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Digital skills: succeeding in a digital world
Digital skills: succeeding in a digital world

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3.3 Evaluate

Described image
Figure 6 Words associated with evaluating online information
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An image in the shape of a hand, showing words that you might use to describe activities in this skills area. The words are: analyse, appraise, articulate, categorise, compare, critique, deconstruct, distinguish, evaluate, examine, filter, identify, infer, interpret, judge, outline, prioritise, respond, summarise, survey, write, defend, decide and differentiate.

Figure 6 Words associated with evaluating online information

With such a wealth of information available online, it can sometimes be difficult to know who and what to trust. Knowing how to evaluate sources and people will help you to identify good quality information and sources. It will also help you find the most appropriate tools for your needs. Figure 5 illustrates the words you might use to describe activities in this skills area.

We connect with a variety of people and groups online. Trust is an important issue. Being able to assess how trustworthy people are is important, especially if their views have the potential to impact on your own. Sharing opinions, yours or other people’s, on social media can affect the way you are perceived by others, so you need to be confident that what you are sharing is reliable.

Activity 5 Knowing who and what to trust online

Timing: 15 minutes

This activity provides you with some practical examples of what evaluating online information involves.

In each of the areas covered, read the description and use the text box to write a sentence or two on how confident you feel in that area.

Then read the feedback, which lists resources you can use to develop skills in that area. Copy any useful links into your Digital plan, and make a note of how they might help you. This will be a good reminder when you return to your plan at a later date.

Evaluating online information

How confident are you at assessing whether an online resource (e.g. web page, blog, wiki, video, podcast, academic journal article) or person is credible and trustworthy?

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Feedback

With so much information online, you need to be able to assess whether what you’ve found comes from a trustworthy source. You will sometimes find information online that is misleading or wrong, even on websites that ‘look’ very professional. It is also important to be able to separate opinion from fact.

Resources to help you develop your skills