino social media users, political
individuals and parties and government agencies have realized the effectiveness and power of social media platforms in
terms of public communication. Digital Diplomacy, also called E-diplomacy or Digi diplomacy is a government’s use of
social media and information technology to communicate to the public, especially foreign public. Foreign ministries,
embassies and other government agencies have social media accounts especially on Twitter and Facebook.
B. Determine in which sector the following situations can be categorized. Write the letter of your
answer on a separate sheet of paper.

A. EDUCATION C. POLITICAL B. ECONOMIC D. SOCIAL

1. Media enhances the learning and teaching processes inside the classroom. A

2. Teacher makes use of the technology in lesson execution. A

3. Teacher makes use of the Manila paper, chalk and board as aids for teaching. A

4. School head encourages the teachers to consider films and documentaries and other interactive lessons in the
teaching activity. A

5. Michael opens a “lechon-manok” store and promotes his products in the city FB group account.

6. Company employers create various IT-related jobs. B

7. Government figures carry out the web for some diplomatic objectives. B

8. The mayor addresses issues in his social media account instead of holding a press conference.

9. Residents of the community question the legality of a city councilor’s funding of the construction of flower boxes in
the center of the barangay sidewalks. C

10. The Philippines is a republic with a presidential form of government wherein power is equally divided among its
three branches. C

11. Teacher considers the use of written articles and blog postings as some teaching methodologies. A

12. The company manager accepts the idea that technology is unavoidable. D

13. Nelly always opens her communication line with relatives abroad using Facebook messenger. D

14. The Santos Family tries to develop connections and interaction among family members using the higher version of
technology. D

15. Sally makes a lot of money from her online business, where she promotes services and products on her Facebook
account. B

MOOC is an acronym for Massive Open Online Course. The word “massive” means large number or amount,
“open” means accessible to all, “online” means connected to or available through a system, and “course” means the act
of moving in a path from point to point. Therefore, MOOC refers to a route or pattern of getting content or information
available through an online system that can be accessed by many people. MOOC is also described as a pattern for
providing learning information or content online to any person who needs to take up a course with no limit on
attendance.

MOOCs are asynchronous web-based courses geared towards enabling several hundreds of students all over the world
to enroll and learn from top world-renowned academic institutions at the same time. MOOCs deliver content via
recorded video lectures, online readings, and online assessments, with various degrees of student- student and student-
instructor interactions.
Types of Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)

1. xMOOCs

xMOOC stands for eXtended MOOC. xMOOCs are based on traditional university course structures and make use of
established teaching approaches and materials. Students will watch pre-recorded lectures, complete required readings,
and participate in discussions as produced and managed by a course instructor or an instructional team from a higher
education institution.

2. cMOOCs

cMOOC stands for Connectivist MOOC. cMOOCs are based on the connectivist learning model that favors collaboration
among learners as a form of active learning. Students in cMOOC work together to locate, evaluate, and contribute to the
course content by uploading materials in the form of tweets, blog posts, wikis, and others, to the course using the
learning platform. A cMOOC instructor or instructional team facilitates learning by finalizing, aggregating, and
assessing the students’ contributions to the course.

Advantages of Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)

1. Relax requirements – MOOC can be taken by anyone who is interested in the subject matter and able to access the
course, regardless of age, background, or location.

2. Video format availability - Teaching in a modern video format (not just texts like those that you’d find in other e-
learning courses).

3. Accessibility- learning content from top universities like Harvard, Stanford, etc. can be opened through online
format.

4. Repetition- an MOOC will often run two or three times a year, ensuring that students would not miss their chance.

5. High quality- MOOCs are led by subject matter experts (SMEs) and supported by teaching assistants, so that
students have access to first-rate educational resources.

6. Feasibility- an MOOC usually requires 1-2 hours of study a week for about 5 weeks, making learning doable even
for busy students.

7. Self-paced- an MOOC enables students to work through the course materials and assessments at their own pace.

8. Online collaboration- learners across the globe work together on common goals without the need to meet each
other in person.

What are some MOOC platforms?

