Information+Literacy+in+the+Digital+Age

Information Literacy in the Digital Age With the introduction of the countless new technological advances including the use of computers, the internet, dozens of software programs, and all sorts visual and audio medias, the amount of information available and the way it can be presented has increased ten-fold. Thus, information literacy must morph as the digital age takes hold of the world. Information literacy in the digital age is the ability of an individual to use necessary information to examine, develop, create and communicate facts and ideas, all while using appropriate technological tools. This implies that the user must be aware of when to incorporate different sources of media, programs or visual effects to deepen understanding and further critical thinking. Teachers should provide students with proper instruction as to which internet resources to use and how to properly use them so students are able to properly increase their information literacy as they learn in such a technologically advanced world. Similarly, a classroom should provide students with the opportunity to use and present materials via various digital tools. Showing and creating videos, using the internet to blog, find podcasts, or create networks as well as using software resources to create presentations allows students to connect to the world and to one another by using technology when dealing with information. Finally, the school should be a safe place for technological use, where students can be properly guided and supervised as they expand their knowledge. As educators, we help our students become information literate in the digital age. In doing so we are increasing their awareness of the world, as well as honing critical thinking skills as the must be able to make smart decisions to best gather, develop, create and communicate their information.

Sources: Critical Issue: Using Technology to Enhance Literacy Instruction http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/content/cntareas/reading/li300.htm

Instructional Technology/Technology Information Literacy http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Instructional_Technology/Technology_Information_Literacy#Introduction

[|Information Literacy Graphic] This .pdf is a great little visual as to the influence of technology on all parts of information literacy in the digital age. Let me know if there are any problems accessing it and I will try to adjust accordingly.