This resource provides information on how to evaluate various types of information sources, including: articles, open educational resources (OER), websites, and fake news. Each section provides a checklist of questions for learners to ask themselves as they are evaluating these sources. There are links to relevant sources of information, including websites, wikipedia definitions of terms, as well as other library online guides.
Type of Material:
Collection
Recommended Uses:
This collection could be used on its own as a way for students to learn about evaluating sources. It can also be used within an instructional lesson either face-to-face or in an online environment.
Technical Requirements:
Tested in Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer. Worked well in all three.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
The purpose of this website it to provide tools, resources, and inquisitive questions in order to assist learners with evaluating information sources.
Target Student Population:
Upper level high school students or undergraduate students.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Learners would need to know how to navigate a website and basic knowledge of why and how evaluating sources relates to their education.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The information provide is concise and it can be used integrated into instruction or as a stand alone digital learning object. The content is relevant especially the resources on evaluating fake news. The checklist of questions is useful for learners as a way to apply the concepts.
Concerns:
The definition of an OER is oversimplified; an open license is more complicated than just “free use.” Many of the evaluative criteria mentioned in one section really apply to multiple types of sources. The document doesn’t go into sufficient depth to teach students practical steps toward evaluating sources.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
This website provides great takeaways for learners especially the checklist that they could apply to various evaluations.
Concerns:
A statement of the learning objective or goal for the site might be helpful for users. More real life connections would be helpful, instead of focusing on research for their assignments.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The website is easy to navigate and each section provides an easily consumable amount of information.
Concerns:
The website is very text heavy, there could be opportunities for presenting the information in a more visually appealing way, it may not hold learner's attention for very long.
Creative Commons:
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