SHEDDING LIGHT ON INTERNET RESEARCH

By Ms. Moore

GOOGLE

Search Holocaust on Google How many hits (results) That’s a lot of reading!

What interests me about the Holocaust, or what would I like to know more about?

Was Hitler Jewish? (I heard a rumor…what if I could find proof?!)

Narrow the Search

Google Search- Was Hitler Jewish? How many hits? That’s STILL a LOT of Reading! That’s because I’m technically searching

for all documents containing this complete question (shown first) plus all documents containing all of these words (listed next) and finally all documents containing several of these words.

(Look at the results on page 14, then 24)

Refining the Search

I need three credible sources if I am going to write a paper “proving” Hitler was Jewish.

I can scroll through the top sources to see if I can find what I’m looking for, or I can refine my search.

Google “Hitler Jewish” Now how many hits? Even though it would still take forever to read all

of those results, I can find more of what I’m looking for in one place. Quotation marks indicate to the search engine that you are searching for those specific words in that specific order.

Identifying Credible Sources

Now, let’s evaluate our sources to see if they’re credible.

Click the first link: Jewish Virtual Library

The 5 Checks

Is the site credible?1. Did they cite the source of their information2. Is the site currant? (Check Copyright date at

bottom of page.)3. Does the site list editors/authors/contributors

and their qualifications? 4. Is the site affiliated with an organization?

5. Find other sources that agree, which you

know are credible.

Jewish Virtual Library

1. yes 2. yes 3. no 4. yes 5. yes

Guided Practice

Now Compare to http://zapatopi.net/treeoctopus/ Run through the 5 checks.

1. NOTHING IS CITED!2. There are NO dates anywhere (except the Cephalo News, and it’s

not current.), and the site has no copyright information. 3. Lyle Zapato is credited, but who’s he? Does he know his last

name means shoe?4. The site specifically says it’s not affiliated with an organization.5. Other sources say it’s bogus. (ask.com, dailymail.com,

newsy.com, etc.) And there are lesson plans for teachers based on this hoax.

Credible? NOT! It’s BOGUS!

Your Turn

Now it’s your turn. http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/14/showbiz/bieber-anne-frank/

  Is this credible? Run the 5 Checks.

Assignment

ASSIGNMENT: Now find one credible source that talks about research findings that homework should be reduced due to research, schools systems which have eliminated homework, or one that discusses how homework takes away from kids’ personal lives.