Internet Literacy

Internet literacy

Today the internet has an important role and great potential in educational life. It is also used specifically and widely in second language learning all over the world. Information on the Internet, particularly the World Wide Web, seems to be exploding with each passing day. Just as we don't believe everything we hear on the radio, read in a newspaper, or see on TV, we can not believe everything on the Internet.

Students use the Internet for a variety of reasons; for entertainment, to meet friends, to play games. As well students access the Internet for educational purposes in researching information, preparing papers, compiling presentations and doing homework. Some even submit work and communicate with their teachers using email, etc. There is no doubt about the potential of the Internet as an educational tool, but there are many issues surrounding Internet usage that are having a direct impact on students.

One of the main concerns of legitimate Internet use revolves around the ability to distinguish fact from fiction. How do we determine authority and relevancy on the Internet? There are five basic criteria that we can use to evaluate Internet sites, which are very similar to the criteria used for evaluating other resources.

Accuracy
Authority
Objectivity
Currency
Coverage

Accuracy
Almost anyone can publish a web site, and no standards for checking accuracy have been fully developed. Here are some questions to ask when evaluating for the accuracy of a site.

Does the author cite the sources of information he or she used to develop the site?
Is it possible to verify the legitimacy of these sources?
Does the background of the author indicate knowledge of the subject covered?
If the site is research-based, does the author clearly identify the method of research and the data gathered?

Authority
Because publishing on the Web is so easy, determining the author's expertise relevant to the topic covered is essential. Ask yourself the following questions to determine the author's credibility.
Do you recognize the author's name?
If you don't recognize the name, what type of information is given about the author?
Position?
Organizational affiliation?
E-mail address?
Biographical information?
Was the site referenced in a document or web site that you trust?
Remember: beware if the author's name is not evident. If the author's name is present, sometimes it is difficult to determine the author's credibility. Determine the level of importance the author's expertise is to the overall site.
By looking at the address of the site you should be able to determine if the site is:
Ø Government site...... look for .gov in the address.
Ø Commercial site...... look for .com in the address.
Ø Education site......... look for .edu in the address.
Ø Network site........... look for .net in the address.
Ø Organization........... look for .org in the address.

Objectivity
Any published source, print or non-print, is rarely 100% objective. The Internet has become a highly utilized arena for all types of publishing. Determining the author's point of view or bias is very important when evaluating a web site.

Determine: what is the aim of the author or organization publishing the site.
What is the purpose of the web site:
Is it advertisement for a product or service?
Is it for political purposes?
Is it trying to sway public opinion on a social issue?
Do you trust the author or organization providing the information?

Currency
Being aware of the currency of the information given on a web site is pertinent to the overall evaluation of a site. The currency of the information presented is crucial if the top covered updates rapidly, such medical or travel information. However, keep in mind that not all types of information need to be dated within the last 6-12 months.

Is a date clearly displayed?
Can you determine what the date refers to?
When the page was first written?
When the page was first posted on the Internet?
When the page was last revised or updated?
The copyright date? Find out more about copyright issues.
Are the resources used and information provided by the author current?
Does the page content demand routine or continual updating or revision?
Do the links on the page point to the correct Internet site addresses?

Coverage
Coverage can be difficult to determine because the nature of a site's coverage may be different than a print resource. However, you should examine these points.

Are the topics covered on the site explored in depth?
Are the links in the site comprehensive or used as examples?
In the site, are the links provided relevant and appropriate?
How useful is the information provided for the topic area?

In short, be skeptical and go in with yours eyes open and remember these points:
Verifiability: Are the claims made verifiable? Are accurate, traceable sources of statements and statistics given? Are the statements made based upon first-hand knowledge or research or hearsay? Are unnamed sources used?
Timeliness: Is the information given current? When was the last time the page was updated? Are new sites or entries so designated?
Relevance: Is the material truly relevant? Are the authors trying to compare apples and oranges? Is the material full of broad generalizations that are not clearly substantiated?
Bias: Is the language used loaded? Are points of view given that show a range of opinion? Are information producers from all stripes listed? Are the links only to sites of one or two segments of the issue? Are politically charged labels used frequently? Does the author resort primarily to emotional appeals?
Orderliness: Is the page arranged in an order that makes sense? Can you identify the underlying assumptions? Are the points made throughout the page consistent?
Clarity: Is the information clearly stated? Does the author use obscure language or fail to define important terms? Are statements ambiguous?
Validity: Is the information given out of context? Are the data used compatible? Are there sufficient data to make a point? Are relevant data omitted? Do the facts as presented support the conclusion?
Though the internet use in second and foreign language learning has brought certain advantages, it carries some disadvantages.

Advantages
Internet use increases language use and acquisition of second language.
Internet motivates learners to use English in their daily lives and provides functional communicative experiences.
Communication with native speakers allows learners to practice specific skills such as negotiating, persuading, clarifying meaning, requesting information, and engaging in true-life, authentic discussion.
The internet gives the opportunity to construct knowledge together by expressing themselves in print and then assessing, evaluating, comparing, and reflecting on their own views and those of others.
It is a useful medium for communication with native speakers in real situations, improving writing skills, teaching of culture learning about the target culture.

Disadvantages
Communication with native speakers affects reading, listening, speaking and writing skills defectively for.
The internet improves communicational and language skills, the significant point is that teachers and learners are not sometimes aware of why, how, whom and where they teach and learn.
Though a mass of materials in the internet can be found, integration of the materials into second language curriculum is a potential difficulty.
Internet use in language learning and teaching may be the waste of time if it does not depend on a language curriculum.