Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2023

DOI

10.34579/00000570

Publication Title

沖縄キリスト教学院大学論集 (Okinawa Christian University Review)

Volume

20

Pages

1-13

Abstract

Informational flow is paramount to the success of interpersonal communication as well as macro communication that allows for people to engage with the overarching sociopolitical apparatuses as a citizen. Chief among hindering informational flow are the obstacles of mis/disinformation. This research project is an exploratory study into the attitudinal positioning of a wide range of WPAs across R1 research institutions. Results found that WPA's perceptions are positively aligned in agreement with the value of IL and ML. Furthermore, WPAs are utilizing IL and ML within their programs both knowingly and serendipitously. Despite the positive attitudes toward interdisciplinary approaches to combating mis/disinformation, all participants noted barriers to implementing IL and ML in a more focused manner. This paper proposes that writing program administrators may be well situated within institutional networks to aid in combating mis/disinformation. Potential avenues of action include leveraging their positions within universities to focus more on multiple literacies (Information and media literacy as well as others) across and/or within disciplines. Furthermore, WPAs may be able to act as a hub to begin conversations and actions that invite the greater community to participate in multiple-literacy based training practices. Information flow is paramount to the success of interpersonal communication as well as macro-communication that allows people to engage as citizens in overarching socio-political institutions. The leading impediment to information flow is the barrier of misinformation and omissions. This research project is an exploratory survey of the conscious positioning of writing program administrators (WPAs) at R1 research institutions. The results revealed that WPAs' perceptions are consistent and positively aligned with the values of information literacy (IL) and media literacy (ML). Furthermore, WPAs were found to utilize IL and ML intentionally and incidentally within their programs. However, while encouraging for their willingness to address misinformation and misconceptions with a multidisciplinary approach, all participants pointed out barriers to implementing IL and ML more intensively. This paper proposes that writing program administrators may be well-positioned within their organizational networks to help combat misinformation and misinformation. The WPA could leverage its presence within the university to focus on interdisciplinary and intradisciplinary multiliteracies (information, media, etc.) and could act as a hub for initiating conversations and actions that could engage the broader community in multiliteracies-based training.

Rights

Articles in the Okinawa Christian University Review are open access.

Original Publication Citation

Nieubuurt, J. (2023). Information Literacy, Media Literacy, and the Attitudinal Positioning of WPAs Combatting Mis/disinformation. 沖縄キリスト教学院大学論集, (20), 1-13.https://ocuocjc.repo.nii.ac.jp/records/595

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