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Unit 7 Assessment- Reflective Essay.01

The reflective essay emphasizes the critical role of information literacy in a digital society, highlighting its impact on informed decision-making and democracy. It discusses the influence of socioeconomic factors on information access and the dangers of information illiteracy, such as susceptibility to misinformation. The essay advocates for improved education and awareness to bridge the information literacy gap and promote active citizenship.

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2 views4 pages

Unit 7 Assessment- Reflective Essay.01

The reflective essay emphasizes the critical role of information literacy in a digital society, highlighting its impact on informed decision-making and democracy. It discusses the influence of socioeconomic factors on information access and the dangers of information illiteracy, such as susceptibility to misinformation. The essay advocates for improved education and awareness to bridge the information literacy gap and promote active citizenship.

Uploaded by

MeHaK MusTaFa MaHaR
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Unit 7 Assessment - Reflective Essay

Charles Collantes

Herzing University

Information Literacy (EN111-8L), 2023 Fall B18

Christopher Code

December 17, 2023


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Reflective Essay on Information Literacy and Society

Digital society needs information literacy. This skill set includes discovering, analyzing,

and applying knowledge beyond reading and writing. I must consider socioeconomic strata,

information privilege, and the substantial social repercussions of different information literacy

levels while studying its sociocultural impacts. This reflection analyzes how society uses non-

academic information. In an age of abundant data and dishonesty, information literacy is

essential to understanding social processes and how they affect democracy and individual

decision-making.

As I study information literacy, its social influence is clear. Information literacy includes

finding, assessing, and using information (Association of College & Research Libraries, 2016). I

explain "information privilege," its pros and cons, cultural attitudes on information literacy, and

the value of these abilities.

Demographics substantially affect information literacy. Educational status,

socioeconomic class, and age affect this. Schools foster information literacy (Eisenberg, 2008).

More educated people are more likely to develop these skills. However, lower socioeconomic

groups may need assistance getting digital resources and teaching, influencing information

literacy (Van Deursen & Van Dijk, 2014).

Information literacy revolves around privilege. Education and socioeconomic status

usually improve information availability and utilization. Privilege creates a social divide in

information utilization, making some better at it. This gap might hinder employment prospects

and informed decision-making, limiting social participation.


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Information literacy benefits society. Literacy fosters critical thinking, informed decision-

making, and lifelong learning. Information-literate people can tell fact from fiction in the vast

information available. This is crucial in the digital era, as multiple information sources make it

difficult to get credible information. Citizens become more aware and active in democratic

processes through information literacy (Koltay, 2011).

A society without information literacy faces problems. People who cannot access,

evaluate, and use information are vulnerable to misinformation and unable to make informed

decisions. Poor health decisions and democracy can result from uninformed voters. Information

illiteracy threatens elections and public opinion with fake news (Lewandowsky et al., 2017).

The public values information literacy, although inconsistently. Schools teach information

literacy because of its importance in the digital age. Fast technological innovation and

information overload can potentially overwhelm these efforts. A societal preference for speed

over accuracy in information provision may lower information literacy (Wineburg & McGrew,

2017).

Given society's importance, information literacy is crucial. In an information-rich society,

navigating, interpreting, and exploiting information is crucial. Learning information literacy

helps people engage in society, make informed decisions, and promote democracy.

Finally, information literacy is essential to society. Information literacy disparities caused

by information privilege necessitate fairer education. Many ways, information literacy supports

informed decision-making and engaged citizenry. Information literacy deficiencies may hurt

society. Information literacy is important in our culture, but more frequent and extensive efforts

are needed to create it. Information literacy is key to democracy and informed citizenry.
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References

Association of College & Research Libraries. (2016). Framework for Information Literacy for

Higher Education.

Eisenberg, M. (2008). Information Literacy: Essential Skills for the Information Age. Journal of

Library & Information Technology.

Koltay, T. (2011). The Media and the Literacies: Media Literacy, Information Literacy, Digital

Literacy. Media, Culture & Society.

Lewandowsky, S., Ecker, U., & Cook, J. (2017). Beyond Misinformation: Understanding and

Coping with the “Post-Truth” Era. Journal of Applied Research in Memory and

Cognition.

Van Deursen, A., & Van Dijk, J. (2014). The Digital Divide Shifts to Differences in Usage. New

Media & Society.

Wineburg, S., & McGrew, S. (2017). Lateral Reading: Reading Less and Learning More When

Evaluating Digital Information. Stanford History Education Group.

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