Lesson 2: The Evolution of Media (Traditional to New Media) | Media and Information Literacy

Summary

This lesson explores the evolution of media from traditional to new forms, highlighting media's roles in society, including entertainment, education, public discourse, and as a watchdog. It traces media development through four historical periods: pre-industrial, industrial, electronic, and information ages, discussing key inventions like the printing press, newspapers, telephone, motion pictures, transistors, and the internet. The summary also touches on the rise of social networks, blogging, microblogging, and instant messaging, reflecting the continuous transformation of media in our lives.

Takeaways

• 📣 Media serves multiple roles in society, including entertainment, education, public forum for discussion, and as a watchdog for societal oversight.
• 🗺️ The evolution of media is categorized into four critical periods: pre-industrial age, industrial age, electronic age, and the information age.
• 🏺 Pre-industrial age media included cave paintings, papyrus, and clay tablets, which were the earliest forms of recorded communication.
• ⚙️ The industrial age brought mass production and the development of newspapers, typewriters, telegraphs, and telephones, revolutionizing communication.
• 📽️ The electronic age introduced transistors, transistor radios, televisions, and computers, which were powered by electricity and transformed media consumption.
• 🌐 The information age is marked by the advent of the internet, web browsers, and search engines, which have drastically changed how information is accessed and shared.
• 📝 The rise of blogging and social networking sites during the information age has allowed for personal expression and global connectivity on a massive scale.
• 📱 The development of mobile phones, from the Portaphone in 1983 to modern smartphones, has made communication more personal and accessible.
• 🎥 The introduction of photo and video sharing platforms has transformed how we share visual content and interact with media.
• 💬 Instant messaging and video conferencing have become essential tools for communication, especially in the context of a global pandemic.
• 👓 Advancements in wearable technology and data storage, such as smartwatches and cloud services, reflect the ongoing integration of media into everyday life.

Q & A

What are the primary roles of media in society according to the script?

The primary roles of media in society include entertainment, education and information dissemination, serving as a public forum for discussion of important issues, acting as a watchdog for government and other institutions, and providing a platform for public involvement.

What are the four critical periods in the evolution of media mentioned in the script?

The four critical periods in the evolution of media are the pre-industrial age (before 1700s), the industrial age (1700s to 1930s), the electronic age (1930s to 1980s), and the information age (mid-1900s to 2000s and beyond).

What were some forms of media present during the pre-industrial age?

During the pre-industrial age, forms of media included cave paintings, pictographs, petroglyphs, papyrus, clay tablets, and the Roman acta diurna, which was considered an ancient newspaper.

How did the invention of the printing press impact media during the industrial age?

The invention of the printing press during the industrial age enabled mass production of newspapers and other reading materials, leading to a significant increase in the availability of printed media for public consumption.

What was the significance of the invention of the transistor in the electronic age?

The invention of the transistor in the electronic age marked the beginning of widespread use of electricity in media devices, enabling the development of electronic gadgets and communication tools.

What are some examples of web browsers that have been introduced during the information age?

Examples of web browsers introduced during the information age include WorldWideWeb (1990), Mosaic, Internet Explorer (1995), Opera (1996), Safari (2003), Firefox (2004), Google Chrome (2008), and Microsoft Edge (2015).

How did the development of the internet influence the creation of social networks?

The development of the internet during the information age paved the way for faster communication and the creation of social networks, allowing people to connect with others around the world and share information, thoughts, and ideas.

What is the difference between a traditional blogging site and a microblogging site?

A traditional blogging site allows for longer-form content and more extensive personal expression, while a microblogging site, such as Twitter, has a limited character count, encouraging concise and quick posts.

What are some examples of photo and video sharing websites that emerged during the information age?

Examples of photo and video sharing websites include Flickr (2004), YouTube (2005), Pinterest (2009), Instagram (2010), Snapchat (2011), Vine (2012), and TikTok (2016).

How have advancements in mobile technology impacted communication during the information age?

Advancements in mobile technology, such as the development of smartphones, have greatly impacted communication by providing instant messaging, video conferencing, and various other communication methods in a portable and accessible format.

What is the concept of 'cloud' storage, and how has it changed the way we store data?

The concept of 'cloud' storage refers to storing data on remote servers via the internet instead of physical infrastructure. This has allowed for the storage of large amounts of data without the need for physical storage devices, making data access more convenient and flexible.