Individual

Submitted by Cristy Moran on January 19th, 2017
Short Description: 

Students will generate a well-reasoned conclusion in a two-page paper in which they identify a "good" Internet source and a "bad" Internet source, using IL source evaluation terminology (outlined in CRAAP) to guide their writing.

They will then explain why the good source should be used to investigate the chosen topic, and why the bad source should not be used in their investigation.

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
Cristy_Moran_ClimateChangeCHM.docxdisplayed 1340 times14.96 KB
Evaluating Internet Sources Rubric.docxdisplayed 1239 times18.66 KB
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Cristy_Moran_CRAAP_handout.pdfdisplayed 2034 times668.5 KB
Cristy_Moran_Intellectual_Standards_handout.docxdisplayed 1018 times15.77 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

• Student will critically assesses sources using various criteria terminology such as: currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, purpose, etc., and adequately examines each source.
• Student will identify various specific authority factors for each source such as: domain, URL, corporate author, “About Us” or “Contact Us” links; or author credentials.
• Student will clearly state reliability and appropriateness of the information for the specific information/ research need, and demonstrate adequate reasoning and/or justification for assessing each source.
• Student will articulate and apply the Intellectual Standards to guide reasoning.

Individual or Group:

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated): 

This lesson was created by a Chemistry professor for his Honors college Chemistry course. It has been enhanced for IL and adapted for our college's QEP (theme: critical thinking). It was also adapted throughout attending a Backwards Design class as an example (Library Juice Academy) thus the GRASPS instructional design tool was used.

Content will be uploaded into their online course shell (in the course management system) for them to view prior to an in-person library session. This will include a short library orientation video and another short using library resources video – both of which I created in the last year.

Students will attend a face-to-face library session – a full 75-minute class.

Additional Instructor Resources (e.g. in-class activities, worksheets, scaffolding applications, supplemental modules, further readings, etc.): 

For additional information about the Intellectual Standards, please visit www.criticalthinking.org for the Paul-Elder Critical Thinking Model.

Assessment or Criteria for Success
(e.g. rubric, guidelines, exemplary sample paper, etc.): 
AttachmentSize
Cristy_Moran_ClimateChangewAnswers.docxdisplayed 941 times21.27 KB
Suggested Citation: 
Moran, Cristy. "Evaluating Internet Sources - Climate Change." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2017. https://projectcora.org/assignment/evaluating-internet-sources-climate-change.
Submitted by Cristy Moran on January 19th, 2017
Short Description: 

Students will be expected to find evidence to investigate a pseudoscientific claim or conspiracy theory. For their graded assignment, they will be submitting a two-page paper to their Chemistry professor (the lead professor for this class in which I’m embedding). In their paper, they make a case that either supports the claim or rejects it. They will be expected to use both library and credible online sources for support.

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
Full Lesson Overview and Descriptiondisplayed 1262 times19.41 KB
GRASPS for Lesson (Suitable for Students) displayed 1079 times16.44 KB
AttachmentSize
Cristy_Moran_Intellectual_Standards_handout.docxdisplayed 932 times15.77 KB
Cristy_Moran_CRAAP_handout.pdfdisplayed 1369 times668.5 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

• Students will construct various search phrases for use in online and library search tools
• Students will use certain evaluation criteria (e.g. CRAAP) to assess the credibility of online sources
• Students will identify specific library resources (e.g. databases) relevant to the field of study or content area of claims in which to search
• Students will examine sources for relevance to their research question and search need (specifically, to determine credibility of claims)

Individual or Group:

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated): 

This lesson was created by a Chemistry professor, Dr. Perdian, for his Honors college Chemistry course. It has been enhanced for IL and adapted for our college's QEP (theme: critical thinking). It was also adapted throughout attending a Backwards Design class as an example (Library Juice Academy) thus the GRASPS instructional design tool was used.

Content will be uploaded into their online course shell (in the course management system) for them to view prior to an in-person library session. This will include a short library orientation video and another short using library resources video – both of which I created in the last year.

Students will attend a face-to-face library session – a full 75-minute class.

Additional Instructor Resources (e.g. in-class activities, worksheets, scaffolding applications, supplemental modules, further readings, etc.): 

See www.criticalthinking.org for relevant information about the Paul-Elder Critical Thinking Models.

