Encouraging Filipino Students to Be Media and Information Literacy

  

This is the third installment of the four-part series of Media and Information Literacy Education in the Philippine Classrooms. In the Philippines' digital age, Media and Information Literacy (MIL) is key for students. MIL equips them to navigate the online world, critically assess information, and responsibly create media. However, MIL education faces challenges that need addressing.

Unequal Access: A Barrier to MIL

One major hurdle is unequal access to digital resources. Students in urban areas often have better technology and internet than those in rural and poorer regions. This gap stems from infrastructure limitations and socioeconomic factors. This leaves rural and poor students vulnerable to misinformation.

Resolving this issue requires a long-term approach and not just band-aid solutions. The government should ensure that households earn enough income to sustain their families. It is easy to recommend providing families with gadgets and what have you but the reality is that is not sustainable and the solution requires self-sufficiency for these families.

Will children have better equipment for their MIL education if families were to improve their income? It is not guaranteed but the chances this student might have that boost of support is higher.

Curriculum Gaps: Theory vs. Practice

The Philippine curriculum includes MIL, but there's a gap between theory and practice. Students learn the concepts but lack hands-on experience applying them in real situations.

So, what is the solution? To implement more project-based learning is needed to bridge this gap. Examples include writing blogspots, studying media consumption and media biases, and other internationally accepted standards of good quality MIL education.

This is a tough reform to push through because the educational system in the country prefers rote memorization. In this strategy, students are meant to regurgitate information that they absorb in their studies but not enough application to assess if they really learned something or not.

A major reform that the education department could do is train teachers to teach MIL subjects as a hybrid subjective-based type of learning and objective-type of learning. In this method, students can rote memorize the principles but they have to use inferences and draw conclusions from the materials they are about to use.

With this strategy, the gap between theory and practice could be bridged.

Diverse Perspectives: Beyond the Classroom

MIL education isn't just for schools. Parents, communities, government, and media professionals play a role.

Parents can reinforce MIL at home. These could allow children to use gadgets for reading credible news outlets or watching educational videos on YouTube. Basically, children drawn to screen time are frowned upon due to the fact that it may be deemed unproductive. Yet, the key is to ensure that their content is of good quality.

Policymakers and media can advocate for better MIL standards and create content promoting media literacy. In this modern world, government intervention and self-regulation of media companies are necessary to ensure that users become more critical and safe from misinformation that spreads on the platform. In a practical context, it is necessary to ensure that people discern facts from fake news because this shapes the policy options that guide political leaders.

MIL skills develop outside classrooms too. Community organizations and online platforms can host workshops and provide resources. Educational apps and websites offer interactive ways to hone critical media skills.

The Long-Term Impact of MIL

At present, the short-term value of MIL classes is to widen the worldview of students and enhance their critical thinking skills. However, there are more practical benefits in the long term that students could benefit from MIL:

• It shapes informed citizens who actively participate in society. This will prepare students to be better voters and safeguard their politicians. Why? They cannot be easily deceived by propaganda and they are empowered enough due to the knowledge that they have so they can put checks and balances on leaders who intend to abuse their powers.

• It prepares students for careers in a digital world. Technological advancements are already here. So, in order forstudents to exploit those opportunities, they must be proficient in navigating tools and information especially since they are free and accessible nowadays.

• Fosters responsible online behavior for overall well-being. Remember, you could be sued if you defame other people online. This is a sufficient warning to keep digital spaces clean.

Moving Forward with MIL in the Philippines

Progress has been made, but challenges persist. Collaboration between educators, parents, communities, and government is essential to bridge gaps and ensure equal access. By expanding MIL beyond classrooms and recognizing its long-term impact, we empower Filipino students to be critical thinkers and responsible digital citizens.

Coach Boost Gio

About Kwento Co

Kwento Co is a diverse and dynamic media and information literacy website. We are a team of accomplished content creators, artists, influencers, and young entrepreneurs who are passionate about helping micro to macro-sized businesses market their services through effective digital marketing strategies- tailored for their brands.

This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES

Bridging the Digital Divide Enhancing Media and Information Literacy

  

This is the last  installment of the State of the Media and Information Literacy in the Philippines series. This article explains how the digital divide in the Philippines, especially in rural areas, hampers Media and Information Literacy (MIL). It will discuss how unequal internet access and digital literacy disparities exacerbate this issue and the steps needed to bridge the gap.

