New Section

In this section, the speaker introduces the topic of using digital resources to find information effectively and highlights the importance of critical evaluation when searching for information online.

Importance of Effective Information Searching

• Indigenous people from the Arctic have 100 different words for snow.

• The speaker questions whether we are effectively using digital resources to find information in our daily lives.

• Examples of common online searches include train schedules, weather forecasts, and messages from tutors in distance learning courses.

• The need to think about effective ways to search for information is emphasized.

New Section

This section focuses on the challenges of finding reliable information on the internet and emphasizes the importance of critically evaluating sources.

Challenges in Finding Reliable Information

• The internet is filled with vast amounts of information, making it crucial to determine the best way to find reliable sources.

• Search engines like Google or Bing are commonly used but require critical evaluation of websites they link to.

• Social media platforms can be sources of information but also contain incorrect or deliberately fake content.

• Questioning everything found online is advised for all aspects of life, including distance learning needs.

New Section

This section explores why caution is necessary when using online resources for searching information.

Caution When Using Online Resources

• Incorrect information can easily be found online, leading to poor academic performance if used in assignments.

• An analogy is made with incorrect train times resulting in a long walk home.

• The focus shifts towards discussing how to ensure accurate usage of online information.

New Section

This section discusses strategies for finding and utilizing credible sources while conducting research online.

Strategies for Finding Credible Sources

• Building a list of trusted sources with high credibility is essential.

• Tutors can assist in identifying reliable sources, but learners should also evaluate online sources themselves.

• Online forums and wikis like Quora, Yahoo Answers, and Wikipedia can be starting points for research but should not be relied upon solely.

• Academic search engines such as Google Scholar or REFSEEK are recommended for distance learners.

• Untrusted sources, including social media, often contain incorrect information that requires further research to verify credibility.

New Section

This section highlights the importance of avoiding online plagiarism and the necessity of citing references.

Avoiding Online Plagiarism

• Plagiarism refers to taking someone else's work and claiming it as one's own, which has serious consequences in academic study.

• Looking at others' work is acceptable but proper citation is required to avoid plagiarism.

• Distance learner providers typically provide guidelines on how to cite references.

The transcript ends here.