Evaluating information is not based on evaluating the credibility of the source. You can’t place your trust in anyone. Even if you can trust your source (but again: you can’t) they can make mistakes or may have been misled themselves. It’s a canonical rule of journalism and should be your rule as well: confirm through multiple diverse sources.Instead of digging into the background and motivations of the source, look laterally. Does the story make sense within the wider context? Do you have to suspend belief in other things to believe the story? Is there a way to confirm of verify what has been suggested? OLDaily. Stephen Downes.
This lesson plan is based on the article by Krista Black, EdD.
In today’s digital landscape, students grapple with abundant misinformation and a growing number of information sources. This poses a significant challenge for educators. Initially, the author focused on imparting basic data analysis skills to students. However, a crucial realization dawned: before diving into data, students needed to master the art of evaluating source credibility.
The article outlines the author’s three-pronged approach to information literacy:
- Evaluating Credibility:
- Students learn to scrutinize the source’s authorship website reliability and cross-reference information with other trusted sources.
- By honing these skills, students can distinguish trustworthy information from dubious claims.
- Understanding Point of View:
- Students delve into the nuances of news versus opinion.
- They explore different perspectives, recognizing that bias exists across various sources.
- Engaging with Primary Data Sources:
- Exposure to reliable data from government websites and other authoritative platforms becomes integral.
- Students gain insights into data collection methods, fostering a deeper understanding of information reliability.
Activity; learning, and answering questions
Watch the video below and answer the following questions. See the whole series Navigating Digital Information here.
- What is lateral reading?
- Why is it important to consider the authority and perspective of a source?
- What example does John Green use to explain the concept of authority?
- How can the public help in pointing out mistakes in information sources?
- What is the significance of issuing corrections for trustworthy institutions?
- What does the term ‘think tank’ originate from?
- How does perspective influence the content produced by news organizations?
Evaluating perspective is more challenging for students than evaluating credibility. When comparing two articles, students will comment on the level of context and detail that are present, differences in language (e.g., “spark outrage” versus “face backlash”), and whose perspectives are prominent or absent. I’ve found that it’s less common for students to identify political perspectives in these comparisons, perhaps due to their lack of familiarity. Allsides.com has been a useful resource in giving students examples of different political points of view. Source: Krista Black, EdD
Activity, comparing sources
- Click on the picture below and choose a news story.
- Comment on the different views based on the color code: Left, Center, and Right. See the example below.
- Here is a way to analyze the three views:
- From the Right:
- Source: Fox News
- Focus: Emphasizes the timeline and Haley’s campaign journey, highlighting her decision not to endorse Trump immediately.
- From the Left:
- Source: HuffPost
- Focus: Discusses Haley’s weak Super Tuesday performance and her plans to urge Trump to appeal to her supporters.
- From the Center:
- Source: Wall Street Journal
- Focus: Provides a straightforward report on Haley’s campaign suspension and Super Tuesday results without immediate endorsement plans.
