Journal 8:  The Truth About the Pacific Tree Octopus  (NETS-T: 1 and 2)
 

Ferrell, K. (2011). Find the truth about the pacific tree octopus. learning and leading with technology, Retrieved from www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Learning_Connections_Find_the_truth_about_the_Pacific_tree_octopus.aspx 

The focus of this article is the fact that you cannot believe everything you read or find on the Internet.  As part of a research lesson, students in a fourth grade class were given 2 specific questions to research.  What students found were inaccuracies, blatant errors, untruths, and unreliable information.  These results prompted the students to discuss the authenticity of information, use of critical thinking when on the web, and its reliability.  Of course, the links given by the teacher to her students were done intentionally as part of the lesson.  Some of the information found on the explorers site had Columbus born in 1951 in Australia and died in 1906.  This article made me stop and think more about the reliability and accuracies found online. 

Questions 1:  What are ways I can use this lesson in a primary classroom?

First, I would check and read the entire article or information for its reliability before allowing my students to log onto a site.  Similar to the fourth grade lesson, my students and I would have a discussion that you can't always believe everything you find on the Internet.  

Question 2:  What are some suggestions for making sure your site is credible and accurate?
Since the article did not address this questions, I Googled:  "reliability online" and found a helpful site.  "Reliability of online Information" provided a checklist to follow:  credibility, accuracy, reasonableness, and support.