Topic 3: Introduction to Information Literacy

In today's world, we are bombarded with information from every direction. News feeds, social media, the internet – it can feel overwhelming! This lesson is all about developing the skills to navigate this information overload. We will learn how to find reliable sources, critically evaluate information, and use information effectively for research, learning, and decision-making. Think of it as becoming a detective in the digital age, learning to uncover the truth and use information wisely.

Lesson 1: Definition of Information

·   Data that has been collected, processed, and interpreted in order to be presented in a useable form.

·   A broad term that can cover processed data, knowledge derived from study, experience, instruction, signals or symbols. In the media world, information is often used to describe knowledge of specific events or situations that has been gathered or received by communication, intelligence, or news reports.

Types of Information

1. Scholarly Information focuses on original research and in-depth analysis conducted by experts in a particular field. This type of information is typically found in academic journals, books, and conference proceedings. Scholarly sources are often peer-reviewed, meaning they are evaluated by other experts in the field to ensure their quality and accuracy. They are characterized by formal language, extensive citations, and a focus on contributing new knowledge to the field.

2. Professional/Trade Information caters specifically to professionals and individuals working in a particular industry. Sources like trade magazines, industry journals, and professional newsletters provide practical information, news, and updates relevant to a specific profession. While they may not always undergo the rigorous peer-review process of scholarly sources, they still offer valuable insights and information for professionals.

3. Entertainment/Popular Information aims to entertain, inform, or persuade a general audience. This category encompasses a wide range of sources, including newspapers, magazines, blogs, social media, television, and movies. These sources typically use accessible language and may prioritize entertainment value over rigorous fact-checking.

4. Opinion represents personal beliefs, viewpoints, or judgments. Editorials, opinion columns, reviews, blogs, and social media posts often express opinions. It's crucial to remember that opinions are subjective and may not always be based on objective evidence.

Providers of Information

1. Academic Institutions: These include universities, colleges, research centers, and libraries. They are primary sources of scholarly information, conducting original research, publishing research findings in academic journals, and providing access to vast collections of scholarly resources.

2. Government Agencies: Government agencies at all levels (local, state, and federal) collect, analyze, and disseminate a wide range of information. This includes data on demographics, economics, health, the environment, and social issues. Government agencies also play a crucial role in developing and implementing public policies based on the information they gather.

3. Private Sector: This encompasses businesses, corporations, and non-profit organizations. They generate and distribute information through various means, including market research reports, industry publications, company websites, and social media. The private sector also plays a significant role in the development and dissemination of technology and information and communication technologies.

4. Private Individuals: Individuals contribute to the flow of information in numerous ways. They share their knowledge and experiences through personal blogs, social media posts, online forums, and citizen journalism platforms. They also contribute to research by participating in surveys and studies.

Sources of Information

1. Primary Sources: These are original materials that provide firsthand accounts or direct evidence of an event, topic, or period. They are created by individuals who were directly involved or witnessed the event.

Examples:

·       Diaries, letters, and memoirs

·       Autobiographies

·       Photographs, videos, and audio recordings

·       Original research articles, dissertations, and theses

·       Government documents (laws, treaties, court records)

·       Interviews with eyewitnesses

·       Works of art and literature

2. Secondary Sources: These interpret, analyze, or summarize primary sources. They provide a second-hand account of an event or topic.

Examples:

·       Textbooks

·       Biographies

·       History books

·       Journal and magazine articles (that analyze or interpret research)

·       Documentary films

·       Reviews and critiques

3. Tertiary Sources: These provide summaries and overviews of primary and secondary sources. They often compile information from multiple sources into a condensed format.

Examples:

·       Encyclopedias

·       Dictionaries

·       Handbooks

·       Almanacs

·       Fact books

·       Bibliographies

Lesson 2: Definition of Information Literacy

·   It is a set of individual competencies needed to identify, evaluate and use information in the most ethical, efficient and effective way across all domains, occupations and professions.

·   It refers to the ability to recognize when information is needed and to locate, evaluate, effectively use and communicate information in its various formats.

Lesson 3: Stages/Elements of Information Literacy

1. Identifying/Recognizing Information Needs: This is the starting point. You need to clearly understand what information you're looking for. What question are you trying to answer? What problem are you trying to solve?

2. Determining Sources of Information: Once you know what you need, you need to figure out where to find it. Are you looking for books, articles, websites, videos, or something else? What are the most reliable and credible sources for this type of information?

3. Citing or Searching for Information: This involves actively seeking out the information. You might use library catalogs, search engines, databases, or other tools to locate relevant sources.

4. Analyzing and Evaluating the Quality of Information: Not all information is created equal! This stage involves critically examining the information you find. Is it accurate? Is it reliable? Who created it? What is the purpose of this information?

5. Organizing, Storing or Archiving Information: Once you've found relevant information, you need to organize it in a way that makes it easy to use. This might involve creating outlines, taking notes, or saving files electronically.

6. Using Information in an Ethical, Efficient and Effective Way: This involves applying the information you've gathered to your research, project, or task. It also means using information responsibly and ethically, such as properly citing sources and avoiding plagiarism.

7. Creating and Communicating New Knowledge: Information literacy isn't just about finding and using information. It also involves using information to create new knowledge, such as writing a research paper, developing a presentation, or creating a new product or service.

Lesson 4: Ethical Use of Information

When you use information from books, websites, or other resources, it’s important to do so ethically. This means respecting the work of others and giving credit where it is due. Here’s why it matters and how you can practice ethical use of information:

Why is Ethical Use Important?

·       Respect for Creators: The people who create content—like authors, photographers, or researchers—deserve credit for their work. Ethical use acknowledges their effort and ideas.

·       Avoiding Plagiarism: Plagiarism means using someone else’s work as if it were your own. It’s dishonest and can lead to serious consequences, like losing credibility or facing penalties in school.

·       Promoting Academic Integrity: When you use information ethically, you show honesty and fairness, which are key values in learning and research.

How to Use Information Ethically

·       Cite Sources Correctly

If you use facts, ideas, or quotes from someone else’s work, you must include a citation. This tells others where you found the information.

Use standard formats like APA or MLA. For example:

APA Example: Author’s Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of the book. Publisher.

Activity Tip: Practice creating citations for articles or books you’ve read in class.

·       Avoid Plagiarism
Plagiarism is like copying someone’s homework—it’s not fair to the original creator. To avoid it:

·       Paraphrase: Rewrite the idea in your own words while keeping the original meaning.

·       Use Quotes: If you use the exact words, put them in quotation marks and include a citation.

·       Use Tools: Citation generators like Zotero, EasyBib, or even built-in tools in Microsoft Word can help you create proper references.

Remember: Ethical use of information shows respect for others’ work and builds your reputation as a responsible and credible student. Practicing it helps you grow as a learner and prepares you for future research projects!

Lesson 5: Real-World Application of Information Literacy

How is Information Literacy Used in Real Life?

·       In School: You already use information literacy when you research for projects, write essays, or prepare presentations. Knowing how to find reliable sources and organize your ideas helps you succeed academically.

·       In Professional Life:

·       Making Decisions: Professionals use information to make smart choices. For example, a businessperson might study market trends before launching a new product.

·       Creating Reports: Many jobs require writing reports based on research, like a doctor reviewing medical studies to treat patients or an engineer analyzing data for a project.

·       Keeping Up with Trends: In careers like technology or medicine, things change fast. Information literacy helps workers stay updated by reading articles, attending webinars, or following reliable sources.