Information Literacy
Information Literacy
"is the set of integrated abilities encompassing the reflective discovery of information, the understanding of how information is produced and valued, and the use of information in creating new knowledge and participating ethically in communities of learning" 1.
What does this mean? Texts provide information and often explain their subjects, but they do not always explain or answer questions about themselves. A critical reader's job is to ask these questions, and in the process of reading, answer them.
When you read online, you may already ask yourself important questions like:
- What type of source is this?
- From where does it originate?
- Who is the author?
- When was it produced?
You should always ask these questions.
An information-literate reader goes even further, however, and asks:
- How is the information being presented?
- What is the point of view?
- How is this source different from other sources I've seen?
- How does this difference affect my attitude toward what I'm reading?
Finally, put aside the topic and your own opinions for a moment and ask:
- How is this text influencing my own feelings and opinions, and why?
Information is everywhere. Social media is an information source too, and has become a powerful and effective method for communicating information. Whenever you share what you learn or read, you are also a source of information.
The following guided readings will introduce you to a variety of media and sources grouped around common topics. Each presents information in a different way. Some points of view are obvious. Some types, or genres, of sources are clear. But some cannot be easily categorized. For example, a satirical news item may seem authentic, or an editorial may contain more reliable information than an article on the same topic.
Guided Reading Learning Goals
Understand that:
- Information sources vary greatly in content, format, and reliability, and have varying relevance and value to their subject matter.
- Information may be perceived, received, and shared differently based on the format in which it is packaged.
- Information sources are not always easy to categorize into types. Sometimes they may seem like a combination of genres, but this does not mean that they are more or less valid.
