Is Wikipedia a reliable source of information?

 
"Wikipedia is about as good a source of accurate information as Britannica, the venerable standard-bearer of facts about the world around us, according to a study published this week in the journal Nature."

Where do you go when you need to know something?  In this age of information and technology, there are a lot of choices out there.  Which websites should you trust as reliable sources?   How can we know the information they provide is accurate and true?  


One of the most popular websites in the world, Wikipedia has been controversial since it's start.  We've all had at least one person tell us not to trust Wikipedia, because anyone can edit it.  However, does that really mean it's less accurate?
 
Study: Wikipedia as accurate as Britannica  
http://news.cnet.com/2100-1038_3-5997332.html
 

Instructions:  Read the three linked articles (above and in the questions below).  Answer all five questions in a comment below.  DO NOT COPY WHAT OTHERS HAVE ALREADY SAID.  


1.  Although anyone can sign in and edit Wikipedia, what keeps false information from remaining on the site?


2.  Had you ever heard of the Encyclopedia Britannica before today?  Notice the year that the article (above) was published.  


3.  Do you think Wikipedia has become more or less accurate since then? 
 (Hint:  read this 2015 article from the Washington Post - https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/is-wikipedia-trustworthy-when-it-comes-to-science/2015/08/24/74c71904-4755-11e5-846d-02792f854297_story.html?noredirect=on )


4.  Summarize what Wikipedia says about itself in terms of reliability:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliability_of_Wikipedia


5.  Do these articles and studies change your opinion of Wikipedia as a source?  Why or why not?

Is Wikipedia a reliable source of information?

 

"Wikipedia is about as good a source of accurate information as Britannica, the venerable standard-bearer of facts about the world around us, according to a study published this week in the journal Nature."

Where do you go when you need to know something?  In this age of information and technology, there are a lot of choices out there.  Which websites should you trust as reliable sources?   How can we know the information they provide is accurate and true?  

One of the most popular websites in the world, Wikipedia has been controversial since it's start.  We've all had at least one person tell us not to trust Wikipedia, because anyone can edit it.  However, does that really mean it's less accurate?

Study: Wikipedia as accurate as Britannica

 

=

Instructions:  

Read the three linked articles (above and in the questions below).  Answer all five questions in a comment.  Do not repeat what others have already said.  Contribute your own relevant, unique viewpoint to the conversation.

1. Although anyone can sign in and edit Wikipedia, what keeps false information from remaining on the site?
2. Had you ever heard of the Encyclopedia Britannica before today?
3. Notice the year that the article (above) was published.  Do you think Wikipedia has become more or less accurate since then?  (Hint:  read this 2015 article from the Washington Post)
4. Summarize what Wikipedia says about itself in terms of reliability:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliability_of_Wikipedia
5. Do these articles and studies change your opinion of Wikipedia as a source?  Why or why not?

Is Wikipedia a reliable source of information?

"Wikipedia is about as good a source of accurate information as Britannica, the venerable standard-bearer of facts about the world around us, according to a study published this week in the journal Nature."

Where do you go when you need to know something?  In this age of information and technology, there are a lot of choices out there.  Which websites should you trust as reliable sources?   How can we know the information they provide is accurate and true?  

One of the most popular websites in the world, Wikipedia has been controversial since it's start.  We've all had at least one person tell us not to trust Wikipedia, because anyone can edit it.  However, does that really mean it's less accurate?

Study: Wikipedia as accurate as Britannica

 

=

Instructions:  

Read the three linked articles (above and in the questions below).  Answer all five questions in a comment.  Do not repeat what others have already said.  Contribute your own relevant, unique viewpoint to the conversation.

1. Although anyone can sign in and edit Wikipedia, what keeps false information from remaining on the site?
2. Had you ever heard of the Encyclopedia Britannica before today?
3. Notice the year that the article (above) was published.  Do you think Wikipedia has become more or less accurate since then?  (Hint:  read this 2015 article from the Washington Post)
4. Summarize what Wikipedia says about itself in terms of reliability:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliability_of_Wikipedia
5. Do these articles and studies change your opinion of Wikipedia as a source?  Why or why not?

