Online Learning

Part 2

More Tips

Finally, look beyond the article for more clues.

·        Read the website’s home page and the About Us page. Look for a mission statement to learn more about the site, its purpose and the organization sponsoring it.

·        If there is an author listed, look for a biography that discusses the author’s education, profession and other relevant background. If there is no bio on the site, search for one elsewhere on the Web.  

·        Check the date. Facts can change over time, so see if the site shows when it was last updated.

·        Presentation counts; look at everything from design to spelling. A clean, well-organized site shows a certain degree of professionalism.

·        Avoid sites that are pornographic, vulgar, inappropriate, below par, suggestive, and falsifying.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

It’s Online, but Is It On Target?

Part 2

Research with Attitude

Conduct your research with the attitude of a skeptic. As you examine websites for clues that they’re trustworthy, ask these questions:

·        Who wrote the Web page? If you can’t identify the individual or organization responsible for the information, don’t use it.

·        What are the author’s qualifications for writing on the subject?

·        Has the article passed through an editorial process designed to ensure quality and accuracy?

·        What is the website’s purpose? Look for motives—like selling products or winning votes—that could result in biased or incomplete information.

·        Is the information accurate? Is it up-to-date?

·        Where did the author get this information?

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

Reading

5 tips for Success

Tips 3-4

Tip 3: Do Research

Literary critics have written vast numbers of analytical and critical pieces on countless books. If you’re having trouble understanding a particular text, do some research and see what knowledgeable sources have to say about it. In addition to increasing your comprehension, you’ll also be showing initiative, something teachers always like to see. Always use legitimate and scholarly sources, not condensed study guides. Going the extra mile in your research elevates your achievement 10-fold.

Tip 4: Use a Dictionary

Make sure you have access to a dictionary when you’re reading. You can often figure out the meaning of an unfamiliar word by using context clues, but sometimes you can’t. Rather than simply skipping over the words you don’t know, take the time to look them up. The results are well worth the effort. Your comprehension will increase greatly, and you’ll build your vocabulary at the same time.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!