The information behavior of a new generation : children and teens in the 21st century

cover image

Where to find it

Information & Library Science Library

Call Number
ZA3075 .I5325 2013
Status
Available

Authors, etc.

Names:

Summary

Has the information behavior of children and youth changed significantly over the last two decades? The Information Behavior of a New Generation: Children and Teens in the 21st Century attempts to answer this question from a variety of viewpoints. Thirteen researchers from educational psychology, computer science, education, and information studies have contributed to eleven chapters on models of information behavior, the cognitive development of youth, information literacy, everyday information behavior, cyber-bullying, gaming in virtual environments, learning labs, social networks, intellectual disabilities, and current and future systems.

Whether they are referred to as digital natives, the Google-generation, or generation M, today's youth are active consumers and avid producers of digital information. Smart phones are the new generation's communication tools, social networks are their interaction venues, and virtual environments are their new playgrounds. This new digital communication era has prompted researchers from a variety of disciplines to contribute to this book on the information behavior of children and teens.

One of the many conclusions that may be drawn from the chapters in the book is that information behavior is a multifaceted phenomenon, evolving alongside the rapid developments in information and communication technologies. The new generation tends to multitask, managing many activities simultaneously, such as scanning for and skimming information, texting brief messages, and posting audio and visual information on social media. While children and teens are tech savvy, they lack certain information and media literacy skills essential in today's digital environment.

For researchers, the authors pose questions for further investigation in the hope that innovative services will be offered and novel systems will be developed to help the new generation. For teachers and information professionals, the authors provide a broad background to assist them with a more in-depth and thorough understanding and appreciation of children's and teens' information behavior.

Contents

  • Introduction p. v Andrew Large and Jamshid Beheshti
  • 1 Concepts, Propositions, Models, and Theories in Information Behavior Research p. 1 Charles Cole
  • 2 Cognitive Development and Information Behavior p. 23 James P. Byrnes and Matthew L. Bernacki
  • 3 Information Literacy p. 45 Leanne Bowler and Valerie Nesset
  • 4 Everyday Life Information Behavior of Young People p. 65 June Abbas and Denise E. Agosto
  • 5 Digital Age Libraries and Youth: Learning Labs, Literacy Leaders, Radical Resources p. 93 Eliza T. Dresang
  • 6 Youth and Online Social Networking: What Do We Know So Far? p. 117 Denise E. Agosto and June Abbas
  • 7 Gaming and Virtual Environments p. 143 Giovanni Vincenti
  • 8 Everyday Life Information in Support of Enhanced Quality of Life for Young Adults with Intellectual Disabilities p. 167 Dana Hanson-Baldauf
  • 9 Defining the Line on Cyber-Bullying: How Youth Encounter and Distribute Demeaning Information p. 195 Shaheen Shariff
  • 10 Systems p. 213 Jamshid Beheshti and Andrew Large
  • 11 The Future p. 237 Jamshid Beheshti and Andrew Large
  • Index p. 243
  • About the Editors and Contributors p. 249

Other details