Educational Technology EDUC204 and the SIFT Method

Two strategies for tracing information are described below.

1. Reverse image search
2. Google search and the News tab

Proceed through the following information on this page in the order it is listed, following prompts as you go.

Setting the scene:

You overhear the following news clip on the television one evening and can't believe what you hear!

Can it really be true?! Let's find out.

Watch the video below and proceed through the rest of the contents in the order they're listed on this page.

The image shown below is mentioned in the news clip video you just watched.

Do Now:

Complete a reverse image search by following the steps:

1. Download and save the file of the image shown above
   • Select the file that is linked below the image
   • Right click on the image and select Save Image As)
2. Go to Google.com
3. Select the camera icon in the search box
4. Upload the file that you saved
5. Browse the search results

Answer this:

Based on your exploration of the search results, was there a shark swimming along the highway after Hurricane Harvey?

So we looked into the shark swimming on the highway... but what about the hawk in a taxi cab?! 

Can that really be true?! Let's find out.

The image shown below is another that was mentioned in the news clip video.

Rather than the reverse image search strategy like we tried for the shark image, let's try a different strategy this time.

Another quick way to check information is to see if other outlets (maybe ones we have heard of before and recognize to be reliable) are giving similar information. 

Do Now:

Complete a Google search on the overall topic. In this case, let's search: hawk in taxi cab

Then select the News tab.

Answer this:

Based on your exploration of the search results, was there a hawk in a taxi cab after Hurricane Harvey?

Once you've come to your determination, and if there's time, watch the video linked below for further information about the image of the hawk in a taxi cab.

Come to a conclusion:

Now that you've looked into two pieces mentioned in the news clip, how do you feel about the reliability of the overall news clip? 

Do you trust it or would you rather find better coverage elsewhere? Now you have some tactics and ideas on how to do so.

While we traced two images, we can trace other information and source types.

The SIFT method is helpful when determining whether online information is reliable and trustworthy.

Think and reflect:

What sources (I.e. websites, news sources, blog posts, images, videos, etc.) might your future students need to apply the SIFT method to?

For example, how might you teach the SIFT method using something from social media, like TikTok or Instagram?