The Evaluation Process

The internet has always caused me some concern when it comes to valid and accurate information sharing. I myself have given into the lure of misinformation at times (red-faced embarrassment admittance). I have learned that there are ways to validate information. Kathy Shrock's checklist seems to be very thorough and targeted. I was appalled at the skewed and false page on Martin Luther King. If a student was doing research and not trained in evaluating the validity of a website they could be manipulated into a way of thinking based on something that just seemed to be an accurate source, as the research from Donald J. Leu, Ph.D. showed. I only teach 1st graders so I ask myself the question, Is it too early to start teaching how to be skilled at internet research? I say no it isn't. I think that as soon as you begin to use the internet for research it is time to teach the skills of finding valid resources. That is how we begin to improve 21st Century literacy.