There are already thousands of MOOCs from countless providers worldwide. Here are the top MOOC platforms.

a. Coursera has over 20 million learners/participants. Courses were created by the universities of Stanford, Princeton,
Yale, London, Munich, Zurich, and many more.

b. EdX has around 10 million learners/participants. Courses were created from Harvard, MIT, Berkeley, and Oxford,
among others.

c. Udacity is created as an MOOC platform at Stanford. Now mostly programming courses in cooperation with industry
partners such as Google, Facebook, or Daimler. Course topics include artificial intelligence and self-driving cars.

d. Future Learn is MOOC platform (UK-based) which includes various British and European universities. Courses
offered are shorter in duration compared to others.

1. Mr. Ramos, a professor in a university, is teaching online to several students from different parts of the country and
overseas using his uploaded videos about the different parts and functions of the human body. Which medium is being
used here?

A. 3D C. Ubiquitous Learning B. Massive Open Online Course D. Wearable technology

2. _____ are based on connectivist learning models that favors collaboration as a form of active learning.

A. cMOOCs B. xMOOCs C. Google D. Yahoo

3. Which of the following is NOT massive open online flatform?

A. Google B. Coursera C. Edx D. Udacity

4. ____ are based on traditional course structures and make use of established teaching approaches and materials

A. cMOOCs B. xMOOCs C. Google D. Yahoo

5. ____ enables students to work through the course materials and assessments at their own rates while also
interacting with a global learning community.

A. Accessibility B. Feasibility C. Repetition D. Self-paced

6. Erwin is watching a video about renowned Filipino scientists on his tablet in the assigned learning station. Next, he
will transfer to the next learning station to watch the different Filipino folk dances. Which medium is being used here?

A. 3D C. Ubiquitous Learning B. Massive Open Online Course D. Wearable technology

7. ____ is an advantage of MOOC in which a course runs two or three times a year, ensuring that students would not
miss their chance

A. Accessibility C. Repetition B. Feasibility D. Self-paced

8. Mary Anne realized that she forgot to answer the guide questions in one of the learning stations in the Science class.
She decided to log in to her account as soon as she got home. Which characteristic of ubiquitous learning is shown in
the situation?

A. Accessibility C. Interactivity B. Permanency D. Adaptability

9. Which of the following is NOT an advantage of Mass Open Online Course?

A. Teaching in a modern video format

B. Courses in a true online format

C. Online interaction between learners and teachers

D. Uses paper and pencil tests in evaluating students.

10.Who invented the concept of Massive Open Online Course or MOOC in 2008?

A. Bill Gates C. Mark Zuckerberg B. Dave Cormier D. Jeff Bezos

Text Information and Media

Text Information

Text information can be written in script using the Roman alphabet or a different script that is appropriate to the
language of the reader. Text information or textual information can be written in the language most appropriate to the
reader. For example, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean textbooks are using their own language.

Creators of Text Information

Readers are influenced and persuaded by the power of written words. A reputable and well-organized material or
written work is a collective effort between writers and members of the editorial team. Below are the several kinds of
writers.

1. Author – someone who writes books, stories, or articles on different kinds of topics. However, there is a difference in
the focus of their writing. Usually, an author writes stories or articles that are lengthy, like a novel. They are also
connected to scholarly works, such as general reference materials or a textbook. An author is someone whose work has
already been published.

2. Writer – a writer is more associated with writing literary works like poems and short stories. A writer is usually a
person who writes stories or articles as an occupation, like a journalist, blogger or screenwriter.

3. Contributor – Like a writer, the contributor spends time writing articles about topics that are of particular interest.
Contributors can only submit articles depending on the theme or space available. Most writers work full time in a
publication or publishing companies but some work as freelance writers or contributors. A freelance writer is self-
employed and is not connected to a specific publication or company.

4. Columnist – someone who writes and shares his opinion, insights, and commentaries about social or political issues.
In a newspaper or a magazine, articles written by columnists appear on a regular basis. Even though columnists are free
to express their opinion, they must abide by the professional code of ethics for journalists. This means that columnists
should avoid using and making biased and derogatory remarks.

5. Blogger – a blogger is someone who writes personal opinions on topics or issues that interest them. Their work can be
seen and read in online journals or websites. Rather than writing a column for a magazine or a newspaper, a blogger
shares their insights, ideas, reflections, experiences,and activities through a blog entry.

6. Editor – someone who coordinates with the author or writer in planning, reviewing, and revising content for
publication. In addition, an editor’s task is to coordinate with the layout artists to ensure that all corrections are carried
out from start to end. The editor also gives the final say to the final content of the written text.

