What is Information Literacy?

Modern Librarian Memoirs

2 Nov 201705:37

Summary

TLDRThe video script emphasizes the importance of information literacy in today's information-saturated world. It outlines six key concepts: understanding authority and context, recognizing information creation as a process, acknowledging information's value, viewing research as inquiry, considering scholarship as conversation, and approaching searching as strategic exploration. These skills are crucial for navigating information overload, assessing reliability, and making informed decisions in various life aspects, from safeguarding personal data to engaging in intellectual property discussions.

Takeaways

📚 Books used to be the primary source of information, but today, information comes from multiple sources and is abundant.
🔍 The abundance of information can lead to challenges in accessing and using it effectively.
🧭 Information literacy is a set of skills needed to navigate through information overload and use information effectively.
🛠 There are six main concepts of information literacy: Authority is constructed and contextual, Information creation as a process, Information has value, Research as inquiry, Scholarship as conversation, and Searching as strategic exploration.
🏷 Authority is constructed and contextual means identifying the reliability of information sources and respecting intellectual property.
📜 Information creation as a process involves understanding that information goes through research, creation, revision, and often peer review.
💡 Information has value, not only economically but also educationally, and it influences people's understanding of the world.
🔬 Research as inquiry highlights that research is a process of trial and error, and organizing and synthesizing information is crucial.
📚 Scholarship as conversation means academic study is an ongoing dialogue, and it's important to recognize different perspectives and credit sources.
🗺 Searching as strategic exploration involves developing and refining research strategies to find the best sources and using the best research tools.

Q & A

What was the primary source of information before the digital age?
-Before the digital age, books used to be the primary source of information.
Why is it challenging to access and use information today?
-It's challenging because of the overwhelming amount of information available from various sources, making it easy to waste time finding the needed information and difficult to compare the reliability of different sources.
What is the term used to describe the skills needed to navigate through information overload?
-The term is 'information literacy'.
How many main concepts encompass information literacy according to the script?
-There are six main concepts that encompass information literacy.
What does the concept 'Authority is constructed and contextual' mean in the context of information literacy?
-It means learning to identify the reliability of an information source, which often depends on the context of the information, and respecting intellectual property by giving credit to the source.
What does 'information creation as a process' imply about the information we consume?
-It implies that information undergoes a process of research, creation, revision, and often peer review before it is distributed, resulting in information existing in various forms and methods of delivery.
Why is it important to understand that 'information has value'?
-It's important because information can be sold, serves as a means of education, influences people, and helps individuals understand and navigate the world. It can also be influenced by current events and the economy.
How does the concept of 'research as inquiry' relate to finding reliable information?
-Research as inquiry is an inquisitive process that involves trial and error, asking questions, and examining information to determine if it fits the need, which is essential for finding reliable and relevant sources.
What is the significance of viewing 'scholarship as conversation' in academic study?
-Scholarship as conversation signifies that academic study is an ongoing dialogue among people within a certain field, where new publications contribute insights to existing discussions and different perspectives are offered.
Why is 'searching as strategic exploration' an important part of information literacy?
-Searching as strategic exploration is important because effective research involves developing and refining a strategy, knowing how to identify and use the best research tools, and forming the best keywords for the search.
How do the skills of information literacy apply to real-world scenarios beyond the classroom?
-These skills help in finding reliable and relevant information online, safeguarding personal and financial information, recognizing biases on social media, making informed life decisions, understanding and respecting intellectual property, and having informed conversations while respecting different viewpoints.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Information Literacy: Navigating the Information Overload

The first paragraph introduces the concept of information literacy as a critical skill in today's world where information is abundant and easily accessible. It highlights the challenges of finding and evaluating the reliability of information sources and emphasizes the importance of context. The paragraph outlines six main concepts of information literacy: authority is constructed and contextual, information creation as a process, information has value, research as inquiry, scholarship as conversation, and searching as strategic exploration. These concepts are explained in layman's terms to help understand their relevance in identifying reliable sources, respecting intellectual property, understanding the process of information creation, recognizing the value of information, engaging in scholarly conversations, and conducting effective research.

05:01

🔍 Real-World Application of Information Literacy Skills

The second paragraph discusses the practical applications of information literacy skills beyond the classroom. It suggests that these skills enable individuals to find reliable and relevant information online, protect personal and financial information, discern biases and falsehoods on social media, and make informed decisions in significant life events such as purchasing a home. Additionally, it touches on the importance of understanding and respecting intellectual property rights, which includes obtaining permission and citing sources when sharing content created by others.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Information Literacy

Information literacy is a suite of competencies that enables individuals to effectively seek, evaluate, use, and create information. It is central to the video's theme as it addresses the skills needed to navigate the overwhelming amount of information available today. The script explains that information literacy involves understanding the reliability of sources, the process of information creation, and the strategic approach to research, all of which are crucial for making informed decisions and engaging in scholarly conversations.

