Information Search and Analysis Skills

Introduction to ISAS

The technologies ini the computer industry are constantly changing. The most daunting challenge faced by computer professionals is therefore to keep pace with these changing technologies. And, the information on changes has to be available easily and at the right time. Sources, such as newspapers, magazines, periodicals, books and internet prove sufficient in providing information-anytime, anywhere information.

In addition, changes in technology have led to a continuous change in manpower skill requirements. The current strategies adapted by individuals to acquire skills are either:

·         Building a strong foundation with a basic skill set and enhancing the skill set by acquiring skills in areas as required by the industry. In this case, the individual can comfortably adapt to new technology.

OR,

·         Identifying the current industry requirement and acquiring just-in-time training that meets the here-and-now requirements of the industry. Here, the danger lies in the fact that the individual may not be able to adapt to the changing technology and therefore be forced to change his/her field of specialization.

Therefore, it is implied that the one skill that a computer professional must possedss is the ability to search for information. Gathering information is a skill that needs to be develped.

Where food grain was in abundance in the agricultural age, information abounds in the information age with more information available than can be handled, the need for understanding and extracting the relevant piece of information is very important.

With multiple sources of information, the need also arises for an individual to cross-reference to other sources of information for a complete understanding and generate and create an abstract to present conclusions on the information researched from different sources. Information consolidation is yet another skill that an information technology professional should posses.

The ISAS (Information Search and Analysis Skills) course from NIIT aims to do just this-impart skills on reading, cross-referencing, abstracting, summarizing and presenting conclusions about he latest technological developments.

The Information Search and Analysis Skills (ISAS) course is NOT a course that is taught to you in the manner of the conventional courses. In this course, the emphasisi will shift from teacher-oriented methods to student-oriented methods. While the information-skills acquired by all students will be the same, the actual methods and techniques used by each student will vary according to his/her initiative, and various other parameters-individual/group projects allotted, effort put in, enthusiasm shown, discussions held, and so on.

This module will enable students to acquire information skills in a systematic and consciously planned manner. Other than learning the technical inputs of conventional courses, it is essential for students to learn something about the professional world into which they have to enter ultimately. Incidentally, unlike technical skills, which soon become obsolete with rapid changes in technology, these skills would be a life-long asset to him/her-in fact, they grow with age. Besides the acquistion of these information skills, the ISAS course enables the student to gain considerable IT-World Knowledge. Such knowledge not only infuses confidence into the student to face job interviews and the like, but also enables ready acceptance of him or her into the world of the IT Professional.