7. Publisher – someone who is responsible for preparing, acquiring, and managing a publication. The publisher works
with a team of writers, authors, and layout artists and decides on the type and theme of the material to be published.

Classifications of Text Information

The different sources of text information were presented in the previous section. Print media, such as books,
newspapers, and magazines contain various information. Text information is classified into two: fiction and nonfiction.

1. Fiction – This refers to stories that are products of the writer’s imagination. Fairy tales, mythologies, and legends are
examples of fiction texts. Most works of fiction are considered as forms of literature.

2. Nonfiction – Text information is classified as nonfiction if it is based on facts and reality. Examples of nonfiction
works are biographies, news, and scientific research. Text information like these are often present in textbooks,
encyclopedias, periodicals, and journals.

How Text Information is Produced

Text information is produced through the following steps:

1. The writer selects a topic or an issue worth writing about.

2. The writer does a thorough gathering of information about the topic.

3. The writer constructs an outline of the topic and composes the draft.

4. The writer goes back to the draft and develops it into a full text.

5. The writer turns in the article to the editor or publisher.

For articles in newspapers or magazines, the editor decides whether the material is worthy of publication, based on the
quality of the material and the publication house’s style and theme.

For manuscripts written for possible publication as a textbook or novel, the publisher usually has a team of reviewers
who checks the quality of the manuscripts in terms of content and genre. If the manuscript gets the approval of the
screening committee, it is forwarded to the editorial department and later endorsed for printing.

Assessing and Evaluating Text Information

The following criteria should be considered in assessing and evaluating text information.

1. Accuracy and Factuality. Text information should be precise and must be based on facts. It should be thoroughly
researched, and the data should be based on valid findings.

2. Objectivity. Text information should not contain any biases, prejudice, or discrimination. If the material contains
information favoring any side or groups, each must be discussed fairly and exhaustively.

3. Language appropriateness. The level and kind of language should be appropriate for the target audience or readers.

4. Curriculum alignment. The textbook material should be consistent with thecurriculum and international standards
prescribed.

5. Style and Format. Most books are based on the Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) when it comes to all editorial
concerns like capitalization, punctuation, and citation. On the other hand, academic papers follow the American
Psychological Association (APA) Style. Newspapers follow a particular house style, depending on the news agency to
which they belong.

Advantages of Text Information

❖ Text information covers a wide variety of topics.

❖ One can access text information easily.

❖ It is well-researched and comprehensively discussed.

Limitations of Text Information

❖ The book should be updated regularly to ensure accuracy and timeliness.

❖ Text information can be lengthy, making it difficult or tiresome to read.

Text as Visual

a. The representation or style of a text in digital formal is called a typeface.

b. A typeface, (also referred to as font, font type, or type) is usually composed of alphabets, numbers, punctuation
marks, symbols, and other special characters.

c. Different emotions and meanings are expressed when various font types are used. In case there is an absence of
images and drawings, the easiest way to communicate to people is through text.

Types of Typefaces

Serif

One common form of a typeface is called serif. It pertains to a short line at the top or bottom of some styles of printed
letters. This kind of typeface entails familiarity and readability in large amounts of texts. Some publications such as
books, newspapers, magazines, and research normally use serif typeface for the body of the text. Serif fonts are also
used to achieve a classic and elegant look in publications.

Examples: Times New Roman, Garamond, Baskerville

Sans Serif

A typeface which does not contain serif in the letters is called sans serif. This typeface conveys a clean and minimalist
look to the text. To express clear and straightforward meaning of the text, road signages, building directories, and
nutrition facts in food packaging use this typeface. Moreover, sans serif fonts are mainly used in designing web pages to
achieve a modern style look.

Examples: Arial, Helvetica, Tahoma, Verdana, Calibri

Slab Serif

A heavy and solid look to the text is expressed by slab serif. Usually, large advertising signs on billboards use the slab
serif typeface.

Examples: Rockwell, Playbill, Black oak

Script

The brush-like strokes of the script typeface draw people’s attention to it. The reason behid why this font must be used
sparingly must be given. Most formal events such as weddings or evening charity balls use the script typeface.

