Topic 2: Reflection

Looking back at my last blog, I learned that our personal learning networks can be restricted due to digital differences. This week, I have been able to further develop my understanding of online learning as I researched and evaluated the reliability of online sources.

I came across various concepts such as ‘filter bubbles’ and ‘echo chambers’ and the damaging impact of ‘fake news’, which I illustrate and discuss in my Topic 2 blog. More importantly, I realised how such algorithm bias’ have impacted my own Internet use through social networking sites such as Facebook, and how my real life decisions have been influenced, which I briefly discussed with Chloe on my blog.  She pointed out research which found that users who come across content with differing opinions are less likely to engage on such sites, which I can subconsciously relate to.

Additionally, I have learnt that our skills which allow us to assess authenticity of online information largely stems from digital education, which I have discussed individually with multiple bloggers: Bivash, Karishma and Sam.

Bivash interestingly pointed out how ‘traditional education’ vs new digital education affects our relation with filter bubbles:

Created by Yusra Huque-Dowlet using Piktochart

More over, Karishma also presents light towards a new game which aims to help young people spot ‘fake news’ more efficiently, supporting mine and Bivash’s attitude towards the importance of digital education. However, I still believe, despite new forms of education, we must also incorporate other strategies such as supporting investigative journalism and reduce financial incentives for fake news, to ensure all Internet users are addressed (not just the new generation).

Through my evaluation I have realised fact-checking is a good starting point when addressing online information.

Created by Yusra Huque-Dowlet using Piktochart

Ultimately, improving our media literacy skills and checking the reliability and authenticity of sources allows us to thrive in a ‘social media driven world’.

Word Count: 301 words

My comment on Bivash’s blog

My comment on Karishma’s blog

References:

• A.Kakur (2018) BBC launches ‘fake news’ game for young people that puts them at ‘heart of newsroom’ amid a breaking news story. Available at: http://pressgazette.co.uk/bbc-launches-fake-news-game-for-young-people-that-puts-them-at-heart-of-newsroom-amid-a-breaking-news-story/
• C.Grevet, L.G.Terveen, E.Gilbert (2014). Managing political differences in social media. In Proceedings of the 17th ACM conference on Computer supported cooperative work & social computing (pp. 1400-1408) Available at: https://experts.umn.edu/en/publications/managing-political-differences-in-social-media
• Beck.L. (2017) Fact Checking in a Fast-Paced Social Media Driven World. Tedtalk

Topic 2: Assessing Online Information

 

Social media is currently the fastest carrier of information, providing instant news much quicker to a wider audience, as opposed to more traditional news outlets and sources (John Hopkins Sheridan Library, 2017). Though, when we evaluate the differences between print sources and online information we are able to identify distinctions between the quality of sources and how to be wary when using online sources.

Created by Yusra Huque-Dowlet using Piktochart. Reference: Elmer E. Rasmuson Library (2015)

 

It is obvious that there can be more ambiguity and bias when using online sources compared to print sources, however, we still continue to use the Internet for retrieving large amounts of information due to easy access, convenience and also the opportunity to share and express opinions on topics and issues with both like minded and not so like like minded web users.

But by using the Internet, are we really exploring a wider range of information and broadening our views?

Eli Pariser in this TED Talk below explains the dangers of online ‘filter bubbles’ and how we might actually be narrowing our worldview through personalised searches on the Web.

 

Created by Yusra Huque-Dowlet using Piktochart. Reference:University of Southampton (2017)

 

While it is not easy to assess the reliability of online sources, due to numerous difficulties, there are many factors we must take into consideration which help make evaluation of information a lot easier.

 

 

 

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“Media Literacy is a 21st century approach to education. It provides a framework to access, analyze, evaluate and create messages in a variety of forms – from print to video to the Internet. Media literacy builds an understanding of the role of media in society as well as essential skills of inquiry and self-expression necessary for citizens of a democracy” (Thoman and Jolls, 2005).

It is important that we ask ourselves these questions when evaluating our Internet sources to allow a thorough critical analysis.

Created by Yusra Huque-Dowlet using Piktochart. References:University of Edinburgh (2017),Georgetown University (2017),John Hopkins Sheridan Library (2017)

Reference:Horizon (n.d.).

“Education is a counterbalance to filter bubbles.” – Bill Gates

 

Word Count: 295

References:

• Horizon (n.d.). UnBias: Emancipating Users Against Algorithmic Biases for a Trusted Digital Economy. Available at: https://www.horizon.ac.uk/project/unbias-emancipating-users-against-algorithmic-biases-for-a-trusted-digital-economy/
• University of Southampton (2017) Data Literacy. Available at: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/learning-network-age/4/steps/303355. 
• Thoman, E., & Jolls, T. (2005). Media literacy education: Lessons from the center for media literacy. In G. Schwartz & P. U. Brown (Eds.), Media literacy: Transforming curriculum and teaching (Vol. 104, 2005, pp. 180 -205). Malden, MA: National Society for the Study of Education
• University of Edinburgh (2017) How to Evaluate Website Content. Available at: https://www.ed.ac.uk/information-services/library-museum-gallery/finding-resources/library-databases/databases-overview/evaluating-websites 
• Georgetown University (2017) Evaluating Internet Resources. Available at:https://www.library.georgetown.edu/tutorials/research-guides/evaluating-internet-content
• John Hopkins Sheridan Library (2017) Evaluating Information. Available at:http://guides.library.jhu.edu/c.php?g=202581&p=1335031 
• Elmer E. Rasmuson Library (2015) Evaluating Information Resources. Available at:https://library.uaf.edu/ls101-evaluation
• Eli Pariser (2011) Beware online “filter bubbles”. Ted.com. Available at: https://www.ted.com/talks/eli_pariser_beware_online_filter_bubbles