The document provides information on evaluating the credibility of internet resources. It discusses several key factors to consider, including authority, currency, objectivity, accuracy, and appearance. Authority refers to the qualifications of the author or organization. Currency addresses how recently the content was updated. Objectivity means presenting multiple viewpoints without bias. Accuracy means the information can be verified elsewhere. Appearance considers design elements like ads, navigation, and accessibility. Examples are given of both reputable and questionable websites based on an analysis of these factors.

1. INFORMATION LITERACY Image credit: jeltovski at morguefile.com

2. “ Information literacy is the key to solving problems, acting ethically, planning for the future and preparing for change.” Canadian Library Association

3. Ex: Summarize the contributions of 2-3 major 18 th century French painters in a 5 page essay . “ I know a little about Matisse, but that's it!” 1.1 Define the information problem 1.2 Identify information needed “ I need to find out about 2 other major French painters and summarize what they did.” According to www.big6.com

4. 2.1 Determine all possible sources 2.2 Select the best sources 3.1 Locate sources and find information Google? Database? Books?

5. 4.1 Engage (e.g., read, hear, view, touch) 4.2 Extract relevant information 5.1 Organize from multiple sources 5.2 Present the information

6. 6.1 Judge the product (effectiveness) 6.2 Judge the process (efficiency )

7. BLOOM'S TAXONOMY Image credit:

8. Characteristics of adult learners They want practical applications of knowledge, such as professional development. They can connect new information to past experiences.

9. Types of information literacy* (Shapiro and Hughes, 1996) RESOURCE PUBLISHING EMERGING TECHNOLOGY SOCIO-STRUCTURAL TOOL CRITICAL RESEARCH

10. Form, location access methods Library databases Print books e-books Specialized search engines Library of Congress classification system Reputable websites RESOURCE LITERACY

11. Format & publish ideas electronically blogs podcasts websites Print and online articles PUBLISHING LITERACY

12. How information is socially situated and produced government business social networks social networks schools SOCIO-STRUCTURAL LITERACY

13. Understand & use IT research tools Quantitative analysis software RESEARCH LITERACY

14. Understand & use software, hardware and multimedia networking multimedia TOOL LITERACY

15. Evaluate human and social strengths; weaknesses, potentials and limits; and benefits and costs of IT history politics culture philosophy CRITICAL LITERACY

16. Adapt to, understand, evaluate and use emerging innovations in IT EMERGING TECHNOLOGY LITERACY

17. My definition of information literacy: The ability to access, navigate, evaluate and synthesize information from a variety of resources to make decisions .

18. Types of information literacy TRADITIONAL : Ability to read PERSONAL: Health/Career/Financial SOCIAL/POLITICAL: Awareness of larger context on information and its impact on the world ACADEMIC: Fi nd research; synthesize information with existing knowledge TECHNOLOGICAL —Navigate new technology

19. EVALUATING WEB RESOURCES

20. WHY IS EVALUATING INTERNET INFORMATION IMPORTANT?

21. YOUR HEALTH Health image by dani simmonds at morguefile.com 53% of Americans have gone online to get health information. More Americans go to the Internet to solve problems rather than consult experts.

22. 40% of adult Internet users use online banking (Pew Internet Study, 2006). Identity theft is extremely common. (image by Dani Simmonds at morguefile.com)

23. CAREER Career In a survey of 100 executive recruiters in 2005, 77 had used Google to check on applicants. 37 of them turned down applicants based on what they found. 17% of Internet users (and 11% of all Americans) say theyknow someone who has been disciplined or fired because of his or her use of the Internet on the job.

24. You as a brand A positive online presence can help your career. What image do you want to portray?

25. How long can your information stay online? (beware of Google cache!)

26. EVALUATION FACTORS: AUTHORITY CURRENCY OBJECTIVITY ACCURACY APPEARANCE

27. AUTHORITY

28. Authority Checklist What individual or organization is in charge of the website content (besides the webmaster)? What are their credentials and how long have they been in the field? What kind of publicity have they generated?

