Robert Darnton’s article, 5 Myths about the Information Age, provides an interesting analysis of the “information age” we’re living in. Where do we stand now with “information” so readily at our fingertips? Has information seeking and knowledge building really changed? How do current and past modes of information seeking relate?
Tag Archives: Food for Thought
The HarperCollins Debate
By now you’ve no doubt heard about HarperCollins’ decision to limit ebook checkouts to 26 per title. Perhaps you’ve even formed a strong opinion about the topic yourself. Now we have an opportunity to learn about some key reactions and responses from libraries that won’t stand for it! The article More Libraries Decide to Give HarperCollins the Cold Shoulder describes the actions taken by libraries and library organizations across the country. What is your library’s response (if any)?
Smartphones Outselling PCs
According to research firm International Data Corp (IDC), smartphones outsold PCs in the final quarter of 2010 on a global level. Researchers indicate that the smartphone industry has seen a year-over -year increase of 87 percent in the fourth quarter. This is faster than most experts predicted, with many thinking that smartphones wouldn’t outsell PCs until 2012. So, how can we account for the success of smartphones? Mainly, PCs have market saturation, so it’s natural to see some growth in the “latest and greatest” product. Additionally, there’s something to be said for the convenience of smartphones and their ability to connect to information, people, or data sources almost instantaneously. Who can resist having an app for that?!!
Want to know more? Check out the following articles http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/d96e3bd8-33ca-11e0-b1ed-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1DTdKFg99 and http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2011/02/07/idc-smartphone-shipment-numbers-passed-pc-in-q4-2010/.
Image from: Osde8info http://www.flickr.com/photos/osde-info/4623612094/
ACRL/IRIG Visual Literacy Competency Standards Draft Released
The ACRL Image Resources Interest Group (ACRL/IRIG) has released a draft set of standards for visual literacy competency in higher education. The ACRL/IRIG believes that visual literacy standards are necessary due to the pervasiveness of online images, and the use of images within student learning and research. According to ACRL/IRIG, visual literacy is defined as a
…set of abilities that enables an individual to effectively find, interpret, evaluate, use, and create images and visual media. Visual literacy skills equip a learner to understand and analyze the contextual, cultural, ethical, aesthetic, intellectual, and technical components involved in the production and use of visual materials.
In all, there are seven standards, and each of the seven standards include performance indicators and learning outcomes. The learning outcomes, in particular, seem to be the most useful and concrete.
The concept of visual literacy standards is not exactly a new one. The ACRL/IRIG reports that there is a large body of literature on visual literacy and visual studies. In addition, there are some K-12 and other higher education documents that include at least a few standards that are recommended by the ACRL/IRIG; however, the group feels that the “learning goals”, in particular, had not been well defined, and they aim to fill this gap.
The ACRL/IRIG Visual Literacy Standards definitely deserve a glance, and the interest group hopes for feedback and commentary on their blog.
I tend to think that a set of ACRL standards for visual literacy is necessary. Librarians hopefully will use the standards to plan their interactions (one-on-one assistance, reference interactions, workshops, etc.) with students, and also in conversations with faculty, deans, and other interested parties. Additionally, academic librarians will be “speaking the same language” by having one clear set of visual literacy standards to reference.
What are your thoughts? Are the standards necessary? How are they different from general information literacy or transliteracy standards? Is there a standard or a learning outcome that really catches your eye/interest?
2011 Horizon Report is Available
This annual report identifies and describes key trends that a group of experts believe will have an impact on teaching, learning and creative inquiry. This year, some of those trends are: electronic books, mobiles, augmented reality, game-based learning, gesture-based computing, and learning analytics. This is a recommended read for those who wish to get a concise overview of important trends in addition to reviewing specific examples of current uses of technology. The 2011 Horizon Report is a collaborative initiative of the New Media Consortium (NMC) and the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI) and is now available for free download from www.educause.edu/Resources/2011HorizonReport/223122.