Thing 34: Web Answer Sites

Web answer sites are a clear example of why students need to be critical of author credibility on websites. These sites seem to be a great and easy way to show students of the need for critical analysis of information acquired online. I think that in these sites you can find clear mistruths and clear truths. The good thing about these sites is that students can use their prior knowledge to challenge the information being put forth online. For example, A student can look up "frogs" because they have a frog as a pet and find an answer to "What environment should my frog live in?" They might find and answer that says, "Put a heat rock in your frog cage. Frogs need to be warm." And this student might recall that their frog died when they did that a few years ago. This student then can deduce that not all of the information is true on the internet. This is essential because I have found that many students believe that adults make up these ideas of falsehoods online. While it is true that many things on the internet are true, this quick way of using student interest to make a point could be effective in teaching the importance of analysis of information online.