October 25 - November 1, 2017 is Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week. Here’s why we are celebrating at the MSU Libraries:
Finding information is easier than ever. But finding information that you can trust, use, or act upon, is considerably more challenging. That's where media and information literacy come in.
Broadly, media and information literacy encompasses the skills, abilities, mindsets, and concepts that we all need to navigate the 21st century information landscape. While definitions might vary in their particulars, they share a common focus on critical thinking, ethical information use and creation, and participation in civil society.*
Michigan State University’s Undergraduate Learning Goals also incorporate concepts related to media and information literacy, including:
- Acquiring, analyzing and evaluating information from multiple sources
- Engaging in effective communication practices in a variety of situations and with a variety of media
- Using variety of inquiry strategies incorporating multiple views to make value judgments, solve problems, answer questions, and generate new understanding
That means that all students who pass through MSU are expected to engage with media and information literacy during their time here, whether formally in their classes, or more informally in spaces like the library.
Some of the ways that the MSU Libraries support media and information literacy at MSU include:
- Librarian-led workshops for courses
- Guides and tutorials on MIL topics for students and instructors
- Participation in campus-wide conversations about MIL topics
- Supporting student and faculty research
During the week of October 25 - November 1, follow the MSU Libraries’ Twitter account for resources and conversation about various aspects of media and information literacy! And follow the MSU Hub for Innovation in Teaching and Technology as the conversation continues for Media Literacy Week (November 6 - 10).
*For further reading, see definitions from Framework for Information Literacy in Higher Education or the National Association for Media Literacy Education.
