Reliable versus Unreliable Sources

Summary

This educational presentation targets primary students to teach them how to discern between reliable and unreliable sources online. It emphasizes the importance of relevance, accuracy, and factual evidence in determining the trustworthiness of information. The video script advises viewers to consider the authority, currency, credibility, purpose, and audience of a website, and to beware of common red flags like anonymous authors and a lack of citations. It also dispels the myth that Wikipedia is an unsuitable source, highlighting its list of credible references, and provides additional resources for further learning and exploration.

Takeaways

• 📚 The presentation is aimed at teaching the difference between reliable and unreliable sources, especially for elementary students.
• 🤔 When finding information, ask if it's important, accurate, and if the perspective is based on opinion or evidence.
• 📈 Use a chart to judge the quality of information based on relevance, accuracy, and reliability.
• 🛡️ Consider the authority, currency, credibility, purpose, and audience of a website to determine its reliability.
• 🚫 Warning signs of unreliable sources include lack of known author, .com or .org domains (unless exceptions like New York Times), and blogs.
• 📝 Check for evidence and citations; a lack of these can indicate unreliability.
• 🙅‍♂️ Wikipedia is not a reliable source for academic work, but it can direct you to credible sources.
• 📌 The presenter provides a padlet for students and parents to explore more about reliable and unreliable sources.
• 🔍 A tutorial is offered on how to name reliable sources, guiding what to look for and what to avoid.
• 📘 A list of 20 research websites is provided for students to use for homework projects and exploring topics.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 There's a video for parents to educate their children on the importance of reliable sources and how to identify them.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the presentation?

The main topic of the presentation is the differentiation between reliable and unreliable sources, particularly for elementary students.

Why is it important to teach elementary students about reliable sources?

It is important because they may not have been previously taught how to discern reliable sources, which is crucial for all internet users to ensure they are learning accurate information.

What are the key questions one should ask when evaluating a source for reliability?

Key questions include whether the information is important and relevant, if it is accurate, if the perspective of the person providing the information is shaped by opinion, and if the information is trustworthy with evidence to back it up.

What does the acronym 'CRAP' stand for in the context of evaluating information quality?

In this context, 'CRAP' stands for Currency, Relevance, Authority, and Purpose, which are the four criteria to judge the quality of information.

Why is the authority of a website important when determining the reliability of its content?

The authority is important because it indicates who is responsible for creating the website, which can help determine the credibility and expertise behind the information provided.

What does 'currency' refer to in the context of a reliable source?

'Currency' refers to the timeliness and up-to-date nature of the information, ensuring it is current and not outdated.

Why is it problematic to use a blog as a source for research?

Blogs can be problematic because they may be personal opinions or feelings and not necessarily based on factual evidence, making them less reliable for research purposes.

What are some warning signs of unreliable sources mentioned in the script?

Warning signs include the lack of a known author, the use of .com or .org domains (with some exceptions), a lack of evidence, and content that is mainly based on opinion without citations.

Why is Wikipedia often discouraged as a source for academic research?

Wikipedia is discouraged because it can be edited by anyone and is not always reliable. However, it can be a starting point to find credible sources listed at the bottom of its articles.

What is the purpose of the provided padlet and tutorial in the script?

The padlet and tutorial are provided to help students and parents understand more about reliable versus unreliable sources, offering guidance on what to look for and what to avoid.

What are some of the resources mentioned in the script for students to use for research?

The script mentions a list of 20 research websites suitable for kids, especially for homework projects, and a video explaining how to identify safe sites and the importance of reliable sources.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 Identifying Reliable Sources for Elementary Students

This paragraph introduces a presentation aimed at teaching elementary students how to discern reliable from unreliable sources. It emphasizes the importance of this skill for all internet users. The speaker outlines questions to ask when evaluating the relevance, accuracy, and reliability of information. A visual chart is mentioned to assist in judging the quality of information, focusing on relevance, accuracy, and the presence of factual evidence. The paragraph also introduces the concept of a reliable source being trustworthy and not overly opinionated without supporting evidence.

