Teaching Website Evaluation

Part of the library curriculum for the upper elementary students includes several lessons on information literacy, where I emphasize the need to think critically and skeptically about online information. So many students (and their parents) forget about the library databases and other avenues to excellent information, instead "feeling lucky" and relying solely on Google searches. As I reminded students, we all use Google all the time for quick information needs, from finding out the opening hours of Home Depot to learning more about our favorite tv character. When it comes to serious research, however, library databases are essential.

Old standby favorites for demonstration purposes include Facts About Ancient China, an authentic and useful-looking site informing us that China was responsible for countless discoveries and innovations, including fireworks, tea, a variety of interesting and pain-relieving opiates, and the all-you-can-eat lunch buffet. Another useful website is Facts About the Civil War, where we learn that this bloodiest conflict in American history claimed more lives than WWI, WWII, The War Against Switzerland and the Vietnam War combined. Of course, we mustn't forget about the endangered Northwest Pacific Tree Octopus or the hidden wonders of Mankato, Minnesota including a pyramid and a submerged city. One student helpfully told us about her mother's experience in law school: the school subscribed to the database Westlaw. Apparently someone created an authentic looking version of Westlaw, free to users as opposed to the one that required a password. The free fake one, however, contained loads of slightly false information, enough so that students who used it failed their exams. Wow!

The discussion took a more serious turn, however, as I described websites designed to convince readers of false or vicious notions, including anti-Semitic and racist sites. I also mentioned the abundance of conspiracy theories online, with special attention to the horrors (and deaths) caused by the "vaccination causes autism" spiral. Recently, I ran across this rant in the Dec. 1 library journal Booklist, in which Will Manley reflects on Walter Isaacson's recent biography of Steve Jobs:

"Isaacson tells us that instead of having an operation that would probably have eradicated the cancer for good, Jobs decided that he would try any number of alternative health remedies to heal himself, including fruitarian and vegan diets, acupuncture, herbal medicines, frequent bowel cleansings, hydrotherapy, positive thinking, and psychic consultations. He spent nine futile months wandering this yellow-brick road of medical denial before he consented to surgery. Did these nine moths cost him 30 or 40 years? Quite possibly, yes. It's fascinating to me that one of the great architects of our high-tech world succumbed in the end to old-fashioned, homespun medical superstition, if not hokum. How could a man so smart be so stupid?"

So, I will reprise the absolutely favorite video of last year, Librarians Do Gaga; and this time, please note the refrain "DON'T FORGET THE DATABASES!"