A1.4: “Information Literacy”

Traci Girondo

August 26, 2007

Plotnick, E. (1999). Information Literacy. Eric Clearinghouse on Information & Technology.

TAP: Plotnick, the author of the article “Information Literacy” discussed the topic of information literacy and its evolution in to society and the classroom. The purpose of this article was to inform all people of the important role information literacy has in the workforce, education, economy, and how it is vital for future success.

Claim: The central claim made by Plotnick is that in order for people to keep up with the changes taking place in the world people need to have information literacy skills which include the ability to recognize the need for information, the ability to locate that information, and the ability to evaluate and effectively use that information. Skills like these aid people in being successful in work, school, and society.

Evidence: Plotnick supports his claim by first discussing the need for information literacy skills in the educational curriculum. Information literacy skills are skills that must be taught. In order for students obtain these skills educators must find ways to integrate them in to the current curriculum. This is why Plotnick supports the restructuring of the education curriculum. He encourages teachers to have students complete assessment such as, preparing portfolios, keeping a learning and research log, or following rubrics to complete assignments. These types of assessments require students demonstrate their skills and assess their own learning which directly incorporates with information literacy skills. Next, Plotnick discusses the importance of having people who are information literate in the workforce. The workforce is a place that is going through some significant changes right now. As the economy becomes more global the number of temporary workers is going to increase. People who wish to succeed in a job are going to be required to aid in the management of a company and help it suceed. This is going to require skilled works who are not only literate in reading and writing, but people who also have information literacy skills. To be considered literate is no longer to simply be able to read and write. People must now possess other skills to be considered a literate person. These skills include information literact skills and without them a person can be considered as iliterate as a person who can not read or write. There is no way for a person to succeed in a world that is continually becoming more technologically advanced without these skills.

Connections: Before reading this article I know that learning was a lifelong process. Whether it be in school, work, or society there is some type of knowledge to gain from every situation. This article helped me to realize how important it is to equip yourself with the skills necessary to lead a successful life. When given the assignment to read this article and write a blog about it I did not consider what all I was going to gain from this experience. Right now I am using so many information literacy skills to aid me in completing this assignment. I am being required to take information evaluate and use it. I am coming up with my own questions about information literacy and then finding the answers in the articles that I have been reading. I feel that this assignment has been very benefitial since I have learned through my research just how important information literacy is.

I am able to connect this article to many of the other articles I have read on information literacy. Many of them discuss the need for people to be lifelong learners. Our world is continually growing and advancing that is at many times hard to keep up. It is crucial that we use the information literacy skills we have to not let this happen. All the articles I have read on information literacy stress the impact teachers can have on teaching students information literacy skills. I feel that it is imperative that a change be made in our education curriculum so that all students have the oppurtunity to learn these skills.

This article connects to the broader world of clinical practice in that as a future Speech-Language Pathologist I will always be using my information literacy skills to become a more knowledgeable clinician. By making this commitment to persure this career I feel I have also made a commitment to be a lifelong learner. There will never be a time in my career that I think information literacy skills won’t be necessary. Skills like that are what have helped to suceed thus far.

A1.4: “What it all means”

Traci Girondo

August 26, 2007

Richardson, W. (2006). Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

TAP: This chapter provided educators and students information on the classroom of the “Read/Write Web.” Its dicussion of this informed students and teachers of the changes that are taking place in classrooms as new technology has created more oppurtunities for students and teachers to learn and collaborate together as they obtain new knowledge.

Claim: Will Richardson, the author of this chapter claims that the web has become a valuable resource that continually grows to provide both new and old information. This type of resource is important in the education of all learners in that it provides oppurtunities for people to become critical readers and editors, manage information, become literate in how to publish, and encourages collaboration with others in a virtual enviroment. Richardson also claims that teachers should from a typical teaching approach to one that incorporates the Read/Write Web and this can only be implemented if 10 shifts are made by both educators and students.

