Hi. I appreciate the replies to my request for ways to teach web site
bias to middle school students. The responses are below:
Please share this with all of us. I think this is difficult at all
levels. Thanks!
One source to look at if you have not run across is yet is this one:
http://www.quick.org.uk/menu.htm
It is full of information. A LOT to share with students and keep their
attention. But - it can be shared 1 section at a time. It is extremely
well done. The section on bias (checkpoint 7) is a bit simplistic - but
perhaps it could be expanded upon.
Jacquie
________________________________________________________________________
I live in an area with lots of sports "rivalries". So I say something
like, "would you trust a book about Purdue football written by a Hoosier
football fan?" Sometimes I have to use highschools as an example.
Good Luck,
Linda Shanks
________________________________________________________________________
Davinna,
I teach an evaluation unit to high schoolers. I've gone from the
Authority, Bias, Content, Date (ABCD) to a Who (author), Why (bias),
What (content), When (date). They seem to grasp the concepts more
easily. As far as the bias is concerned, I concentrate on the "why" or
aim of the site and use the Democrat and Republican homepages,
explaining that bias doesn't necessarily mean there are untruths on the
page, but that the information can be slanted to a viewpoint.
HTH,
Holly :)
________________________________________________________________________
_
The example I use is reports of a school dance. Three different kids
report
on the dance for the NS newspaper. One very popular kids went iwth a
bunch
of friends. [here imageine what her report would be like] A second went
even though none of his friends went. [imagine] A third wen even
though
she didn't feel loike she had any firends, but she loved to dance, and
her
older brother was firends with the DJ. [imagine] You are likely to have
3
very different versions of the same dance.
Or use a sports contest--one of reeach team, and one best friends with
the
star, etc. You get the idea. Bias doesn't mean wrong, it just may be a
partial account, with emphasis on one part without mention of other
perfectly important parts.
Hope that helps
Maureen S. Irwin
________________________________________________________________________
___
-----Original Message-----
From: School Library Media & Network Communications
[mailto:LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Davinna
Sent: Saturday, November 19, 2005 10:13 AM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: MID: Teaching Web Site Bias
Hi. I recently taught 8th graders how to evaluate web sites using ABCs
(Author, Bias, and Currency). However, most didn't seem to grasp
'bias', despite my attempts to explain it as prejudice or information
that is influenced by opinion or giving information on only one side of
an issue. Do any of you have suggestions on how to present bias in a
way that middle school students can grasp?
Thank you,
Davinna Artibey
Library Media Specialist
Horace Mann Middle School
Denver, CO 80211
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
* LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
* LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LM_NET
Mailing List Home