Are your students struggling to determine the credibility of the sources they find online? With this announcement, you can encourage your students to try the SIFT Method of evaluating information. SIFT is an acronym for Stop, Investigate the source, Find additional coverage, Trace to the original. The goal is to save students time by helping weed out unreliable sources.
To post the below announcement in your class or as part of your instructor guidance, create a new announcement, and click on the “HTML Editor.” Add the title, SIFT Evaluation Method, then copy and paste the HTML code from the third page of this document.
Subject: SIFT Evaluation Method
<p><span><img src="https://ashford.instructure.com/users/143106/files/17611462/preview?verifier=vVe8WKDjXYGcuj9CGuDZkYSGKOeWBJizMJY7ahIG" alt="SIFT a tool to evaluate information in a digital world" data-api-endpoint="https://ashford.instructure.com/api/v1/users/143106/files/17611462" data-api-returntype="File" /></span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Need assistance determining the credibility of that online source you were hoping to use for your assignment or in your personal life? Look no further than the SIFT Method. This information evaluation tool encourages you to put your detective skills to use and helps you sort facts from fiction in four easy steps.</span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">You see, SIFT is an acronym, which stands for: </span></p> <ul> <li><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Stop</span></strong><span data-contrast="auto"> – Do you know the information source? What is its reputation? How do you plan to use the information? </span></li> <li><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Investigate the source</span></strong><span data-contrast="auto"> – What is the source? Who is the author? What is their purpose?</span></li> <li><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Find additional coverage</span></strong><span data-contrast="auto"> – Is other coverage available and is it similar?</span></li> <li><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Trace to the original</span></strong><span data-contrast="auto"> – Can you trace claims, quotes, or media to the original source?</span></li> </ul> <p><span data-contrast="auto">To help you use the SIFT Method to determine the trustworthiness of online sources, see the </span><a href="https://content.bridgepointeducation.com/curriculum/file/1131a307-7dca-4447-9204-909cb767c70d/1/SIFT%20Infographic.pdf"><span data-contrast="none">SIFT infographic</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">.</span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Remember, if you ever feel stuck in your research, your librarians are available to help you 24/7. Just use the 24/7 Library Tutoring button on the library homepage, send them an email at </span><a href="mailto:library@uagc.edu,"><span data-contrast="none">library@uagc.edu,</span></a><span data-contrast="auto"> or you can even give them a call at 866-685-8089 during reference hours Monday-Thursday, 1 pm-5 pm PT.</span></p>
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