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Computer Class

Digital Literacy

Reading doesn't just happen with books and paper based text, but also happens with digital devices such as desktops, laptops, tablets, and phones.  Learning how to navigate the web effectively is important in today's world.  Can you spot fake news? Do you know which websites you can trust? What can you do to find reliable resources? This page can help with all these questions and more. 

Digital literacy covers many different aspects of interacting with computers and the internet. Each aspect works in conjunction with others and is interconnected. This page will focus mainly on functional skills, ability to find information, and critical thinking skills.
 

desk lamp
digital literacy contains: functional skills, creativity, critical thinking, cultural and social understanding, collaboration, the ability to find and select information, effective communication, and e-safety

Functional skills

 

How did you get to this website?  Did you use a mouse?  Did you use a search engine? Did you follow a link? Chances are that you did at least one of these and used these functional skills to navigate online. It is important to know basics such as these to work effectively on the web.  Did you know that google is not the only search engine that exists?  Did you know that after typing in the search bar that the results you see are not ordered by how accurate the sites are? You may have to dig into the results (by previewing and skimming) and even look at page 2 and 3 to find sites that fit your purpose.

 

When searching for material for a research paper you may want to use google scholar. This search engine is designed to give you academic studies and research rather than just any website. When you find a website or document you like you can use "command" + F or "control" + F keys on your keyboard to open a search bar to find specific words on that site. Knowing how search engines work and modifying the words you use to find information can greatly enhance your experience on the internet. 

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cute robot on laptop

Critical Thinking Skills

The term "critical thinking" has been tossed around a lot lately. What do you think it means?  Being able to use logic and make meaningful connections through reason is part of it, but there is more.  We should be aware of areas of our thinking in which common errors occur. 

 

Logical fallacies are flaws in thinking or an argument which can be proven wrong through use of reason. Cognitive bias occurs when aspects of the way the brain sorts and interprets information create errors or allows manipulation. For example, studies have shown that the more often a statement is repeated the more likely we are to believe it is true.  This happens even when we know it isn't true! Just the aspect of repetition can fool our brains into acceptance.  Does this mean all repeated statements are false?  Absolutely not.  It only means we have a tendency to accept what is said repeatedly even without investigation. 

 

When there is evidence of truth and statements hold up to logical scrutiny than we can have greater trust. Knowing about these kinds of problems in perception can help us think more clearly and avoid errors. 

Image by Tingey Injury Law Firm of "The Thinker" statue which is a man seated with his chin resting on his hand deep in thought

Check out this Ted-Ed video explaining the apples and oranges fallacy also called "false equivalence". You can also click on the icons below for more information and downloadable documents on critical thinking, fallacies, and cognitive bias.

Critical thinking
 

Common logical fallacies with information on Ad Hominem, Straw Man, and Slippery slope

Logical fallacies
 

Cognitive Biases
 

Signs of Cognitive Bias text explaining biases with drawings of computer, four leaf clover, two people arguing, and other people thinking

Finding information:  Reliable Sources

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Having trustworthy information is important when viewing websites and researching online. You wouldn't want to trust a source that has been known to be faulty or sensationalized.  There are many sites that could contain errors or have blatant lies and some may even be scams! There a few simple steps that can help determine your information is valid

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  • Read from more than one source.  Try to find multiple sites that are not written or owned by the same person or organization.

  • Know which sites are credible and which may be unverified. 

  • Be skeptical but open to new information.  Carl Sagan said "It is good to be open minded, but not so open your brains fall out." 

  • Think about the evidence

Illustration of the brain

Books on critical thinking

The Fallacy Detective: Thirty-Eight Lessons on How to Recognize Bad Reasoning by Nathaniel Bluedorn

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The Art of Argument by Aaron Larsen

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What Do You Do With a Problem? by Kobi Yamada 

Books on digital literacy 

Information Now;  a Graphic Guide to Student Research by Matt Upson

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Digital Skills: Introduction to Digital Skills for Kids and Teen by Zaccheaus Adeyemi Ogunwale

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The Teen's Guide to Social Media... and Mobile Devices: 21 Tips to Wise Posting in an Insecure World by Jonathan McKee 

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Lee County Florida students can use the Sora app to access online school libraries and the Lee County Library system which also features digital content on Overdrive.

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