Examples: Edwardian, Vladimir, Kunstler

Decorative

Display or decorative typeface are artistic and eye-catching since it can show a wide variety of emotions (such as
happiness, fear, horror, etc.) or decorative fonts also cater to various themes (such as spaceships, carnivals, holidays,
seasons, kiddie, etc.)

Examples: Chiller, Jokerman, Curlz MT

Design Principles and Elements

1. Emphasis – pertains to the force or intensity of expression which contributes to the importance or vivid impression of
something. To do this, a text can be enlarged, be bold or italicized, darkened or lightened, or underlined.

2. Appropriateness – refers to how suitable or appropriate the text is for the target audience, intention or purpose, or
event. The selection criteria (tone, style, purpose, clarity) should be followed in the creation of text-based content. The
discussion of font characteristics must be considered when choosing the typefaces to be used in an output. Large bodies
of text must use fonts which are readable and clear.

3. Proximity – refers to the distance of text elements from each other. Things that are closely related should be brought
together. Otherwise, text elements should be placed far from each other. For example, the placements of the main title
and subtitle are usually close to each other.

4. Alignment – refers to the proper positioning or state of adjustment of parts in relation to each other (Merriam-
Webster Dictionary). The text positioned in the page can be left, right, center or justified.

5. Organization – refers to the act or process of organizing various elements of text in a page. Although elements of text
are sorted away from each other (based on the principle of proximity), the organization sees to it that somehow, they are
still connected with the rest of the elements in the page.

6. Repetition – the unity of the entire design and consistency of elements are the concerns of repetition. The repetition
of some typefaces within the page are encouraged. However, when various typefaces are used on a page, it might result
in distraction and failure to communicate the content of the text.

7. Contrast – refers to the degree of difference between things having similar or comparable natures (Merriam-Webster
Dictionary). Visual interest in text elements is generated by contrast. Contrast can be achieved when we combine the
following elements like large fonts with small fonts, serif and sans serif, thin and thick elements, and warm and cool
colors.

1. Which is NOT a characteristic of a serif typeface?

a. classic b. readability c. formality d. extravagant

2. Which of the following material is suited for a script typeface?

a. newspapers b. magazines c. wedding invitations d. billboards and ads

3. Text information generally has the following characteristics except:

a. instant information b. limited topics c. time-consuming d. well-researched

4. The responsibility of transforming texts into soft copy using an office computer application is the responsibility of
the:

a. data encoder b. publisher c. graphic artist d. editor

5. Which text information should one use when they need data for a research paper?

a. legends b. fable c. magazine d. encyclopedia

6. Text information is produced through the following steps except?

a. The writer composes an article about their chosen topic.

b. The writer develops the article into publishable material.

c. The writer turns in the article to the editor or publisher.

d. The writer submits articles randomly to every media platform.

7. Which of the following is NOT the editor’s responsibility?

a. acquires and manages a publication

b. coordinates with the author or writer

c. reviews and revises content for publication

d. ensures that corrections are done from start to end.

8. The following items comprise a typeface except:

a. alphabet b. numbers c. emoticons d. symbols

9. Which does not belong to the group?

a. language appropriateness

b. accuracy and factuality

c. formality and readability

d. style and format

10. Which typeface has a clean and minimalist look to the text?

a. serif b. sans serif c. slab serif d. script

Visual Information and Media

Visual Information

Visual information is the artistic or creative representation or interpretation of an idea, concept, or emotion using
different media.

1. Visual media and information – materials, programs, applications, and the like that teachers and students use to
formulate new information to aid learning through the use, analysis, evaluation, and production of visual images.

2. Types of visual media – photography, video, screenshots, infographics, data visualization (charts and graphs), comic
strips/cartoons, memes, visual note- taking, etc.

3. Formally and informally produced visual media – visual media produced by formal organizations such as schools,
government, and established media/publishing outfits are considered formally produced. Other visual media are
considered informally produced.

4. Purpose of visual information - the primary purpose of visual information is to gain attention, create meaning, and
facilitate retention.

