As described by Boyd (2011), digital information differs from printed information due to four main characteristics.  Each of these has ramifications, both positive and negative as described below:

Positives Negatives
Persistence
  • Permanence of records of digital information means we have access to much more information.  It can also means that this information is available for a longer period of time.  For example, printed media may be affected by age, mould, water, etc. where digital information is not subjected to these external conditions.
  • Digital information is much more compact than printed information, only taking up space on servers, devices or in the ‘cloud’.
  • With the sheer quantity of information available at our fingertips, users may be overloaded.  This also requires the user to possess discerning skills to be able to find the information that they are looking for.
  • The permanence of records can be detrimental to the digital footprint and/or reputation of the user.
Replicability
  • Digital information can be easily replicated, therefore it can be quickly and easily shared amongst a vast number of people.
  • With digital information being so easily replicated, it can just as easily be manipulated.  The more people that have access to the information, the more likely it is that someone can alter it, leading to misinformation.
  • When digital information is replicated, the copy may not contain the necessary attribution details so the original source may not receive the necessary credit or may be unknown.
Scalability
  • With the ease of which information can be replicated (as mentioned above), the information can then be very easily distributed.  This includes between people in different countries or even between different worlds (e.g. the physical world and virtual reality).
  • Because digital information is so easily distributed, it can also be easily decontextualised.  This can change the nature of the intended information and can weaken its credibility.
Searchability
  • Digital information is so readily available with search engines and databases assisting with this task.  Information is easily accessible from home or in the palm of your hand rather than needing to take a trip to the local archives or library.
  • New information can be recorded and searched for almost instantaneously.  For example, a simple Google search will show a live score update from the latest national football match.
  • Users need to possess the skills to determine the best keywords to search for to retrieve the relevant information quickly and efficiently.  They must also have the skills to discern credible information from misinformation or irrelevant information.
  • Searchability can be restricted to the information that is recorded.  For example, a Google search may not show the latest results from the live local football match.

 

Digital information has significantly changed how we educate our students.  With information being so readily available, it is vital that we equip our students with the skills to navigate search engines, narrow down the most relevant information and use sources that are accurate, up-to-date and trustworthy.

As Teacher Librarians, we have had to adapt our teaching pedagogy to assist our students in developing these skills.  While tangible sources are also important and the Teacher Librarian role is still to show students how to research using non-fiction texts, information is changing so rapidly that these texts are quickly becoming out of date or redundant.

 

References

Boyd, D. (2011). Social network sites as networked publics: Affordances, dynamics, and implications. In Z. Papacharissi (Ed.), A networked self : Identity, community, and culture on social network sites, (pp. 47-66). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203876527-8