Is Wikipedia a good source?

"Wikipedia is about as good a source of accurate information as Britannica, the venerable standard-bearer of facts about the world around us, according to a study published this week in the journal Nature."

Where do you go when you need to know something?  In this age of information and technology, there are a lot of choices out there.  Which websites should you trust as reliable sources?   How can we know the information they provide is accurate and true?  

One of the most popular websites in the world, Wikipedia has been controversial since it's start.  We've all had at least one person tell us not to trust Wikipedia, because anyone can edit it.  However, does that really mean it's less accurate?

Study: Wikipedia as accurate as Britannica

 

=

Instructions:  

Read the three linked articles (above and in the questions below).  Answer all five questions in a comment.  Do not repeat what others have already said.  Contribute your own relevant, unique viewpoint to the conversation.

1. Although anyone can sign in and edit Wikipedia, what keeps false information from remaining on the site?
2. Had you ever heard of the Encyclopedia Britannica before today?
3. Notice the year that the article (above) was published.  Do you think Wikipedia has become more or less accurate since then?  (Hint:  read this 2015 article from the Washington Post)
4. Summarize what Wikipedia says about itself in terms of reliability:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliability_of_Wikipedia
5. Do these articles and studies change your opinion of Wikipedia as a source?  Why or why not?

Infographics

Infographics have recently become very popular with news media, big business, and educators.  They are very effective as a tool for communicating ideas and displaying large amounts of information relatively quickly.  Infographics combine text, graphics, and images together in a way that is aesthetically appealing and engaging to the viewer.  

Below is an example of a typical infographic.  Click on the image to examine a larger version:

The video playlist embedded below gives a brief overview of infographics: 

Infographics

Assignment:

1.  Read the articles linked below as an introduction to creating infographics:

• 10 Of The Best Tools For Creating Infographics

• The Do's and Dont's of Infographic Design

2.  Select one of the 10 tools listed in the articles, and create an infographic about your survey results.   

• Include pictures, graphs, and charts in the infographic, as well as written descriptions of your survey results. 
•  The graphics and charts for your survey data are available in the form you used to create your survey (in your Google Drive, under survey responses). 

3. Embed the infographic on your website (place it on your "Infographic" page).





4. Post the link to your website's "Infographic" page in a comment below.

• Make sure your comment is "Public" before you post.

66 Ways to Protect your Privacy

66 Ways to Protect Your Privacy Right Now - Consumer Reports:

'via Blog this'


After reading the article linked above, answer the following questions in a comment below:

1.  How is this information useful?

2.  What have you already been doing to protect your privacy?

3.  Which ones off the list will you start implementing, now that you know more about them?

Wikipedia as accurate as Encyclopedia Britannica

Study: Wikipedia as accurate as Britannica

"Wikipedia is about as good a source of accurate information as Britannica, the venerable standard-bearer of facts about the world around us, according to a study published this week in the journal Nature."

 

=

Instructions:  

Read the article linked above.  Answer the following questions in a comment below.  

1. Does this study change your opinion of Wikipedia as a source?  Why or why not?
2. Notice the year that the article on the study (above) was published; do you think Wikipedia has become more or less accurate since then?  Why?
3. Summarize what Wikipedia says about itself in terms of reliability:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliability_of_Wikipedia

Do not repeat what others have already said.  Contribute your own relevant, unique viewpoint.

Study: Wikipedia as accurate as Britannica

"Wikipedia is about as good a source of accurate information as Britannica, the venerable standard-bearer of facts about the world around us, according to a study published this week in the journal Nature."

Study: Wikipedia as accurate as Britannica

 

=

Instructions:  
Read the article linked above.  Answer the following questions in a comment below.  Do not repeat what others have already said.  Contribute your own relevant, unique viewpoint to the conversation.

1. Does this study change your opinion of Wikipedia as a source?  Why or why not?
2. Did you notice the year that the article on the study (above) was published?  Do you think Wikipedia has become more or less accurate since then?
3. Summarize what Wikipedia says about itself in terms of reliability:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliability_of_Wikipedia

Technology Assignment: Creating an Infographic

Infographics have recently become very popular with news media, big business, and educators.  They are very effective as a tool for communicating ideas and displaying large amounts of information relatively quickly.  Infographics combine text, graphics, and images together in a way that is aesthetically appealing and engaging to the viewer.  

