he21stCenturyDavid Warlick presents a convincing argument for students being literate in the New Information Landscape. When Wikipedia first came out, many thought it would be incorrect information shared by a bunch of morons. It is true that it can be incorrect as was shown with the US Congress manipulating the information about their opponents.
When you compare Wikipedia to other encyclopedias for accuracy, it is basically on par with many big company encyclopedias. (Here is one example - I have not checked it for validity as it lines up with other studies I have read or heard about. http://www.nature.com/news/2005/051212/multimedia/438900a_m1.html)
A huge benefit to Wikipedia is its honesty. It clearly gives you warnings if information provided might conflict other information. (Print rarely does.) With the easy access to information, people need to be able to validate what they read. A famous example is that MartinLutherKing.org is a biased site hosted by Stormfront.org (A White Nationalist group)
In our new landscape, to be a reader Be able to Find it - in a digital networked landscape. Be able to decode it - regardless of format Be able to evaluate it - Be able to organize it Google can help us stay informed with what we need and want to be informed. It can help to sift the grain from the chaff. If you use Google News, you can enter your search, select sort by date and then select RSS. This will give you a self updating list of news in your domain of interest.
There are lots of views on Second Life. The reality is that is a major application that many people are using. Four quick examples include ISTE, National Science Center, NOAA, and IBM. These are respected organizations.
To be a published author used to be for the rich or well connected (or lucky or risk-takers). There are now opportunities to write a book online, sell a book online, and have copies printed and shipped with no risk. (One example of publishing on demand is Lulu.com)
Final comments from David Stop integrating technology - start integrating literacy. We are preparing students for an unpredictable future - learn to teach yourself and share learning literacy.
My conclusions Times have changed. People need to be digitally literate, or my term is information and media literate. To be functional in todayís digital society, one needs to speak digital. It is true that people can function today without being digitally literate; however, it is also true that people can function without electricity, health care, schools and many other things. If you are not digitally literate, are you engaged into today's and tomorrow's society?
Misc additional notes Any discussion of Literacy must include ethical considerations- is what I produce going to cause harm, who is it going to help? On Davids site - downloadable and adaptable code of ethics landmark-project.com/sl - David Warlick office in Second Life. Can download handouts from there.
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