5. Visual design elements – the building blocks or basic units in the construction of a visual image. The Design Elements
are:

a. Line – describes a shape or outline. It can create texture and can be thick or thin. Lines may be actual, implied,
vertical, horizontal, diagonal, or contour.
b. Shape – usually a geometric area that stands out from the space next to or around it, or because of differences in
value, color, or texture. Shape may also be organic.

c. Value – the degree of light and dark in a design. It is the contrast between black and white and all the tones in
between. Value can be used with color as well as black and white. Contrast is the extreme changes between values.

d. Texture – the way a surface feels or is perceived to feel. Texture can be added to attract or repel interest of a visual
element. Visual texture is the illusion of the surfaces peaks and valleys, resulting in a feeling of smoothness or
roughness in objects.

e. Color – determined by its hue (name of color), intensity (purity of the hue), and value (lightness or darkness of hue).
Color and color combination can play a large role in the design. Color may be used for emphasis or to elicit emotions
from viewers. Color may be warm, cool, or neutral. It plays a major role in our visual perception, as it influences our
reactions to the world around us. It is therefore important to create color palettes that will evoke the appropriate
audience reactions.

f. Form – a figure having volume and thickness. An illusion of a 3-dimensional object can be implied using light and
shading. Form can be viewed from many angles.

6. Visual Design Principles are:

a. Consistency of margins, typeface, typestyle, and colors is necessary, especially in slide presentations or documents
that are more than one page.

b. Center of interest – an area that first attracts attention in a composition. This areais more important when compared
to the other objects or elements in a composition. This can be achieved by contrast of values, more colors, and
placement in the format.

c. Balance – a feeling of visual equality in shape, form, value, color, etc. Balance can be symmetrical and evenly
balanced, or asymmetrical and unevenly balanced. Objects, values, colors, textures, shapes, forms, etc. can be used in
creating balance in a composition.

d. Harmony – brings together a composition with similar units. For example, if your composition uses wavy lines and
organic shapes, you should consistently use these types of lines and not put in just one geometric shape.

e. Contrast – offers some change in value creating a visual discord in a composition. Contrast shows the difference
between shapes and can be used as a background to bring objects out and forward in a design. It can also be used to
create an area of emphasis.

f. Directional Movement - a visual flowthrough the composition. It can be the suggestion of motion in a design as you
move from object to object by way of placement and position. Directional movement can be created with a value
Image(s) for Color Combination and Texture pattern. It is with the placement of dark and light areas that you can move
your attention through the format.

g. Rhythm – a movement in which some elements recur regularly. Like a dance, it will have a flow of objects that will
seem like the beat of music.

h. Perspective – this is created through the arrangement of objects in two-dimensional space to look like what they
appear in real life. Perspective is a learned meaning of the relationship between different objects seen in space.
1. Which should be the main consideration when one wants to lay out a newspaper broadsheet?

a. harmony c. rhythm b. contrast d. balance

2. In creating an area of emphasis and showing differences between shapes, one must look at ______________

a. rhythm c. balance b. contrast d. harmony

3. If you want objects to easily flow like beats of music in your visual output, you must incorporate ___________ to
your work

a. rhythm c. balance b. contrast d. harmony

4. The following are purposes of visual information except:

a. gain attention c. facilitates attention b. create meaning d. build concepts.

5. Which among these design elements can attract or repel interest in a visual element?

a. shape c. line b. texture d. value

6. If one needs to interpret data and pictures on the same visual representation, they should work on ____________.

a. infographics c. screenshots b. photographs d. videos

7. Lines can be any of the following except:

a. light c. vertical b. implied d. contour

8. Which of the following is not a characteristic of color?

a. hue c. appeal b. intensity d. value

9. Visual information aids learning through:

a. analysis c. abstraction b. generalization d. synthesis

10.Which of the following is not an essential part of visual design principles?

a. typeface c. material b. typestyles d. margin

Audio Information and Media

Audio

Audio is defined as anything connected to sound, specifically when received, recorded, transferred, or duplicated
(HarperCollins, n.d.). It is anything related to the documentation and transmission of sound (Cambridge University,
n.d.). Audio is one of the resources of media and information, along with text, visual, and motion.

Audio Media and Audio Information

Audio Media refers to the media communication that uses audio equipment to report, document, and deliver
information through the means of sound. It may also refer to audio formats such as analog tape cassettes, digital
compact discs, and computer files containing audio. On the other hand, audio information is the file or sound created
and transferred by using high fidelity waves that are heard through certain audio tools.
Types and Categories of Audio Information

❖ Radio Broadcast – the act of sending a live or recorded audio through radio waves meant for a large group of listeners

❖ Music – an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and
continuous manner

❖ Sound Recording – the encoding of any sound from the surroundings; the act or procedure of making a record of a
certain sound (Merriam-Webster, n.d.)

