Module 3: Everyone Must Be a Critic

Information Literacy in short, is the ability and willingness to use technology to access and assess different types of media and information. 

Venn diagram showing the IL landscape, and the position of DL within (Secker & Coonan, 2013) 
Credit: Conference Paper 2016 [Researchgate.net Publication]

Information literacy is a critical skill as social media and mainstream media has taken up residence in the phones and pockets of most people in the world today. As illustrated by the image above, it is a multi-pronged field using elements of digital media, non-text communication, traditional media and ethical considerations. Using this diagram as a road-map, we can see how it is important to explore a variety of information sources to be considered "information literate" and how librarians can play a pivotal role in helping to mold informationally literate students. 

As suggested by the podcast "Fake News and Media Literacy" (accessed HERE), the author of the book "The Information Diet" suggests that our diet of information must be consciously consumed...but that is easier said than done. As we know, especially in light of the recent investigations surrounding the 2016 presidential election, the media that we are exposed to can be manipulated. We come with preexisting belief systems and tend to seek out information that confirms our beliefs. When we do that on a platform such as Facebook or Twitter, the algorithms are built to then feed us a daily diet that matches what we've enjoyed previously. 

In order to expand our information literacy and broaden our "diet" we have to expose ourselves to a wider variety of news sources. 

The graphic below is a great way to begin to critically assess your news sources to get the broadest range of input from the biggest variety of sources. 
As a school librarian, I must use a wide variety of sources to inform my own opinions. Even more importantly, I must teach others to think, choose and read critically to consume the most diverse diet as possible. 

Sources:
Fake News & Media Literacy. (n.d.). Retrieved September 5, 2018, from                        http://www.theliturgists.com/podcast/2017/3/7/fake-news-media-literacy   

Is It Time For You To Go On An 'Information Diet'? (2012, January 14). Retrieved September 6, 2018, from https://www.npr.org/2012/01/14/145101748/is-it-time-for-you-to-go-on-an-information-diet