Searching for Information sources on the internet? Be cautious!

 

Not everything we may find on the internet  is reliable information to believe in, therefore we should bear in mind some criteria to select those authentic sources of information in order not to be deceived.

Important aspects  to take into account when evaluating a website:

• Design and Updating

Does it provide clear information? Is the site regularly updated?

The website should be well organised and focused, and in the case that it provides links, those links should be viable. 

•  Authority

Who is the owner and sponsor of the website?

Does he provides credits to cover the subject being shared?

Check whether it is an authentic site or a hoax and if there is any form of contact with the autor.

• Bias

A relevant point is to be aware of  is whether the author reflects a bias or a particular political stance, probably he will do it implicitly although it could be explicit as well.

• Purpose

What was the web page created for?

Is it a web which provides information, up to date news or it aims to sell products? Does it refers to an educational site or entertainment?


 WARNINGS!

Most people are tempted to use wikipedia, or any other social site constructed collaboratively by people from all around the world, be carefull! Since those sites may not be updated all the time and  different views on specific subjects could lead you to misunderstandings.

Do not copy and paste information without citing the author; no matter what website you got it from, plagiarism is forbidden.

Keep in mind not to contribute with fake information on the internet as some people do.

Evaluating web sites.pdf

Taking into consideration that learners should become competent in a Digital World, what are the questions we should be asking?

Should we care about Digital Literacy?


Nicky Hockly, published an article about  

Digital Literacies, where she mentions that teachers of English, a language of global communication, must care about the skills learners need in order to be functional  citizens in their future. I believe, that  by promoting digital skills we contribute to the development of critical thinking and creativity allowing learners to communicate and interact with other cultures, in a world where information is available, but requires awareness of the risks which are embedded.

 

 Digital literacies: What are they why should we care?, Nocky Hockly - Teaching English I British Council I BBC

 

 





Do you consider that institutions should support students in developing new digital skills for study?

 





Digital Literacy across Curriculum

Teachers of English, in the following link you will find interesting free .pdf books available to download. I found them newsworthy, a resource that may help us integrate the development of students' digital literacy into our every day lessons.

 

Resources on Digital Literacies - Futurelab at NFER

 

A new generation of learners: Digital Natives.

I have been going through the text "Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants" by Marc Prensky and I would like to highlight the assertion he makes, that 21st Century learners changed compared to those students of decades ago and as a result, today's students thinking skills have developed as well. It is clear that those changes are closely related to the experiences involved in their learning process, underpinned by the advance of technology. Thus, as Marc states "the biggest problem facing education today is that the Digital Inmigrant Instructors are struggling to teach with a population that speaks a new language". I strongly believe that this problem demands reflection and the need to reconsider the content being taught and our teaching interventions in order to discover new ways, not only to reach students, but also to develop an approach to teaching taking into account the reality that shapes this new generation of learners.

Reconsidering the methology and content is the challenge we face...What do you think?

Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants -Marc Prensky