05:01

📚 Further Guidance on Reliable Sources and Educational Resources

The second paragraph continues the discussion on reliable sources, providing guidance for parents and educators on how to ensure the information children read is accurate. It mentions a PowerPoint presentation that outlines steps for analyzing the reliability of sources and includes a list of domains to be cautious of, such as .net and .org, which are not inherently reliable unless verified. The paragraph concludes by directing viewers to additional resources, including a padlet for further exploration, a tutorial on identifying reliable sources, a list of recommended research websites for students, and another video on identifying safe sites.

Keywords

💡Exploration

Exploration in this context refers to the process of searching for and examining information, particularly in an educational setting. It is the main theme of the video, as it discusses how to explore and identify reliable sources of information. The script mentions 'exploration' in the opening line, setting the stage for the topic of the video.

💡Reliable Sources

Reliable sources are those that provide trustworthy, accurate, and factual information. They are crucial for research and learning, as they ensure that the information obtained is credible. The video emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between reliable and unreliable sources, especially for elementary students who are developing their research skills.

💡Unreliable Sources

Unreliable sources are those that may contain inaccurate, biased, or outdated information. They lack credibility and should be avoided in research. The video script warns about the pitfalls of using unreliable sources and provides guidance on how to identify them.

💡Differentiating

Differentiating, in the context of the video, means the ability to discern between various types of sources based on their reliability. The script suggests that the presenter was not taught how to differentiate sources, which is a skill the video aims to impart to the audience.

💡Information

Information is the data or knowledge obtained from various sources. In the video, the term is used to discuss the quality and reliability of the content found on the internet. The script emphasizes the need to assess whether the information is important, relevant, and accurate.

💡Accuracy

Accuracy refers to the quality of being correct and free from error. The video script stresses the importance of accuracy in information, as it is a key factor in determining the reliability of a source. It is mentioned in the context of assessing the information's truthfulness and factual basis.

💡Perspective

Perspective in this video refers to the point of view or the stance taken by the author or provider of the information. The script advises that a source may not be reliable if it is heavily influenced by personal opinion rather than objective facts.

💡Authority

Authority in the context of the video pertains to the credibility and expertise of the creator of the website or information source. The script mentions that one should look at the authority when evaluating the reliability of a source, as it indicates the trustworthiness of the content.

💡Currency

Currency, as used in the script, refers to the timeliness and up-to-date nature of the information. The video emphasizes that a reliable source should provide current information, avoiding outdated or obsolete data.

💡Credibility

Credibility is the quality of being believable or trustworthy. The video script discusses the importance of assessing the credibility of a source, which includes checking for evidence, citations, and the absence of a strong personal opinion.

💡Audience

Audience in this context refers to the intended readers or users of the website or information source. The video script suggests that understanding the audience can help determine the purpose of the site and whether it is suitable for research and educational purposes.

💡Structure and Workability

Structure and workability pertain to the organization and ease of use of a website. The video script mentions these as factors to consider when evaluating a source, as a well-structured and user-friendly site can be an indicator of reliability.

💡Warning Signs

Warning signs are indicators that suggest a source may not be reliable. The video script lists several warning signs, such as the absence of a known author, the use of certain domain extensions, and a lack of evidence or citations, to help viewers identify unreliable sources.

💡Wikipedia

Wikipedia is mentioned in the script as an example of a source that is often discouraged for academic research due to its open editing policy. However, the video also points out that Wikipedia can be a gateway to credible sources through its reference links.

💡Padlet

Padlet is an online platform mentioned in the script where students and parents can find more information about reliable and unreliable sources. It serves as a collaborative space where users can add and explore different resources related to the topic.

💡Tutorial

A tutorial, as referenced in the script, is a guide or instructional resource that helps users learn how to identify reliable sources. The video mentions a tutorial on Padlet that provides guidance on what to look for and what to avoid when evaluating sources.

💡Research Websites

Research websites are online resources specifically designed for academic purposes and are considered reliable for gathering information. The script provides a list of 20 research websites suitable for students, especially for homework projects and topic exploration.

Highlights

The presentation aims to teach elementary students how to differentiate between reliable and unreliable sources.

Importance of understanding reliable sources is emphasized for all internet users, not just students.

A set of questions is provided to help determine if information is relevant and accurate for research.

The presentation explains the significance of checking the perspective of the information provider for reliability.

A chart is introduced to visually guide the judgment of information quality based on relevance, accuracy, and reliability.

