Avoid the Crap

How Much Should You Trust It?How to determine if a source of information is trustworthy.

What does the word trustworthy mean?

With your definition of trustworthy in mind, consider to what degree you trust the sources in the following two scenarios.

Scenario 1You were sick yesterday and missed school. A student who frequently sleeps in class claims that the teacher changed the test day from tomorrow to next week? How much should you trust this source? A. for the most partB. a little bitC. not at all

What answer did you select and why? What could be a consequence if the information this source presents is incorrect?

Scenario 2You have to write a report about a famous scientist for science class. You find a website that appears to have good information but is written by a student who attends Stuyvesant High School (one of the top schools in New York City). How much should you trust this source?A. for the most partB. a little bitC. not at all

What answer did you select and why? What could be a consequence if the information this source presents is incorrect?

The CRAP testConsider the following to determine if an information source is trustworthy.

C CurrencyR Reliability A AuthorityP Purpose

If your source is weak in any category then the information may be crap!

Currency: How up-to-date is the source? Does the information source have a publication date posted?When was the source created?When was the last update?

Reliability: How accurate is the source? What kind of information is included?How complete is the information?Does the information have grammar and/or spelling errors?

Authority: Who wrote the source? What individual or group authored the source?What are their credentials?Do the author(s) have first-hand experience with the topic?

Purpose: Why was the source created? Why did the author(s) create this source?Is the information biased or relies on stereotypes in any way?Does the source present mainly facts, opinions, or propaganda?

CRAP SCORING GUIDEQuestions to ask?ObservationsSource Evaluation1 trustworthy2 be wary 3 its crapExplain your rating.

C CurrencyIs the publication date posted?Is the information up to date?R ReliabilityIs the information complete?Are there grammar or spelling error?

A AccuracyWho wrote the source?Do the creator(s) have credentials or first hand experience about the topic?

P - PurposeWhy did the author(s) create the source?Is the information biased or relies om stereotypes?Does it present mainly facts, opinions or propaganda?

Practice Time The class will be divided into groups of three. Using the CRAP scoring guide, each group will evaluate the trustworthiness of two information sources found on an internet search engine. Afterwards, each student will receive an exit slip in which he or she will explain two attributes of a trustworthy source and one consequence of receiving information from unreliable sources.

Thank You!