Frankenstorm 2012
Hurricane Sandy
A horrific environmental disaster ...
And a lesson for me about checking my sources, no matter what ...
So, I’m at the hair salon ...
I decided I had to check to see if anyone else had seen them:
She might even be able to submit the photos to CNN or CBC
So I went to the InternetAnd I searched “Hurricane Sandy + shark photos”
Google found hundred of websites for me so I clicked on the first one on the list:
www.snopes.com
Hmmmm ....
Uh oh ...
What is INFORMATION LITERACY?
• our ability to identify:– WHAT information is needed; – understand HOW the information is organized; – identify the best sources of information for a given
need or WHY the source works for you;– locate those sources (WHERE); – evaluate the sources critically by looking at WHO is the
author; – and share that information WHEN your teacher
collects the assignment.
Let’s check out my literacy:
What: cool shark photos from Hurricane SandyHow: on an iPhone camera rollWhy: I have no reason not to trust this person &
they’re awesomeWhere: at my hair salonWho: an employeeWhen: interest; to show others; WOW
How did I do?
Why do you and I need good INFORMATION LITERACY SKILLS?
• We are surrounded by a growing ocean of information in all formats;
• Not all information is created equal: – some is authoritative, current, reliable; – some is biased, out of date, misleading, false;
• The amount of information available is going to keep increasing so …
• So we need a way to distinguish between what is GOOD INFORMATION AND WHAT ISN’T.
THIS IS CRITICAL THINKING
• Is the ability to find a fact or a piece of information;
• Show that it’s relevant (important);• And then ...– show how or why it is relevant.
Where do you go to research a topic?
Websites• written by anyone (you don’t have to be an expert);• Content is not necessarily checked by anyone so it
may be inaccurate;• Information for citations is rarely available;• Usually not organized to support student research
needs;• May not be current information or indicate when a
page was last updated;• Available to anyone with an internet connection inside
or outside the library.
Databases• Also websites but require a paid subscription; • Information is from published works (magazines, journals,
newspapers);• Gives you access to full-text articles that can be printed or
e-mailed; • Are selected by your friendly librarians to meet your
needs specifically; • Get their information from experts in the field;• Facts are checked and double checked;• Easy to cite (often they do it for you);• Updated regularly;• Can be accessed at school and at home.
We have so many to choose from...