1.1 Exploring your information landscape

To see what someone’s information landscape might look like in practice, we will hear from Kyaw Win.

Activity 2 Mapping your information landscape

Timing: 20 minutes

Read what Kyaw Win has to say about the about the sources of information he regularly uses.

“I use Facebook and blogs a lot to keep up with cycling events and get the latest news. I now add my own comments. I stay in contact with my friends through Facebook too. My friends send me funny videos on Facebook which I enjoy and watch on the way to work.

The cost of data used to mean that I couldn’t use the internet much. One way I got round this was to screenshot pages that I wanted to read so that I could read them later. But now I’m working it’s fine and I can follow my interests and develop new interests.

I want to go into marketing so I’ve stared to look at free online courses that I can study alongside my degree. I’ve found some really interesting short courses that are just the right level for me. It’s all free as well.”

Make some notes in your reflective journal about the kinds of areas his information landscape covers.

Now reflect on your own information landscape – what are your most important sources, and how has this changed for you over the last six months?

Use your reflective journal to note key features of your information landscape:

  • six months ago
  • now.

When you are ready, you may read the discussion.

Discussion

Kyaw Win’s information landscape is mixed and broad. He is involved with his local friends online, but also the wider world through his interest in cycling and blogging. He is broadening his digital landscape to include what can help with his studies and career.

How did your own information landscape compare to that of Kyaw Win? You may have found it includes similar elements, however, it will also be unique to you. You might have found some overlap between different areas of your landscape, for example, your own experience of a particular issue (say, parenting) is reflected in an online community you belong to that is open to people nationally and internationally. You may also have noticed some changes in your information landscape over the last six months. This might reflect changes in your life (for example, starting a new job or course of study), or it could be that other people have introduced you to new sources of information that you find useful.

1 Your information landscape

2 Searching