As stated in the previous article, the income disparities of Filipino households also lead to a stark contrast of digital disparities. This divide does not only limit access to information but also hinders the development of critical MIL skills, essential for the utilization of today's media-rich environment. Below, we explore the factors contributing to this divide and how they impact MIL in the country.

Unequal Internet Access

In the Philippines, the disparity in internet access between urban and rural areas is a significant contributor to the digital divide. Urban centers boast more extensive internet infrastructure and connectivity. For example, Metro Manila enjoys the highest internet access rate at 32.3%. This reflects a concentrated investment in urban areas. In contrast, many rural regions struggle with limited or unreliable internet access which leaves large populations disconnected from the digital world.

Furthermore, income inequality exacerbates the digital divide. More affluent households are more likely to afford high-speed internet and modern digital devices. Meanwhile, poorer households face challenges in accessing even the most basic digital services.

Sadly, access to fixed broadband surged only among the wealthiest 40% of the population, while marginal improvements are seen among the poorest, illustrating the widening gap in digital access.

This stems from the inaccessibility and the expensive infrastructure set up in the Philippines. It is cheaper for internet companies to focus on urban areas rather than rural areas. In this case, the government should invest heavily in infrastructure in far-flung places to improve the said conditions

Negative Impacts on Education

The failure to resolve this digital infrastructure leads to the repercussions of this digital divide. It negatively impacts the educational sector. Students from rural and poor areas face significant barriers in adopting digital learning tools since they either cannot afford digital devices or internet connectivity is also inaccessible. These tools could have improved the ability of students to critically analyze media content and use information effectively. Without reliable internet, these students are often left out of online education opportunities.

A good example of said discrepancies was greatly seen during the COVID–19 pandemic. The more well-off students rely on online classes while the poorer students have to rely on paper modules to get by. The difference? The former gets proper instruction while the latter fends for himself.

Exacerbating MIL Disparities

If this trend continues, the digital divide will significantly restrict access to diverse sources of information. Students from poorer communities have limited access to the internet and they often rely on fewer and sometimes biased sources of information. This situation limits their ability to critically evaluate media content.

On the other hand, the disparities in internet access and digital literacy directly contribute to unequal educational outcomes. Wealthier students, with better access to digital tools and resources, are more likely to develop strong MIL skills. Unlike their economically challenged counterparts, they may fall behind. As a result, a perpetuates a cycle of inequality that affects their ability to engage critically with media and information.

If these groups have different sources of information, they may have polarized views on what is right and what is wrong since they cannot agree on the correctness of the facts they have learned.

Policy and Infrastructure: Bridging the Gap

To address these disparities, it requires a comprehensive approach. It starts with significant investments in digital infrastructure. The Philippine government must prioritize expanding broadband coverage to rural areas so that every Filipino has access to the Internet. Additionally, targeted educational policies that promote digital literacy across all regions are essential. This includes comprehensive teacher training programs that equip educators with the skills necessary to teach MIL effectively. The teachers should also be well compensated and well-subsidized for said digital technologies.

Meanwhile, community-based initiatives are also encouraged to step in to overcome cultural barriers. By engaging local communities and raising awareness about the importance of digital literacy, these programs can foster a more inclusive approach to technology adoption.

Conclusion

The digital divide in the Philippines presents a significant challenge to achieving widespread Media and Information Literacy (MIL), particularly in the rural and poor areas. Unequal access to the internet and varying levels of digital literacy exacerbate these disparities, impacting educational outcomes and limiting opportunities for critical engagement with media and information. Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach, including investments in digital infrastructure, targeted educational policies, and community engagement. Bridging this gap can ensure that the Philippines has equitable access to MIL resources, empowering all its citizens to thrive in the digital age.

Coach Boost Gio

About Kwento Co

Kwento Co is a diverse and dynamic media and information literacy website. We are a team of accomplished content creators, artists, influencers, and young entrepreneurs who are passionate about helping micro to macro-sized businesses market their services through effective digital marketing strategies- tailored for their brands.

