The document discusses several topics related to evaluating information found online including checking the accuracy and authenticity of sources, understanding copyright and appropriate online behaviors, and identifying biases. It provides tips for assessing the reliability of websites such as looking for credentials of authors and publishers, checking for references and depth of content, and determining if sites are affiliated with known organizations. The document also covers how computers have positively impacted areas like education, accessibility, business, and society.

1. Lesson 48: Qualifying the Information
• checking information for accuracy, authenticity, or
objectivity
• using computers in work, home, and school environments
• understanding what copyright is and how it works online
• recognizing what may be inappropriate behaviors when
online
• understanding how computers have changed from
traditional practices
• identifying how technologies have helped people with
disabilities
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2. Evaluating the Information
• Web sites of well-known organizations usually present
accurate information as their reputation is at stake
• Do “comparison shopping”
• Look for obvious errors in facts, statistics, grammar, spelling,
or language use
• How current Web site is provides another indication of effort in
construction, and quality of information
• If page offers facts and statistics, determine accuracy by
checking author’s and publisher’s qualifications
• Check About Us, Mission, Philosophy, Corporate Profile, and
Background sections of Web site
• Use URL as guide to whether Web site affiliated with known
organization
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3. Evaluating the Information
• Presence or absence of source references can help assess
authenticity of material
• Authors need no qualifications to contribute to wikis or blogs
• Look for depth of coverage, supported by other types of information
• Information may be accurate information but could be biased
• Check tone of message
• How much advertising exists and are ads independent of content or
selling similar or complementary products or services
• Site with good ranking in many search engines indicates effort
invested in design of Web site
• Check if author or publisher can be contacted for verification
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4. Identifying Ethical Issues
• Information on Internet subject to same copyright rules as other
media
• Copyright refers to protection of any material, published or
unpublished, created by individual or organization
• Can only use material if creator grants right to use it
• Fair Use
– Can use portions of copyrighted information for purpose of criticism or
comment without seeking permission
• Trademark is like copyright except that it applies to name, symbol,
design, or image
• To use information from Web site:
– Send e-mail asking for permission to use information and describe how
intend to use
– Quote information accurately and give owners credit
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5. Identifying Ethical Issues
• Plagiarism occurs when you use information created by
another person and present it as your own
– When using information from Internet, always use in its original
form and cite source material
• Libel is when you make untrue statement in writing that
“defames” another person’s character or reputation
– Slander occurs when defamatory remark is spoken
– Do not start, do not listen, and do not respond
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6. Identifying Ethical Issues
• You are responsible and accountable for your actions
online:
– Pranks can be hurtful and should be avoided
– Bullying is not acceptable in real life or online
– Do not share personal information about someone else with
others, even if you know all parties involved well
– Do not ridicule or dismiss opinions of others
– Provide facts and sources to support information
• Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!
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7. Impacting Society
• Businesses use Internet to enable direct communications with
vendors, suppliers, and customers
• Can easily research and collect information online, organize for
review or evaluation, and communicate using e-mail, post it on
intranet or extranet, or display on dedicated page of Web site
• Use e-mail through chat rooms, blogs, and social networking sites to
make friends and share opinions with one or more people globally
• Online public services to share resources previously would have
required expertise from someone to help
• Web conferencing programs significantly increase possibilities for
people to collaborate on work projects
• Many pieces of equipment have computers or sensors built into them
• Automated production lines using robotic technology, with robots
controlled by computers
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8. Impacting Society
• Air traffic control is computer-based, as is international booking
system and Global Positioning System (GPS)
• Retail transactions handled by point-of-sale systems that enable
payments or adjustments with credit card, debit card, or cash
• Do online banking transactions through financial institution’s Web site
– ATMs connect directly to global network of financial institutions to tap
into your account from any location globally, and withdraw funds in local
currency
• Online courses use Web technology to enrich learning environments
with multimedia techniques or interactive simulations of real-world
problems in safety of virtual settings
• Administrative component tracks students’ progress or performance
• Interactive games enable people to play against each other globally
• Fun educational games teach everything from spelling to
mathematics
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9. Impacting Society
• Telecommuting or working at home while communicating with office
• Reporting systems use computerized data to help predict, forecast,
or capture latest information
• Home inspectors use specialized software and touch-screen
technology to enter information about house being inspected
• Forms and documents converted to electronic formats for
downloading
• Online communities involve individuals globally to collaborate on
common interests
• Improved quality of life of many people with disabilities
• Internet or Web cafés offer public Internet access
• Biometric authentication devices identify you before allowing logon
• Disaster recovery plans protect data on servers and have networks
up and running again quickly after disaster
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10. Review Questions
1. Fair use is the doctrine that permits you to use portions of
copyrighted information for the purpose of criticism or
comments without seeking permission.
a. True b. False
2. Plagiarism occurs when someone copies text from a Web site
and then does what?
a. Pastes the information into a marketing document
b. Claims they wrote the text
c. Changes the words a bit and then claims it as original
works
d. Any of the above
e b or c
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11. Review Questions
3. How can you check the authenticity of information provided on a
Web site?
a. Check who the author is.
b. Check who the publisher is.
c. Check for links to other sites about the author, publisher,
or company.
d. Check for any affiliations associated with this Web site.
e. Contact the author or publisher directly.
f. Any of the above
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12. Review Questions
4. How have computers made an impact in education?
a. Courses can be taken online instead of at the school.
b. Technology allows students to communicate with each other online
instead of in person.
c. Critical thinking can be promoted as it gives students a chance to solve
real world issues.
d. Any of the above
5. How have computers been beneficial to people with disabilities?
a. A person with disabilities can communicate with anyone in the world
using a variety of tools.
b. Devices can be incorporated into equipment which respond to a verbal
prompt.
c. Services can be free.
d. Any of the above
e. a or b
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