Information Literacy, Technology, and Digital/Media
- DeAnne Anderson
- Sep 3, 2021
- 3 min read
I really enjoyed the readings and materials this module because I think that the concepts of information literacy, technology, and digital/media are so important in this day and age, and in our chosen careers as school librarians. The first thing I did this week was listen to the podcast, because like Dr. Green mentioned in her video this week, it is much easier for me to find time to listen to the audio version of anything than it is to find time to read. So I was so happy to be able to begin my school week while taking care of my kids and cooking and cleaning on Monday, and I was excited to be introduced to a new podcast that I really enjoyed!
The podcast, Fake News & Media (2017, March 7) from The Liturgists Podcast, made several points that helped me to understand more about the difference between information literacy and media literacy. The podcasters explained that in today’s world it’s important that we learn (and in our case teach) more than just information literacy, and really drive home digital/media literacy. I think as librarians we need to really be informed about how to spot credible news sources online, as well as ones that aren’t, because we are held to a higher standard. Even the podcasters made reference to a librarian they knew, and how she had high standards for credible sources as she almost threw away a book for saying “studies show…,” seemingly without citing the studies.
It is interesting to me as I write this blog post and reflect on my own personal ‘information diet,’ to think about some situations I recently encountered. A friend of mine was concerned because she has an undiagnosed shellfish allergy (a couple times she had a slight reaction, but she continues to eat fish and nothing too terrible has ever happened), and she didn’t want to get the COVID vaccine for fear there was something related to shellfish in it. I listened to her without judgement talk about this for months. Finally, one day after I knew her doctor was encouraging her to get the vaccine, I gave her my opinion that I thought she should get it. I was able to show her some credible sources that explained it would be safe. She then sent me an article about a person who claimed he had “the worst allergic reaction of his life and almost died,” after the vaccine. I did a little digging and realized the article was not credible. I started to text her more about it but thought she might get annoyed with me. Fast forward to this week after I had listened to this podcast, and the next time we talked and the issue came up again, I felt better equipped to explain why the article wasn’t credible by explaining how I researched and found out the article was written by a tabloid and was there to push her emotional buttons. I showed her how I fact checked several things in the article, and how it wasn’t dated. It just made me realize how I feel a responsibility when I see that most people around me truly do not know how to distinguish between shock value posts/articles and credible news, to use what I know about digital/media literacy to educate them. I think that having a background in library science now gives me credibility on….well, credibility.
Anyway, my point is that I feel like my information diet is pretty good in that I am constantly ingesting news from different credible news sources, while still considering there could be news bias, and I know how to search for credible digital information as well. And I think that is something every school librarian should have in their tool belt, because there will be situations like the one with my friend this week, that will come up not only with library students, but parents, teachers, and perhaps even administration, and school librarians need to be ready with answers.
References
Gungar, M. (Executive producer). (2017, March 7). Fake news & media literacy [Audio podcast episode]. In The liturgists podcast. The Liturgists.
"I think that having a background in library science now gives me credibility on….well, credibility."
I loved this quote in your blog post. I just had to point that out before giving my thoughts! Your situation with your friend sounds very similar to a situation that I'm currently in with a friend of mine. She had decided to get the vaccine after discussions with her doctor, but a family member shared several videos and articles that invoked fear, as the podcasters discussed, so she has since changed her mind. I also feel more confident about discussing and determining credibility after listening to the podcast from this week's module. I loved it when they said that issues are usually much more…
DeAnne,
I, too, find myself listening to others' reasons/claims without judgment (well, at least not out loud) about a topic or concern. I also let it go on for some time because usually, the conversation will die down at some point, and I may never hear about it again. However, when it's something they are "passionate" about, like proving their stance on the pandemic or the vaccine, it can be never-ending. At that point, I feel compelled to evaluate their sources or claims and provide my thoughts backed with credible sources. My aim is not to disprove someone else's claim, but if they are using sources that are not credible, I feel it is my duty to share with them…