LibGuides: Spartan Savvy: Integrative Model for Information Literacy: Authority Is Constructed and Contextual

Definition

Authority Is Constructed and Contextual

"Information resources reflect their creators’ expertise and credibility, and are evaluated based on the information need and the context in which the information will be used. Authority is constructed in that various communities may recognize different types of authority. It is contextual in that the information need may help to determine the level of authority required."

Activities covering the Authority Is Constructed and Contextual concept:

Authority is Contextual and Constructed: Class Discussion of Authorship
Students read two very different sources from the same author and discuss which is more scholarly, which has more authority, without knowing they are from the same author.
Considering Tweet Credibility
After watching a video on credibility, students are presented with two tweets on the same topic to compare and the credibility of the tweets and creators is discussed.
Constructing our own Authority
Using a handout, students are asked to reflect on their own authority.
Exploring Expertise
Students will research the validity and credibility of claims made by experts quoted in different popular news sources.
Pin the Source on the Spectrum
Pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey activity and discussion using Vanessa Otero’s Media Bias chart.
Scholarly to Popular
Students will assess how the findings of a scholarly article were presented in the popular media.
What Makes Someone an Expert?
Students will identify someone who is an authority on a subject and examine the aspects that make that person an expert.