الأسبوع 21 · المحور الثالث، الدرس ٧ «كيفية اختيار المصادر المتاحة عبر الإنترنت»: المكتبات والخرائط والمتاحف الإلكترونية · 3 دروس
2
Meta information: is this site reliable?
ICT P5 Term 2, Theme 3: pp. 34–37
GoalUse the short description under a search result and the bottom of a page to judge whether a site is reliable.
New words
meta information · the short description of a site that a search engine shows under its linkreliable · correct and honest, so you can trust itcopyright notice · a line at the bottom of a page that says who owns the contentcontact details · ways to reach the people behind a website
Explanation
When a search engine gives results, each link has a few lines under it. This is its meta information: key words and a short description of what is inside. Read it before you click, because it tells you if the site fits your question. Once you are on a page, scroll to the bottom. A reliable site usually shows a copyright notice, a logo, contact details and sometimes icons for other pages. If a site hides who made it, or has no way to contact them, be careful. Reliable signs help, but they are not a guarantee, so compare with a second source and ask your teacher.
Clue
Good sign
Warning sign
Description under the link
matches my question
full of exciting claims
Copyright notice
names who owns the content
missing
Contact details
a way to reach the people
none at all
Other sources
say the same fact
disagree a lot
Worked examples
Seif searches ‘Egyptian pyramids history’. Result 1 says: ‘A clear history of the pyramids, with maps and pictures, written for pupils.’ Result 2 says: ‘You will not believe these SECRETS!!!’ Seif reads the first one.
Rahma scrolls to the bottom of a page. She sees a copyright notice, a logo and a Contact page. These are good signs. She also compares the fact with her book before she uses it.
Omar finds a page with no name, no contact and no date. He cannot tell who wrote it. He leaves the page and asks his teacher for a better source.
Class activity
Judge three invented results. Write on paper: Result A: ‘Easy facts about the River Nile for young learners. Pictures, map and glossary.’ Result B: ‘BUY NOW!!! Cheap! Click here!!!’ Result C: ‘Notes about the Nile – no author and no date.’ For each, decide: open it, avoid it, or open with care? Write one reason from the meta information. Then write four things you would look for at the bottom of the page after opening A.
Practice
1
What is meta information?
The short description a search engine shows under a link.
2
Name two things you may find at the bottom of a reliable page.
A copyright notice and contact details (also a logo).
3
A page hides who made it and has no contact. What should you do?
Be careful, compare with another source and ask a teacher.
4
Why should you compare a fact with a second source?
