As I open my (usually in-depth) notes to reminisce the good times and classic vibes that was the week 4 symposium, I am abruptly surprised by my own sass and inability to concentrate after a long day at uni.
Exhibit One – my notes on the second half of the symposium:
Limitations of network literacy?
– lemonade
– omg what
– network
– srs
– theres no rivalry – its all literacy
– difference between form and concept
Thankfully, for the sake of my blog and my own academic advancement, I was somewhat more engaged with the first half of the symposium and have a couple of bases to cover with my lovely reader(s).
As prompted by my class, this week we discussed the way by which we judge the validity of information online. In short, we concluded to the answer being a) is the source reliable? and b) how many people are saying it? Adrian quickly glazed over the ways we can be misled (if someone talks the talk, doesn’t mean they necessarily walk the walk) and how easily we can be fooled if we’re not web-savvy. This neatly tied in with this semester’s umbrella topic of network literacy.
The symposium was full of anecdotes and analogies from the panel, but what really stuck with me was Adrian’s ‘white coat’ analogy, which led me to consider if I have ever ‘faked it ’till I made it’, and whether this is a viable means of potential success. I couldn’t recall any anecdotes of my own, but was reminded of the recent almost-success of Andrew Flanagan, who was hired (and then fired) by departmental retail giant, Myer, as their new group general manager for strategy and business development. Flanagan’s CV stated that he was the former managing director and Asia-Pacific vice-president for Zara, and went as far as organising a fake reference in Spain to provide a glowing review to his potential employee. The CEO of Myer and their HR department bought it all and hired him – embarrassing the company’s sleek reputation by failing to merely google his name. Now I’m no network literacy snob but I’m just saying…
While the answers received in the symposium were very in-depth and coherent, it meant that we ran out of time to talk about the last question, concerning network literacy in education, and whether it’s something that can be formally taught or not. This was partially my question in class, so I was pretty disappointed we didn’t have the time to discuss it! But I guess it’s not too late… Adrian, Betty, Jason or Elliot – if you’re reading this – what are your thoughts? Do you think network literacy is something that can/should be taught in a formal schooling environment? Or is it an ability that some people may just have more so than others?
Until next week, my friends!
We will begin with this question next week.