Name ________________ ________ Grade 12 Score:

MedLit 12
MODULE

4 Indigenous Media And Information

and Evaluating Information
Define keywords in the objectives as an overview of the lesson. These keywords include:
• Reliability of information - Information is said to be reliable if it can be verified and evaluated. Others refer to the
trustworthiness of the source in evaluating the reliability of information.
• Accuracy of information - Accuracy refers to the closeness of the report to the actual data. Measurement of accuracy
varies, depending on the type of information being evaluated. Forecasts are said to be accurate if the report is similar to the
actual data. Financial information is considered accurate if the values are correct, properly classified, and presented
• Value of information - Information is said to be of value if it aids the user in making or improving decisions.
• Authority of the source - Much of the information we gather daily do not come from a primary source but are passed on
through secondary sources such as writers, reporters, and the like. Sources with an established expertise on the subject
matter are considered as having sound authority on the subject.
• Timeliness - Reliability, accuracy, and value of information may vary based on the time it was produced or acquired. While
a piece of information may have been found accurate, reliable, and valuable during the time it was produced, it may
become irrelevant and inaccurate with the passing of time (thus making it less valuable). Other information may be
timeless, proven to be the same in reliability, accuracy, and value throughout history.
Discuss the following topics on libraries:
A. Types of libraries - Libraries are often classified in 4 groups, namely: academic, public, school and special. These libraries
may be either digital or physical in form.
B. Skills in accessing information from libraries - Due to the wealth of information in a library, it is important to know the
following:
• The access tool to use
• How the information being accessed may be classified
• The depth of details required--some libraries provide only an abstract of the topic
• More detailed information might require membership or some conformity to set rules of the source (ex databases).
C. Characteristics of libraries in terms of reliability, accuracy and value - Libraries of published books are often considered
highly reliable, accurate, and valuable. Books and documents from dominant sources are often peer reviewed. ISSN or ISBN
registration ensures that standards were followed in producing these materials.
Topics about the Internet:
A. Information found on the Internet
B. Characteristics of Internet information in terms of reliability, accuracy, value, timeliness, and authority of the source
C. Realities of the Internet
D. Information found on the Internet may be quite varied in form and content. Thus, it is more difficult to determine its
reliability and accuracy. Accessing information on the Internet is easy but requires more discipline to check and validate.
Factual and fictitious data are often merged together. Sources always have to be validated.
Determining the reliability of information.
A. Check the author. The author’s willingness to be identified is a good indication of reliability.
B. Check the date of publication or of update. While the information may be true, it may not be reliable if it is outdated and
may have lost relevance.
C. Check for citations. Reliable authors have the discipline of citing sources of their information.
D. Check the domain or owner of the site or page. The domains .edu and .gov are reserved for academic institutions and the
government respectively. Information from such sites are presented with caution and are usually well-grounded. Site
owners may have an agenda that affects the manner by which information is presented.
E. Check the site design and the writing style. Credible sources take time to make the information accessible and easy to
comprehend.
Skills in determining accurate information.
A. Look for facts.
B. Cross-reference with other sources to check for consistency.
C. Determine the reason for writing and publishing the information. Check if the author is objective or leaning heavily on a
certain point of view.
D. Check for advertising. Advertisers may use related information to market their product.
Topics on the alternative media:
A. Current popular alternative media
MedLit 12 -page 2- First Quarter
B. Rise of alternative media and information.
C. Other alternative forms of communication and distribution have become popular. These include social media, blogs, and
flash mob performances. These alternative forms provide greater freedom and power to ordinary individuals and are a
quicker way of distributing information. The downside is that a lot of the information being passed around is biased and
inaccurate.
Understand the concepts of indigenous media and information by developing a mind map. Start by defining keywords and
connect it to other terms.
• Indigenous - native; local; originating or produced naturally in a particular region.
• Indigenous knowledge - knowledge that is unique to a specific culture or society; most often it is not written down.
• Indigenous communication - transmission of information through local channels or forms. It is a means by which culture is
preserved, handed down, and adapted.
• Indigenous media and information - original information created by a local group of people. This also refers to content
about indigenous peoples that may be distributed through dominant forms of media or through forms of communication
unique to their people group.
Understand the importance of indigenous media and information.
• Popular media cannot reach some rural areas. While print, broadcast, and new media have a wide reach, there are still areas
that these forms of media have not reached.
• Indigenous media and information are highly credible because they are near the source and are seldom circulated for profit.
• Indigenous media are channels for change, education, and development because of its direct access to local channels.
• Ignoring indigenous media and information can result in development and education programs that are irrelevant and
ineffective.
Forms of indigenous media and their local examples:
a. Folk or traditional media d. Records - may be written, carved, or oral
b. Gatherings and social organizations e. Oral instruction
c. Direct observation
Challenge Yourself
FT1 Synthesize the lesson by going back on the example used at the start of the lesson. Have the learners look at various pieces of
news handed out to them regarding the topic. As a class, fill out the following table. Answer each question in a bullet form.
Selection Criteria Question to Ponder Answer
1. What are the details of this piece of news?
2. Which of these details can be verified in other
Reliability sources?
3. Could these details be true? Why or why not?

1. Which of these facts are measurable?

2. How were they derived?
Accuracy 3. Was the article written in an objective manner?
4 Is the article written with care?

1. Consider the audience of the article?

Value 2. Who would find this article valuable?

1. Who wrote the article?

2. How is the author related to the article?
3. What was his source?
Authority 4. Are the sources properly cited?
5. What is the reputation of the author?
6. Is he known for some biases?

1. When was the article written?

2. Is it possible that some of the information in the
Timeliness article has changed in time?
3. If yes, would the change have any effect on the
conclusion of the article?
FT2 Indigenous Media and Information Resource. Interview your parent/guardian/grandparent. Follow the guide question the
teacher posted in the Edmodo.
FT3 Open Educational Resources. Follow the instruction posted in the Edmodo.
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