Information Literacy's Origins

While a remarkably dry topic, here is Wikipedia's two bits as provided by the general public as a slight enlightening into what exactly Information Literacy is, and from whence it came.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_literacy
While initiatives are varied in their inception, approach and overall impact worldwide, an effort is being made to bring some inertia to the cause through organization. InfoLit Global is putting pieces in place to get the world informed, doubly difficult considering varied access to information and how poorly translation can work out. Regardless, I salute their gargantuan undertaking and wish them all the best. Here is their website.

http://www.infolitglobal.info/en/

As I mentioned in my first post, President Barack Obama proclaimed October 2009 Information Literacy Awareness month. Inevitably, being discerning, rational and critical patrons of the information superhighway we should wonder if this is indeed an issue close to the President's heart, or if his speechwriter just has a phenominal grasp of the concept behind it all. Either way I really like the verbal imagery used. Using verified sources to: "separate truth from fiction and signal from noise" Good to know he's not just recieving nobel prizes all the time.

If you follow the link, you can click on each puzzle piece for more information, this is a good beginners guide.

http://dept.sccd.ctc.edu/cclib/Research_Help/rlcpuzzle.asp

This Video talks about students being frustrated with all the information out there, what to use, and how to use it. Many of us have probably been able to relate at some point to this.

Here is a link to a game on The University of North Carolina Greensboro website, that tests how much you know about information literacy! http://library.uncg.edu/game/

chart to help step by step approach for locating and assessing information

This chart shows us the step by step approach to locate, to use, to assess and to evaluate the information. This chart helps us to keep the certain targets in our mind while looking and using the information. For example, we should be very specific for the kind of information, we require in our search.

Definition and Forum of Information Literacy

Information Literacy is defined as the ability to know when there is a need for information, to be able to identify, locate, evaluate, and effectively use that information for the issue or problem at hand
Follwing link is of National Forum of Information Literacy. Here, people discuss various aspects of information being provided in the web and which is the best way to evaluate any published information
http://www.infolit.org/

Information Literacy: What is worth and what is not

The following video is a visual presentation on information literacy created by the Association of colleges and research libraries. It talks about data smog, and various definitions of Information litaracy. This video is a very helpful tool to differentiate between accurate information and web-garbage.

Welcome to the world of tomorrow...Today!

We are constantly bombarded by information. Data in it's many relevant, and irrelevant forms surrounds us at all times, and most of the world is but a mouse click away. But how exactly are we to sift through the craap and find the goods? Some would suggest the simple adage: "If it sounds too good to be true, then it is." Taken from what seems to be the same mindset is the position of "trust nothing." Caution is paramount, but if we believe nothing, then nothing will be learned. Information Literacy is rapidly gaining a forefront position in the social consciousness, as more and more public figures, authoritative bodies, and world leaders are recognizing it's importance in the ever-shrinking world. I for one wasn't even aware that this past October was Information Literacy month, as proclaimed by U.S. President Barack Obama. So be critical but not dismissive, stay analytical but don't forget to laugh, and in the immortal words of Barney Stinson: "This is so going in my blog!"

How reliable?

How do you know what you can trust on the internet?

The internet has been a valueable tool for many people. It has opened many doors for people to do some extrodinary things. However it is also very hard to trust what is writen. You are always asking the questions of is this really true? How would they have found out their information?
There are many false rumors that are thrown onto the internet. Whether it is an obsessed fans writing about there heros or if it is a person who just hates something and slanders it. Facts may not always be a high priority for some people.