Internet Searches: Selecting appropriate sources - Remix for Mobile

Created Feb. 7, 2024 by Julie Pitlock

Part 1: Lesson Description

Lesson Title

Internet Searches: Selecting appropriate sources using mobile devices

Abstract

Learners use the internet to collect information for school or daily life. Search engines can produce an excessive number of potential sources, even when filtering the search. This lesson will teach the adult learner a stepwise approach to defining key words, specifying criteria, and evaluating the appropriateness of sources. The learner will develop a customized checklist for the search and demonstrate the acquired knowledge of selecting appropriate sources.

Learner Audience / Primary Users

Learners are adults who are upgrading skills in order to complete the GED. They have not previously received any formalized training in evaluating sources or completing internet searches.

Educational Use

Curriculum / Instruction

College & Career Readiness Standards (CCRS) Alignment

Level: Adult Education
Grade Level: E
Subject: English Language Arts / Literacy
Domain or Strand: Reading strand

Sub-strand:Reading of Scientific and Technical text

Standard Description: RST.11-12.2 “Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; summarize complex concepts, processes, or information presented in a text by paraphrasing them in simpler but still accurate terms.”

Language

English

Material Type

Instructional Material

Learning Goals

The purpose of this lesson is for learners to be able to:

Use critical thinking skills and a structured plan to evaluate sources

Select the most appropriate sources based on topic, scope, and timeframe parameters created by the learner

Educators are attempting to "hone critical thinking skills to distinguish hope from hype". [1]

Keywords

Designers for Learning
Adult Education
Internet searches
Selecting sources
Mobile devices
Mobile applications
RST.11-12.2

Time Required for Lesson

40 minutes

Prior Knowledge

Learners should have a basic understanding of using a smart phone and accessing the internet on the device. They should understand the meaning of synonym, be able to navigate to a specific website, open a word processing document and Powerpoint file, and be able to e-mail from a smart phone.

Required Resources

The learner will require access to the internet through a smart phone.

Lesson Author & License

Lesson Author: Julie Pitlock

License: Creative Commons License; Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 license

Part 2: Lesson

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, the learner should be able to:

Brainstorm five keywords, synonyms, or phrases required to complete an internet search
Define parameters related to topic, scope, and timeframe
Complete a customized checklist to use during the internet search
Demonstrate selection of three appropriate sources using critical thinking skills

Lesson Topics

Key topics covered in this lesson include:

Research skills in science and social studies
Internet search skills
Evaluating the quality of sources

Context Summary

Many adult learners have not received formal instruction using their smart phones to access credible information through the internet. With the speed that mobile technology changes, it may be difficult for some of these learners to keep up with how to use devices such as smart phones to access much needed information through the internet. They may have the basic idea of how to complete an internet search on a particular topic using a smart phone, but are unaware of how to select appropriate sources by evaluating parameters.

This lesson would be used in a small classroom setting with an instructor present. It is a hybrid module, and so each learner will require access to a smart phone with internet. The maximum number of learners is 8 for each instructor.

Relevance to Practice

Adult learners need to access quality information in order to complete assignments which may be required as part of their upgrading program. It is necessary to separate potential sources of evidence into one of two categories, either a potential source or an inappropriate source. A structured approach will help them to define the parameters required for a potential source to be considered for inclusion into the research material. The skills of evaluating and critiquing evidence can be applied to other, more practical areas in life, including the ability to discern reputable information and websites and not believing everything one may see on the internet.

Key Terms and Concepts

Abstract: A summary paragraph of the important findings identified by research.

Application: The usage of data or information for a particular purpose.

Evidence: Material or information which proves theories or assertions.

Source: The information medium (book, article, website) providing the required information.

Study: A scientific or technical document which outlines the method and results obtained by researchers.

Synonym: A word which has a similar meaning.

Instructional Strategies and Activities

Warm-Up

Time: 3 minutes

The instructor will share a personal story of an internet search where thousands of search results made the instructor frustrated. Learners will be encouraged to share their own brief stories.

Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

The instructor will describe using a search engine to complete research on a health or wellness topic. The instructor will ask the learners to define the key terms, and provide correction or examples as needed.

The instructor will explain the format of the lesson:

Learners will watch a brief presentation (on PowerPoint).
Learners will learn to download necessary applications to complete the independent assignment.
Learners will perform an independent internet search and complete the checklist.

Presentation / Modeling / Demonstration

Time: 15 minutes

Learners will be taught how to download the Google Drive application and the Google Docs Application.
Learners will access the PowerPoint presentation using their smart phones. The presentation will demonstrate using a checklist to specify criteria required for sources obtained using an internet search.
Instructor will provide an opportunity to answer questions individually or as a group.

Guided Practice

Time: 10 minutes

Learners will open a copy of the checklist.
Learners will be assigned one topic and will brainstorm keywords and synonyms as a group. Suggested topics are “assisted suicide in Canada,” “meldonium use in sports,” and “dangers of Zika virus to pregnant women”.
Learners will access the Google search engine and use the checklist to narrow down potential sources. The instructor will be available to guide learners as needed.
Learners will document the three sources on the checklist. The checklists will be printed or reviewed on-screen by the instructor.

Evaluation

Time: 7 minutes

Instructor will provide feedback as a group discussion.

Application

Time: n/a

As a homework assignment, the learners will pick a topic of their choice and complete the checklist and internet search. They will provide five keywords and three sources considered appropriate for their research. Completed checklists will be emailed to the instructor or uploaded to Goggle Drive for evaluation.

Part 3: Supplementary Resources and References

Supplementary Resources

This module requires you to use a PowerPoint presentation and checklist document both uploaded to Google Drive.

Download: Internet Searching.pptx

Download: Internet Search Template.docx

External resources:

EngageNY Grade 11 ELA Module 3, New York State Education Department CC BY-NC-SA

Teaching Channel, CC BY-NC-SA

readwritethink, CC BY-NC-SA

Attribution Statement

Internet Searches: Selecting appropriate sources by Amanda Weber is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

References