Hobbs' Five Critical Questions Leading to Digital Literacy
There's a new skill set being included in our school curricula. The content is not really new to students--they've been teaching their teachers these skills since the early 1990's. This is why it is important for teachers to gain current knowledge and skills related to Digital Literacy. For example graduate student Mary Alice Hudson discovered a unique online game for teaching digital literacy skills. Gaming is highly motivational and a catalyst for the ongoing research in use of games for motivation in learning. In addition, students are challenged to use information effectively for college and workplace readiness. In the course EDTC 6070 Digital Literacy in K12 Classrooms (See Instructional Technology programs MSITE), graduate students use an analysis and evaluation template designed by Dr. Renee Hobbs ( Hobbs, p. 66, 2011). The Five Critical Questions model was designed as a tool for evaluating digital resources for credibility and accuracy. There are several resources associated with research in Information and Digital Literacy and are designed to facilitate the research process in K12 classrooms. Hobbs' model is different from lock-step methods typically used to guide students in completing an assignment to conduct research. Five Critical Questions are posed in such a way as to help students look deeply into the motivation of authors or publishers. Students ask, "Who is the author and what credentials are presented to ensure appropriate background and knowledge base qualifies content on the website?" The student researcher also looks at bias and how this might affect the reader. How might the student report biases as alternative viewpoints in a positive manner? Analysis of digital information to identify source of information and political, social, and cultural connections are important skills associated with digital literacy. |
Abstract digital background.
Globe based on public-domain NASA. Students should learn copyright laws for all formats of information, including use of images. |
See below reports submitted by students in EDTC 6070. Students posed a question of interest, searched digital resources, analyzed information for reliability and accuracy, investigated authors and publishers, and summarized their information to present reports and conclusions in the Take Action project. The presentations are an indication of the quality of their reports using a systematic approach to document analysis.
- Social Media in the Classroom
- Physical Activity in Middle Schools
- Homework
- Life After High School
- Five Ways to Become an Upstander
- Parent Involvement
- Fibonacci Spiral
- NC Teacher Pay
- High School Graduation
- $7,562
- 1:1 Technology Initiative
- Effects of School Leadership on School Performance
- To Retain or Promote?
- Canvas in 21st Century Learning
- Are High School Students Getting Enough Sleep?
- Credibility of a Website
- Diversity of Education in Lenoir County
Hobbs, R. (2011) Digital and Media Literacy. Thousand Oak, California, Corwin Press.
