Defining the principle of information literacy

“Information literacy is the set of integrated abilities encompassing the reflective discovery of information, the understanding of how information is produced and valued, and the use of information in creating new knowledge and participating ethically in communities of learning.”

—Cited from Information Literacy: Concepts and Teaching Strategies | Teaching and Learning Resource Center (osu.edu)

Fundamental knowledge of information literacy

• Using critical thinking to navigate online information
• Recognizing Indigenous communities as the maintainers and controllers of digitized cultural heritage resources, intellectual property, art, and knowledge systems
• Being familiar with Indigenous copyright

Important aspects to understanding online information production, prioritization, and presentation

Information evaluation

• Critical thinking: Developing critical-thinking skills is crucial for assessing the credibility of online information. It involves questioning sources, considering biases, and evaluating evidence.
• Source reliability: Understanding that not all online sources are equal. Reliable sources come from reputable institutions, experts, or peer-reviewed publications.
• Fact-checking: Verifying information through fact-checking websites or cross-referencing multiple sources.

Online information production

• Content creation: Recognizing that anyone can publish content online, which means varying levels of accuracy and quality.
• User-generated content: Acknowledging that social media, blogs, and forums often contain user-generated content, which may lack rigorous fact-checking.
• Media literacy: Understanding how media (text, images, videos) can shape narratives and influence opinions.

Prioritization and presentation

• Algorithmic influence: Realizing that algorithms (used by search engines and social media platforms) determine what content users see. These algorithms prioritize based on relevance, popularity, and user behaviour.
• Filter bubbles: Being aware that personalized algorithms can create filter bubbles, limiting exposure to diverse viewpoints.
• Confirmation bias: Recognizing that algorithms may reinforce existing beliefs by showing content aligned with users’ preferences.
• Clickbait and sensationalism: Identifying sensational headlines or clickbait designed to attract attention but may not provide accurate information.

Media literacy

• Understanding biases: Acknowledging that developers’ worldviews influence the technologies they create, which can introduce biases.
• Awareness of perspectives: Recognizing that online information can present different viewpoints and ways of knowing.
• Awareness of online content bias: Being mindful of biases within online content and technology.

Ways to make informed decisions

• Mindfully choose search engines and what online content you consume
• Understand that search results are modified by search engines, search history, geographic location, algorithms, content moderation, search engine optimization, targeted advertisements, and marketing
• Recognize that people provide their own perspective in their work, using digital technology to seek out and understand different valid perspectives
• Be able to differentiate between truth and misinformation
• Know that false information can easily spread online, including through social media, websites, images, and videos
• Know that anybody can publish online, and that widespread information is not always accurate
• Know that image- and video-altering software is widespread and frequently used, especially on social media
• Know that information online can be presented through different worldviews and may not reflect other interpretations
• Have strategies to determine if online content is authentic and/or accurate