This presentation presents an asynchronous instructional module demonstrating how social networking sites can enhance digital information fluency. Digital Information Fluency (DIF) is the ability to find, evaluate and use digital information effectively, efficiently and ethically. Students preparing for high school graduation need to be able to identify, evaluate and use information related to reading comprehension effectively. Social networking sites serve as a good learning platform for students, as they have the flexibility and privacy to balance learning with work and personal responsibilities. This presentation addresses a needs assessment for librarians helping DC high school students to evaluate internet resources for reading comprehension resources from various social media networks by determining the authority, accuracy, objectivity, currency, and functionality of the information. After a brief instruction, they will complete the web exercise using Facebook, and provide feedback using SurveyMonkey. With the explosion of information on the Internet, it is important for users to have the skills to analyze the various web sources using the information literacy competency standards. This presentation also provides an example to librarians how they can supplement classroom instruction with social networks to teach the importance of information literacy. Combining classroom skills with Web 2.0 strategies allows users to learn at their own pace and can allow students to maintain confidentiality.

1. EVALUATING WEB
CONTENT
INFORMATION
Using Digg.com

2. Let’s discuss:
2
 Definition of Digital Information Literacy
 Five criteria for web evaluation
 Evaluation of Digg.com links

3. Digital Information Literacy (DIF)
3
DIF is the ability to find, evaluate and use digital
information (web content) effectively,
efficiently, and ethically.
Resource: http://21cif.com/resources/difcore/

4. Five criteria for evaluation
4
 Authority – Author’s credentials
 Accuracy – Truth of information
 Objectivity – Goals met
 Currency – Updated or outdated
 Functionality – Free or no special
software
Resource:
http://olinuris.library.cornell.edu/ref/research/webcrit.html

5. Digg.com
5
Using the search term “reading
comprehension,” we’ll evaluate the top
four links.

6. Digg.com
6
Here’s the search field

7. Top Four Sites
7
Using Search term: Reading Comprehension
A
B
C
D

8. A – Enhancing Looking at Comprehensive
Capabilities
8
Authority – Maybe; Accuracy – Maybe; Objectivity – Yes;
Currency – Yes; Functionality - Yes

9. B – Theron Sheppard’s Site
9
Authority – Maybe; Accuracy – Maybe; Objectivity – Yes;
Currency – Yes; Functionality - Yes

10. C – TeachStreet.com
10
Article deleted
Authority – No; Accuracy – No; Objectivity – No;
Currency – No; Functionality - No

11. D – Looking at Comprehension
11
Authority – Maybe; Accuracy – Maybe; Objectivity – Yes;
Currency – Yes; Functionality - Yes

12. What did you learn?
12
Send an evaluation -
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/B55GYXQ.
 How can you use Digg.com as a social
network resource?
 Where else can you apply these search
techniques?

13. Now it’s you turn
13
 Go to Digg.com
 Pick a search term(s)
 Use this online form to tally your results:
http://on.fb.me/tbGkWB
Learn to evaluate other sites at
http://on.fb.me/sS0LwQ
Links in this presentation from 2011 search.

14. About Me
14
Judine Slaughter
 Master of Library and Information Science student at
Catholic University of America. Projected graduation in
2012.
 Web Content Manager at Federal Aviation Administration
since 2002.
Contact me
Phone: 301-219-9378
Email: 90slaughter@cardinalmail.cua.edu
© 2011