UNIT 3: Information Literacy

Table of Contents
Introduction 2
Lesson 1: Information Literacy
Jump Start 4
Learn about It! 5
Check Your Understanding 8
Explore and Create! 9
Lesson 2: Ethical Uses of Information
Jump Start 10
Learn about It! 10
Check Your Understanding 14
Explore and Create! 15
Let’s Create! 16
Self-Check 18
Wrap Up 18
Bibliography 19
Answers to Check Your Understanding 20
Glossary 22
GRADE 11/12 |Media Information and Literacy

UNIT 3

Information Literacy
Imagine being in a new school. Everything is unknown to you. How do you familiarize yourself
with your new environment? How do you get to know everything and anyone around you? All
these information are important for you to to survive in your new environment.

We learned that all processed data in a broad sense is considered information. These can be
gained through inquiry, experience, education, signs, and symbols. Now, one may think that
getting information is easy. However, we always have to consider if the information we get is
true and valid. Being able to look for the right information in an effective way is a skill that
everyone should have.

Fig. 1. Knowing the correct and appropriate way of looking for information is a life skill.

What would be the questions on your mind on your first day of school? How would you get
the answers you need?

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 Learning Targets
In this unit, you should be able to:
● Define information needs; can locate, access, assess, organize and communicate
information.
● Demonstrate ethical use of information.

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 Lesson 1: Information Literacy

What questions do we ask to get the right information needed? How do we check the accuracy
of the information?

Jump Start

Star Reporter
You are given an opportunity to write a feature article about a very important person in your
life, alive or dead. What details will you present?”
In a small piece of paper, write as many information as you can about the person. Make sure
that these pieces of information will answer the Who, What, When, Where, How, and Why
questions.

Review the idea behind the 5Ws and 1H:

Asking the “who” question helps us identify the people or persons involved in our topic. The
“what” question helps us know what the topic is all about. Answering the “where” question
helps us to locate a place, and the “when” to know a specific time and date. The “why”
question helps us state the reasons behind the information and the “how” describes to us the
way or manner in which things are done.

The purpose of these questions helps us gather important information needed in any topic.

Group into pairs and share your features to each other.

Process the activity by asking these questions:

● What were the most surprising and memorable details about the information
presented by your partner?
● Was your partner able to give you a good background about the person? Why or why
not?
● Did your partner answer all the questions you have in mind about the person he or she
chose? Why or why not?

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 ● Do you think the information your partner presented to you is valid, correct, and true?
How so?

Learn about It!

Information comes from the Latin word “informare” which means, “formation of the mind or
teaching”. Indeed, information is vital in our everyday communication and growth, just like
how we find the need to gather information in our new environment, or how we would want
to feature our favorite person.

The American Library Association has defined information literacy as abilities that enable a
person to “recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and
use effectively the needed information.”1

Sources and Information Overload

With the technology nowadays, people have this sense of ease and comfortability to just
search everything on the internet. But upon hitting that enter button, thousands to even a
million search results appear talking about the same topic you indicated. You might even think
of going into a library to make it simpler, but again, you will stumble upon a number of books,
articles, and other published works that talk about your topic. The diversity and large quantity
of information present in the various media platforms like libraries, community resources,
different organizations and the internet, gives you an overwhelming sense of dilemma. These,
sometimes, unfiltered and unchecked formats and data often raises questions on its
authenticity, validity, and reliability. 1

1
American Library Association. Presidential Committee on Information Literacy. Final Report. (Chicago: American
Library Association, 1989.)

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Multimedia sources
Another problem that might arise is the availability of information through multiple media like
graphical, in picture form, aural, voice over or recording, and textual. This challenges a
person to better comprehend and analyze it.

The questions posed earlier in the discussion can be our basis for information literacy. These
can be thought of Elements or Stages of Information Literacy. These ‘stages’ can also be
seen as steps into becoming more information literate.

Stages of Information Literacy

Stages / Elements of Information Literacy
1 Identify and recognize the need for information
2 Determine different sources of information
3 Cite or research for information
4 Analyze and evaluate the quality of information
5 Organize or store information
6 Use information in an ethical, efficient, and effective way
7 Create and communicate new knowledge2
Table adapted from the CHED Teaching Guide for SHS MIL Core Subject. 2016

There are various reasons why information literacy is a life skill. The need for information
updates us with current events, trends, and styles. This also helps us in learning new things in
general. Information is also used to communicate new knowledge and help us in
decision-making.