Below is an example of a typical infographic.  Click on the image to examine a larger version:

The video playlist embedded below gives a brief overview of infographics: 

Infographics

Assignment:

1.  Read the articles linked below as an introduction to creating infographics:

• 10 Of The Best Tools For Creating Infographics

• The Do's and Dont's of Infographic Design

2.  Select one of the 10 tools listed in the articles, and create an infographic about your survey results.   

• Include pictures, graphs, and charts in the infographic, as well as written descriptions of your survey results. 
•  The graphics and charts for your survey data are available in the form you used to create your survey (in your Google Drive, under survey responses). 

3. Embed the infographic on your website (place it on your "Survey" page, right below your embedded survey).





4. Post the link to your website's "Survey" page in a comment below.

66 Ways to Protect Your Privacy Right Now

66 Ways to Protect Your Privacy Right Now - Consumer Reports:

'via Blog this'


After reading the article linked above, answer the following questions in a comment below:

How is this information useful?

What have you been doing to protect your privacy?

Which ones off the list will you start implementing, now that you know more about them?

When Did You First Realize the Importance of Online Privacy?

When Did You First Realize the Importance of Online Privacy? | Electronic Frontier Foundation:

'via Blog this'

In a comment below, address the following questions:  

1.  When Did You First Realize the Importance of Online Privacy?

2.  Do you agree or disagree with the recent changes in privacy legislation (see videos embedded above)?  How will these changes affect you?

3.  What are you doing to protect yourself online?

4.  How could you become more involved in the ongoing fight for your rights to privacy?

Indiana Jones meets Google Earth: Become a Space Archaeologist

Indiana Jones meets Google Earth: GlobalXplorer lets you hunt for hidden heritage sites:

'via Blog this'

1. Create an account
2.  Watch the tutorial video
3.  Begin hunting
4.  Post a comment below describing your experience, and state how many sites you found.

33 Maps That Explain The United States

33 Maps That Explain The United States Better Than Any Textbook:

'via Blog this'


1.  Which of these maps are the most informative to you?
2.  What did you learn from reading these maps?
3.  How is seeing this information visually sometimes more compelling than just reading it?

10 Topics Every 21st Century Citizen Should Know About

From MIT Press: 10 Topics Every 21st Century Citizen Should Know About | CommonHealth:

Which topics do you already know something about?

Which ones are you completely unfamiliar with?

Which ones are the most interesting to you?

Are there any other topics you think should be included on this list?

Study: Wikipedia as accurate as Britannica

Study: Wikipedia as accurate as Britannica

"Wikipedia is about as good a source of accurate information as Britannica, the venerable standard-bearer of facts about the world around us, according to a study published this week in the journal Nature."

Study: Wikipedia as accurate as Britannica

 

=

Instructions:  
Read the article linked above.  Answer the following questions in a comment below.  Do not repeat what others have already said.  Contribute your own relevant, unique viewpoint to the conversation.

1. Does this study change your opinion of Wikipedia as a source?
2. Did you notice the year that the article on the study (above) was published?  Do you think Wikipedia has become more or less accurate since then?
3. Summarize what Wikipedia says about itself in terms of reliability:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliability_of_Wikipedia

Bernie Sanders Will Replace President Trump With Legal Loophole

Bernie Sanders Could Replace President Trump With Little-Known Loophole | The Huffington Post:

'via Blog this'

"The most important thing in a functional society is a well-informed public."

1.  Have you ever shared something without reading it first?


2.  What are some of the consequences of sharing fake news?  

• Why is this a problem?

3.  What are some of the best suggestions given for sharing news on social media?

• Which ones do you already do?
• Which ones do you need to start doing?