❖ Sound Clip/Sound Effect – the sound, aside from dialogue and music, artificially made to create an effect in a movie,
play, or other broadcast production (Oxford University, n.d.)

❖ Audio Podcast – an episodic series of digital audio or video file or recording that can be downloaded by a user from a
website to a media player or

computer to listen. Aside from knowing the various types of audio information, you must also learn the different ways of
storing audio files:

❖ Tape – a magnetic tape sound recording format on which sound can be documented

❖ Compact Disc – a plastic-fabricated, circular tool on which audio, video, and other digital information is recorded,
stored, and played back

❖ USB Flash Drive - an external hard disk drive, small enough to fit on a keychain, that can be plugged into the
computer’s USB port

❖ Memory Card – a small, flat flash drive used to save data such as audio files, pictures, texts, and videos for use on
small, portable, or remote computing devices

❖ Computer Hard Drive – a secondary data storage device for saving digital data

❖ Internet/Cloud – a wide network of remote servers in the internet meant to operate as storage and retrieval of audio
files and other computer data Now, before we save our audio files, we need to consider first the numerous audio file
formats:

❖ MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer 3) - a coding format for consumer audio, as well as a mean of sound sequence compression
for the transmission and playback of music on most digital audio players

❖ M4A/AAC (MPEG-4 Audio/Advanced Audio Coding) - a file extension for lossy digital audio compression

❖ WAV (Waveform Audio File Format) - the Microsoft audio file format standard used for the storage of digital audio
data on personal computers

❖ WMA (Windows Media Audio) - a file extension developed by Microsoft and used with Windows Media Player

Characteristics of a Sound

The following are the characteristics of sound:

❖ Volume - the force of a sound

❖ Tone - the musical or vocal sound of a definite quality (Merriam-Webster, n.d.)

❖ Pitch - the degree of highness or lowness of a sound (Oxford University, n.d.)

❖ Loudness - the feature of a sound that determines the degree of the auditory sensation produced (Merriam-Webster,
n.d.)

Purposes of Using Sounds or Audio Media

Audio media have a vital role when it comes to the teaching and learning process. Some learners are auditory learners.
These are learners who better understand lessons by listening to the content and concepts that they need to grasp. This
is the reason why it is important to use audio media along with text and visual media since these will make the lessons
more motivating for learners.

The following are some of the purposes of using sounds or audio media in facilitating learning:

❖ These enable the learners to listen to the ideas and views of the experts and other reliable people.

❖ These allow learners to listen to learning materials, like speeches.

❖ These serve as alternative guides for the learners when they are doing their tasks, such as experiments; and

❖ These grant the learners audio files of important past events or sounds from the settings that the learners cannot
personally visit.

Elements and Principles of Sound Design

Nowadays, sound is an essential part of any movie, play, or broadcast production. A well-created soundtrack makes the
audience enjoy any dramatic presentation. Therefore, it is a must for us to know the elements and principles of sound
design. It is important to get an understanding of what makes up an entire production soundtrack. Sound Design is the
vivid use of sound during a production in connection to the images and contents of the story to create an emotional
response. These are the elements of sound design or the elements that one must work with to produce

soundtracks:

❖ Dialogue – a composition in the form of conversation between two people

❖ Sound Effect - the sound, aside from dialogue and music, artificially made to create an effect in a movie, play, or
broadcast production (Oxford University, n.d.)

❖ Music - an instrumental or a vocal sound that conveys emotions and ideas in significant forms through the elements
of color, harmony, melody, and rhythm

❖ Silence – the complete absence of noise or sound Aside from these elements that one must work with in creating a
soundtrack, principles of sound design, or the audio techniques for merging the various elements or objects of sound
design, should also be considered:

❖ Mixing – the balance, combination, and control of numerous sound elements

❖ Pace – the editing and the time control of sound design; it has numerous categories:

o Linear – the sounds that are permanent, used once, and will be in the same place

o Non-Linear – the sounds that are much more open in comparison to linear sounds

o multi-linear

❖ Transition – the process of getting from one element or fragment of sound design to another; it has various types:

o Segue – an uninterrupted movement from one piece of music to another

o Cross-Fade – the smooth transition of a sound between two side by side audio files on the same track

o V-Fade – a switch from one volume level to another softer or louder level

o Fade to Black – a type of V-Fade which has some silence between the elements of sound design

❖ Stereo Imaging - the feature of sound documentation and duplication concerning the supposed spatial locations of
the sound sources, both sideways and in depth.