Evidence: Will Richardson provides evidence for this claim by discussing the benefits of the Read/Write Web. The Read/Write Web allows for students to become active in their own learning by allowing them to seek information on their own, collaborate with other students, and provides them with an abundance of resources. The web also allows for teachers to add more depth to their teaching by allowing them to collaborate with other professionals, seek new ideas, and create their own informational resource such as a website or a blog. In order for this shift to be made though Richardson states that 10 shifts must be made. These shifts included, using more than one resource in the classroom, connecting with other educators, doing work for large audiences, becoming active participants in learning, knowing where to find information,  being able to discern false information, provide a new definition of what it means to write, using the web as a notebook, a shift from lecture to conversation, and a new idea as to what mastery is. Although each of these shifts are vastly different they each move both students and educators towards one goal. By doing all these things both educators and students preparing themselves to be active citizens in a world that is becoming dependent upon the worldwide web.

Connection: I knew before reading this article that the web was becoming an increasingly more important resource in our society. There isn’t a day that goes by that I do not refer to an internet source to seek some type of information. I use it to research information for class, stay connected with society, and stay connected with friends. I also understood the precautions that must be taken when using a resource in which anyone can publish information on a topic. I am a student who has see the changes that have been taking place inside the classroom as teachers and students become more dependent on the interent. When I was in elementary school I used the computer to type short stories, in middle school and high school I used the computer to do research and to connect with friends, now as a college student the internet as consumed many aspects of my life and I use it for everything. I feel that this dependency on the web will only continue to grow as new and old information is continually being added to the web and as technology continues to be advanced.

I was able to connect this text to other articles I have read on literacy. All of these articles talk about a switch that is taking place within the classroom. They discuss how students and educators must both be involved in making this transition to a more technologically based curriculum. I feel that these articles are great resources that are helping to prepare people for an inevitable change that is occuring in our school systems. The internet is becoming a crucial aspect to the education of all learners.

As  a future SLP this article helped me realize just how many avenues the internet offers you to enhance your knowledge on any subject. I would be able to use the internet to do research on disorders and treatment. The internet would be beneficial to me as a SLP in that I could use it to talk with other SLP’s around the world. This article really helped me to realize that I don’t have to only rely on textbooks and my professors to give me the knowledge to succeed as a SLP, but that I should be looking towards other resources to gain knowledge also.

A1.4: “Information Literacy in an Information Society”

Traci Girondo

August 25, 2007

Information literacy in an information society. (1994). ERIC Clearinghouse on Information and Technology. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED372756).

TAP: The topic of this article is the evolution of information literacy in the United States. This research article focused its content towards educators by stressing the importance of applying information literacy to the classroom setting. The purpose of this article was to inform the population of a shift that is occuring in instructional methods as the world moves from and industrial based society to an information based society.

Claim: The author of this article claims that as society evolves in to an information based society teachers must accomadate for these changes by changing their teaching style to encourage information literacy in students. These changes should include the application of critical thinking, communication, and problem solving in the instruction of new material along with traditional instruction.

Evidence: The way students obtain information has drastically changed over the past years. At one time people were considered knowledgeable if they knew all the stories that had been passed down to them from their family. Now, students become knowledgeable about topics through both information obtained from their teachers, peers, but also through outside informational resources. In order for students to possess information literacy teachers must teach students skills such as problem solving, communication, and critical thinking skills so that they are able to succeed in a world that is becoming more information based. This article provided evidence that students who possess the skills of information literacy are more likely to be good communicators, know how to access information proficiently, and are competent using online resources. Teachers should embrace the reforms that are taking place in the education system as they are to aid in the advancement of all students. Information literacy is “central to all successful learning and extension to all successful living.”

Connection: This article made me analyze the education that I have recieved thus far as a student. I stopped and questioned whether my teachers and professors have taken the means necessary to teach me skills such as critical thinking, problem solving and communication. When I thought about this I was reminded of many of my classes in college. In many classes that I have had in college my professors have taken the whole class to the library to teach us how to properly use various search engines and resources to do research. By doing this my professors were showing us the types of resources that were available for our use, but they allowed us to do our own research and seek our own answers. I feel that this aids us in being compotent in information literacy which states people have the ability to identify potential sources of information, evaluate information, and organize information for application. I feel that by doing this many of my professors have helped me make an easier transition in to this information society.

