Session 14

Information technology has had huge impacts on society.

One of the largest impacts, I believe, is easier access to information via online and offline databases, journals, research tools. I remember card-files, microfiche, and dusty files of journal articles and newspapers at the local library. Trying to find all the sources you should look at while doing research in a local library became difficult. A lot of inter-library loan was involved. While finding research materials located in books can still be difficult, finding journal and newspaper articles, internet sites, and other research materials - such a government statistics has become much, much easier.

Of course, technology also makes false or misleading information more available, too. You just need to look in your email inbox to find a communication which may perpetuate urban legends and ridiculous stories. The internet does counter these stories with fact-finding websites such as Snopes.com, where you can rely on others research into these claims of fact. Of course, you have to trust that source!

As with anything, a critical mind is required to make your way through the masses of information now at an individual fingertips. Just like reading a paper journal or newspaper, determining the slant and biases of a writer is still required for anything you access electronically.