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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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