Information Literacy in the ICT Culture
Caused by the change from a book-based culture to an ICT-based culture (based on information and communication technologies) we need a new understanding of information literacy.
The following comparison of the librarian concept and the ICT concept of information literacy is mainly based on the paper of Nando Stöcklin: Informations- und Kommunikationskompetenz – das «Lesen und Schreiben» der ICT-Kultur. (2012, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21240/mpaed/00/2012.06.22.X)
| Librarian Concept | Media Pedagogical and Informatics Aproach | |
| Culture | Book culture:
This is characteristic of the industrial society; in a hierarchical social order. Information and communication follow the line of organisation where information is considered mainly a duty of the superiors. |
ICT Culture (Computer and Internet):
This is characteristic of the information society; with flat hierarchies and networks. Information exchange and communication also take place in networks, often across corporate and national boundaries. Information is regarded as the duty of self-responsible (often precariously employed) individuals. |
| Media | paper-based media or digital copies thereof;
Radio and television for picture and sound. |
Internet based media (websites, wikis, blogs, microblogs, forums, chats) and social networks;
digital, multimedia, interactive; not restricted to print/text information any more. |
| Research | focused on published, printed or electronic, scientific information;
systematic use of library catalogs and specialist databases as a training subject; subsequent evaluation, management and use of this information; Information managment predominates. |
includes the understanding and interpretation of images and films / videos;
Orientation within the Internet and in the information infrastructure as a training subject; Administration and management are becoming less important. Information research predominates. |
| Acquisition | by purchase of books, magazines and journals;
in stock (Just-in-Case); Cost and time intensive. |
often at no charge, more and more frequently via the Internet;
Just-in-Time (only when necessary, but possible at any time); demand-oriented, with less effort. |
| Selection | by publishers, editors or teachers. | by personal networks (“filter bubbles”) or algorithms of search engines. |
| Timeliness | oriented towards the past;
with a longevity and as universal as possible. |
oriented towards the present (real time);
with case-specific relevance (e.g., request to a network or forum). |
| NEW | Production (conzept) of information (including pictures and videos);
Communication (transmission) of information such as texts (including comments / feedback), audio-documents, videos, fotos, graphics as well as animations, in consideration of copyrights and plagiarism; These new aspects create interfaces to media literacy and ICT literacy. |
|
| Goal | Promotion of reading (reception) and writing of linguistic texts as well as their understanding. | Promotion of know-how for the acquisition, production and transmission of information. |
From the new understanding of information literacy a new definition is proposed:
Information Literacy in the ICT Culture is the ability which enables you
- to express a specific information need after critical questioning of facts, opinions, or dogmas (critical thinking);
- to search, select and gather the information in need efficiently and in appropriate media types;
- to process, adapt or create information and;
- to communicate (distribute) this information over appropriate channels/media.
This posting is also available in German!