Digital Literacy – Searching for information online

Summary

This script emphasizes the importance of effective online research for distance learners, cautioning against the pitfalls of misinformation and the necessity of critical evaluation of sources. It highlights the use of academic search engines like Google Scholar and the importance of citing references to avoid plagiarism. The message encourages building a list of trusted sources and being skeptical of information found on social media, ensuring academic integrity and success in assignments.

Takeaways

• 📚 The script discusses the importance of using the internet effectively for research in distance learning.
• 🔍 It emphasizes the need for critical evaluation of online information to ensure reliability.
• 🌐 Search engines like Google and Bing are useful, but require discernment regarding the credibility of linked websites.
• 🏛 Academic institutions may provide lists of trusted sources, which are crucial for students to consult.
• 📝 The script warns against using incorrect information found online, as it can lead to poor academic performance.
• 🤔 It suggests questioning everything found online, not just for academic purposes but in all aspects of life.
• 📈 Building a list of trusted sources is essential, and tutors can assist in this process.
• 📖 Online forums and wikis can be starting points for research but should not be the sole basis for academic work.
• 🚫 The script advises against relying on social media for information due to the prevalence of incorrect or false content.
• 📝 It highlights the importance of avoiding plagiarism by citing references and using others' work as a source.
• ⚠️ Citing references is mandatory in academic work, and guidelines are provided by educational institutions.

Q & A

Do Indigenous people from the Arctic really have 100 different words for snow?

The script mentions it as an 'amazing fact,' but it does not confirm its veracity. It serves as a conversation starter about the abundance of information available online and the need for critical evaluation of sources.

How often do we use digital resources in a day according to the script?

The script does not provide a specific number but implies that we use digital resources multiple times a day for various purposes, such as checking train times, weather forecasts, and messages from tutors.

What is the main concern about using online information services mentioned in the script?

The main concern is the effectiveness of using online information services and the reliability of the information found, especially for academic purposes in distance learning.

What are some of the common ways people find information online as mentioned in the script?

People commonly use search engines like Google or Bing, social media, and online forums and wikis such as Quora, Yahoo Answers, and Wikipedia to find information online.

Why is it important to critically evaluate websites found through search engines?

It is important because search engines show links to other websites, and not all of these sites may provide reliable or accurate information, which could lead to poor academic performance or incorrect assumptions in other areas of life.

What does the script suggest about using incorrect information found online in university assignments?

The script warns that using incorrect information found online in university assignments could result in poor grades.

What role might an academic institution play in helping distance learners find reliable information?

An academic institution may provide a list of trusted sources to help distance learners find reliable information for their studies.

Why should distance learners be cautious about using social media as a source of information?

Distance learners should be cautious because social media is often filled with incorrect, false, or deliberately fake information, which requires further research to verify the credibility of the content.

What are some of the academic search engines that distance learners can use as suggested in the script?

The script suggests using academic search engines such as Google Scholar or REFSEEK for more reliable and academically focused information.

What is the definition of plagiarism as mentioned in the script?

Plagiarism is defined in the script as 'taking other people's work and claiming it is your own,' which is a serious academic offense with significant consequences.

Why is citing references important for students according to the script?

Citing references is important because it gives proper credit to the original sources of information, which is a requirement in academic institutions to avoid plagiarism and demonstrate the research process.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Effective Online Research for Distance Learning

The first paragraph emphasizes the importance of effective online research for distance learning students. It starts with a myth about the Arctic people's vocabulary for snow to illustrate the abundance of information available online. The paragraph then discusses the prevalence of using digital resources in daily life and the necessity to critically evaluate the reliability of online information. It warns about the consequences of using incorrect information in academic assignments and suggests leveraging academic institutions' trusted sources and academic search engines like Google Scholar. The paragraph also cautions against relying on social media and user-generated content like forums and wikis without further verification, highlighting the risk of encountering false or deliberately misleading information.

05:02

🚫 Avoiding Plagiarism in Academic Research

The second paragraph focuses on the critical issue of plagiarism in academic research, defining it as the act of presenting others' work as one's own. It underscores the seriousness of plagiarism in academic circles and the severe consequences it can entail. The paragraph advises students to properly cite references, crediting the original sources of information, which is a mandatory skill required by all academic institutions. It also mentions that guidelines on proper citation practices will be provided by the distance learning provider, ensuring students understand the importance of ethical research and academic integrity.

Keywords

💡Indigenous people

Indigenous people refer to the original inhabitants of a particular region who have lived there since ancient times. In the script, the mention of 'Indigenous people from the Arctic' highlights the cultural richness and linguistic diversity of these communities, as they are said to have 100 different words for snow, which is a testament to their deep connection with and understanding of their environment.

💡Digital resources

Digital resources encompass any type of information or content that is available in a digital format and can be accessed through the internet or digital devices. The script emphasizes the ubiquity of digital resources in daily life, such as checking train schedules or weather forecasts, and their importance in the context of distance learning, where students rely on them to access course materials and communicate with tutors.

💡Search engines

Search engines are web-based tools that enable users to search for information on the internet using keywords or phrases. Google and Bing are examples mentioned in the script, illustrating how they are fundamental tools for finding information online. However, the script also cautions about the need to critically evaluate the reliability of the information found through these search engines, as they merely provide links to other websites.

💡Critical evaluation

Critical evaluation is the process of assessing and analyzing the credibility, accuracy, and relevance of information. The script stresses the importance of this skill when using online resources, as not all information found online is reliable. It is particularly crucial for students in a distance learning environment, where the accuracy of the information used can directly impact their academic performance.