This article can be connected to an article I read called Information Literacy for Lifelong Learning. Both of these articles discussed how the world is continually evolving and developing new technologies. They stress to teachers the importance to equip students with the skills to succeed in this type of society. The articles both dicuss how information literacy skills are the most important skills for  students to have to succeed in a world that is becoming more technologically based. I had never considered whether I was equipped with all the tools necessary to succeed in this world until I read these articles. These helped to show me the true importance of being information literate.

 This article connects to the broader world of clinical practice in that as a future SLP I will be required to give my clients all the knowledge I have about their disorder and treatment options. I can use my information literacy skills to aid me in this by using various sources to do research, use problem solving skills, and pose my own questions to seek answers to about my client. I could also foster in my client a desire to become information literate too. By explaining to them the importance of being knowledgeable about their disorder I could encourage them to seek answers and information on their own. This type of collaboration between client and clinician could aid in a mutual respect and understanding of the clients disorder.

A1.4: “Experiments in Digital Literacy”

Traci Girondo

August 24, 2007

Eshet-Alkali, Y., & Amichai-Hamburger, Y. (2004). Experiments in Digital Literacy. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 7(4), 421-429.

TAP: The topic of this research article was the components necessary to possess “digital literacy.” This article was directed to an audience of educators who are interested in examining the areas of “digital literacy” students struggle with. The purpose of this article was to examine the “digital literacy” skills among people of different age groups and genders.

Claim: The authors of this research study claim that a person’s level of “digital literacy” is dependent upon their cognitive development and that there will be a difference between the “digital literacy” level of an older adult when compared to a young adult.

Evidence: The claim made by the authors of this article is supported by the evidence documented by them. These researchers conducted a study in which 60 individuals consisting of both males and females between the ages of 17-37 were asked to complete tasks that assessed one specific aspect of digital literacy. Three groups of 20 individuals were first asked to complete a photo-visual literacy experiment. In this experiment all participants were asked to create their own theatre using a computer based program. From this experiment researchers found that the “young adults” did score significantly higher than the older adults when scored on their completeness and complexity. The participants were then asked to complete a reproduction literacy experiment where they were given a seven line paragraph and asked to change the paragraph around to give it a new meaning. In this task the older adults scored the highest out of both the college students and high school students where the high school students scored the lowest. This evidence shows the weakness young students have in editing material and puts in to perspective the area that educators should focus on with their students. The same results were found when the participants were asked to complete a  information literacy skill which consisted of researching a news event using seven different sources of information. The results from this experiment are startling in that they show the weakness of young adult as being educated consumers. It shows how they can be easily manipulated by false information. The last two experiments of branching and socio-emotional literacy differed for all age groups, but a consistent trend was that the older adults scored the lowest in these areas. The branching activity made apparent the older adults lack of exposure to various forms of multimedia as they had greater difficulty planning a trip to Spain using the internet. The socio-emotional experiment required all participants to participate in a conversation in a chat room. As stated the adults scored the lowest on this becuase of their inexperience in this form of communication.

Connection: I was able to connect this article to my personal experience with using computers. When I first used a computer I was very nervous and was unsure about what I was doing. This type of technology was new for me and it took me awhile to be comfortable using a computer. Now I feel that I possess many of the components of digital literacy as I have grown up being exposed to these inside and outside of school. A lot of the results that came from the research stated in this article made sense to me because I was able to think of my own examples that applied to their results. For example, I know that young adults are more easily influenced by false information. I have experienced this type of uncertainty and instead of seeking my own answers to a problem I believed what I thought everyone else believed even though I wasn’t completely positive I agreed. It took awhile for me to realize that it is important to make sure that you are seeking complete information because there are many places on the internet and in the world that are misleading people.

