Lateral Reading and the Nature of Expertise: Reading Less and Learning More When Evaluating Digital Information

2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (11) ◽  
pp. 1-40
Author(s):  
Sam Wineburg ◽  
Sarah McGrew

Background/Context The Internet has democratized access to information but in so doing has opened the floodgates to misinformation, fake news, and rank propaganda masquerading as dispassionate analysis. Despite mounting attention to the problem of online misinformation and growing agreement that digital literacy efforts are important, prior research offers few concrete ideas about what skilled evaluations look like. Purpose/Objective/Research Question/Focus of Study Our purpose in this study was to seek out those who are skilled in online evaluations in order to understand how their strategies and approaches to evaluating digital content might inform educational efforts. We sampled 45 experienced users of the Internet: 10 Ph.D. historians, 10 professional fact checkers, and 25 Stanford University undergraduates. Analysis focused on the strategies participants used to evaluate online information and arrive at judgments of credibility. Research Design In this expert/novice study, participants thought aloud as they evaluated live websites and searched for information on social and political issues such as bullying, minimum wage, and teacher tenure. We analyze and present findings from three of the tasks participants completed. Findings/Results Historians and students often fell victim to easily manipulated features of websites, such as official-looking logos and domain names. They read vertically, staying within a website to evaluate its reliability. In contrast, fact checkers read laterally, leaving a site after a quick scan and opening up new browser tabs in order to judge the credibility of the original site. Compared to the other groups, fact checkers arrived at more warranted conclusions in a fraction of the time. Conclusions/Recommendations We draw on insights gleaned from the fact checkers’ practices to examine current curricular approaches to teaching web credibility as well as to suggest alternatives.

The evolving digitization of teaching and learning in higher education institutions requires students to be digitally literate (Miller 2015). Despite the echoes of being “digital natives” (Prensky 2001), many EFL students experience difficulties when locating, retrieving, evaluating, and synthesizing digital information at their disposal, especially when the information is in English. To this end, this study is conducted to scrutinize the relationship between EFL students’ second language (L2) digital literacy skills and strategies (DLSs) self-efficacy and their English proficiency level. A total of 93 Saudi students majoring in English at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University were surveyed for their English proficiency level and their abilities to use three major domains of digital literacy skills. The data were analyzed statistically using descriptive measures and ANOVA. The results revealed a significant positive correlation between English proficiency and L2 DLSs. Students with intermediate and upper-intermediate English levels displayed low efficacy in their abilities to navigate, evaluate, and synthesize online information compared to advanced English users. The study concluded that students with higher English proficiency are more responsive to digital literacy skills and can perform well in digitally enhanced environments than basic English users. Pedagogical implications and areas for future research are discussed.


Author(s):  
Dragana Martinovic ◽  
Viktor Freiman ◽  
Chrispina S. Lekule ◽  
Yuqi Yang

This chapter contains findings related to social aspects of digital activities of youth. Computers, mobile devices, and the internet are increasingly used in everyday social practices of youth, requiring competencies that are largely still not being taught in schools. To thrive in the digital era, youth need to competently use digital tools and define, access, understand, evaluate, create, and communicate digital information. Being able to develop perceptions of, and respect for, social norms and values for functioning in the digital world, without compromising one's own privacy, safety, or integrity is also important. After addressing the social prospects of information and communication technology (ICT) use among youth, this chapter describes their online behavior through the paradoxical nature of the internet (i.e., providing opportunities for social development vs. introducing risks). Educators and youth services are advised to consider these factors in designing flexible, innovative, and inclusive programs for young people that use ICT.


2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 323-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumedha Chauhan ◽  
Parul Gupta ◽  
Mahadeo Jaiswal

Purpose This paper aims to explore the factors inhibiting the internet adoption among base of pyramid (BoP) and to develop further insights of such factors. Design/methodology/approach Researchers used a mixed-method study with QUAL/QUAN sequence in this research. Given the dearth of research on the internet usage by the BoP segment in India, the authors began with the exploratory qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews in local language were carried out with the people belonging to the BoP segment in India using common interview protocol. Face-to-face interviews were conducted for 20-30 min with ten people. Thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2006) was conducted on the interview transcripts which lead to five themes. These themes were identified as the potential inhibitors to the internet adoption by the BoP segment in India. This step was further followed by a confirmatory quantitative study. Findings The results confirm that the factors such as lack of digital literacy, complexity and language barrier play a significant role in inhibiting the internet adoption by the BoP segment. However, there is no impact of perceived risk and cost on the internet adoption. The significant relationship between lack of digital literacy and intention to use implies that if the BoP segment is capable to locate, evaluate and use digital information, it is more likely to use the internet. Similarly, the relationship between complexity and the intention to use suggests that if the BoP segment finds it easy to use and understand the internet, it is more likely to use it. Practical implications This research has the implications for government departments and policymakers that are responsible for promoting use of the internet. Therefore, such departments and policymakers are advised to channelize their effort on resting the digital literacy, especially in terms of internet adoption. Findings of this study show that digital literacy, complexity and language barriers are major inhabitants in the internet adoption. Directed and focused government policies and initiatives such as subsidized seminars and training programmes specially designed for the BoP segment can help in increasing internet adoption. Social implications The adoption and use of the internet services by BoP have major implications for digital equality. Therefore, it would be important to explore the factors inhibiting the internet adoption among BoP. Originality/value This paper not only explores the factors inhibiting internet adoption among BoP in developing countries such as India but also provides deeper insights to these factors by collecting first-hand information from target segment. The finding of this research provides meaningful inputs to policymakers and also to industry to remove digital divide in the target population. This is how this research adds value to the existing knowledge available in this domain and it also provides agenda for future research.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-148
Author(s):  
Roikhan Mochamad Aziz ◽  
Muhammad Asyep Syam’aeni ◽  
Nisfina Sya’baniyah ◽  
Izzah Corrie Fatihah

