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Information Literacy
Dr. Cathy Dwyer
Spring 2013
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What is computer literacy?
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Your definition?
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What is computer literacy?
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From MIS3 “Computer literacy is skill in using productivity
software, such as word processors, spreadsheets, database
management systems, and presentation software, as well as
having a basic knowledge of hardware and software, the
Internet, and collaboration tools and technologies.”
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What is information literacy?
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Your definition?
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What is information literacy?
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From MIS3 “Information literacy is understanding the role of
information in generating and using business intelligence.
Business Intelligence (BI) … provides historical, current, and
predictive views of business operations and environments
and gives organizations a competitive advantage.”
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What is information literacy?
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My definition: you have the confidence and the skills to be
able to research a technical topic you know nothing about,
and be able to write a clear description that can be
understood and acted upon by colleagues, coworkers/supervisors etc.
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Rules for Technical Writing
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All acronyms are spelled out the first time they are
references, and then the acronyms are used for the rest of the
paper
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All jargon or unfamiliar terms are defined when first
referenced
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Short clear sentences work best – subject verb object
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Use tangible clear language – do NOT use “sometimes,”
“some people,” “most people,” “everyone,” “very” or
“important”
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Why is information literacy
important?
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Innovations related to technology are affecting all
professions, triggering changes on a regular basis.
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Example – when was the iPad introduced?
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You will be working in fields driven by innovation. Your
ability to quickly learn about these innovations and apply
them to your work environment will give you a strategic
advantage in the workplace
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Two parts – you understand the technology. You can make
someone else understand it through your explanation (this
part is harder).
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An example: Security vulnerability
revealed in Java
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NYTimes:
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/13/u-s-agencywarns-of-java-software-problem/
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Slate:
http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2013/01/14/java_z
ero_day_exploit_don_t_patch_just_disable_java_in_your_bro
wser.html
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Other posts
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From CVE at Mitre (naming standard for vulnerabilities)
http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-20130422
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FireEye post (computer security firm)
http://blog.fireeye.com/research/2013/01/happy-new-yearfrom-new-java-zero-day.html
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Java exploit follow up
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What questions/implications does this episode trigger?
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What information sources/methods can be helpful in
understanding this issue?