Introduction to Media and Information Literacy: Media and Information in Effective Communication
The role of Media and Information in Effective Communication
Most households have television, cars have radios, many take their morning coffee with a newspaper, everybody has a smartphone, and computers are everywhere. Indeed, the media has become a constant in the lives of everyone. It is not surprising that because of this, media and information plays a vital role in effective communication.
Introduction to Media and Information Literacy: Media Literacy, Information Literacy, and Technology Literacy
The Description of Media Literacy, Information Literacy, and Technology Literacy
The National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE USA) defines Media Literacy as the ability to access, analyse, evaluate, and communicate information in a variety of forms, including print and non-print messages. According to Yale University, this involves the ability to synthesize, analyse and produce mediated messages.
Introduction to Media and Information Literacy: The Communication Process
The Communication Process
Communication process though complex can be simplified through communication models. The idea of communication as information processing was firmly established by Claude Shannon, a Bell telephone company research scientist who developed a mathematical theory of signal transmission. His theory focused on solving technical problems with sound transfer instead of the meaning of a message or its effect on the listener.
Introduction to Media and Information Literacy
The Types of Communication
A. According to channels used:
1. Verbal Communication
Verbal Communication refers to the form of communication in which message is transmitted verbally; communication is done by word of mouth and a piece of writing. When we talk to others, we assume that the others understand what we are saying because we know what we are saying. But this is not the case. Usually, a person brings their own attitude, perception, emotions and thoughts about the topic and hence creates a barrier in delivering the right meaning. This is further explained by Herbert Blumer’s third premise of Symbolic Interactionism. According to him, an individual’s interpretation of symbols is modified by his or her own thought processes. This is why it is important for the sender of the information to put him or herself into the shoes of the receiver.
Verbal communication can be subdivided into two, oral communication and written communication.
Read more: Introduction to Media and Information Literacy
The role of Media and Information in Effective Communication
Most households have television, cars have radios, many take their morning coffee with a newspaper, everybody has a smartphone, and computers are everywhere. Indeed, the media has become a constant in the lives of everyone. It is not surprising that because of this, media and information plays a vital role in effective communication.
Read more: The role of Media and Information in Effective Communication