IMPROVEMENT OF DIGITAL LITERACY ABILITY FOR GRADE 4 AND 5 STUDENTS OF SDN TANJAKAN 3, TANGERANG REGENCY. Digital information resources are very abundant, due to advances in information technology and the internet. The current condition of students in Indonesia, which is a digital native generation, has a high dependence on information retrieval on the internet. Aside from the internet having a positive impact, the internet also has a negative side and that information can spread quickly on the internet. Digital literacy is needed to teach children the basics of socializing and digital security so they can explore the digital world safely and confidently. The subjects of this study were elementary school students in Tanjakan Village, Rajeg, Tangerang. This study uses a practical pragmatic theoretical approach that directs children to learn in groups and together solve each problem. The result of this service program is that digital literacy is carried out according to the desired target, and participants gain insight into information and communication technology and the use of the internet in a healthy and safe manner. With the right internet training, it is expected to avoid the dangers of the internet from the negative side. Participants already know tips on how to find a true or fake news on an internet website, and can surf safely and healthily. Based on the evaluation, participants of SDN Tanjakan 3 understood the material that had been delivered and agreed to use a healthy and safe internet.


2021 ◽  
Vol IX(254) (46) ◽  
pp. 65-70
Author(s):  
M. Naumova

The Internet successfully competes with television as a source of information on socio-political issues. The article analyzes the objective (digitalization) and subjective (trust, tastes, preferences, etc.) factors that contribute to the flow of the audience to online information resources. Consumer sensitivity to distorted, manipulative content and the practice of testing media messages for authenticity are considered.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 129
Author(s):  
Neneng Komariah ◽  
Encang Saepudin

Background of the study: The Internet has become part of society's daily life. But the phenomenon shows that not all people are Able to use information technology and the Internet efficiently, and the information disseminated through the internet is not entirely quality information. Therefore, Internet users need digital literacy skills, that is the ability to use information technology efficiently and the ability to find, Evaluate, use, make information, and use it wisely, and lawfully. The problem is who should be held responsible to digital literacy education for the community. Public libraries can play a role in the digital literacy education for the community.Purpose: This study aims to find out how the management of ICT education in the Regional Public Library (PUSDA) of Sumedang Regency, West Java, as an effort for digital literacy education community.Method: The research method used is a qualitative method with descriptive analysis, and the data collection techniques with observation, interviews, focus group discussions, and literature study.Findings: The result shows the subject taught in ICT with the relevant training on participants' needs. The participants are students and jobless. Most of of participants did not have Reviews their own computer, they were very happy to take part in the ICT training in the library because it was free. Teachers are library staff and outside personnel assistance. Computer used are owned by the library and donations from industry. The way of teaching was easy to understand and the participants could practice using computers and search the internet. The PUSDA staff organized the training with enthusiasm.Conclusion: There are some aspects that are already owned by the public library which will support the implementation of digital literacy education effectively and efficiently. Among them is the library already has computer facilities, has a staff of professionals, and already has access to sources of digital information online


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-27
Author(s):  
Sri Suharmini Wahyuningsih ◽  
Majidah Majidah ◽  
Tri Damayanti

