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.