Five key aspects to consider when evaluating a source: authority, currency, credibility, purpose, and audience.

The importance of a site's structure and workability in determining its reliability is discussed.

Warning signs of unreliable sources include the absence of a known author and the use of .com or .org domains.

Blogs are generally not considered reliable sources for research purposes.

The necessity of evidence and citations to establish a source's credibility is highlighted.

Wikipedia is not a reliable source itself but can be a gateway to credible sources listed at the bottom of its pages.

A padlet is introduced as a resource for students and parents to explore more about reliable and unreliable sources.

A tutorial is provided on how to name reliable sources, including what to look for and what to avoid.

A list of 20 research websites suitable for kids' homework projects and topic exploration is presented.

Additional resources are offered for kids to browse for reliable information.

A video on identifying safe sites and the importance of reliable sources is recommended for parents to educate their children.

The presentation concludes with a reminder of the steps discussed for evaluating the reliability of information sources.

Transcripts

hello and welcome to today's topic of

exploration which is reliable versus

unreliable sources I decided to do this

topic for elementary students because I

was never really taught or exposed to

differentiating whether or not I was

learning information from reliable

sources

this presentation is primate primarily

for primary students however reliable

versus unreliable sources is important

for all Internet users so this

PowerPoint here is going to go through

how to find a reliable source

so when finding information you should

ask yourself the following questions

first you want to know is the

information important and relevant to

what you are researching then you want

to ask yourself if the information is

accurate what shapes the perspective of

the person providing the information is

the person using mostly opinion when

they are doing their writing because if

so this may not be a reliable source if

it does not have the evidence to back up

what they are saying is the information

reliable and how can you tell so this

chart over here just gives you a little

bit of a visual of how to judge the

quality of information if it's relevant

it's important if it's accurate you have

facts and it's factual reliable means

that it is trustworthy and the

perspective is slanted okay so now these

are five pieces of information that you

should look at you need to look at the

authority who is responsible for

creating this website you need to have

the currency is this a reliable source

that is current and up-to-date if it's

from a years ago you need to make sure

that it's credible the content and

purpose who does this site exists for

and what's the purpose of it if this

site is maybe a blog just for people to

post what they are feeling that may be

used for some different type of purpose

but it's not the purpose that you should

use for research and

gaining knowledge for reliable sources

and research the audience who is this

site aimed at is it aim to educate is it

aim to entertain is it aimed for friends

you have to figure out what the site is

aimed for and the structure and

workability how easy is this website to

use here are a few warning signs of

unreliable sources so if there is no

known author then you probably do not

have a reliable source if there's a comm

or dot org sites they are probably not

reliable sources there may be some

exceptions such as New York Times

Magazine however many common network

sites are not reliable blogs are

definitely not reliable kids need to

know that websites

anybody can post information on there

and it's very important that they

realize which information they can use

to gather information and gain knowledge

if there's a lack of evidence as I

talked about before and if it's mainly

based on opinion then the site probably

is not very credible especially if there

is no citations then you should look

elsewhere for your information I have

this meme here because you cannot use

Wikipedia as a source

I hear teachers say it all the time and

I say it as well Wikipedia is not your

friend for sources however at the bottom

of websites on Wikipedia there is many

credible sources that students can look

for and go to as a source of information

so now I just wanted to show you a

padlet that I created for students and

parents to come on to see more about

reliable versus unreliable sources if

you find more sources that you want to

come you can just go right on to this

tablet at reliable versus unreliable

sources and you can add right over here

different things that you find yourself

so I have a tutorial here on how to

named reliable sources that you can

click on this gives you a guide on what

to look for and what not to look for

more than half what I just explained

here is a list of a great 20 research

websites that kids can use especially on

homework projects and if students are

looking to explore a topic this is great

to use for students right here this has

more resources for kids to use if you

want to browse that I have lots of

different websites on there that kids

can use for reliable information this

one here is another video on on

identifying safe sites and it also

explains why it's important to get your

reliable sources and make sure that what

you are reading is accurate and this

here is good for especially parents to

educate your children on reliability and

it goes through the steps and it also

gives you a list of the.net org com it

tells you how to know what the where the

information is coming from and how to

analyze those steps that were discussed

in the PowerPoint presentation so thank

you for watching and I hope that this

helped for you to distinguish