Week 1 Reading Response

Clifford Lynch’s ‘Information Literacy and Information Technology Literacy: New Components in the Curriculum for Digital Culture’

While reading Lynch’s essay I thought he made some really interesting points but he also left me with a lot of questions. The topic of Lynch’s essay is the importance of Information Literacy, Information Technology Literacy, and how the two relate to one another. Lynch states that they are both “essential for individuals to function and succeed in today’s society; they are distinct but inter-related.” For me, it was this point that stirred my thinking when he later addresses the need for a more comprehensive understanding of information technology. There are many factors that interact with technology and Lynch goes on to state some of those examples later in his introduction. I definitely agree with his point that in order to fully understand technology, as it is constantly changing and evolving, it is necessary to have some knowledge of these outside issues, such as economic and societal factors.

However, it is with this statement and my agreement with Lynch’s view on this, that I wonder at what level should information literacy be addressed and actively taught? Should it be something that is intertwined in lessons starting from preschool up to the graduate level? Maybe it should follow the lead of one of the core subjects, like English or Math, which gradually builds upon itself as the ability of the student grows as well. Also, it kind of made me wonder how can individuals that have been out of the traditional school system for some time increase their literacy of information technology. Where and how would they achieve this improved literacy, not only regarding technology but also the aspects that influence information technology? I also came back to the profession and thought what role can the library play in this constant education and what are its limitations?

Lynch discusses issues about information and information technology literacy that need to be addressed by a wide variety of organizations and institutions. It’s something that constantly needs to be looked at and addressed in order to possess the necessary knowledge to interact with information technology effectively and in a way that will benefit our lives to the fullest extent.