Digital Africana - A Learning Module in Information Literacy

Digital Africana is a lifelong learning module in information literacy in Africana Studies that has been designed for every age of adult learner. Class activities are focused on compiling the resources of the World Wide Web according to the interests of the participants and the instructors.

The American Library Association has defined Information literacy as a set of abilities requiring individuals to 'recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.' This course will test these principals.

The core purposes of this module are to:

1. enable learners to master Africana studies content in a visual, time-efficient, and productive manner;
2. extend the personal investigations of learners in areas in which they have a passion;
3. assist learners in becoming more self-directed and academically confident; and
4. help learners assume greater control over and responsibility for their own learning.

The Information Revolution

The Information Age impacts individuals and groups in a myriad of ways. To better perceive how these impacts may affect each of us separately and as a group, Digital Africana is structured as an interactive, multidisciplinary. and collaborative tool in all aspects of work and activity in and outside of the classroom. Resulting compilations will be published on CD or as an e-Book at the end of each session. All successful participants will be listed as contributing editors for the volume on which they worked.

Objectives

Six skill-set standards will form the basis of the course as well as for how participants are evaluated. The six standards used are:

1. Assess – Ability to determine the extent of information needed;
2. Search - Understand how to access the essential required information from the volumes that will be harvested
3. Evaluate – Ability to evaluate information and its sources critically
4. Value – Ability to appreciate and incorporate selected information into your knowledge base
5. Apply – Ability to use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose
6. Credit – Proven understanding of the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the ethical and legal use of information

Each week, contributing editors will prepare daily reports in a boardroom environment, read and discuss collaborative studies, evaluate and review peer materials and presentations, visit relevant Websites, and prepare or present team presentations analyzing Africana studies resources and issues in a subject category or a geographical region of their choosing.

Evaluation

Written examinations are not used in this course. Students are evaluated on the basis of class and publishing performance. However, group quizzes on nomenclature, language, core technologies, or vocabulary may be given on each module. Required competencies are detailed in the course syllabus.

About the Instructor

Professor Melvin Hendrix is a visiting professor in the Department of Pan-African Studies and an entrepreneur in environmental technology. A graduate of Stanford University, he has extensive experience in African and African-American Studies and is a founder and pioneer in the study of African Maritime History. As an entrepreneur, he is developing new organic waste conversion technologies and innovative system designs in organic waste management and sustainable food production.