180 Day 14 Notes

Feb 28, 2001

1. One minute papers

Main Point

Use of information is dependent on context.

It is difficult to define universal info needs

Info specialists should be part of the research/devel team

Q:

Should libraries be responsible for teaching critical thinking skills?

Could a basic info rights be an addendum to Bill of Rights?

Does everything depend on context? (seems so arbitrary)

If we emphasize use, what will we lose/de-emphasize?

How are basic info units transmitted to individuals?

How do people/companies assign economic value to info? (stocks, the Dow thesaurus)

Does not knowing something diminish your inclination to ask? (yes, a double whammy---recognizing I don’t know is only half)

How to anticipate info needs/use?

How can we provide info that people need while allowing it to be challenged/shaped/changed?

Have people studied relevance decay? (lit half life)

Does assisting in use conflict with obligation to be non-judgmental? (help find info on making weapons)

Are info literacy and rights the same thing?

How do we study info use?

2. How do you use a hammer? Can you write instructions?

How do you use an automobile? Can you write instructions?

How do you use a computer? Can you write instructions?

How do you use a book? Can you write instructions?

How do you use Dialog? Can you write instructions?

How do you use Yahoo? Can you write instructions?

How do you use information? Can you write instructions?

Buckland’s triarchic senses of information:

Information as process (the process of becoming informed, communication)

Information as knowledge (what is communicated, what is in your head)

Information as thing (object with ability to impart or communicate information)

We can write instructions for using information as thing.

We can write instructions for using (doing) information as process (e.g., your speech lab)

We can write instructions for using information as knowledge

3 Reading discussions this week

Bishara Libbus: Reeves and Nass (see list notes)

5.The one-minute paper

What was the big point you learned in class today?

What is the main, unanswered question you leave class with today?