Ideal Information CenterHow could we best access information?

What is information?

n. an ordered sequence of symbols that record or transmit a message

v. (to inform) to give form to the mind, to instruct, to teach, to discipline

The earliest information was in the form of cave painting…

which evolved into writing.

While cave drawings were meant primarily to record events, writing was used to communicate and share ideas.

Writings were compiled into books, which were handwritten and copied by priests and monks.

Since most of the books were produced by the religious, they could control what was being read.

This all changed when Johannes Gutenberg created the printing press, which allowed books to be mass produced.

Naturally, the religious were not happy that they had lost control of what people could read. Many men whose ideas were deemed too controversial could now influence more and more people.

The circulation of books and other texts paved the way for revolution.

Fast forward to

With computers and the internet, information can be accessed anywhere and anytime.

The problem for your generation is not having too little information, but too much!

Think About: What are the difficulties that you as

students face when accessing information? What about your generation in general?

How would you address these concerns? What kind of information center would equal efficient and effective research?

The Ideal Information Center In your groups, talk about how you access

information. Brainstorm ideas about how IDEALLY one

should be able to access information. Create an Ideal Information Center based

on your ideas. Is it housed in a building? What does it look like? Why have you chosen specific things to focus on?

Be ready to present your Ideal Information Center next class with visual aids.

(No need to cite for THIS project.)