Seeing through the "Smog"

I really liked the term “data smog.” This term, coined by author David Shenk, refers to the idea that too much information can create a barrier in our lives (para 4). I think this is definitely the case for today’s teachers and students. As the instructor, you could spend hours going through material online that is pertinent to your subject. Then, you have to decide what is valid and what is not. When I look for materials, I like to use sites that are rated and reviewed for accuracy and validity. For example, I use Lesson Planet a lot, but each plan has been reviewed for accuracy by teachers and receives a one to five star rating.

According to the site referenced, Information Literacy is the set of skills needed to find, retrieve, analyze, and use information. This is a critical skill needed by all students in today’s classrooms. There are not many assignments that do not require students to be able to utilize this 21^st century skill. Just as we have to teach students how to research and study; we also have to teach them to be information literate. This is especially important for high school students. I plan to go over my expectations and walk my students through a lesson on how to properly find, retrieve, analyze and use information in the context of Public Safety. This skill is too important not to emphasize it with my students.