💡Authority

In the context of the video, 'Authority' refers to the reliability and credibility of an information source. It is one of the six main concepts of information literacy. The script emphasizes that authority is constructed and contextual, meaning that the trustworthiness of a source can depend on the situation and must be evaluated accordingly. Examples from the script include respecting intellectual property and giving credit to original creators, which are practices that acknowledge the authority of the source.

💡Information Creation

Information creation as a process is highlighted in the video as a key concept of information literacy. It involves understanding that information often goes through stages of research, creation, revision, and peer review before it is disseminated. The script illustrates this by stating that this process results in information existing in various forms and delivery methods, which is important for selecting appropriate sources for one's needs.

💡Information Value

The term 'Information Value' in the script denotes the worth or significance of information, which can be both monetary and educational. It suggests that information has the power to influence and educate, and it can be shaped by current events and economic factors. The video uses the example of how information is created and shared during an election to underscore the concept that information is not just a commodity but also a tool for understanding and navigating the world.

💡Research

Research, as portrayed in the video, is an inquisitive process that is integral to information literacy. It involves trial and error in the search for reliable and relevant information. The script explains that research is about asking questions and examining information to see if it meets one's needs. It also touches on the importance of being able to organize and synthesize information, such as incorporating various sources into a research paper.

💡Scholarship

Scholarship in the video is described as a conversation among individuals within a specific academic field. It is one of the six concepts of information literacy and refers to the ongoing academic discourse that new publications contribute to. The script points out that recognizing different scholarly perspectives is important, as is giving credit when quoting from others' work, which reflects the collaborative and respectful nature of academic scholarship.

💡Searching

Searching as strategic exploration is the final concept discussed in the script and is crucial for effective research. It involves developing and refining a strategy for finding information, acknowledging that research is not a linear process and may require adjustments along the way. The script mentions the importance of knowing how to use the best research tools and forming the best keywords for a search, which are part of the strategic approach to finding information.

💡Intellectual Property

Intellectual property is mentioned in the script as an important aspect of information literacy, particularly in the context of respecting the rights of creators. It comes in many forms, such as photos, videos, or songs, and sharing these items requires permission from the owner and proper citation. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting intellectual property rights as part of being information literate.

💡Strategic Exploration

Strategic exploration in the video refers to the deliberate and thoughtful approach one takes when conducting research. It is part of the concept of searching and involves knowing how to identify and use the best research tools. The script uses this term to illustrate the idea that effective research requires planning, adaptability, and the ability to refine one's approach based on the information discovered.

💡Credibility

Credibility, as discussed in the script, is closely related to the concept of authority and refers to the trustworthiness of information or a source. It is a critical component of information literacy because it helps individuals determine the reliability of the information they encounter. The video mentions the importance of understanding the context of information and knowing how to research the credibility of authors to assess the credibility of information.

💡Context

Context is a key term in the video that relates to the interpretation and evaluation of information. It is mentioned in the concept of 'Authority is constructed and contextual,' which means that the reliability of an information source often depends on the circumstances in which it is used. The script suggests that understanding the context is essential for determining the credibility of information and for respecting intellectual property.

Highlights

Books were once the primary source of information but are now just one of many sources.

Information is abundant and comes in various forms, accessible in different ways.

Challenges arise from the overwhelming amount of information available.

Time can be wasted searching for information without knowing where to look.

Comparing the reliability of different information sources can be difficult.

Understanding the context of information and researching the credibility of authors is crucial.

Information literacy is a set of skills that helps navigate through information overload.

There are six main concepts that encompass information literacy.

Authority is constructed and contextual, implying the importance of identifying reliable sources.

Information creation is a process involving research, creation, revision, and peer review.

Information has value, influencing education, people's perspectives, and the world.

Research is an inquisitive process that often involves trial and error.

Scholarship is a conversation among people within a certain field.

Searching is strategic exploration, requiring a research strategy and refinement.

Developing information literacy skills helps find reliable and relevant information online.

Understanding information literacy aids in safeguarding personal and financial information.

Recognizing the potential bias or falsity in social media information is important.

Information literacy enables informed decision-making in significant life choices.

Intellectual property comes in many forms and sharing requires permission and citation.

Information literacy fosters informed conversations and respect for different viewpoints.