Staying Aware While Surfing the Web
By: Alexa Chante | Published: 12/27/22 at 10:00 AM EST | Last Edited: 12/27/22 at 10:00 AM EST
Staying aware while surfing the web is important as there is a lot of false information online. To help young people learn how to find reliable information from new forms of media, the Ontario Association for Media Literacy (AML) was established in 1987 to promote media literacy in Canadian schools. The curriculum, which is based on the media literacy philosophies of Australia and the UK, is currently taught to students in grades 8-12.
Media literacy is based on the following principles:
Media is a construct, meaning it is the result of choices made by its creators.
Life imitates media. Our behavior is often influenced by the media we consume.
We have agency, or the ability to interpret media in our own way.
Media is created to generate profit.
Media promotes certain ideologies and lifestyles.
The media shapes our personal politics.
Media is often biased and presents the same information differently through multiple sources.
No form of media is the same, so it is important to be open to different perspectives.
The “CRAAP Test”
To help evaluate the information found online, the University of Waterloo developed the CRAAP method [1]:
Currency: Check when the source was published, look for updates, make sure links are functional, and read other texts on the subject to verify information.
Relevancy: Make sure the information is applicable to your topic and appropriate for your audience.
Authority: Research the author and ensure they have the necessary expertise to write about the subject. Check who published the information and if they have a relevant background.
Accuracy: Verify that the information is clear and truthful. Look for proper grammar in the source.
Purpose: Determine the goal, perspective, or bias of the author. Consider the target audience, stated purpose, and any financial motivation. Be aware of your own biases as well.
In the age of information, it is crucial to find accurate and reliable sources. By using media literacy principles and tools like the CRAAP method, we can better understand and evaluate the media we encounter online [2].
Read more about this here:
"Bufton, M. (2021). Evaluating sources: Use the craap test. MacOdrum Library. Retrieved from https://library.carleton.ca/guides/subject/evaluating-sources-use-craap-test
Pungente, J. (2010). Canada's key concepts of media literacy. Center for Media Literacy. Retrieved from https://www.medialit.org/reading-room/canadas-key-concepts-media-literacy"