"Information Literacy in General Education," By Mary Sellen
The basic premise of this piece goes along with what has been discussed off and on within our class time, and that is the way that advances in technology are changing not just our education but our lives in general. The piece seems to focus on a few main themes, one being the dissemination of information through a variety of avenues. The second point of the piece focuses on the need for students to be educated in the computer/internet field just as aptly as they would be educated in such fields as basic reading and writing.
If were are to expect the new generation of students to be "computer literate", then what must be taught is not only how to use the computer and the internet, but also how to access information. For example, where to go, and what to look for. If students are to be expected to make the transition from paper text to digital text, then the information needs to be capable of being readily accessed. The article makes reference to "electronic literature," among other new multimedia technologies. What is suggested is that the generation that grew up using standard text, would undoubtedly struggle to adapt to a new form of literature. However, the new generation, if educated properly, should have no trouble whatsoever, as it would be that they will have grown up implementing it on a regular basis.
In the end, it is an identify and act process. Identify that digital text and electronic literature is the wave of the future, and then act by finding a way to disseminate the information, and educate people on how to access it.
I also would just like to point out, as an observant reader, that the author used the word "dangerous," when considering the idea of trying to predict the future. I feel confident in saying to you all that I think that is the worst use of a word to describe something, that I have ever come across in my literate life.
END
2 comments:
Hi Dylan -- Why is the use of the word dangerous here so terrible? I read that phrase and didn't have the same reaction -- she seemed to me like she was being cautious about making herself look foolish. Also, what do you think of the premise of information literacy instruction? Do you think her assessment of the need for into lit instruction is accurate?
The fact that it took me just as long if not longer to firgure out how to work this blogger, than it did to make my last post, is a testament to the legitimacy of Seller's position on literature literacy instruction. Until entering this class, I had recieved no training or education whatsoever on how to operate and navigate this type of forum. If this is where the cirriculum of our classrooms is headed, then it is imparative that the instruction and education is there. Students need to be trained early on so that when they embark on these new ciriculums, there is less hang up, if you will. By hang up I mean the time it took me to register and learn how to operate this forum. Although digital learning is not and never has been my preferance, I am realizing more and more that the need is great, and will only increase as the new generation of students enter into college acadamia.
The word dangerous seemed sorely out of place. In my opinion, when writing a piece like this, extreme words should be avoided. Sullen accomplished this for the entirty of the piece until the very end when she through out the word dangerous to describe something like predicting the future. I see now real danger there, especially when in the context of what is being discussed here. There were other milder words that she could have used in its place.
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