MaryCapstoneShowcasePPTSpring2010

1. Critically Studying Information (CSI)
Boot Camp: Evaluating Web Pages
Mary Irwin
MAIT Capstone ~ May 2010

2. Gap
iSkills Assessment:
Students NOT proficient
in critically evaluating
information & its sources.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Campus interviews:
• Heavy reliance on
Internet as info source.
• No systematic process,
strategy, or technique
used to assess the validity
of information.

3. Proposal
asynchronous module
• scenario- based
• authentic: learners
access live web sites
~~~~~~~~~~~~
• apply specific
criteria using
investigative tool: job aid

4. Learning Theory
Situated Cognition:
Acquired knowledge
is “a product of the
activity, context, and
culture in which it is
developed and used.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Brown, Collins, & Duguid)
What is learned is presented in how it’s learned & applied.

5. Intervention
One-hour asynchronous
module with CSI-
investigative theme
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
• authentic, scenario-
based activities
• hyperlinks to external
web sites, video,
feedback, assessment
• investigative tool: job aid

7. Evaluation
Formative: Feedback
Summative: Final
Survey
Assessment
• Design
10 multiple-choice • Appearance
questions • Specific Reactions:
• Required application of - liked most/provided
learned concepts to most value
answer question - liked least/provided
least value
- suggestions for
improvement

8. Results
Survey: 64% cited gaining specific knowledge;
strategies to evaluate web page information.
• 91% provided favorable feedback
• 9% provided suggestions: speed-up
animations; less text on screen
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Assessment:
average score
80% correct

9. Lessons Learned
• Collectively digital natives
do not use a process to
critically evaluate info.
• Embed feedback survey
in module rather than
“Always walk email invitation.
through life as if you • Utilize subjective survey
have something to to capture learned
learn and you will.” concepts & isolate areas
~ Vernon Howard of difficulty.

10. Special Thanks…
Dr. Amy Ackerman for her guidance and
support during this project.
My colleagues:
• Jennifer Babcock
• Cathy Moore
• Eileen Anaya
• Pete Dolcy