This week, we learned about evaluating
sources and for this post, I examined a current educational topic and its
coverage by one credible and one non-credible source. As it is a hot EdTech topic
currently (Randles, 2018), the topic I examined was the use of Virtual Reality (VR)
in the classroom.
VR is “an artificial,
computer-generated simulation [that] immerses the users by making them feel
like they are experiencing the simulated reality firsthand” (Schrock, 2017). This
technology has been around for a while but is now more affordable so many have
thought of how it can be implemented in the classroom, such as through virtual
tours of sites on earth or even outer space (Brown & Green, 2016).
With regard to evaluating sources, a
source is credible if it is considered true based upon good authority,
accuracy, and relevance. A source is non-credible if its verity cannot be
proved because one or more of these aspects is in question (Conners &
Moraes, ed., n.d.).
Applying this to information on VR applications
in the classroom, I found a credible source via a search through Cairn
University’s Masland Library link. Having entered
search terms of “virtual reality in education” and “classroom,” and limiting the
results by English-language, peer-reviewed, academic journals on “educational
technology” within the last few years, I found an article entitled “Virtual
Reality: Low-Cost Tools and Resources for the Classroom” (Brown & Green,
2016). This search process demonstrated the article’s credibility: it is a
peer-reviewed article in an academic journal accessible to a community of
scholars through a university library database. The journal is affiliated with
the Association for Educational Communications and Technology, and the authors
of the article are both university professors. The research rests upon and
lists other excellent sources.
On the other hand, I found another source
via a 0.26 second Google search of the terms “virtual reality in the classroom.”
First on the list of 33,300,000 results was a page entitled “Virtual
Reality in the Classroom: 3 Real-world Applications” (LaPierre, 2018). This
is a blog post on a “.com” website, primarily concerned with advertising and
selling educational games. One noticeable difference from the journal article was
the fun feel of the site. The bold title of the article grabs your attention,
and a box pops up to ask you to enter personal information to “stay connected.”
It was difficult to find information about the author; the most I could tell
was that he is a Marketing Assistant. The blog post itself provided very basic
information, interspersed with videos, links, and hashtags, but no reference
list. I would feel bad labeling it a “non-credible source,” but I would definitely
not consider it a credible source from which to cite any scholarly information.
This was a helpful process in
evaluating sources that I hope to model in turn with my students. I could do
this by projecting two sources on the Smartboard and applying credibility
criteria to them as a class, giving helpful practical experience.
References:
Brown,
A. B., & Green, T. T. (2016). Virtual Reality: Low-cost tools and resources
for the classroom. Techtrends: Linking Research & Practice To
Improve Learning, 60(5), 517-519. doi:10.1007/s11528-016-0102-z
Conners,
J., & Moraes, F. (Ed.). (n.d.). What
is a credible source? How to evaluate web resources. Retrieved from https://www.whoishostingthis.com/resources/credible-sources/
LaPierre,
J. (2018, April 19). Virtual Reality in
the classroom: 3 real-world applications. Retrieved from http://www.filamentgames.com/single-post/virtual-reality-classroom-3-real-world-applications
Randles,
J. (2018, April 25). The 9 hottest topics
in EdTech. Retrieved from https://www.iste.org/explore/articleDetail?articleid=674
Schrock,
K. (2017, August 1). August 2017:
Augmented reality in the classroom. Retrieved from http://blog.discoveryeducation.com/blog/2017/08/01/augmentedreality/#
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