Mixing refers to the balance, combination, and control of numerous sound elements.

True 1. Mixing refers to the balance, combination, and control of numerous sound elements.

Audio Podcast 2. Radio Broadcast is an episodic series of digital audio or video file or recording that can be
downloaded by a user from a website to a media player or computer to listen to.

Memory Card 3. USB Drive is a small, flat flash drive used to save data such as audios, pictures, texts, and videos for
use on small, portable, or remote computing devices.

True 4. Silence refers to the complete absence of noise or sound.

WAV 5. WMA is the Microsoft audio file format standard used for the storage of digital audio data on personal
computers.

Music 6. Sound Clip is an instrumental or a vocal sound that conveys emotions and ideas in significant forms through
the elements of color, harmony, melody, and rhythm.

Sound Clip 7. Audio Podcast is the sound, aside from dialogue and music, artificially made to create an effect in a
movie, play, or other broadcast production.

MP3 8. M4A is a coding format for consumer audio, as well as a means of sound sequence compression for the
transmission and playback of music on most digital audio players.

True 9. Compact Disc refers to a plastic-fabricated, circular tool on whichaudio, video, and other digital information is
recorded, stored, and played back.

Audio 10. Visual is defined as anything connected to sound, specifically when received, recorded, transferred, or
duplicated.

Motion Information and Media

Motion, Motion Media, and Motion Information

Motion is described as the act or process of moving or being moved (Oxford University, n.d.). It is the action of
constantly moving from one place to the next or changing position (HarperCollins, n.d.). Therefore, motion media can
be defined as a media communication that provides the presence of spatial movement of texts and images. Practically,
these are visual media. Aside from that, motion media are considered as collections of images and footage. These media
are combined with other media, such as text and audio, to produce multimedia. Motion Information, otherwise, is the
file or clip that is created using motion media. Occasionally, it is utilized as a support to the visual tracking of a certain
thing or object.

In motion media, every graphic or image is a frame. Through rendering, or the act of displaying consecutively various
frames per second, motion is produced. For one to have a smooth animation, one must have 24 frames or more per
second. This series of frames or graphics follows a sequence to create a story or a message. This sequence is called a
storyboard.
Characteristics of Motion Media

Here are some characteristics of motion media:

❖ These transfer messages to many people

❖ These deliver the same message to the audience at once

❖ These represent messages that are typically indifferent and temporary

❖ These are multisensory

❖ These are formal, influential channels of communication

❖ These are contributors in behavior and attitude alteration

❖ These discuss some important issues, persons, organizations, or social movements

Production of Motion Media

Motion media can be produced in two ways: Informal and Formal. Informally produced motion media are created by
people just for personal consumption. In contrast, formally produced motion media are made by professionals, such as
film directors, who follow the standard of the industry when it comes to the refinement and creation of motion media.
The formal production of motion media includes the succeeding steps:

❖ Generating of storyboard

❖ Scriptwriting and dialogue recording

❖ Sketching for animation; Acting and shooting for video

❖ Adding background music and background details

❖ Rendering

Formats of Motion Media

There are numerous widely accepted formats of motion media:

❖ Film – a series of moving graphics or images, with accompanying of a recorded sound

❖ Television – a telecommunication system for transmitting and receiving visual images and sounds that are
reproduced on screens (Oxford University, n.d.)

❖ Interactive Video – a kind of digital video that involves the user’s interaction and participation

❖ Others (such as Internet and Mobile Phone)

Sources of Motion Media

The following are some sources of motion media:

❖ Internet - a universal computer network that delivers a variety of information and communication facilities (Oxford
University, n.d.)

❖ Film and Television Studios - a place where films, television shows, and broadcast productions are produced
(HarperCollins, n.d.)
❖ Broadcast Channels - a terrestrial frequency or computer-generated number over which a broadcast station or
broadcast network is disseminated

❖ Video Channels - an account on an online media sharing or streaming service from which one can create media
content, such as videos, accessible to other people who are also using the service (Merriam-Webster, n.d.)

