Introduction

"Don't believe everything you read on the Internet." - Abraham Lincoln

Obviously, Abraham Lincoln didn't actually say that since he died 130 years prior to the invention of the Internet.

However, you would be surprised at what is taken at face value and readily accepted as truth. We are bombarded daily by information from many online sources. It is so easy for anyone to post any kind of information and pass it off as fact. Simply because it is published online does not make it factual. Just because you read it online does not make it true. Consider the source.

Most likely, you have honest friends who are always truthful in speech and deeds. You also know those people that easily embellish the truth. You may also know those characters that simply cannot separate the truth from fact - where almost everything that comes out of their mouth is a fib. You never know just what to believe from them.

Just as in real life, you must learn to separate the truth from fiction in online activity. Sometimes this is difficult. Many websites can look so legit, yet are far from it. False information seems to spread like a virus and eventually some people will begin to believe it. You must learn to consider and differentiate between the good, bad, and ugly. It is extremely important to validate your source of information for accuracy and reliability. If you need to quote someone or use their information, make sure you are using reliable data and be sure to give credit to the author to avoid any hint of plagiarism.

In our grab-and-go, copy-and-paste culture, it's tempting to take what's out there. Remember the authorship and ownership involved. How would you feel about someone using your work without permission?

 

Lesson Objectives

Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to...

  • Synthesize information and paraphrase from an original work avoiding plagiarism.
  • Critique Internet and digital information for validity, reliability, accuracy, bias, and current relevance.
  • Create a works cited page using an MLA style.

Enduring Understandings

  • Information on the Internet must be evaluated before use to ensure its legitimacy.

The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: Career Preparedness standards: 12a, 12d, and 12e

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