Teaching Media and Information Literacy in  Philippine Senior High Schools: Strategies Used  and Challenges Faced by Selected Teachers

Angelito P. Bautista Jr.

Authors

Angelito P. Bautista Jr. Blue Chips Research and Consultancy Co.

Abstract

In the Philippines, the most recent and significant achievement in media and information literacy education is its inclusion in the senior high school (SHS) curriculum. However, since MIL is still relatively new, it remains to be seen how this subject can be effectively taught in the Philippines’ SHS. This qualitative case study explored how SHS teachers taught MIL in the
early years of its implementation. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted among seven SHS teachers of MIL. The participants believe that there is confusion and misunderstanding about teachers’ competencies to teach MIL. Furthermore, teachers are inadequately prepared to teach the subject due to a lack of proper training and availability of materials. The informants also agree that they did not have a deep understanding of the subject’s meaning, significance, and scope when asked to teach MIL. To compensate for the lack of preparedness and inadequacy of materials, the teachers used familiar strategies. Despite these limitations, participants are open and willing to teach MIL, recognizing its importance and relevance to their students. However, there is also a need to review the curriculum guide prepared by the country’s Department of Education. In addition, teachers found it challenging to finish the topics within the prescribed timeframe.

Author Biography

Angelito P. Bautista Jr., Blue Chips Research and Consultancy Co.

Mr. Angelito P. Bautista Jr., MCM, is the general manager of Blue Chips
Research and Consultancy Co., a market, survey, and opinion research firm
based in Navotas City. He has more than ten years of experience in social
research, working in the government and the academe, and serving as a
consultant for various market research, real estate firms, and academic
institutions. Bautista formerly served as a college instructor on quantitative
and qualitative data analysis, public opinion research, research ethics,
communication, and other media-related subjects. He has presented and
published studies in international and local conferences and journals.
Bautista also serves as a regular peer-reviewed in various international
Scopus-indexed journals such as the Asian Journal for Public Opinion
Research, Sage Open, and the International Journal of Learning, Teacher,
and Educational Research (IJLTER). In addition, he has co-written an
academic book for senior high school (SHS) entitled Media and Information
Literacy in the 21st Century, published by Brilliant Creations Publishing.
Mr. Bautista also serves as a resource speaker and workshop facilitator in
different academic and government institutions on various topics such as
Media and Information Literacy and Research Writing. He earned his
bachelor’s in communication research from the Polytechnic University of the
Philippines and master is in communication management from the Asian
Institute of Journalism and Communication.