UNESCO actively advocates for building a society where information and the power of communication will help people realize their potential, gain access to the knowledge necessary to improve their standard of living. The concept of information literacy is becoming increasingly important. Its mission is to help people make the most of information and communication technology.
Evolution of information in the modern world
State, scientific and civil communities have come to the conclusion that computers, the Internet and smartphones are leading to profound changes in the way information is stored, created and transmitted. They also believe that computer and media education is not enough to successfully take full advantage of society's global knowledge.
In the digital age, defining information literacy means that simply understanding computers is not enough. It is necessary to learn how to effectively use incredibly diverse and powerful technologies, to search, extract, systematize, analyze,evaluate information, use it to make decisions.
Information literacy is described in the Declaration of Alexandria. It is characterized as "a beacon that illuminates the path to development, prosperity and freedom." In designing models for learning, cultural expression and development opportunities, information literacy and information culture are at the heart of UNESCO's broader mandate to build a smarter society.
UNESCO's Information for All Program focuses on information literacy as one of its three priority areas. In addition, it initiates a number of activities, including the international organization of expert meetings, the funding and implementation of several dozen projects, the production of publications, and the provision of an Internet portal for use by practitioners.
Lifelong learning
The concept of information literacy is at the heart of the human desire for lifelong learning. One necessarily follows from the other. Common qualities that unite the two concepts:
- Self-motivation and self-direction. There is no need for the mediation of another person other than the student.
- Empowerment. Aimed at helping people of all ages, genders, races, religions, ethnic groups and national origins, regardless of their socialand economic status or role in society at large.
- Recurrence. The longer a person maintains the skill of information literacy, learning and practicing habits and attitudes, the more enlightened he becomes, especially if learning is practiced throughout life.
General concept of "literacy"
Includes 6 categories:
- basic functional ability to speak, write, read and count;
- computer literacy;
- media informational;
- distance education and e-learning;
- cultural literacy;
- informational.
These categories are closely intertwined and should not be considered independently. For example, experts point out that public perception divides certain people into "literate" and "illiterate". While in reality this concept covers a wide range of individual functionalities, each of which is measured on a competency scale - beginner, intermediate and advanced. Literacy is a complex concept. It includes many skills that can be developed that affect different aspects of human life.
Information, information literacy and information culture are closely intertwined and cannot be considered in isolation, unlike complex technical issues that can be learned. In addition, this cannot be considered as an end in itself and the highest point in learning, upon reachingwhich the student can sit back. There is no upper limit to literacy, learning should be lifelong learning.
Basic (or general) literacy
The term "literacy" is still defined as the ability to read, write and count, which is fundamentally wrong. It is generally accepted that if a person has completed primary school with these basic skills, they can be considered "literate". Although it is theoretically possible to become information literate without going to school (this applies to people who grew up on the street, who have learned to cope with life's problems, being uneducated in a general sense).
Skills in reading, writing and numeracy are prerequisites, but these alone are not enough to become information literate.
Computer Literacy
Denotes the ability to use and control a computer (information processing machine). It is an essential component of information and computer literacy.
It is most convenient to divide it into the following categories:
- Hardware literacy. Includes a set of operations that you need to know in order to effectively use a PC, laptop or smartphone. Ability to use a computer mouse, keyboard, distinguish between printer and scanner functions and other peripheral devices.
- Program literacy. The main types of this category are the base operating system (Windows); word processing software (Word); numerical data in the formspreadsheets (Excel); creating presentations (PowerPoint); using the Internet and search engines, sending e-mail.
- Literacy applications. The term refers to the knowledge and skills required to use software packages effectively. For example, an application that helps a company manage finances, personnel, equipment and inventory, workflows, schedules, order processing systems.
Media Information Literacy
Covers many criteria, from the ability to use media technologies to a critical attitude to media content, while the media remains one of the strongest forces influencing the views of the majority. Public knowledge of the media promotes participation, active citizenship, competence development and lifelong learning. Thus, the formation of information literacy and information culture of the population becomes an integral part of a democratic society.
Media literacy means: access, understanding and self-expression through the media.
- access includes the free use of media, such as navigation functions (changing TV channels, channel orientation, using an Internet link), media management skills (using interactive online systems, making financial transactions on the Internet); knowledge of the law (freedom of speech, protection of privacy, protection from "spam");
- understandingincludes the ability to correctly interpret and have an understanding of media content, as well as to have critical thinking;
- creation includes interaction with the media (discussions on the Internet, electronic voting), creation of media content.
- Experience producing materials for different media helps to develop both a better understanding and a critical approach to media content.
Distance education and e-learning
Distance education refers to telecommunication technologies that allow students to access teachers, assignments, exams without going to school. In other words, students use virtual classrooms where there is no physical contact with the instructor or materials such as textbooks.
Cultural Literacy
Cultural literacy means knowing and understanding how a country's traditions, religions, ethnic groups, beliefs, symbols, celebrations and means of communication influence the creation, storage, processing, communication, preservation of data, information and knowledge. It is important to be able to independently find useful information and analyze it.
Key skill for community development
A huge amount of information flows through society every day. It is important to be able to find only high-quality, proven knowledge and be able to use modern technologies. The formation of an information culture leads to deep self-motivation and the desire to learn throughout life and, as a result, to creativedevelopment and improvement of labor productivity. Human understanding of the basics of information literacy is a key requirement for creating an intelligent society.
