Unit 1 Secret of Success

Lead In

1. Do you know what the word literacy mean? Look up this word in the dictionary if necessary.

   develop write read achieve function solve speak compute

2. Complete the definition with the words from the box.

Literacy is an individual's ability to …, …, and … in a native

language, and … and … problems at the levels necessary to

effectively … on the job and in society to … one's goals, and

one's knowledge and potential.

Reading

1. Work in groups of 2-3. Within 1 minute make a list of verbs describing what you can do with information, e.g.: extract information, … . Compare your lists in class.

2. Before you read the text match the words with their definitions.

sources	the main ways that large numbers of people receive information i.e. television, radio, newspapers and the Internet
resource	an organized set of data that is stored in a computer and can be looked at and used in various ways
media	something that can be used to help achieve an aim, especially a book, equipment.
database	an official process to find out information about sth
copyright	a person, book or document that provides information, especially for study
inquiry	the legal right to publish, broadcast, perform a piece of writing, music, etc.

3. Do you know the difference between the words browse, navigate and search.? The following synonyms can be of help: look through, get around, look for.

4. Read the text and take notes of its main points. Follow the advice in the Managing your learning box.

As society changes, the skills needed to negotiate the complexities of life also change. In the early 1900s, a person who had acquired simple reading, writing, and calculating skills was considered literate. To achieve success in the 21st century, people also need to attain proficiency in science, technology, and culture, as well as gain a thorough understanding of information in all its forms.

Managing your learning To better understand the text you are reading take notes form it. - Read the text and focus on general understanding. - Review the text and locate/number the main ideas in the margins - Underline the important sub-points and examples of the main ideas - Highlight unfamiliar definitions and vocabulary - Now take notes from the text but don’t copy directly – Try to write or speak in your own words. At the same time don’t forget to use new words you have learnt.

Accessing information has become increasingly important as databases previously accessible only to library media specialists are now available to students

and other people directly. Browsing, searching and navigating online have become essential skills for all students. They need to be familiar with natural inquiry, Boolean search strategies, and organizational

systems such as cataloging, abstracting, indexing, rating because information is located in various sources across the globe.

The digitizing of resources raises new issues of analysis and evaluation. Imagine a student who is asked to prepare a presentation based on information from the Web. That student can access vast quantities of information without a lot of understanding, because search engines make accessing information so simple. To use this amount of information effectively requires an higher skill level such as evaluating and synthesizing information from a variety of sources compared with textbooks where all the information is contained within one source. In other words,

as technology makes the simple tasks easier, it places a greater burden on higher-

level skills.

All in all, students need to understand the interrelationships between library collections, proprietary databases*, and other Internet documents to ensure appropriate, effective searching and accurate evaluation of sources. Furthermore, as students access electronic resources, it is critical that they recognize the importance of honoring the intellectual property of others by strictly adhering** to copyright and fair use of laws.

So, by information literacy is meant the ability to evaluate information across a range of media; recognize when information is needed; locate, synthesize, and use information effectively; accomplish these functions using technology, communication networks, and electronic resources.

Educators all over the world are concerned with the amount of information today’s learners have access to and need to cope with. To make it less complicated an algorithm for solving information problem has been suggested. It allows the learners to gain the education they require in today’s knowledge-based, global society.

(Adapted from the site http://www.ncrel.org/engauge/skills/basiclit.htm)

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proprietary databases* - частные базы данных

strictly adhere** - здесь, твердо придерживаться чего-либо