INFORMATION LITERACY.

Every day we work with information. However, in the world, amount of information are very wise and big. Whenever we search information from internet, it will come out hundreds of web link. Searching information is not easy like we think. It requires us to have skill. Therefore, Information literacy is a subject that justifies this requirement. From what I have learnt, I know information literacy helps us searching information from internet or others easier. It also helps us find the right information that we need. Information literacy combines library, media, computer, internet, research and critical thinking literacy.

There are many information literacy models like big 6, Mc kenzie research cycle, seven Pillars. However, this course I just learnt big 6 process. The IL model is the way how we search information from other sources. Like the name “big 6”, there are 6 steps to find information: task definition, information seeking behavior, location and access, use of information, synthesis and evaluation.  First, we defined the problem, then we decide which sources we will use to find information. There are many sources that we can use to search information such as from hard materials (books, newspapers,…), internet, or from  means of communication (radio, TV, people).  After that we determine where the resources can be found and select the resources that are understandable. In the next step we start to use information. We can get information by reading, viewing, touching or hearing.  After we get the information we need to organize them. The last one is evaluate them. Here I have one example: I have a assignment about problem of information system. Then I have to find out the resources that I will use to search about information system. Here I chose from books and internet. Next, I will find where I can get the books such as library, bookstore…. From internet I can use google search. There are many books about IS in library so I have to arrange them. Then I will evaluate them to get the right book.

Before this class, whenever I want to find information, it will take long time but the information I get just a little. After this class, I know that search information also require the skill. from this chapter I hope I can find information easier.

In information literacy subject, to identify a problem for investigation is not easy.  Whenever I have to find the information for my research paper, it is very difficult for me.  However, from what I have learnt in class, if I do step by step, it will be easier.  There are four steps that I have to apply when I identify a problem such as choose a topic, get an overview of it, narrow the topic and develop the statement.

Firstly, when I face with a research paper, the basic thing that I have to do is choose a topic. Like others, choosing a topic that we know and we can understand is not easy. This subject has taught me the step to choose a topic. I have to ask myself what I know about the topic, what I want to know more about. Moreover, I have to answer the 5W and 1H. 5W is who, what when, where, why. 1H is how.  The questions always play around that 5W and 1H. When I answer these questions, I will know what I will do and need to do for that topic.

Some of the formulate questions:

Secondly, after we choose a topic, then we narrow the topic. This step means that we limit the area of the topic. For example, I choose a topic is healthy food. However healthy food is a general topic. The topic is very wise information to search. So, I will limit the topic by using the 3W: what? Who? Where?. The answer for these W’s will help us narrow the area of the topic. Firstly, for who, I can relate topic like the healthy food for children from 6 to 10 years old. Following by where it is. I can narrow it likes this the healthy food for children from 6 to 10 years old in Kedah, Malaysia. This topic will be specific then the healthy food. Because we just focus on the healthy food for children from 6 to 10 years old and we can do the research just in Kedah.

Lastly, when we already have a topic, now the time we think to 1H is how we do it. For example, I will use the topic above. We can talk about the nutrient in the food, which vitamin that children need in their ages, which kind of food that combine the need of nutrients. It will be easier for us to understand the topic and to search information.

Overall, to identify a problem we should follow step by step and answer the 3W and 1H. find a topic that we want to know more about it and limit the area of that topic. It is also to specific the topic with others. From I have learnt in this topic, I found out that I followed these steps, it helps me a lot in searching the information. It is easy way to find the information and to limit the spam information that doesn’t relate to the topic I choose.