Information Literacy

What is it?

Let’s look at the two words:Information is defined as

knowledge obtained from investigation, study, or instruction

And Literacy is defined as

1 : an educated person (actually the definition of the word “literate.” So literacy would be the state of being educated.

Definitions from Merriam Webster

So how do we become literate in information?

We familiarize ourselves with information and use it for understanding

We can use the internet

We can use DVDsWe can use software

programsWe can use oral

communication with people

We can use community resources

We can use booksWe can use

magazinesWe can use databasesWe can use reference

materialsWe can use

newspapersWe can use anything

which gives information

Did you know that:

We live in an information societyThe weekday edition of the New York Times has more information in it than the average 17th century man or woman would come across in a lifetimeFor the first time in history, the capacity for producing information is far greater than the human capacity to process it.Web pages in 1995 stood at 1.3 million; in 2000, the number of web pages were more than one billion

This has produced Information Anxiety

This is a medical problem which has been diagnosed with the following symptons:

FatiqueStomach painsFailing eyesight

InsomniaForgetfulness

Feeling overwhelmedStressDoubt

VulnerabilityComputer rage

This course will provide you with the tools for being information literate on your journey through life.

You will first become knowledgeable in information sources

You will select a famous American,, living or dead who has contributed to society in some way.

You will ask yourself a question which you want answered about this person. For example, why is George Washington called the “father of our country?” Or how did Bill Gates go from dropping out of Harvard to working in his garage to becoming the richest man on America?”

You will then create an audio visual show using the web site, Voice Threads.. You may work wwith a partner.

Knowledge is the source for self improvement