❖ Library - a building or room that contains collections of books, periodicals, and sometimes movies and recorded
audio for people to read, borrow, or refer to (Oxford University, n.d.)

Basic Methods on Determining the Credibility of Motion Media

For us to know the trustworthiness of a motion-based media presentation, we must discuss the basic methods on
determining the credibility of motion media:

❖ Validity of the information – we need to know if the information was peer- reviewed and provable

❖ Source – we need to identify the types of sources used to generate the information; we also need to determine if the
video was an actual footage of the event or a mere representation of the information learned about it

❖ Relationship of the author to the event – we need to learn if the author has first-hand knowledge about the event

❖ Technical methods of detecting tampered/fake video:

o Video smoothness

o Lighting coverage matches

o Scale and size consistent - scale refers to the size of an object in relation to another object

Advantages of Motion Media

Here are some advantages of motion media:

❖ These provide better mastery of processes

❖ These display the procedures in detail and in sequence

❖ These allow for harmless observation

❖ These capture motion in a manner that can be viewed over and over

❖ These allow recreation of the scenes, history, events, and phenomena

❖ These contribute in molding personal and social attitudes

❖ These provide problem-solving skills for the viewers

❖ These promote cultural understanding and appreciation

❖ These establish harmony among the people with different cultural backgrounds

Limitations of Motion Media

If there are advantages of motion media, there are also limitations. Here are the several limitations of motion media:

❖ These cannot be interrupted by the viewers

❖ These are, at times, unsuitable for other topics that are presented best using stagnant pictures
❖ These are subject to misinterpretation, especially for younger audiences who lack maturity

❖ These are oftentimes more expensive than other forms of visual media

Elements and Principles of Motion Design

Motion is a vital part of any commercial, film, or television show. It is significant because the movement of the
combination of texts and images or pictures delivers an effective message to the viewers. A well-crafted motion makes
the audience appreciate any motion-based media presentation. This is the main reason why it is significant to know the
elements and principles of motion design. Motion Design is a discipline that applies the principles of graphic design to
filmmaking and video production through utilization of animation and visual effects. The following are the elements of
motion design or the things that a person must work with to create a motion:

❖ Speed – highlights the tone of the movement; The two types are:

o Fast Movement – provides alertness and escalating emotions

o Slow Movement - indicates weariness, seriousness, or sorrow

❖ Direction – specifies a movement from one route to another; refer to the growth or shrinkage of an object or thing

❖ Motion Path - refers to the spatial movement that a thing or an animated object will take; displays the change in
direction of a certain movement

❖ Timing – is used to explain or strengthen the message or the event; it has two kinds:

o Objective Timing - can be measured in seconds, minutes, hours, days, etc.

o Subjective Timing - is psychologically experienced or felt

Aside from the objects that a person must work with in producing a certain motion, principles of motion design, or the
motion techniques for merging the various elements or objects of motion design, should also be studied:

❖ Speed, direction, and timing should portray natural laws of physics.

❖ Timing influences recall.

❖ Transitions are utilized to shift between scenes.

❖ Sound and color enhance depth and purpose to a certain movement.

❖ Cartooning one’s image and text offers dynamic movement. This can be easily done by the following movements:
stretching, rotating, and squashing.

❖ Blurring can be used in several ways. In animation, blurring gives the illusion of fast movement. In videos, blurring is
frequently used to censor confidential information or sensitive content.
Blurring. It is frequently used to censor confidential information or sensitive content.

Motion Media. These are visual media that provide the presence of spatial movement of texts and images.

Storyboard. It is a sequence of graphics or images, normally with certain directions and dialogue, representing the
shots planned for a commercial, film, or television show.

Transition. It is utilized to shift between scenes.

Subjective Timing. It is a type of timing that is psychologically experienced or felt.

Television. It is a telecommunication system for transmitting and receiving visual images and sounds that are
reproduced on screens.

Scale. It refers to the size of an object in relation to another object.

Objective Timing. It is a type of timing that can be measured in seconds, minutes, hours, days, etc.

Motion Path. It refers to the spatial movement that a thing or an animated object will take.

Slow Movement. It indicates weariness, seriousness, or sorrow.