Information Literacy
The term
information literacy has evolved as the medium in which information is
transported has evolved. The idea of what students need in order to
be successful started with being able to, identify, evaluate, organize and use
information (Mackey & Jacobson, 2011) to include “the ability to
synthesize and build upon existing information, contributing to the creation of
new knowledge” (Mackey & Jacobson, 2011, p. 63). Information
literacy has several subsets with which adult learners should be
familiar: Visual Literacy, Digital Literacy, Media Literacy and
Information Fluency.
Media Literacy
Media literacy involves being
literate in all media forms. It is more than knowing the media forms
such as television, radio, hard copy print, electronic print) exist. One
must be able to control the interpretation of what one sees and hears. Most
educational institution define this process as critical thinking; the ability
to question the information that we have to ensure that the evidence presented
supports the conclusion the author has drawn. Through critical
thinking we control the interpretation of the information instead of allowing
the author to give us an interpretation.
Visual Literacy
Visual literacy includes such
popular items as video streaming, production, remixing and on line
gaming. Jane McGonigal in her video, Jane McGonigal:
Gaming can make a better world (2010), describes gaming as a means to
collaboration and changing what individuals are capable of doing. Through
gaming individuals believe that they are capable of changing the world.
This sense of accomplishment may carry over into reality and the
individual will be motivated to make changes in the real world.
Digital Literacy
Many forms of literacy fall
under the heading of digital literacy. Digital literacy encompasses
software use, emails, web blogs, and all social media applications. Social
media is growing rapidly with the use of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and
Skpe. Digital literacy allows the flow of information through a
two-way street through web blogs, Wiki and web pages. Individuals or
groups gather information and present it on the internet in an organized
thought invoked document. These sites encourage feedback from others
making the contents a major collaborative project with individuals learning
from each other. Digital literacy is encourages collaboration and the
sharing of information.
Information Fluency
Information fluency is the
ability to critically think while engaging with, creating, and utilizing
information and technology regardless of format or platform. Being information
fluent allows the individual to recognize the need for information and then be
able to interact with the information, learn from it by drawing new meaning and
providing knowledge to others. Being information fluent creates a
participatory culture. There are benefits to participatory cultures such as
peer-to-peer learning, respect for diversity, and development of workplace
skills (collaboration, multi-tasking, networking and negotiation) according to
Jenkins. Not only are we expected to understand this new information
literacy, but we are expected to speak the language; to participate and
contribute. Sitting on the side line and observing is no longer
thought of as learning.
Transliteracy
Information literacy continues
to expand across cultures; a concept known as transliteracy. Sue
Thomas of the Institute of Creative Technologies, defined transliteracy as the
“ability to read, write and interact across a range of platforms, tools and
media from signing and orally through handwriting, print, TV, radio and film,
to digital social networks” (Thomas, 2009). It allows all
communication types across time and culture.
Conclusion
With more knowledge comes more
responsibility. We are encouraged to be critical thinkers. Gail
Bush, author of Think around the Corner: The Power of
Information Literacy, made a statement in her video that in the 20th century
we were taught to “answer the question” and in the 21st century
we are taught to “question the answer”. Today, there is so much
information at your fingertips (literally, at your fingertips through the use
of the computer). Information is just a few keystrokes away. There
was a time where we believed what was in print. It was valid and
reliable. With so much information available through collaborative
digital sources, it becomes vital that we learn to question the
answer….question the information….question the source. We have to
move from an era of blind faith to one of determining validity and reliability.
References
Bush, G. (2009). Thinking Around the Corner: The Power of
Information Literacy. Phi Delta Kappan, 446-447.
Jenkins, J. O. (2010). A multi-faceted formative assessment
approach: better recognising the learning needs of students. Assessment
& Evaluation in Higher Education, 565-576.
Lankshear, C., & Knobel, M. (2011). Literacies
Social, Cultural and Historical Perspectives. New York: Peter Lang
Publishing, Inc.
Mackey, T. P., & Jacobson, T. E. (2011). Reframing
Information Literacy as a Metaliteracy. College and Research Librarires,
62-78.
McGonigal, J. (2010, May 17). Jane McGonigal: Gaming can
Make a Better World. (T. Talks, Interviewer)
Rich, M. (2008, July 27). http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/books/27reading.html?pagewanted=all&_r=2&. Retrieved
from The New York Times: http://www.nytimes
I really appreciated how you broke the modes of literacy down and even included 'transliteracy'. It certainly does allow for literacy to cross all cultures and time. As the internet has expanded so rapidly, so have beliefs. Thus all messages can be construed by the person reading them. This is the beauty of the internet, the ability to captivate any audience you desire!
ReplyDeleteI feel that we see the most of digital literacy every day with social media Participatory culture has come to life through social media. Whether people believe it or not social media has taken on its own life and has allowed for all literacies to unify.