3: Information Literacy
- Page ID
- 328461
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Chapter Introduction
People used to say, “believe none of what you hear, and half of what you see.” These days, however, it should be – verify all you see, hear, or read.
Information is a crucial part of our society. With the advancement of technology, we have access to a tremendous amount of information daily. This has advantages and disadvantages. The advantages include connecting with family; learning new information; and keeping up-to-date on news. We no longer rely on tv news for information as people on social media around the world post events as they happen. The disadvantages are misinformation, disinformation, and plain lies.
Photo of Mark Twain with quote saying, "If you don't read the newspapers, you are uninformed. If you do read them, you are misinformed."
Mark Twain's use of irony in this quotation is still relevant today. If he were alive today, he might change newspapers to social media or news channels, but the sentiment would be the same. Misinformation abounds in all kinds of news sources. It can be difficult balancing getting enough information to stay informed and knowing when it becomes too much.
The development of 24 hour news has led many to mistake entertainment for journalism. Social media has also contributed to the spread of false information and “fake news.” Meanwhile, conspiracy theories and rumors spread quickly across platforms. Anyone can create a real looking website, hiding malice or disinformation. And now, as AI contributes to false images and stories, deep fakes get more accurate. This leads many to wonder if we can trust anything we see or read. And now that social media is no longer fact checking, we can only rely on ourselves to determine what we read is real. That is why we start the chapter by defining and discussing misinformation, disinformation, and fake news.
As a student, you will use information in multiple ways. One key way is by writing researched papers. In order to effectively use research to support your ideas, you need credible evidence. You will also need to determine which of the sources you find are accurate and trustworthy. In this chapter, you will be shown different methods for obtaining and evaluating information.
Chapter goals
By the end of this chapter, you should:
1. Review misinformation and fake news.
2. Understand how misinformation is spread..
3. Articulate why information literacy is vital.
4.Have an increased understanding of information literacy.
5. Be able to name a few types of information literacy.
6. List the 7 skills of information literacy.