Sources for information can come from the internet, live and recorded television, broadcast
radio,library, newspapers, and many more. With the information at hand, we have the option

2
Commision on Higher Education. Teaching Guide for SHS Media Information Literacy Core Subject. (Quezon City:
Commission on Higher Education, 2016.)

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of writing it down, printing through a computer, reproducing , or storing it online. As such, the
quality and accuracy of the information can be determined by making sure that it comes from
a trusted source and was written by a credible writer. These gathered data can then be shared
face-to-face, announced, or posted online through social media.

“Information literacy forms the basis for lifelong learning.”

This skill is applicable to all disciplines, in all learning fields,

and levels of education. It helps us better grasp the content at
hand and further analyze the information. We can become
more independent and responsible to our own learning. 3

3
American Library Association. Presidential Committee on Information Literacy. Final Report. (Chicago: American
Library Association, 1989.)

7
 Check Your Understanding
Answer the following questions.

A. Arrange the statements into its correct order. Write numbers 1-5 on the left side of the
table.- (5 items)

Order Stages / Elements of Information Literacy

Use information in an ethical, efficient, and effective way
Cite or research for information
Analyze and evaluate the quality of information
Identify and recognize the need for information
Determine different sources of information

B. Application
1. Give two forms that information is presented in multimedia.

2. Share or cite an experience outside the classroom context in which you have to use
multiple sources. What did you use and why did use these? How did these several
sources help you achieve your objective?

C. Write your answer in no more than two sentences.

1. Why is information literacy considered a life skill?

2. How can you consider information as good ?

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 Explore and Create!
“Know Your Limits”

Having known the different elements of information literacy, list down your ideas and give
three examples to the following questions:

● What qualities should we look for in our sources of information to make sure they are
credible and reliable?
● When is it an appropriate time to share information in social media? When is it a bad
time? Be specific as possible and explain why.

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 Lesson 2: Ethical Uses of Information

How does one act ethically? How do we handle information ethically and responsibly?

Jump Start

“Knowledge is Power”
Do you agree to this phrase? Group yourselves according to who responded “yes” and “no”.
In your groups, discuss the following questions:
How would you define the meaning of this phrase? Why do you agree or disagree with this
phrase? Justify your answer by giving examples.

Share your answers and thoughts to the class.

Learn about It!

Knowledge is a collection of information gathered through individual and shared experiences

and education. This can then be used in different situations, and , as we constantly gain
information, we also build upon what we know -- which is the so called process of learning.

Knowledge, Power, and Influence

Your knowledge and access to certain types of information gives you the power to influence
others. A simple post in your social media account can have multiple positive and negative
consequences. Writing a research paper inspired by your favorite author and quoting his
words might seem like you are honoring him. But, failing to credit the author himself has its
negative consequences.

Ethics and Plagiarism

We are all guided by moral principles. These are rules that tell us whether an action is right or
wrong. This is the basic definition of ethics. This has been taught to us by our parents,
grandparents, or older siblings as we grow up. And to put it simply, using someone else’s work
and labelling it as your own is considered unethical. This covers all domains of work from art,

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written and published papers, photographs taken, music composed, and even videos
produced. When we use someone else’s work as our own without giving them proper credit, it
is considered plagiarism.

Know When to Cite Information

Generally known information or what we call common knowledge are facts and ideas that
most literate people would know that does not require a reference given the nature of it.
For example, it is common knowledge that the Earth rotates in its axis and revolves around the
sun.

On the other hand, facts and ideas that are not generally known to everyone, or the
information presented are called interpreted facts. These pieces of information may vary from
one place to another thus there is a need to document and cite it accordingly. These kinds of
information are interpretations.
For example, Many consider Lebron James as the greatest basketball player next to Michael
Jordan.

