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COMM 4 Gentile

Summary of the report "Information Literacy in the Age of Algorithms" in comic form, covering concepts of data mining and algorithm bias amplify misinformation and polarization

Persuasive Speech

Homework:  Bring one good source on your topic

Open a Google Doc to document your sources.

Still looking for a topic? 

Review Your Starting Source

  • Why is this source helpful?

  • Why is this source persuasive?

  • What kind of evidence does this source site?

Find Additional Sources

Think about finding diverse sources on your topic.  You want to go beyond the basics and find a wide range of perspectives and expert opinions.  Try these options, or check in with the librarian about your topic:

Where to start:  Background Information
Where to find current news, polls, and statistics
Where to find  in-depth studies and analysis 

Complete List of Cabrillo Databases

Try Finding One of Each

  • A background sources
  • Current news or statistics
  • A more in-depth study by a recognized expert

True Cost

Exploring Products & Identifying Keywords

Wikipedia

  • Search for your product area. Identify background information, companies, brands & keywords (e.g. beewax wrap, reusable bags, single-use plastic, environment). 

Newspapers

  • Use your keywords to search for a product area  and specific products in U.S. Newsstream

Advanced Searching

Company Reports

  • Search for products & product areas in Business Source Premier
  • Identify keywords & NAICS codes relevant to the product area
  • For large, publically traded companies you may be able to find a company reports 

Search Everything

  • Use you keywords and NAICS codes to search for additional information in OneSearch

Conspiracy Theories

Conspiracy Theories

Algorithms & Conspiracy Theories

Information Literacy in the Age of Algorithms (pgs. 3-8)

  • How do algorithms filter the news we see about the world?
  • What are the social and political ramifications of algorithms and how they influence our understanding of current events?
  • How do algorithms encourage the spread of conspiracy theories?

Identify a Conspiracy Theory to Investigate

  • Conspiracy Theories Podcast
  • Consider the questions:
    • What is behind this conspiracy theory?
    • What fears and anxieties does this conspiracy theory speak to?
    • What social and cultural work does this conspiracy theory do?