Suggested Citation: 
Moran, Cristy. "Evaluating Claims: Facebook Edition ." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2017. https://projectcora.org/assignment/evaluating-claims-facebook-edition.
Submitted by Cristy Moran on January 19th, 2017
Short Description: 

Students will be exposed to various entry points of a sustainability topic in various formats. They will take notes as they experience those expressions on the Elements of Thought evidenced throughout. This in-class, two-part lesson includes an independent guided activity and a Think-Pair-Share activity for further reflection on source/ claimant evaluation. Prior to this lesson, instructor will have chosen a topic relevant to their subject area or course content – Possible examples: food deserts, clean water in US, bee colony collapse. Instructor will also have selected (commenting on this topic directly): • One short-form video product (I.e. TED Talk, video essay, documentary clip, recorded speech, or other topical video informational product) • One published essay, opinion editorial, or commentary • One informative (unbiased) article or reference entry. The duration of the in-class activities for this lesson is approximately 60-75 minutes. Length and difficulty of content should be considered when selecting the examples.

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
EXAMPLE QEP and IL Lesson - ENC1102.docxdisplayed 1038 times15.04 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

• Students will closely listen and/or read information in order to recognize elements of thought • Students will identify key components of written/ oral arguments for point of view, purpose, question at issue, information, interpretation and inference, concepts, assumptions, and implications and consequences • Students will determine their information need (next steps for research) based on notes

Individual or Group:

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated): 

This lesson was created as a possible proposal for embedding in a freshman level composition course with a thematic focus on sustainability as a part of the college's QEP (theme: critical thinking). The theme for this lesson is highly adaptable, as are the individual sources. The Elements of Thought referred to throughout the activity are from www.criticalthinking.org and the Paul-Elder Model for Critical Thinking.

Additional Instructor Resources (e.g. in-class activities, worksheets, scaffolding applications, supplemental modules, further readings, etc.): 

Find additional resources on the Paul-Elder Critical Thinking models on https://www.criticalthinking.org/ctmodel/logic-model1.htm

Suggested Citation: 
Moran, Cristy. "Critical Thinking in Action: Sustainability ." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2017. https://projectcora.org/assignment/critical-thinking-action-sustainability.
Submitted by Laura Massa on January 5th, 2017
Short Description: 

In small groups students give a presentation examining how the popular media reports scientific findings.

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
Science in the Media presentations assignment & rubricdisplayed 1775 times19.28 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

• Discriminate between scholarly and popular modes of knowledge through an understanding of the peer review process. • Engage critically and reflectively in scholarly discourse. • Exercise critical thinking in oral discussion and writing.

Individual or Group:

Additional Instructor Resources (e.g. in-class activities, worksheets, scaffolding applications, supplemental modules, further readings, etc.): 

Before I introduce the assignment I ask students to rate how accurately they believe that the popular media reports scientific findings. After all of the presentations have been given, I ask them to rate this again, and engage in a bit of reflective writing. I ask them explain why their rating has stayed the same or changed, how they will approach science in the media moving forward, and what they think the main take-aways from this assignment have been. We then discuss those take-away messages-- which usually results in a much broader and deeper understanding of information sources.

Suggested Citation: 
Massa, Laura. "Science in the Media." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2017. https://projectcora.org/assignment/science-media.
Submitted by William (Bill) Badke on August 25th, 2016
Short Description: 

A two-credit online graduate information literacy course.

Learning Outcomes: 

The student will: A. show an understanding of the complex current world of information resources; B. demonstrate the ability to formulate a strategy for research; C. show skill in identifying a research problem, acquiring a variety of informational resources to address that problem, evaluating those resources, and putting them to effective use; D. demonstrate an appreciation for planned research from topic to completed project.

Individual or Group:

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated): 

This is a required graduate level course for Associated Canadian Theological Schools of Trinity Western University. The course was implemented in 1987 and the online version has been operating without interruption since late 1999.

Additional Instructor Resources (e.g. in-class activities, worksheets, scaffolding applications, supplemental modules, further readings, etc.): 

Textbook: William Badke, Research Strategies: Finding your Way through the Information Fog (iUniverse.com). Other activities located in the assignments on the course website.

Potential Pitfalls and Teaching Tips: 

Online information literacy instruction requires intense involvement with students: Ready availability by e-mail, maximum 24 hour turnaround for queries and assignment grading, and extensive comments on student assignments following a formative rather than summative assessment pattern.

Suggested Citation: 
Badke, William (Bill). "RES 502 - Research Strategies." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2016. https://projectcora.org/assignment/res-502-research-strategies.
Submitted by Nicole Branch on April 18th, 2016
Short Description: 

Students will learn to identify where they might find school and community data; practice accessing this data; and create a school community data profile. Students will also be introduced to some of the problems of bias when looking at school and community data. For part one, student will find data for the high school they attended and the community they grew up in. In part two, students will collect the same data for a school in the community they will be working in over the course of the quarter.

