Why Information Literacy is Important in a Democratic Society.

The Need for Information Literacy (3 Concepts)

1. Internet firewalls won't work;  people can send personal files to one another.  It is too hard to monitor every action on the internet.
2. Limiting digital freedoms engages cyber warfare.  Cyber patriots try an break "the code."
3. The internet and the real world have been seen as two separate spheres that need to become one world.  Freedom of speech and information literacy should not have limitations on the internet.

Should Wikipedia be used as an information resource in school? Why or Why not?

• Should Wikipedia be the only information resource a child uses? no.  However it could be used a great way to find references or to seek the truth.  For most Wikipedia searches there is a "Reference" section.  For example, my Algebra I class has been working with Quadratic equations- solving them, graphing them, factoring them, etc.  If I go to Wikipedia and search "quadratic equation," this is what comes up.  As a math teacher, I know that this information is correct.  However, a students may want to check the references.  Cross-referencing this source of information could actually be a very educational experience for the student.  

Introduction

• A. Hello! I am Sarah Cline(Pryor-maiden name).  I did my undergrad. at FSU and graduated in May 2011 (Elem Ed and Math 5-9). Within a month of graduating, I got married, moved to Lewisburg, WV (due to my husband's job), bought a house,  and got my first teaching job (7th Grade Math- Summers Middle School- a 45 minute commute).  My second year of teaching I lucked out and got a job 5 minutes from my house and will probably be in this position for a while:) (8th Grade Math - Eastern Greenbrier Middle School).  I will be finished with my Master's at the end of the summer.  Looking forward to this class and looking forward to having a Master's at the end of July!
• Other side info about me: I am a Zumba Instructor.  I love the outdoors; hiking, kayaking, camping, skiing, etc.  I will be very busy this summer teaching summer school 3 days a week, instructing zumba, taking vacation on my off weeks, and doing the outdoor activities I previously mentioned (minus the skiing, of course, but I already have my season pass for Snowshoe this winter!). I love teaching middle school math (Strange, I know, but would prefer it over kindergarten any day).  
• B. I hope that this class enables to grow professionally.
• C. Watched the video :)
• D. Guilty of googling "information literacy" and finding this definition: "Information Literacy is the ability to identify what information is needed, understand how the information is organized, identify the best sources of information for a given need, locate those sources, evaluate the sources critically, and share that information. It is the knowledge of commonly used research techniques" (http://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/info_literacy/).  The video dealt with several of these areas: finding information, understanding the organization of information on the internet, locating information on the internet,  and sharing information (i.e. this blogpost).
• E. I combined this with the above.
• F. Reviewed the tips - very helpful