Information Literacy: The Next ‘R` In The Networked World

The evolved and emerging networks such as the Internet, mobile are ushering a new world order. They are setting up a new playing ground for human endeavors such as business and education. These networks are fundamentally different from the traditional building blocks and infrastructure and are increasingly becoming game-changers. Because of these developments success and even survival in this new networked world order demands new category of skills. These skills are broadly called Information literacy.

Demand for new skill is not strange to human race. Like many other “survived” species humans have acquired a new set of  skills at every crucial stage and turn of natural  evolution. However, need for a new set of skills for a world order created by human themselves is of recent origin. The invention of printing press and consequent ability of humans to produce books in millions created new institutions such as modern universities and governments. The successful participation in these institutions demanded the acquiring skills of reading and writing. These combined with arithmetic are famously known as 3R’s : wRiting, Reading and aRithemetic. The need for next R- in the range of skills was computeR which in combination with communication technology has created a mammoth world of networks. These networks demand new skill netwoRking. Information literacy covers this.

Organized Learning in Human History: Oral Tradition to Personal Learning Environment ( PLE)

Education has been a mainstay of many of human societies throughout civlizations. Education is a process of transmiiting of content- knowledge, experience and values from one generation to another. The mode and means of education have been always evolving and are reflection of state of art of technology avaialable to that society at that time. Oral tradition was the chief mode of education for most part of human history. However arrival of new technologies periodically have helped people to find news ways of delivering education. The invention of  printing press in 14th century and consequent ability to produce books in large numbers gave impetus to educational process and helped to build modern universities. Liberal education promoted and practiced by universities tried to reach masses and offer education in large scale. Later development such a radio, TV and other made education more accessible. However, education was organized around an institution and all learning happened in the " class room" in real world and physical settings.

The advent of networks - starting from the Internet to the state of the art Web 2.0 have unleashed new possibilities for education and more for learners. Today it is possible for learners to not to depend on resources provided by educational institutions such as teaching, library etc. The access to web resources such as search engines, wikipedia have empowered the learner to oragnize their educational activities on the web. Such arrangements constructed by learners by mashing up an assorted set of resources - blogs, groups, learning networks is called a personal learning enviroments ( PLE).