Skip to content

Information Fluency for the Net Generation

Here’s a great new report:
Ensuring the Net Generation Is Net Savvy by George Lorenz and Charles Dziuban for Educause.
You can download the PDF here.
From the abstract:
“Net Gen students may know the Internet, but they are not necessarily “net savvy.” Exposed to huge quantities and multiple formats of information online, they are constantly challenged to sort valid from inaccurate information. Moreover, students are creating information, not just consuming it. This paper explores the challenges students face online in effectively finding information, using technology, and thinking critically.”
This was written as a white paper for the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative. They interviewed over 50 people in writing this white papera dn more are scheduled. It covers visual literacy, new media literacy, information fluency, and information competency.
Must read study if you serve anyone under 30. I don’t think there’s a type of library that can’t benefit from this type of thinking. And remember, don’t trust anyone over 30.
Stephen

  • Pro plugin deactivated or invalid

Posted on: October 3, 2006, 1:28 pm Category: Uncategorized

By: stephen

rev="post-560" 1 comment

One Response

Stay in touch with the conversation, subscribe to the RSS feed for comments on this post.

  1. Linda Fox said
    on October 25, 2006 8:10 pm

    I read with interest this article on Net Saavy students. As our School Library System struggles with moving school librarians forward into Library 2.0 and interactive net technology, digital ethics and inquiry based learning, we remain frustrated with some of the basic products that should, by now, have a higher level of functionality. School librarians still struggle with overdue reports, homeroom issues etc. in library automation systems designed for public libraries and not for schools. Who can design a system powerful enough to provide a full union catalog to a diverse group of school libraries? Then make it easy to use, adaptable to a variety of school based infrastructures and user friendly on both the OPAC and staff terminal levels. Until that happens, school librarians, who SHOULD be implementing information fluency curriculum throughout their schools, are stuck behind the desk figuring out how to run an overdue report that makes sense to the teachers and parents.
    Our librarians are beyond frustrated. Some of them are ready to ditch their automation systems and union catalogs be damned!
    While they can be excited about innovation, they want their basic infrastructure to work reliably. We’re not there yet!