Lateral Reading for Information Evaluation

LATERAL READING: EVALUATING ONLINE INFORMATION LIKE A FACT CHECKER

With changes to the news cycle and information overload, the latest advice from researchers and experts is that educators across the curriculum teach students lateral reading, a method that professional fact checkers use. How exactly do we guide students to read laterally? Go beyond outdated advice about evaluation based on website domains and “about us” pages. Join us as we demonstrate new, practical approaches to evaluating online information that we have developed and practiced with students.

Learning Objective #1

Define lateral reading in the context of information literacy and establish the need for lateral reading skills to evaluate online information when researching in any curricular area.

Learning Objective #2

Learn specific techniques for evaluating websites/publishers, authors, articles, and facts/claims/evidence that may be immediately implemented with students.

Session Standard

ISTE 3b: Students evaluate the accuracy, perspective, credibility and relevance of information, media, data or other resources.