WePlay X Jen Animation: WePlay Collaboration with Popular Animator Jen Animation, Exclusive Rare Items Available from August 23rd!

  

Recently, the well-known entertainment app WePlay announced a collaboration with famous Filipino animator Jen Animation, bringing users an exclusive experience. Starting at 12 PM on August 23rd, WePlay will launch a special limited-time gift package, giving users a chance to win exclusive Jen Animation-themed in-app items.

During the launch period, users can also participate in social media events by sharing screenshots from the Jen Animation-themed watch party in designated discussion threads to win additional Jen Animation-themed virtual items.

As a global company, WePlay has frequently topped app charts in various countries, attracting nearly a million players in the Philippines alone, with global downloads exceeding 100 million. The app is available on both iOS and Android.

For more information, please visit: https://weplayapp.com/

This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES

Media and Information Literacy Education in the Philippines Classrooms

  

This is the first installment of the four-part series of Media and Information Literacy Education in the Philippine Classrooms. This article analyzes the integration of Media and Information Literacy (MIL) in the Philippine curriculum. It also focuses on the challenges, strategies, and successes in teaching the subject to senior high school students.

In Finland, its government integrated high-quality standards for Media and Information Literacy in order toaddress the Russian government's misinformation campaign. They acknowledge that the proliferation of fake news will always exist. They knew that they could not stop propaganda that sought to sow division. Hence, the way to resolve such issues is to develop critical thinking skills. After all, Finnish people will read that misinformation anyway. That is why this skill set is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.

This is the scenario that the Philippines wants to avoid. This is why MIL has been made a core part of its Senior High School curriculum. They knew that teaching the youth MIL headstart would prevent them from becoming misinformed adults in the future.

However, what does this mean for students and teachers, and what challenges lie ahead?

Impact of MIL on Students and Teachers

In the short term, the benefits will not be that obvious. However, in the long term, the students and the country as a whole will reap what they have sown. From the perspective of the students, they will have the necessary critical thinking skills to evaluate the correctness of information through cross-researching credible information sources. Moreover, critical thinking skills could be used in other facets of their lives like general life skills where using their common sense will be the norm.

In the grander scheme of things, this education they got from MIL instruction will prepare them for voting for the right candidate through the campaigns and biographies that they could get. They can also participate in national issues that the nation faces.

On the other hand, the benefit that the teacher will get from teaching Media and Information Literacy among students is that they could have a higher bargaining power to provide their schools with IT supplies and additional certifications that will upskill them. After all, they are the ones who will ensure the success of the said program.

However, it is all theoretical unless the government funds MIL education. The goal is to develop well – informed citizenry through critical thinking. This can only be achieved when there is the right accommodation of infrastructure, resource allocation, and policy interventions because implementing MIL is expensive and labor-intensive.

As mentioned in the last series, the Philippines has huge economic disparities wherein it presents a stark digital divide. It is always up to the government on how to tackle these issues.

Overcoming Hurdles in MIL Education

Like any new initiative, teaching MIL has its challenges. These include:

• Lack of Teacher Training: Teachers lack the confidence to teach this subject due to a lack of specialized training and resources. Understandably, they will face that difficulty since MIL education is just a new subject matter. To bridge this gap, the Department of Education (DepEd) partnered with NGOs to offer workshops and mentorship programs to teachers so that they could be proficient in teaching the subject.

• Curriculum Overload: The Philippine curriculum is stuffed with several subjects that it impossible to focus on MIL education. For this reason, some schools are creatively integrating MIL into existing subjects like English and Social Studies. This may seem an efficient way to teach MIL but to address this issue, the education department must decrease the subject loads of each student. After all, it is the improved skill sets of critical thinking, writing, and reading that matter, not the contents themselves since they may be obsolete in the future.

• Digital Divide: Limited access to technology in rural areas and poor communities remains a hurdle. Nevertheless, programs that opt for gadget distribution, and internet connectivity among far-flung places are the ones that level the playing field.

• Teacher Shortages: Sadly there are too many students in schools but not enough teachers who can educate. The lack of teachers, especially in remote areas, adds another layer of complexity. Some schools are addressing this by embedding MIL topics into other subjects, reducing the need for specialized teachers. However, the real kicker to solve this issue is to increase teacher’s pay so prospective teachers will be incentivized to teach.

Innovative Solutions for MIL in the Philippines

The government could adapt the following policy recommendation:

• Curriculum Upgrades: This does not mean adding subjects or making the courses more difficult than they are but adapting educational gold standards that aim to bolster education such as integrating critical thinking skills in classrooms rather than rote learning. This will complement MIL classes.

• Teacher Development: Investment allocation towards teacher training will empower educators to deliver high-quality MIL instruction. These include subsidies on gadgets and specialization towards MIL instruction.

• Bridging the Digital Divide: Efforts to expand digital infrastructure and provide students with the tools they needwill continue.

• Global Inspiration: The Philippines can draw inspiration from countries like Finland and Canada, which have successfully integrated MIL into their education systems.

Empowering the Next Generation

Teaching Media and Information Literacy is not just about preparing students against the tides of the digital world. It's about empowering students to become critical thinkers, responsible media consumers, and active participants in a global society. The journey is a long hurdle, but the commitment to MIL education in the Philippines is a testament to the nation's dedication to preparing its youth for the challenges and opportunities of 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

 

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