10 - Information Literacy and Communication

Information Literacy

  • The ability to find, interpret, and use information
  • Computer literacy is the ability to use electronic tools to conduct searches and to communicate your findings
  • Media literacy is the ability to think deeply about what you see and read in broadcast, print, and online media
  • Cultural literacy is the ability to know what has gone on and is going on around you

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Learning How to Be Information Literate

Information literacy involves more than checking links found on a search engine \n To be a successful user of information:

  • Know how to find the information you need
  • Learn how to interpret the information you find
  • Have a purpose for collecting information

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Using the Library

The 20-minute rule:

  • If you haven’t found something after 20 minutes, ask a librarian for \n help \n Scholarly articles and journals:
  • Collect original, peer-reviewed articles
  • Focus on a specific idea or question
  • Add filters to refine your search results

Periodicals:

  • They are designated either by date or by annual volume and issue numbers
  • Most are popular rather than scholarly

Books:

  • Using the library catalog can help you find them
  • Call numbers help you locate books in the stacks
  • When you find the book on the shelf, look at the other books around it

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Tech Tip: Conduct Effective Searches

  • Be picky, and filter out what is not helpful
  • Use quotation marks or asterisks when looking for an exact phrase
  • Avoid .com sites unless searching to see ways that companies advertise
  • Familiarize yourself with the databases your college subscribes to

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Evaluating Sources

The order of search results is not based on importance

  • Anyone is able to post inaccurate or unauthenticated information

Three important factors to consider:

  • Relevance
  • Authority
  • Bias
  • Relevance

 \n Ask if the information is:

  • Introductory
  • Definitional
  • Analytical
  • Comprehensive
  • Current
  • What can you conclude from it?
  • Authority \n

Check that:

  • Information was created by someone qualified
  • Conclusions are based on solid evidence
  • Make sure you can identify the author
  • Understand whether the project calls for scholarly publications, periodicals, or both

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Bias

  • All materials have an author
  • Every author has personal beliefs

Signs of bias:

  • Overly positive or overly harsh language
  • Hints of a personal agenda
  • Refusal to consider other points of view

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Using Your Research in Writing
  • A major goal of information literacy is to use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose
  • Analyze the information you find
  • Synthesize your information

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The Writing Process

  • Step 1: Prewriting to discover what you want to say
  • The most commonly used method is freewriting
  • Step 2: Drafting
  • Organize ideas, and form a thesis
  • Create an outline
  • Add analysis and synthesis of your research
  • Pay attention to the flow of ideas between sentences and paragraphs
  • Step 3: Revising
  • It is the key to good writing
  • After drafting, read once; make initial revisions
  • Set the revised draft aside for at least a day; then \n reread
  • It may help to get feedback from someone else
  • Writing or learning center available at most colleges and universities

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Know Your Audience

• For most college assignments, writing used in e-mails, texts, and tweets is not appropriate. \n • Know when to use abbreviations \n • Assume your audience is composed of instructors and other serious students \n • Do not be sloppy or casual

The Importance of Time in the Writing Process

  • The best writing is done over a period of time

Leave enough time to:

  • Ask for clarification on the assignment
  • Seek help from a librarian or the writing center
  • Narrow or expand your topic
  • Balance other assignments and commitments
  • Deal with technology problems

\ Citing Your Sources:

  • Distinguishes borrowed ideas from your own ideas
  • It provides a starting place for anyone who wants more information
  • It avoids plagiarism
  • If you use somebody else’s ideas, even if you paraphrase those ideas, you must give that person credit

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About Plagiarism

Presenting another person’s ideas or work as your own:

  • It is unacceptable in a college setting (intellectual theft)
  • instructors use programs such as Turnitin to identify plagiarism
  • Consequences may include a failing grade, suspension, or even expulsion.

\ Using Your Research in Presentations

Guidelines for successful speaking:

  • Clarify your objective
  • Understand your audience
  • Organize your presentation
  • Choose appropriate visual aids
  • Prepare your notes
  • Practice your delivery
  • Pay attention to word choice and pronunciation
  • Dress appropriately
  • Request feedback

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