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WorksheetsNavigating Digital Information Study Guide
Total questions: 29
Worksheet time: 27mins
Which of the following is NOT a technique fact-checkers use to evaluate online information?
Scrolling through the entire first page of search results
Clicking the first link that appears in the search results
Checking the second or third pages of search results
Scanning search result titles and URLs
What does John Green mean by "click restraint"?
Avoiding clicking on any links
Only clicking on links from trusted sources
Pausing before clicking on a link to evaluate search results
Limiting time spent online
According to research from the Stanford Education Group, what do fact-checkers do that most other people do not?
Use multiple search engines
Spend more time evaluating search results
Only use Google for research
Focus on website design
What is "search engine optimization"?
The process of making a website appear higher in search results
A way to ensure websites are trustworthy
A type of internet censorship
A technique for avoiding misleading information
Which of the following is NOT a tip for refining search engine results?
Use quotation marks for exact phrases.
Add "site:" to limit results to a specific website.
Include a minus sign to eliminate words or websites.
Use an asterisk to replace unknown words.
What is the main purpose of the "talk" tab on a Wikipedia page?
To leave comments and feedback for the author
To see the conversations among editors about the article
To report factual errors
To propose changes to the article
What does a gold padlock icon on a Wikipedia page indicate?
The page has been flagged for potential inaccuracies.
The page is semi-protected and can only be edited by registered users.
The page is fully protected and can only be edited by administrators.
The page has been nominated for deletion.
What potential weakness of Wikipedia is discussed in the source material?
It is too difficult to edit.
It lacks comprehensive coverage of all topics.
It relies on published sources, which can have biases.
It is not widely used.
What significant change did the internet bring to information production and consumption?
Information became more difficult to access.
The barrier to creating and retrieving information was lowered.
Information became more reliable.
Only experts could share their perspectives.
Which of the following is NOT one of the three questions fact-checkers consistently ask themselves when evaluating information?
Who is behind this information?
How visually appealing is the website?
What is the evidence for their claims?
What do other sources say about the organization and its claims?
Which of the following sources is generally considered the least reliable?
A peer-reviewed academic journal.
A government website (.gov).
A personal blog.
A university website (.edu).
Which of the following is a red flag that may question the credibility of an online source?
The source provides a list of references.
The domain name ends in .edu or .gov.
The author's bias is evident and unacknowledged.
The writing is free of grammatical errors.
What is confirmation bias?
The tendency to believe information that comes from authority figures
The tendency to only read news from sources we already trust
The tendency to interpret information in a way that matches our pre-existing beliefs
The tendency to dismiss information that challenges our worldview
"Verification" means...
Means the reporter keeps all personal feelings and bias out of the report.
Refers to the degree to which the public believes what it reads and hears.
Fact-checking! By finding two or more people who can confirm a given fact.
None of the Above
The order of search results is a reliable indicator of a website's trustworthiness.
True
False
Sponsored content is clearly labeled and easily distinguishable from news articles.
True
False
The presence of statistics or data visualizations automatically makes a claim more reliable.
True
False
It is acceptable to cite Wikipedia as a source in a research paper.
True
False
Fact-checking websites, like Snopes and PolitiFact, are always 100% accurate.
True
False
Reverse image search can help determine the original source and context of an image.
True
False
Deepfakes and AI generated content are easily identifiable by their low-quality visuals and audio.
True
False
Social media companies prioritize showing users high-quality, accurate information.
True
False
Disabling data tracking features in apps can help limit targeted advertising.
True
False
Social media has had no significant impact on political discourse or events.
True
False
Describe an example where misleading or false information spread quickly online, and explain the potential consequences of such misinformation.
John Green emphasizes that "better information leads to better decision-making, which leads to a better world." Using examples, explain how the quality of information we consume online can directly affect our choices and, ultimately, shape our collective experience.
Imagine you come across a social media post claiming a dramatic scientific breakthrough. The post includes a compelling image, but the source is unfamiliar. Outline the steps you would take to evaluate the reliability of this information, using the techniques and strategies discussed in the source material.
The sources discuss the tension between skepticism and cynicism when evaluating online information. Using your own words, explain the difference between these two concepts.
The sources repeatedly emphasize the importance of moving beyond "vertical reading" and engaging in "lateral reading" when evaluating online information. Using examples from the sources, explain what lateral reading entails, why it is crucial in the digital age, and how it can empower individuals to make more informed decisions.
