Reflect: Information literacy

  Throughout the course, I have applied information literacy in my academic work. For example, I have accessed information from different sources such as books, periodicals, and journals.  I have not only accessed information from quality sources, but I have also evaluated and used it effectively. Information literacy has helped me to become information-literate. Apart from benefiting from information literacy as a student, I have learned that information literacy is being applied in society, and it is contributing too many benefits. First, it is important to understand that traditionally, society believed that people who have information literacy are those who have the capability to read and write. However, modern societies have acknowledged that information literacy does not only involve reading and writing but it also involve other concepts such as computer literacy, technical literacy, media literacy, among more (Franklin, 2005).  In other words, information literacy is the ability to find information, evaluate, and apply it when it is needed.

 It is important to understand that modern societies are applying the concept of information literacy. Note that the information and communication technologies have changed the communication patterns and information environment (Franklin, 2005). The technological advancement has created an information society where the creation and distribution of information is vital. There are many areas that people are applying critical thinking skills, and this means that people have engaged in lifelong learning to understand how to gather information, analyze, synthesis, and apply.  Society has recognized that in order to build social development and solve complex social problems, people must access quality information and manage it (Franklin, 2005). From my own research, I have found that modern societies have two levels of literacy, that is; high literacy levels and low literacy levels (Hare & Evanson, 2018).  Those with high literacy levels have information privilege, or in other words, they have the opportunity to access research material and conduct research, they get research support, they have peer network, and the opportunity to engage in scholarly conversation (Hare & Evanson, 2018). People who have information privilege benefits society because they have a higher level of literacy. They bring economic growth and social development,   improves the society safety, the education system, and the standard of living, promote democracy, promote cultural diversity, prevent diseases and improves health, and increases their self-esteem as well as empowerment (Hare & Evanson, 2018). Note that these people emerge in information literacy programmers such as workshops, consultations, and interaction with instructors. They find information and understand the systemic issues, and they become agents of changes.

 However, individuals who have low literacy levels do not benefit society. These are the disadvantaged people who have lower educational achievement and live in poverty. First, it is important to understand such people experience inequality in all aspects of their life, including inequality in health access, and variation in resources access (Hare & Evanson, 2018).They also suffer from reduced cognitive development and poor memory. Due to their social condition, they lack digital literacy, critical literacy, and scientific literacy, among more. The society suffers from the population that is illiterate in that the low literature affects the growth of GDP growth rate or the growth of the economy (Hare & Evanson, 2018). Note that they do not participate in the global economy, and this affects the social economy. Individuals do not engage in civil participation including social and political matters. These people do not achieve the individual and society goals since they do not make an investment, nor do they make decisions that will build a democratic society (Hare & Evanson, 2018). In other words, they lack personal growth and creativity, and this hinders them from applying information and knowledge in their day-to-day activities.

 I feel that our society values the information literacy in that it has built a student-centered learning community. The learning community has incorporated a connectivity platform, and its mission is to support learning and improve learner's information skills by providing new materials. The society is working together with the education system to promote students' proficiency, support students, grant funding, and ensure that students gain computer literacy, digital literacy, and technical literacy (Franklin, 2005).I think we should care whether a society possesses information literacy skills. Note that student's initial education is vital, but we need to care if students are receiving new information and skills about the latest technology. The education system, as well as parents, should invest money to provide students with formal training so that they can have the ability to conduct both qualitative and quantitative research, and more importantly, think critically (Franklin, 2005). The community should also care if the society is offering formal training and it should empower the education system so that students can gain literacy skills and ultimately benefit the society through eliminating poverty, improving the life of people, reducing infant mortality, and promoting economy development. I also believe that everyone needs information literacy. In other words, elementary-age children, and college students need literacy since everyone needs to recognize the problem, and find solutions (Franklin, 2005).  Note that information literacy will not only help students in the academic work, but they will apply the knowledge and skills in personal matters and other several perspectives.  One recommendation is that teachers should consider individuals from a poor background, including people of color. They should help them gain literacy skill and develop career aspiration. Some of these people suffer from economic stress and financial constraints, and thus, it is important to be aware of these social challenges and help them achieve literacy by providing them with learning resources.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

 

Hare, S., & Evanson, C. (2018). Information privilege outreach for undergraduate

students. College & Research Libraries, 79(6), 726.

 

Franklin, K. Y. (2005, April). The importance of information literacy: Insights from the next

generation of scholars. In Association of College and Research Libraries National

Conference, Minneapolis.