This article fit closely along with numerous articles and newspapers I have read about the older population falling behind as the world becomes more technologically advanced. I remember reading how many older adults feel that there is no reason for them to become literate with new technology such as computers, internet, and cell phones. The consensus is that since they have lived their whole life without them  why do they need them now. This article really helped to put in to perspective where both older adults and younger adults are struggling to be digitally literate.

This article connects to the broader world of clinical practice in that it gave me insight on the fact that our world is continually growing and developing new technology. It is important for me as a future SLP to realize that my learning never stops. The importance of staying up to date on information will help me provide better quality services to my clients. This article allowed me to see the areas that I struggle with when it comes to digital literacy and encouraged me to seek more knowledge on these areas. This article even stated that “digital literacy has become a survival skill in the technology era” and I want to survive.

A1.4:” Information Literacy for Lifelong Learning”

Traci Girondo

August 23, 2007

Hancock, Vicki E. (1993). Information Literacy for Lifelong Learning. ERIC Publications; ERIC Digests in Full Text.

TAP: This article discusses the shift that is occuring in the world as new forms of technology make searching for information more accessible to all people. It encourages people to become information literate and active in their own learning as they seek new ways to obtain information. Educators, students, workers, and all citizens will benefit from this article as these are the people this article is focused towards. Educators are encouraged to collaborate with students and allow them to become active learners in their studies. Students are encouraged to become involved in their own learning by looking towards outside sources to obtain knowledge. The importance of being information literate is extended to workers as they must be able to adapt to changes and improvements that continually take place in the workplace as new technology is developed. This article even encourages all citizens to learn as much as they can on current information so that they can be actively involved in a world that is constantly changing. The purpose of this writing is to encourage all people to become information literate and expose themselves to any resource available to them that allows them to become a more knowledgeable person.

Claim: Vicki Hancock claims that every person should be information literate and become actively involved in their learning. She specifically states that students who are information literate are more critical when they make decisions about the resources they use.” Her stand is that being information literate can be achieved when a teacher allows students to become actively involved in the learning process. Hancock encourages teachers to make a shift between their traditional role and become more “adventourous” with their teaching style. She gives many suggestions as to how teachers can allow students to become active in their own learning. She states that teachers should allow thier students to use outside sources to obtain information such as computers and the internet. They should not simply obtain knowledge from textbooks and lectures. Hancock states that students who are encouraged to seek their own information will be more likely to pose questions they may have on a topic and then seek thier own answers. This in turn allows them to feel a sense of accomplisment. Hancock states that a shift in the role of teachers and learners is essential to prepare learners to live and work in an information society.

Evidence: The claim made by Vicki Hancock is supported by the documentation of the benefits of information literacy. She begins by stating that information literacy gives people the ability to organize, evaluate, and use the information they obtain successfully. They begin to take information they obtain and think critically about it before making any decisions. People will not rely soley upon the facts given by one source, but will look to numerous sources to verify that they are obtaining the most accurate and complete information. Hancock then looks how being information literate aids students in the learning process. Students who are information literate will pose questions about the material they are learning then seek many sources to obtain answers to their own questions. They are then able to assess the knowledge they obtained and determine thei own beliefs and ideas on that topic. By allowing students to be the facilitators of their own learning they gain a great sense of accomplishment and become more passionate about the information they are studying. Hancock provides evidence that teachers who allow students to use various types of technological tools are in all actualtly enhancing the learning experience for their students. Her research in to this area has shown that by allowing students to engage in their own learning that “students take responsibility for their learning, and they retain more of the information they have gathered for themselves.” This type of learning allows for the greater retention of knowledge.

Connections: When reading this article I was able to take the information from the article and apply it to the schooling I have recieved throughout my life. In high school most of the classes I took were strictly lecture. The teacher would stand in front of the classroom and we were expected to take notes and learn the information from our textbooks. In many of my classes in college I am utilizing many of the ideas Hancock talked about as to becoming active in my own learning. One of the main requirements I have had to complete in college are research papers. Through writing research papers I am able to utilize various forms of sources to obtain information. I will use journals, internet and books to obtain information and then write my paper. By doing this I know that I am obtaining a full understanding of the topic before I develop a belief about that topic. I have found that this type of learning does allow me to become more engaged in my own learning and aids me in developing a full understanding of a topic.