 

This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES

This is the third installment of the State of the Media and Information Literacy in the Philippines series. This article uncovers the socio-economic, cultural, and technological barriers hindering Media and Information Literacy (MIL) in the country, and explores effective solutions to promote digital literacy and critical thinking. The previous article tackled how Media and Information Literacy (MIL) education faces an uphill battle on how to make it accessible to several students regardless of their geographic location and their socio-economic status in the Philippines.These obstacles are due to several barriers such as socio-economic and cultural factors. They limit the widespread adoption and effectiveness of MIL education. These issues have to be addressed to ensure that the critical thinking and responsible media consumption of Filipino students are upskilled. It is MIL education that builds a well-informed and empowered citizenry. Socio-Economic Barriers Poverty This is probably one of the most significant obstacles to MIL access in the Philippines. Since a larger portion of the population lives below the poverty line, many families cannot afford essential digital devices or internet connectivity. As a result, students from low-income families are at a disadvantage that they are unable to practice and develop MIL skills, which are increasingly necessary in today's digital world. Resource Scarcity in Schools Underfunded public schools often face severe resource limitations. They lack the educational materials that are necessary to aid their education. Sadly, this negatively impacts inaccessibility to MIL-related materials because they are deemed secondary important compared to classrooms, chalks, and the like. Without the said materials, it is difficult to build MIL skills for children because it takes practice to hone these skill sets. Teacher Training and Professional Development The effectiveness of MIL education heavily relies on the preparedness of teachers. Unfortunately, many educators in the Philippines report feeling inadequately prepared to teach MIL. This is largely due to insufficient training and limited access to professional development opportunities that focus on MIL. Without proper training, teachers may lack the confidence and skills needed to effectively deliver MIL content, resulting in a diminished educational experience for students. Solutions to these problems First, the government must ensure that economic mobility is improved so that they can afford the said digital resources. Then, the government should allocate better funding for these projects. Get private sector donations to fill in the gap when necessary such as tax breaks on information technology and the like. Lastly, set some priorities for the development of MIL access. It may seem MIL-related materials are deemed unnecessary compared to STEM subjects but the fast-changing world is now relying on more recent information and these materials could bridge that gap. Cultural Barriers Cultural Differences and Traditional Beliefs Cultural attitudes towards media consumption and information dissemination can significantly impact MIL. Different cultures have different ways to absorb information. Sometimes, this information does not adhere to the philosophies of these cultures. Even if others argue that this is the price of critical thinking, it is hard to change minds in a snap especially if these are the cultural norms they grew up with. Language Barriers The Philippines is a multilingual nation; hence, there are several spoken languages that they are accustomed to or more proficient with. Usually, the medium of communication among these MIL-related contents is in English. So, usually, there may be some miscommunication along the communication process. However, with the advancement of technology, this became less of a problem due to the translation abilities of such technology. The solution to these problems The initiatives of awareness campaigns and more people becoming vocal about presenting a different point of view. Yes, there may be some clashes of thoughts but that is the payment to make all people open to different points of view which are essential to MIL. Technological Obstacles Due to the lack of technological infrastructure and affordability, technological obstacles persist. First, the stark digital divide remains a significant challenge because poverty prevents households from buying the necessary gadgets that canteach them MIL skills. Even if they could buy or avail such technology, internet connection is slow, expensive and unreliable, especially to rural and remote areas. Overcoming the Technological Barriers A multi-faceted approach is necessary to overcome these challenges. The following include: Policy interventions can ensure equitable access to digital resources and training for both students and teachers. Infrastructure development is crucial to bridge the digital divide and provide reliable internet access. Community engagement programs can address cultural and socio-economic barriers, while enhanced teacher training can equip educators with the necessary skills and resources to effectively teach MIL. Conclusion The barriers to MIL proficiency stem from different kinds of barriers such as socio-economic barriers, cultural barriers, and technological barriers. Each barrier has its own solutions and it is up to the government and community-based initiatives to implement those recommendations above in order to improve MIL access and its proficiency. Coach Boost Gio About Kwento Co Kwento Co is a diverse and dynamic media and information literacy website. We are a team of accomplished content creators, artists, influencers, and young entrepreneurs who are passionate about helping micro to macro-sized businesses market their services through effective digital marketing strategies- tailored for their brands. This press release has also been published on VRITIMES

 

This is the third installment of the State of the Media and Information Literacy in the Philippines series. This article uncovers the socio-economic, cultural, and technological barriers hindering Media and Information Literacy (MIL) in the country, and explores effective solutions to promote digital literacy and critical thinking.

