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Lesson: Determining Authority and Accuracy

Description

The purpose of this lesson is to engage students in determining the authority and accuracy of a source of information. The dictionary definition of authority includes 1) A source of correct information and 2) an expert on a subject whose advice or opinion is accepted. Students learn to ask specific questions that can help determine the authority of a particular source of information. By determining the authority of the source, students can make judgments about how trustworthy the source is as well. A trustworthy source is generally an accurate source, one free from errors and mistakes. Students will be guided through the activity, evaluating the authority and accuracy of one web site. They should understand that they need to determine the authority of any source of information including books, web sites, individual "experts".

Learning Outcomes   I   Suggested Procedure   I   Assessment    for this Lesson

Learning Outcomes

Students will know that they must identify the author (person or organization).
Students will evaluate the expertise of the author.
Students will determine if they feel the source is trustworthy and therefore most likely accurate.

Set-up

• Have projection screen set up
  
• Have computer set up and Internet connectivity established (Note: If computer, video projector, and screen are unavailable, transparencies and/or handouts may be substituted.)

On the board write the following questions:

1. Is there an author? Is the page signed?
2. Who is the author? Is he or she an expert? What are his or her qualifications?
3. Is there any evidence of training or professional skill?
4. Who is the sponsor? Is the sponsor reputable? What is the sponsor's area of expertise?
5. Is there a link to information about the author or sponsor?
6. Should I trust this information?
7. How would you verify the information?

Suggested Procedure

Ask students once they have determined if a source of information is relevant to their topic what do they need to consider next. As a class, review the questions the teacher has written on the board.

Review the definition of authority.

Have the whole class look at the NASA home page( http://www.nasa.gov). Ask students why they think NASA would be an expert source of information on space exploration. What kinds of sources do students believe would provide accurate and complete information on an identified topic.

Now, as a class, explore the web page for Encyclopedia Mythica ( http://www.pantheon.org/mythica.html ) (Note: Teachers should realize, but let students discover, that determining authority can be difficult because information is taken from a variety of sources and entries are not signed. Anyone interested in contributing is encouraged to do so.) Ask students to share their impressions from looking at the home page.

1. Have them consider if they can determine how trustworthy this source is by how it looks.
2. Ask students in which section they would look to determine the authority. Click on the "About" link. As a whole group, read this page. What pieces of information do students think might help them determine the authority of this page. Ask students: Who is the author? Can they tell from this page?
   
3. Ask students where else they could look to determine the authority. Students might suggest clicking on "Awards". Ask students what they can tell from the awards listed. Can they answer: Who is the author of this page?
   
4. Ask students where else they could look for this information. Click on the "Information" link. Under this link, click in turn on "Contributors", "Sponsor" and "Staff". Discuss what can be determined from each of these sections of the website.
   
5. Scroll down and click on submitting articles. Read the section about acceptance of articles for the encyclopedia. Since not all articles need to cite the source of the information, how does this affect the trustworthiness of this site?
   
6. Ask students if they would use this site. Make sure they understand that if they choose to use this information, they should try to verify it in another source.
   
7. Together, fill in the source evaluation checklist: Checking for Authority and Accuracy.

Assessment

Have students independently evaluate another web page to determine the authority of that page.
Have students complete the Source evaluation checklist: Checking for Authority and Accuracy.

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This page was last updated February 19, 2002 This lesson was created to support the AT&T/UCLA Initiatives for 21st Century Literacies. Determining Authority and Accuracy was created by Judith Kantor