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
FindingDataforSelfCommunitySociety-Part_1.pdfdisplayed 1417 times405.79 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

Identify and navigate sources for data/statistics about schools and communities (Frame: Searching as strategic exploration) Construct a school & community profile using data and statistics (Frame: Information has value) Critically analyze data/statistics and the presentation of data/statistics in the context of community service (Frame: Authority is constructed & contextual)

Discipline: 
EducationSociology

Individual or Group:

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated): 

This plan was designed for the course Sociology 30, Self, Community & Society with a focus on education. In addition to their coursework, students are placed in community based organizations where they provided service for one quarter. This is part one of a three part series. The plan is designed for use in higher education settings and is aligned with the Framework for Information Literacy in Higher Education.

Suggested Citation: 
Branch, Nicole. "Finding Data for Self, Community & Society- Part 1." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2016. https://projectcora.org/assignment/finding-data-self-community-society-part-1.
Submitted by Cristy Moran on April 6th, 2016
Short Description: 

Students write to communicate and their writing, when citing sources, must communicate what they understand of others’ writings. By asking students to write with the purpose of summarizing, paraphrasing, and quoting a selected article to their classmate, they will experience what you experience when you read their writing. They will understand the purpose and mechanics of using sources in their writing. Activity is highly adaptable and suitable for independent readers high school and above. Activity can be modified for lower level learners. Additionally, .doc and .pdf versions of worksheets are attached so instructors can feel free to alter. Activity steps: * Distribute Source Notes worksheet to students. * Give students 10 min to re-read their source and to complete one summarize/ paraphrase/ quote exercise. * Students will exchange Source Notes with partner (Student B). * Without consulting Student A, Student B will tell the class what they understand about Student A’s topic. * Student A will self-assess, answering what they could have done better to communicate in writing. (Example sources are provided as PDF if students' actual sources are unavailable. Instructors are free to use their own example sources - those provided are included for inspiration or adoption.)

Attachments: 
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Source Notes_directions+worksheet.docxdisplayed 1216 times21.75 KB
SourceNotes_worksheetONLY.docxdisplayed 1009 times14.92 KB
SourceNotes_worksheetONLY.pdfdisplayed 1286 times92.69 KB
SourceNotesActivitySlides.pdfdisplayed 1303 times19.77 KB
Example IL Excerpt 1.pdfdisplayed 1807 times102.2 KB
Example IL Excerpt 2.pdfdisplayed 1158 times83.2 KB
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Source Notes_directions+worksheet.docxdisplayed 802 times21.75 KB
SourceNotes_worksheetONLY.docxdisplayed 918 times14.92 KB
SourceNotes_worksheetONLY.pdfdisplayed 1107 times92.69 KB
SourceNotesActivitySlides.pdfdisplayed 1138 times19.77 KB
Example IL Excerpt 1.pdfdisplayed 1032 times102.2 KB
Example IL Excerpt 2.pdfdisplayed 1003 times83.2 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

Students will practice critical reading & note-taking with research materials relevant to their immediate need (i.e. their assignment). Students will share their notes with a partner who will present to class – and assess their own effectiveness in communicating ideas in writing.

Individual or Group:

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated): 

This activity has been shared and modeled for non-librarian and librarian instructors. The materials can be used in support of a real assigned research project/ paper or with example sources. We encourage the use of actual student research materials to be used in the classroom portion of this activity so students can continue use beyond the interactive exercise. It is not recommended that this activity be implemented during a one-shot library instruction session due to the length of time required. It can, however, be introduced in a one-shot library instruction session. Materials used for this can also be distributed to academic support partners including but not limited to composition faculty, writing centers/ labs, tutors, reference areas, or other front line staff who students engage with questions about research or writing.

Suggested Citation: 
Moran, Cristy. "Source Notes ." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2016. https://projectcora.org/assignment/source-notes.
Submitted by Dennis Isbell on April 1st, 2016
Short Description: 

A brief two page handout on how to read abstracts for scholarly journals for lower division undergraduates in particular. Examples include one from social sciences and one from humanities.

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
Scholarly Journal Abs Handout1-16Rev.docxdisplayed 1608 times56.9 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

Evaluating Sources

Individual or Group:

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated): 

First-year composition classes. Introduced when students were searching then selecting scholarly journal articles for their research paper assignments.