The previous article tackled how Media and Information Literacy (MIL) education faces an uphill battle on how to make it accessible to several students regardless of their geographic location and their socio-economic status in the Philippines.These obstacles are due to several barriers such as socio-economic and cultural factors. They limit the widespread adoption and effectiveness of MIL education. 

These issues have to be addressed to ensure that the critical thinking and responsible media consumption of Filipino students are upskilled. It is MIL education that builds a well-informed and empowered citizenry.

Socio-Economic Barriers

Poverty

This is probably one of the most significant obstacles to MIL access in the Philippines. Since a larger portion of the population lives below the poverty line, many families cannot afford essential digital devices or internet connectivity. As a result, students from low-income families are at a disadvantage that they are unable to practice and develop MIL skills, which are increasingly necessary in today's digital world.

Resource Scarcity in Schools

Underfunded public schools often face severe resource limitations. They lack the educational materials that are necessary to aid their education. Sadly, this negatively impacts inaccessibility to MIL-related materials because they are deemed secondary important compared to classrooms, chalks, and the like. Without the said materials, it is difficult to build MIL skills for children because it takes practice to hone these skill sets.

Teacher Training and Professional Development

The effectiveness of MIL education heavily relies on the preparedness of teachers. Unfortunately, many educators in the Philippines report feeling inadequately prepared to teach MIL. This is largely due to insufficient training and limited access to professional development opportunities that focus on MIL. Without proper training, teachers may lack the confidence and skills needed to effectively deliver MIL content, resulting in a diminished educational experience for students.

Solutions to these problems

First, the government must ensure that economic mobility is improved so that they can afford the said digital resources. Then, the government should allocate better funding for these projects. Get private sector donations to fill in the gap when necessary such as tax breaks on information technology and the like. Lastly, set some priorities for the development of MIL access. It may seem MIL-related materials are deemed unnecessary compared to STEM subjects but the fast-changing world is now relying on more recent information and these materials could bridge that gap.

Cultural Barriers

Cultural Differences and Traditional Beliefs

Cultural attitudes towards media consumption and information dissemination can significantly impact MIL. Different cultures have different ways to absorb information. Sometimes, this information does not adhere to the philosophies of these cultures. Even if others argue that this is the price of critical thinking, it is hard to change minds in a snap especially if these are the cultural norms they grew up with.

Language Barriers

The Philippines is a multilingual nation; hence, there are several spoken languages that they are accustomed to or more proficient with. Usually, the medium of communication among these MIL-related contents is in English. So, usually, there may be some miscommunication along the communication process. However, with the advancement of technology, this became less of a problem due to the translation abilities of such technology. 

The solution to these problems

The initiatives of awareness campaigns and more people becoming vocal about presenting a different point of view. Yes, there may be some clashes of thoughts but that is the payment to make all people open to different points of view which are essential to MIL. 

Technological Obstacles

Due to the lack of technological infrastructure and affordability, technological obstacles persist. First, the stark digital divide remains a significant challenge because poverty prevents households from buying the necessary gadgets that canteach them MIL skills.

Even if they could buy or avail such technology, internet connection is slow, expensive and unreliable, especially to rural and remote areas. 

Overcoming the Technological Barriers

A multi-faceted approach is necessary to overcome these challenges. The following include:

• Policy interventions can ensure equitable access to digital resources and training for both students and teachers. 

• Infrastructure development is crucial to bridge the digital divide and provide reliable internet access. 

• Community engagement programs can address cultural and socio-economic barriers, while enhanced teacher training can equip educators with the necessary skills and resources to effectively teach MIL.

Conclusion

The barriers to MIL proficiency stem from different kinds of barriers such as socio-economic barriers, cultural barriers, and technological barriers. Each barrier has its own solutions and it is up to the government and community-based initiatives to implement those recommendations above in order to improve MIL access and its proficiency.

Coach Boost Gio

About Kwento Co

Kwento Co is a diverse and dynamic media and information literacy website. We are a team of accomplished content creators, artists, influencers, and young entrepreneurs who are passionate about helping micro to macro-sized businesses market their services through effective digital marketing strategies- tailored for their brands.