The “Other Side” Is Not Dumb. – Medium

The “Other Side” Is Not Dumb. – Medium: "What is emerging is the worst kind of echo chamber, one where those inside are increasingly convinced that everyone shares their world view, that their ranks are growing when they aren’t. It’s like clockwork: an event happens and then your social media circle is shocked when a non-social media peer group public reacts to news in an unexpected way. They then mock the Other Side for being “out of touch” or “dumb.”"

Carefully read the article linked above.

• The author states that everyone tends to believe their own viewpoint is the right one, and that other people are wrong.  
• This affects how people behave on social media - they tend to only click on news articles or stories that support what they already believe to be true.    

1. Think about how you interact on social media, like Facebook or Twitter.

• What articles do you tend to click on and read? 
• What news stories do you share?

2. What is your reaction to these statements?

"Isn’t it possible that we’re not right about everything? That those who live in places not where you live, watch shows that you don’t watch, and read books that you don’t read, have opinions and belief systems just as valid as yours? That maybe you don’t see the entire picture?...

When you hear someone cite “facts” that don’t support your viewpoint don’t think “that can’t be true!” Instead consider, “Hm, maybe that person is right? I should look into this.”

Because refusing to truly understand those who disagree with you is intellectual laziness and worse, is usually worse than what you’re accusing the Other Side of doing."

3. What are some of the suggestions given by the author to correct this faulty way of thinking?



4. What are the biggest dangers of being trapped in an "echo chamber" on social media?



5. How will you avoid this in the future?




Answer all five questions in a comment below. Do your own work and number your responses. If you say the same thing as someone else, you will not get credit. Grammar counts. This is a test grade.

How to Fact-Check the Internet | Real Simple

How to Fact-Check the Internet | Real Simple:

1.  Which three pieces of advice from the article linked above were your favorite?

2.  What do you already do to fact-check information?

3.  What are your favorite things to fact-check?

4.  Did you do this during the presidential debates?



'via Blog this'

Animated interactive of the history of the Atlantic slave trade

Animated interactive of the history of the Atlantic slave trade.:


Click on the link above and view the animated interactive illustration of the history of the Atlantic slave trade.  Be sure to pause the interactive and click on the individual dots which represent the slaver ships on their routes across the ocean.  Read the article underneath that explains the interactive.

1.  What did you learn from this article?

2.  How does the interactive animation affect your understanding of the slave trade?

3.  How does this technology change your perspective on "The Interesting Life of Olaudah Equiano," which we read in class?

Click on the link below and listen to the podcast on Olaudah Equiano:


http://www.slate.com/articles/life/the_history_of_american_slavery/2015/06/history_of_american_slavery_olaudah_equiano_and_life_aboard_a_slave_ship.html?wpsrc=sp_all_article_storypromo


4.  How does this podcast add to your understanding of the story?

Ear-bud headphones proven to cause Deafness

Ear-bud headphones proven to cause Deafness

Ear Bud Headphones Causing Deafness

Because the tiny phones inserted into the ears are not as efficient at blocking outside sounds as the cushioned headsets, users tend to crank up the volume to compensate.

“I have an audiologist friend at Wichita State University who actually pulls off earphones of students he sees and asks, in the interest of science, if he could measure the output of the signal going into their heads,” Garstecki said. Often he finds students listening at 110 to 120 decibels.

“That’s a sound level equivalent to measures that are made at rock concerts,” said Garstecki. “And it’s enough to cause hearing loss after only about an hour and 15 minutes.”

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2014/02/are-headphones-and-earbuds-bad-for-your-hearing/index.htm

http://www.osteopathic.org/osteopathic-health/about-your-health/health-conditions-library/general-health/Pages/headphone-safety.aspx

http://kidshealth.org/en/teens/earbuds.html

1.  Read the following articles from some of the most respected news sources on the planet: 

• What do they have to say about hearing loss and earphones? 

• What are the most alarming facts, in your opinion, from the articles linked below?

iPod Safety: Preventing Hearing Loss in Teens

The Argument Against Headphones

Earphones potentially as dangerous as noise from jet engines, researchers find

2.  What are your thoughts about these articles?

• Do you know someone who has suffered hearing loss due to prolonged exposure to loud noise?

• Is this an issue that we should take more seriously?