I was able to connect this article to a chapter I read in my audiology textbook. In this book various types of treatments were suggested for hearing loss. It discussed treatments such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, compensatory strategies and medical treatment. Like this article this chapter encouraged professionals to research all aspects of a person’s disorder before determining what type of treatment would be best for them. By researching all about the person’s disorder and various types of treatments then the clinician can make an educated assumption as to what would be most beneficial for the client. This ties in to the article I read in which it encourages people to use all types of sources to gather information before developing beliefs about something. From this article and chapter I learned the importance of gaining as much knowledge as you can on a topic before basing any of your own ideas or practices off that.

As a future SLP this article helped me to realize that it is important to not become a dictator of information, but to allow my clients to develop their understanding of a concept I may be trying to teach. It is important to realize that all people do not learn in the same way and a treatment that worked for one person may not work for another. It is important for me as a professional to research all potential treatments before choosing a specific one. It would be unethical and detrimental to my clients to treat their disorder with something that I heard had worked without ever doing my own research. This article really showed me how important it is to really research everything before you determine your beliefs on that topic.

A1.4: “Expanding the Concept of Literacy”

Traci Girondo

August 22, 2007

Daley, E. (2003). Expanding the Concept of Literacy. Educause Review, (38) 2, 32.

TAP: Elizabeth Daley’s article Expanding the Concept of Literacy examines how the language of multimedia has been neglected to be considered as a form of literacy and how integrating it in to a school based curriculum can be beneficial to students. Her article is focused towards anyone who is interested in the role multimedia has in literacy, but also specifically to educators interested in collaborting the use of multimedia with writing and reading in their classroom. The purpose of this writing was to inform people about how its acceptance as a form of literacy will help to enhance the education  of people in a rapidly increasing multimedia world.

Claim: Elizabeth Daley claims that the definition of literacy should be expanded to include various forms of multimedia since they closely resemble that of which is already characterized under the term literacy such as, reading and writing.

Evidence: In an evergrowing multimedia world there is still a debate as to whether computers, films, and music shold be considered as a form of literacy. In all actuality most people do not believe that these forms of multimedia have as much credibility as written text. In the article, Expanding the Concept of Literacy this idea is challenged. Elizabeth Daley states that “the multimedia language should be considered as a form of literacy because it has become the current vernacular and it allows a means of communicating that can be expanded farther than written text.” Integrating the multimedia language in to a school based curriculum would allow students to look at the movies and video games they play in a different light. Right now people watch them for their believability not for the message the creator was trying to convey through the images and music. George Lucas, a famous graduate from the School of Cinema and Television stated that “if people are not taught the cinematic language along with learing to read and write that people would be as iliterate as if they left college without being able to read or write an essay.” Currently there is change towards integrating multimedia in to the classroom, but it is crucial for educators to realize that the multimedia language is a form of literacy and should be considered under that term.

Connections: This article made me realize how much we overlook the multimedia language. When watching a movie I watch it for its entertainment, not even taking in to consideration how the images and music are being put together to help enhance the meaning of the movie. As a student I have seen a change as teachers begin to incorporate multimedia in to their classroom, but still to this day I am ignorant about the multimedia language. When reading this article I was reminded of a film class offered at Marshall. In this class the professor requires the students to watch movies and only pay attention to the music. The students must then write papers explaining how the music in the movie is helping to carry the plot of the movie. This class allows students to focus on how the multimedia is communicating through images and music, not through text.

This article impacts my future as a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) in that it allows me to look towards other forms of communication. If a person is unable to communicate through writing then maybe they could use images or music to communicate. The change is already taking place and it exciting to see that writing and reading are no longer the only ways for people to communicate. I feel in the future there will be an increasing number of new technologies that aid a person in communicating that come from the multimedia world. We have already seen this through the invention of computers. As a SLP it will be my job to find ways for people to communicate and this article helped me to realize that being a literate person does not mean you only need to know how to read and write.