Quotations refer to someone’s exact words borrowed in writing. You need to enclose the
statement in quotation marks and use a standard documenting style in citing your source.
For example, MacArthur stated his famous line to the Filipinos, “I shall return” to connote his
strong will to return to the Philippines during the onset of World War II.

Oftentimes, writers opt to simply paraphrase the information they gather from different
sources. When paraphrasing, one uses his own words to rephrase the same ideas from the
original source. Still, proper citation is required .4

4
“Ethical Use of Information.” Ethical Use of Information Research Guide,
alacarte.library.csuci.edu/subject-guide/55-Ethical-Use-of-Information

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Following these citation rules, help us access and use other people’s ideas without devaluing
their efforts. It is our moral obligation as human beings to give credit where credit is due.

Legal Consequences
The Philippine Copyright Law or Republic Act No. 8293, which
is partly based on the US copyright law, states that any
original tangible material with a known creator whether it be
a written book, articles, researches, web pages, pictures or
graphics in the internet or artworks are all covered by the
copyright law.5 Section 193 of the Intellectual Property Code
covers the rights of the copyright holder to the attribution,
integrity of ownership, and protection of all their original
works.6

The Fair Use Policy, allows non-profit educational institutions and libraries to use someone
else’s original and copyrighted work within specific rules and guidelines.5 In the Philippines,
unpublished works qualify in the fair use policy unlike in the US.6

Strategies to Avoid Plagiarism

It might sound overwhelming to read the complexity of plagiarism but there are simple ways
to avoid this.
1. Submit your original work. You need to cite yourself when you use your own words for
a different material.
2. Enclose everything you have directly lifted from the original material in quotation

5
“Brigham Young University Copyright Licensing Office.” Copyright Basics | BYU Copyright Licensing Office,
sites.lib.byu.edu/copyright/about-copyright/basics/.
6
Copyright Law of the Philippines,
ipfs.io/ipfs/QmXoypizjW3WknFiJnKLwHCnL72vedxjQkDDP1mXWo6uco/wiki/Copyright_law_of_the_Philippines.ht
ml.

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 marks and cite the source accordingly.
3. Practice paraphrasing. Make sure you are not just rearranging the words or replacing
it with its synonyms.
4. Use a journal, notebook, note cards. This is where
you can put your annotated bibliographies that
can be useful in organizing information.
5. Be familiar with the reference style manual
assigned to your class.
6. It would not hurt to consult or get help from your
professor, writing center, or the library.7

7
“Brigham Young University Copyright Licensing Office.” Copyright Basics | BYU Copyright Licensing Office,
sites.lib.byu.edu/copyright/about-copyright/basics/.

13
 Check Your Understanding
Answer the following questions.

A. Give the correct term being described in the sentence. (5 items)

Term Definition
This refers to using someone else’s work as your own
without giving them proper credit.
Using your own words to restate the same ideas from the
original source.
These are moral principles that tell us whether an action is
right or wrong.
These are generally known information.
This allows the use of someone else’s original and
copyrighted work within specific rules and guidelines.

B. Application
1. Give one fact that is considered common knowledge.

2. What is an important step done when directly quoting your source of information?

C. Write your answer in no more than two sentences.

1. How is information literacy connected to the ethical use of information?

2. How is the Copyright law in the Philippines different from that of the US?

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 Explore and Create!
“Citations Done Right”

Choose an editorial piece in the newspaper today. Gather all important information needed to
give a brief analysis of the issue at hand. Practice the use of direct quotations and
paraphrasing by citing parts of the newspaper article. Write a short opinion regarding the
chosen topic.

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 Let’s Create!
“ETHICAL CASE ANALYSIS”

Retrieved from: https://grantwiggins.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/wiggins-mod-m-grasps-and-roles.pdf

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Your paper will be graded according to this rubric:

Criteria Beginning Developing Accomplished Score

(0-1 point) (2-3 points) (4-5 points)

Content
(Focus on details/events are
clearly evident; it is clearly
related to the topic.)

Organization
(Logical progression of
details/events; clear
transitions between ideas.

Conventions
(spelling, mechanics,
grammar and usage)

Quality of Information
Presented
(no plagiarism, proper
citations done, with
bibliography)

Total Score:

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 Self-Check
Please fill in the table below.