💡Academic institution

An academic institution is an educational organization, such as a university or college, that offers formal education and research opportunities. The script suggests that academic institutions may provide students with a list of trusted sources to help them in their research, emphasizing the role of these institutions in guiding students towards reliable information for their studies.

💡Social media

Social media refers to websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or participate in social networking. The script warns about the potential pitfalls of using social media as a source of information due to the prevalence of incorrect, false, or deliberately fake information. It advises students to be even more critical when evaluating information found on social media platforms.

💡Online forums and wikis

Online forums and wikis are collaborative platforms where users can generate and edit content, such as Quora, Yahoo Answers, and Wikipedia. The script mentions these as resources that can be useful for everyday life but should be used cautiously in an academic context, as they may not always provide reliable information suitable for scholarly research.

💡Academic search engines

Academic search engines are specialized search tools designed to find scholarly literature, such as Google Scholar or REFSEEK. The script recommends these tools for distance learners as they are more likely to yield academically credible sources, which are essential for high-quality research and assignments.

💡Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the act of using someone else's work or ideas without proper attribution and presenting them as one's own, which is considered a serious academic offense. The script discusses the importance of avoiding plagiarism by citing references, which is a fundamental academic practice to acknowledge the original sources of information used in one's work.

💡Citing references

Citing references is the practice of acknowledging the sources of information in one's academic work. It involves stating exactly where the information has come from, which is a crucial skill for students as emphasized in the script. Proper citation not only avoids plagiarism but also adds credibility to the work by showing the breadth of research conducted.

Highlights

Indigenous people from the Arctic have 100 different words for snow.

We use digital resources frequently to find information.

The internet is full of information, but it's important to find the best way to search for it.

Critical evaluation of websites is necessary to determine if the information is reliable.

Academic institutions may provide a list of trusted sources.

Social media can be a source of information, but requires even more critical evaluation.

Questioning everything found online is important for avoiding incorrect or false information.

Incorrect information found online can lead to poor marks in assignments.

Building a list of trusted sources is crucial for finding and using information correctly.

Tutors can help build a list of credible sources, but students also need to evaluate sources found online.

Online forums and wikis like Quora, Yahoo Answers, and Wikipedia should be used as starting points for study.

Academic search engines such as Google Scholar or REFSEEK are useful for finding reliable information.

Avoid untrusted sources, especially on social media, to prevent incorrect information.

Plagiarism is a serious issue in academic studies and can result in serious consequences.

Citing references is a requirement for all academic institutions and an important skill for students.

There is a world of resources online, but it's important to be careful in how you use them.

Transcripts

So it is true!

Indigenous people from the Arctic

have 100 different words for snow.

That's an amazing fact!

Or is it!??

Everybody knows that we can

use digital resources

to find information we need.

Think about how many times

we do this in a day…

What's the next train home?

What will the weather be like tomorrow?

What messages have I received

from my tutor

on my distance learning course?

We all use online information services, but

are we using them effectively?

Hmmm. We need to think about

effective ways to search for information.

Today, we are looking at

using the internet

to search for information

and do research

for our distance learning studies.

But the internet is so

full of so much information:

what is the best way to find information -

and how far can we trust what we find?

Think about all the ways

you find information online.

You probably use a search engine like

Google or Bing

or one that is popular in your country.

Search engines are fantastically

useful, but they usually

show links to other websites,

so you need to critically evaluate

those sites to know

if the information there is reliable.

Imagine if you used incorrect

information you found

online in one of your university assignments.

You won't get

good marks like that.

Luckily, your academic institution

may provide you a list of trusted sources.

As a good distance

learner, you are expected

to do additional research

to find additional information, so

you need to critically evaluate

what you find online.

As well as websites, many people now

use social media

as a source of information.

We need to be even more critical

here to avoid

incorrect, false

or even deliberately fake information.

It's a good idea to question

everything you find online,

in all areas of your life -

as well as for your distance learning needs!

So, why should we be so cautious when using

online for searching for information?

To put it simply,

you could easily find incorrect information.

If the information you find is wrong,

then you will get poor marks

in your assignments.

Just the same as if the train times you find

online are wrong,

you could be in for a long walk home!

So, let's talk about how to make

sure you are finding

and using information online correctly.

Firstly, you need to build

up your list of trusted sources.

These are sources that you know

have a high level of credibility.

Your tutors can help you with this,

but you also need to be able to evaluate

sources you find online.

Many distance learners

use online forums and

wikis such as Quora, Yahoo Answers and Wikipedia

to find information.

Now, for everyday life these

can be useful resources.

But for distance learners

they should only be used as a starting

point for study.

You can research more fully

by going to the sources referenced in articles

on sites like Wikipedia.

If they are reputable

then you can use them as a resource.

You can also use academic search engines

such as Google Scholar or REFSEEK.

Similarly, we need to avoid untrusted sources.

Unfortunately, social media

is full of examples

of incorrect information.

So: just because somebody posts

a story on social media, don't

just accept it as fact -

you need to do more research

to see if the information is credible.

Another important aspect of online research

is avoiding online plagiarism.

Plagiarism

is an important word for all students.

It means 'taking other people's work

and claiming it is your own'.

This is a serious matter in academic study

and can result in serious consequences.

It's fine to look at other people's work

and use it as a source, but you have

to cite your references.

This means stating

exactly where the information has come from:

another important skill for students!

Citing references is

a requirement for all academic institutions,

so your distance learner provider

will supply you with

guidelines on how to do it.

So that's an introduction

to finding information online.

There is a world of resources out there,

but always be careful in how you use it!