EVALUATING SOURCE MATERIALS Both print and electronic Criteria to consider

Notes Record key ideas and phrases Must be in own words to get full points Be able to teach shoulder partner what learned

Authority Print material = non-fiction vs. fiction Textbooks Encyclopedias Biographies Non-fiction books on the topic Author / editors = experts in field Education in the field Works in the field Citizens expressing an opinion Bloggers Editorials

Soooo what about Wikipedia? General information = yes Increase your knowledge base Gather basic info about topic Citing as a source = no Expertise of author not verifiable Sometimes too much opinion

Reliability Information = Check for sources Biography List of Sources Information = verifiable in other sources See repeated in other sources

Objectivity Free from bias/opinion Who is intended audience? What is intended purpose?

Relevancy On topic Too general or too specific for your purposes Current and timely information vs. out of date

Now it’s your turn to evaluate… Print sources Website sources dogs_b_ html dogs_b_ html fire-doctors-push-for-stronger-labeling/index.htm fire-doctors-push-for-stronger-labeling/index.htm octopus-proves-students-believe-read-Internet.html octopus-proves-students-believe-read-Internet.html

Graphics Sources peoplelearn.homestead.com shop.nationalgeographic.com digitaltrends.com wikipedia.com paidcontent.org sodahead.com fortunetecknolog.com Time for Reflection