I think I need more I have a minimal I am confident that I

Skills understanding of it. can do this with ease.
time and assistance.

I can define
information needs;
can locate, access,
assess, organize and
communicate
information.
I know how to use
information in an
ethical and
responsible manner

Wrap Up
● Information Literacy is a basis for lifelong learning.
● The Stages or Elements of Information Literacy help us become more critical when
handling information.
● Ethics are moral guidelines that tells us whether our actions are right or wrong.
● It is unethical to plagiarize or take credit for someone else’s work.
● All original tangible works published or unpublished are protected under the Copyright
Law and the Fair Use Policy of the Philippines.

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 Bibliography
Works Cited

@davepell, Dave Pell. “Americans Who Don't Use The Internet and Other Fascinating News on

the Web.” Time, Time, 25 Sept. 2013,

newsfeed.time.com/2013/09/25/americans-who-dont-have-internet-and-other-fascinatin

g-news-on-the-web/.

American Library Association Presidential Committee on Information Literacy: Final Report. 1989.

“Brigham Young University Copyright Licensing Office.” Copyright Basics | BYU Copyright

Licensing Office, sites.lib.byu.edu/copyright/about-copyright/basics/.

Copyright Law of the Philippines,

ipfs.io/ipfs/QmXoypizjW3WknFiJnKLwHCnL72vedxjQkDDP1mXWo6uco/wiki/Copyright_la

w_of_the_Philippines.html.

“Ethical Use of Information.” Ethical Use of Information Research Guide,

alacarte.library.csuci.edu/subject-guide/55-Ethical-Use-of-Information.

Horton, Forest Woody. Understanding Information Literacy: a Primer. United Nations

Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, 2008.

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 Answers to Check Your Understanding

Lesson 1: Information Literacy

A. Arrange the statements into its correct order. Write numbers 1-5 on the left side of the
table.- (5 items)

Order Stages / Elements of Information Literacy

5 Use information in an ethical, efficient, and effective way
3 Cite or research for information
4 Analyze and evaluate the quality of information
1 Identify and recognize the need for information
2 Determine different sources of information

B. Application
1. Give two forms that information is presented in multimedia.
graphical (picture form), aural (voice recording), and textual
2. Share or cite an experience outside the classroom context in which you have to use
multiple sources. What did you use and why did use these? How did these several
sources help you achieve your objective?
answers may vary

C. Write your answer in no more than two sentences.

1. Why is information literacy considered a life skill?
key words: a skill that can be applied in all aspects and areas of learning, fosters
independence and critical thinking
2. How can you consider information as good?
key words: authenticity, validity, and reliability

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Lesson 2: Ethical Uses of Information

A. Give the correct term being described in the sentence. (5 items)

Term Definition
plagiarism This refers to using someone else’s work as your own
without giving them proper credit.
paraphrasing Using your own words to restate the same ideas from the
original source.
ethics These are moral principles that tell us whether an action is
right or wrong.
common These are generally known information.
knowledge
Fair Use Policy This allows the use of someone else’s original and
copyrighted work within specific rules and guidelines.

B. Application
1. Give one fact that is considered common knowledge.
*answers may vary
2. What is an important step done when directly quoting your source of information?
key words: put quotation marks, cite sources

C. Write your answer in no more than two sentences.

1. How is information literacy connected to the ethical use of information?
possible answer/s: moral obligation to not take ownership of someone else’s
ideas, being responsible to credit and cite sources accordingly
2. How is the Copyright law in the Philippines different from that of the US?
possible answer/s: the Fair Use policy also covers that of unpublished works

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 Glossary

Common knowledge: These are generally known information.

Copyright Law: All original tangible works are covered under this law.

Ethics: These are moral principles that tell us whether an action is right or wrong.

Fair Use Policy: This allows the use of someone else’s original and copyrighted work within
specific rules and guidelines.

Information Literacy: This refers to one’s abilities that enable a person to “recognize when
information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed
information.

Paraphrasing: Rephrasing into your own words the ideas presented by your reference or
source.

Plagiarism: This is when you use someone else’s work as your own without giving them
proper credit.

Quotations: Documentation style that uses someone’s exact words in ones writing by
enclosing it quotation marks.

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