Suggested Citation: 
Isbell, Dennis. "Making Sense of Scholarly Journal Abstracts." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2016. https://projectcora.org/assignment/making-sense-scholarly-journal-abstracts.
Submitted by Cristy Moran on March 3rd, 2016
Short Description: 

This activity asks students to work in groups to evaluate Internet sources to meet a research need. Students will use their available wireless devices, smartphones, tablets, computers, or laptops to retrieve the URLs provided to them. Working together, students will ask evaluation questions, guided by a CRAAP handout (attached) or instructor. Then, groups will share their findings with the class. o Students are grouped (3-4 students per group, number of groups in total is irrelevant what it important is the size of the group remains very small). o Each group is handed a scenario card – a 3x5 index card with a URL, beneath the URL is a topic/ question for research. Each student should also receive an Internet evaluation handout with the CRAAP criteria for evaluation on it. (These cards will be created by the instructor. They are recommended to be realistic, likely research questions/ topics for their course and the URLs should be likely search results. Results should vary between acceptable, recommended sources and not recommended sources.) o Students should be given a short time to review - 3-5 mins. Instructor should stress how quickly students can move through a website to capture information such as publication dates and check source links. o At the end of the review period, each group will have a spokesperson make their case to which the class can engage with questions as to the criteria. This activity can be repeated multiple times. It is highly adaptable and reusable.

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
CRAAP Evaluation of Web Sources Infographic Handoutdisplayed 2382 times668.5 KB
Example for Scenario Cards - Search on Juvenile Justice Topicsdisplayed 2387 times251.42 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

o Students will analyze sources for currency, relevance, accuracy, authority, and purpose. o Students will determine whether a source meets their information need.

Individual or Group:

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated): 

This activity is a 5-10 minute activity delivered after a tour of library resources, when students are taught about evaluating Internet sources and given tips on how to effectively manage Internet research. This activity has also been implemented with professional faculty acting as students when modeled for faculty professional development workshops.

Additional Instructor Resources (e.g. in-class activities, worksheets, scaffolding applications, supplemental modules, further readings, etc.): 

The attached handout is an infographic for the CRAAP evaluation strategies and can be printed out and used in tandem with Internet evaluation skills instruction or provided to students to guide them through this activity.

Suggested Citation: 
Moran, Cristy. "Evaluating the Interwebz with Think/ Square/ Share." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2016. https://projectcora.org/assignment/evaluating-interwebz-think-square-share.
Submitted by Cristy Moran on March 3rd, 2016
Short Description: 

This is a short, engaging activity suitable for learners of all levels. In it, students evaluate web sources that are provided by an instructor using the acronym CRAAP (currency, relevance, accuracy, authority, and purpose). Students work together in groups and explore evaluation processes aloud, with guidance from the CRAAP cards and the instructor. This is an adaptation of various evaluating sources activities available in LIS literature and professional resources. This activity is ideally implemented as a kind of collaborative game moderated by the instructor. It is highly adaptable. o Students are grouped into 5 groups - one for each criterion of CRAAP. Each group will receive a CRAAP card or 3x5 index card with evaluation questions pertaining to Currency, Relevance, Accuracy, Authority, and Purpose – different for each table. o A source will be shared with the class on the projector. These sources will include scholarly articles, websites (blogs and orgs), and reference entries. It is essential that the instructor select sources that are relevant to their students (either by course, subject, or level) and that would be likely results on a student Internet search for a research topic/ question. o Each group will evaluate the source aloud on the single criterion they’ve been assigned. If it “passes,” then the source gets asked the next question. If it “fails,” the source is dismissed. o This activity can be repeated with various websites or web sources.

AttachmentSize
CRAAP Cards 2 sideddisplayed 1290 times3.97 MB
Learning Outcomes: 

o Students will examine sources for currency, relevance, accuracy, authority, and purpose. o Students will explain how different elements of a source (author, date, scope, slant, reading level, etc.) effect how the source meets or doesn’t meet their information gathering needs.

Individual or Group:

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated): 

This is implemented in one-shot library instruction sessions at a state college. It has also been implemented as a way to model the activity in professional faculty workshops.

Additional Instructor Resources (e.g. in-class activities, worksheets, scaffolding applications, supplemental modules, further readings, etc.): 

CRAAP Cards print 2 sided for criterion (ex: Currency) on one side and questions (ex: What date...?) on back.

Potential Pitfalls and Teaching Tips: 

This activity is engaging, student-centered, and metacognitive. It is recommended that instructors curate a list of acceptable or recommended Internet resources for their various subject areas and use those among not recommended web sources for this exercise.

Suggested Citation: 
Moran, Cristy. "Evaluating the Interwebz with Designated Skeptics." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2016. https://projectcora.org/assignment/evaluating-interwebz-designated-skeptics.

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