Age of the information literate: February 12, 2001 issue of New Thinking

February 12, 2001 New Thinking:
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February 12, 2001

Age of the information literate

By Gerry McGovern

Stop the clock for a moment. NASDAQ may be taking a cold shower but the future has never been more bright for the Internet. Those who are running for cover and sneering at the Internet, are huddling in the past.

The Internet is big. There is blood on the tracks, sure. That’s a necessary shedding of youthful skin. The Internet is maturing and it’s going to get bigger, badder, better, and it will blow away anyone who thinks they can live and work without it.

Before our very eyes witness the emergence of the information literate. The world is at their feet. The future is in their hands. Their hands are at the keyboard and their eyes are on the screen. It is they who are shifting the present and shaping the future. The Internet is their tool of choice.

Consider the following:

According to a recent study by Campus Pipeline, American students view the Web to be their second most important resource when deciding what college to go to – the first in their guidance counselors
A study by Keen.com and Lewis, Mobilio & Associates found that Americans ask an average of 4 questions per day, and spend an average of 8.75 hours per week searching for answers. The Internet has become the top resource for finding these answers.
A 1998 study by George Mason University of college graduates found that 95 percent of respondents view lifetime learning as an essential part of their career
According to a 2000 OECD report, since 1985, the expansion of knowledge-based industries has outpaced gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the developed countries. Knowledge-based industries now account for more than half of OECD-wide GDP.
A 2000 PricewaterhouseCoopers report found that intellectual assets now account for 78 percent of the total value of American S&P 500 companies

Literacy used to be about basic reading and writing. No longer. The International Adult Literacy Survey defines literacy as “The ability to understand and employ printed information in daily activities, at home, at work, and in the community – to achieve one’s goals and to develop one’s knowledge and potential.”

A 2000 report by the OECD entitled, “Literacy in the information age,” stated that, “Workers are increasingly required not only to have higher levels of education, but also the capacity to adapt, learn and master the changes quickly and efficiently.”

The information literate:

Recognizes and understands the value of information
Reads a lot, is inquisitive, and is always willing to learn
Has the ability to isolate where new information is required to solve a problem
Feels comfortable with using information technology
Has the ability to locate content resources efficiently and effectively
Has the ability to evaluate content critically and competently
Has the ability to use content accurately and creatively
Has the ability to create quality content
Is independent-minded but realizes that collaboration is the best way to acquire and develop knowledge
Has the ability to communicate what they know in an effective manner

As organizations and countries seek to increase their information literacy, it is vital to understand that technology is only a part of the solution. True information literacy reflects an attitude and skill set that puts information at the top of our agenda on a day-to-day basis.

Gerry McGovern

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Information literacy is, "The ability to understand and employ printed information in daily activities, at home, at work, and in the community – to achieve one’s goals and to develop one’s knowledge and potential."