This press release has also been published on VRITIMES

Encouraging Teachers for Media and Information Literacy in the Philippines

  

In the second installment of the four-part series of Media and Information Literacy Education in the Philippine Classrooms. This article delves into how the Philippines is preparing teachers for Media and Information Literacy (MIL). This also tackles about current challenges, innovative training programs, and strategies to empower educators.

For nations to succeed in the global digital revolution, media and information literacy (MIL) is the educational bedrock that we need right now. The Philippines recognizes this opportunity. They integrated MIL education into its K-12 curriculum. However, in the previous article, we know for a fact that there is a digital divide and infrastructure issues to make MIL accessible.

In this article, we’ll dive into the human resource part of the equation – the teachers. The success of this initiative rests in their hands. Sadly, the government is not making enough effort to ensure that every teacher is well-equipped and well-prepared in the digital golden age.

In the following section, we will discuss the importance of teacher empowerment, and the solutions to make our teachers proficient in MIL.

The Need for Teacher Empowerment

It is the first step that the Philippines integrated MIL into its curriculum. Nonetheless, there are still significant gaps in teacher readiness. Many teachers feel ill-equipped to teach MIL effectively primarily due to insufficient training and resources.

We have to understand that MIL is a new subject that has been introduced to meet the demands of the digital world. Hence, the information is relatively new and not yet effectively democratized. This explains why teachers are ill-prepared. Aside from the content component problem, they also need to be trained on the execution component.

What exacerbates this problem is that they also lack the resources to avail technologies that will train them to be MIL proficient. It is not reasonable for them to shoulder all the burden of this initiative where in fact they are not being paid enough in their current role. It is clear that our educators need more support.

A Two-Pronged Approach to Teacher Training

To empower our teachers, we need a robust approach to their training. This means comprehensive initial preparation. This covers teaching them the basics of MIL and effective strategies. Furthermore, we must also provide ongoing professional development, keeping them up-to-date with the latest teaching methods and technology trends.

Continuous Learning for Educators

Think of it like a continuous learning journey for our teachers. Workshops, seminars, and peer learning groups can all help them hone their skills and stay ahead of the curve. This constant engagement ensures that oureducators remain confident and capable in this ever-changing digital landscape.

Understand that the digital landscape is also continuously evolving. Hence, there are new trends that teachers must learn in order to keep up. So, failure to finance their ongoing training for MIL will make Filipino students further left behind compared to their international counterparts who are investing in MIL.

In addition, teachers are the main actors in making the whole system effective. Contents of the MIL instruction could be obsolete down the line but the pattern recognition and the skills that these teachers will develop over time will not. So, we must invest in teacher education in MIL instruction.

Engaging Pedagogy for MIL

Effective MIL training isn't just about lectures. It's about fostering critical thinking and real-world problem-solving. We need to use a variety of teaching methods like inquiry-based learning, case studies, and even simulations. This makes MIL more engaging and relatable for students.

Now, this is a challenge for the whole educational system in the Philippines where rote memorization is the key component of instruction and assessment. For years, students have demanded to memorize rather than scrutinize the facts that they dealt with. For example, history lessons make you memorize dates and the persons involved. What they should be teaching is why the event took place, whether should it have taken place and what are wegoing to do to prevent it from happening again.

This should be the norm in teaching MIL. Students must be taught how to scrutinize the credibility and accuracy of the medium they are going to consume. Then, they must use critical thinking skills like inference and drawing conclusions based on their context and other perspective.

What we’re saying is the pedagogy for MIL should not be rote memorization but analytical thinking.

Investing in Teachers, Investing in the Future

The key message here is if we invest in our teachers, we invest in our students. They should be given support through comprehensive training and ongoing development. The end result is that the next generation has the critical thinking skills to withstand our complex media environment. The future of MIL education in the Philippines is bright, and it all starts with empowering our teachers.

Coach Boost Gio

About Kwento Co

Kwento Co is a diverse and dynamic media and information literacy website. We are a team of accomplished content creators, artists, influencers, and young entrepreneurs who are passionate about helping micro to macro-sized businesses market their services through effective digital marketing strategies- tailored for their brands.

This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES