Information virus: Contaminated subject matter in instructional materials

Summary In industralized nations, information anxiety and information overload are topics of discussion. Books have been written about how to evaluate literature reviews where hundreds of items are being assessed.In many developing nations, information starvation is more the norm. The authors have begun exploring how information viruses can cause invalid content to work into an instructional design and permeate deeply into an educational system, ultimately producing good learning of subject matter that is out of date, contains serious omissions, or is inaccurate or misleading.There are ways to forestall information viruses from entering instructional materials. Much could be achieved by using new information search technologies and telecommunications links, fostering better appreciation of basic information technology, and upgrading the role of librarian in the instructional design process. Changes are needed in attitudes of government ministries and foreign aid funding agencies in order to support efforts to prevent information viruses from occurring.Dr. David Giltrow is an independent consultant specializing in the application of educational technology in developing countries.