29. AUTHORITY: What to look for About Us/Contact Us —should at least be on first page if not every page of site Check Better Business Bureau or type in company name + “scam” into Google Use Whois.com to see who owns the site** Sites requiring private information such as credit card numbers should have an “https” in their URL, not just “http” Evaluating Internet Information. http://www.lib.vt.edu/help/instruct/evaluate/evaluating.html

30. WHOIS NOT FOOLPROOF —Owner can use privacy or masking option .

31. LACK OF AUTHORITY: www.martinlutherking.org who's in charge?

32. Actual source..... a white supremacy group

33. BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION ...authority check...

34. Keep scrolling....

35. There it is.

36. C U R R E N C Y Image credit:wikimedia.org

37. CURRENCY CHECKLIST HOW OFTEN DOES CONTENT CHANGE? HOW CURRENT IS INFORMATION? LAST SITE UPDATE ?

38. Currency: What to look for Site and blog updates Interactive content/user input News bulletins Discussion forums (depending on site)

39. AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR FINANCIAL PROFESSIONALS (CURRENCY--site updated regularly)

40. Objectivity [insert graphic] OBJECTIVITY

41. OBJECTIVITY Look for.... Factual, impartial language VS. emotions & generalizations Facts and figures VS. broad assertions & anecdotes Multiple viewpoints VS. one opinion and ADS Good word choice & usage VS. sloppy proofreading

42. BBC: Capital Punishment Site (multiple viewpoints, non-biased text, appropriate language)

43. Fox news website (biased language)

44. ACCURACY : Photo courtesy of

45. ACCURACY CHECKLIST Can the information on the site be confirmed elsewhere? Is the information edited and checked before it goes online? Is the information error-free ?

46. WebMD: drug information can be researched and verified

47. The Flat Earth Society (not so accurate)

48. APPEARANCE

49. APPEARANCE LIST FIRST GLANCE: Multiple ads & pop-ups BAD Long flash intro w/o skip option BAD Quality graphics GOOD Harmonious colors GOOD ACCESSIBILITY: Text-only or other version GOOD “ Alt” tags GOOD Download options GOOD Cross-browser friendly GOOD

50. APPEARANCE LIST USER-FRIENDLY: Consistent navigation on each page? GOOD Site index? GOOD Contact Us link? GOOD CONTENT: Poor Punctuation BAD Poor Grammar BAD Good spelling GOOD Consistent font size & type GOOD

51. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS website is user-friendly: consistent navigation, no ads

52. Wikipedia: Anyone can edit it. They also solicit donations.

53. SO....WHAT ABOUT WIKIPEDIA?

54. WIKIPEDIA: THE GOOD ... Great info on pop culture and tech 99% of contributors =dedicated few Links to good resources

55. WIKIPEDIA: THE BAD (AND THE UGLY) . ... The other 1% No expert editing Short on academic information “ Breaking Bad” photo credit: amc.com

56. WEB EVALUATION FACTORS: AUTHORITY Who is responsible for the website; are they qualified? CURRENCY How current is the information? OBJECTIVITY Are there facts, figures and multiple points of view? ACCURACY Can statements be verified? Are they true? APPEARANCE Professionalism and accessibility

57. Site evaluation sheets: 1. Decide which site is reputable and which is not (one is a hoax site). 2. Give 2 examples for each of why or why not that include authority, accuracy, objectivity, appearance or currency . Example: Site A is not a good resource because.... 2-3 minutes.

60. Site evaluation: possible answers. Dihydrogen Monoxide— NOT reputable. Why not? Possible answers: LOTS of advertising (APPEARANCE, OBJECTIVITY, AUTHORITY), including a Southpark ad (???) No https, only http (AUTHORITY) “ May not be able to reply to e-mail” (AUTHORITY) Bottom of page: “content veracity not implied” (AUTHORITY) Editorial (OBJECTIVITY) Science News—reputable. Why? Possible answers: Good quality graphics; consistent font (APPEARANCE) Regular issues, RSS feeds, e-mail alerts (CURRENCY) Facts that can be checked--Peru volcano (OBJECTIVITY)

61. WEB EVALUATION FACTORS (review): AUTHORITY Who is responsible for the website; are they qualified? CURRENCY How current is the information? OBJECTIVITY Are there facts, figures and multiple points of view? ACCURACY Can statements be verified? Are they true? APPEARANCE Professionalism and accessibility

62. HAPPY HUNTING! Picture courtesy of Jubsen at morguefile.com