Digital literacy can be used as a means of learning because the millennial era currently has digital sources of information that are liked by the public. Information technology-based learning materials are very easy to find and download in digital form and download free of charge so that people in various circles are very easy to get the information needed, as well as students. Universitas Terbuka which organizes an education system remotely, teaching materials which are the main learning materials apart from being provided in printed form, is also developed in digital form. Learning aid materials in the form of online tutorials and web tutorials (tuweb) is also in digital form because online tutorials and tuweb to access them must be connected to the internet. The spread of information in digital form requires knowledge or the ability to find or use these digital information sources. Researchers raised problems about digital literacy in distance learning, especially students of the Library Science Study Program, FHISIP-UT. The research method used is quantitative with the addition of qualitative data. The results showed that the Open University students, especially the Library Science students of FHISIP-UT, already have the ability to terms of digital literacy. Because we often and always use a PC / Laptop at home or office, use a cellphone/smartphone/tablet, and use the internet.   Literasi digital sering dikaitkan dengan perkembangan teknologi informasi yang semakin marak saat ini. Literasi digital dimungkinkan untuk digunakan sebagai sarana pembelajaran, karena jaman millennial saat ini tersebar sumber-sumber informasi yang berbentuk digital dan disukai oleh masyarakat. Materi pembelajaran berbasis teknologi informasi, sangat mudah ditemukan dan diunduh dalam bentuk digital serta diunduh secara gratis, sehingga masyarakat dalam berbagai kalangan sangat mudah mendapatkan informasi yang dibutuhkan, demikian juga para pelajar maupun mahasiswa. Universitas Terbuka yang menyelenggarakan sistem pendidikan secara jarak jauh, bahan ajar yang merupakan bahan pembelajaran utama selain disediakan dalam bentuk tercetak, juga dikembangkan dalam bentuk digital. Materi bantuan belajar berupa tutorial online dan tutorial web (tuweb) juga dalam bentuk digital, karena tutorial online dan tuweb untuk mengaksesnya harus tersambung dengan internet. Dengan tersebarnya informasi dalam bentuk digital ini, maka diperlukan pengetahuan atau kemampuan dalam mencari atau menggunakan sumber informasi digital tersebut. Peneliti mengangkat permasalahan tentang literasi digital dalam pembelajaran jarak jauh khususnya mahasiswa Program Studi S1 Ilmu Perpustakaan FHISIP-UT. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah kuantitatif dengan tambahan data kualitatif. Hasil penelitian bahwa mahasiswa Universitas Terbuka khususnya mahasiswa Ilmu Perpustakaan FHISIP-UT sudah mempunyai kemampuan dalam hal lierasi digital. Karena sudah sering dan selalu menggunakan PC/Laptop di rumah maupun kantor, menggunakan Ponsel/smartphone/tablet, dan menggunakan internet.


Author(s):  
Dragana Martinovic ◽  
Viktor Freiman ◽  
Chrispina S. Lekule ◽  
Yuqi Yang

This chapter contains findings related to social aspects of digital activities of youth. Computers, mobile devices, and the Internet are increasingly used in everyday social practices of youth, requiring competencies that are largely still not being taught in schools. To thrive in the digital era, youth need to competently use digital tools and define, access, understand, evaluate, create, and communicate digital information. Being able to develop perceptions of, and respect for, social norms and values for functioning in the digital world, without compromising one's own privacy, safety, or integrity is also important. After addressing the social prospects of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) use among youth, this chapter describes their online behavior through the paradoxical nature of the Internet (i.e., providing opportunities for social development vs. introducing risks). Educators and youth services are advised to consider these factors in designing flexible, innovative, and inclusive programs for young people that use ICT.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (19) ◽  
pp. 140-160
Author(s):  
Recep Ünal ◽  
Alp Şahin Çiçeklioğlu

The recent increase in usage of concepts such as ‘fake news’ or ‘post-truth’ reveals the importance of digital literacy especially on social media. In the digital era, people’s views on different topics are attempted to be manipulated with disinformation and fake news. Fake content is rapidly replacing the reality among new media users. It is stated with concepts such as ‘filter bubbles’ and ‘echo chambers’ that there is a greater tendency for people to be fed with content that is ideologically appropriate to their own views and to believe in fake news in this content. This article analyzes the structure and functioning of fact-checking organizations in the context of preventing propagation of fake news and improving digital literacy. The research is based on content analysis of verification activities of the fact-checking organization Teyit.org, which is a member of International Fact-Checking Network in Turkey, between January 1 and June 31, 2018. By conducting in-depth interviews with the verification team, propagation of fake news on social networks, fact-checking processes and their methods of combating fake news are revealed. Our article found that fake content spreading specifically through the Internet predominantly consists of political issues.


Author(s):  
Miriam J. Metzger ◽  
Andrew J. Flanagin ◽  
Ryan Medders ◽  
Rebekah Pure ◽  
Alex Markov ◽  
...  

The vast amount of information available online makes the origin of information, its quality, and its veracity less clear than ever before, shifting the burden on individual users to assess information credibility. Contemporary youth are a particularly important group to consider with regard to credibility issues because of the tension between their technical and social immersion with digital media, and their relatively limited development and life experience compared to adults (Metzger & Flanagin, 2008). Although children may be highly skilled in their use of digital media, they may be inhibited in terms of their ability to discern quality online information due to their level of cognitive and emotional development, personal experience, or familiarity with the media apparatus compared to adults. This chapter presents the findings of a large-scale survey of children in the U.S. ages 11-18 years examining young people’s beliefs about the credibility of information available online, and the strategies they use to evaluate it. Findings from the study inform theoretical, practical, and policy considerations in relation to children’s digital literacy skills concerning credibility evaluation.


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