How to Evaluate, Use, and Cite Sources

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This educational video uses an engaging narrative about a fictional "sea monster" sighting in the town of Sourceville to teach students essential information literacy skills. Through the character of Mia, a robot investigator, the video breaks down how to navigate the sea of information by distinguishing between reliable facts and unverified rumors. It addresses the real-world problem of misinformation spreading via social media and provides a structured approach to verifying claims. The content covers several key themes central to research and writing skills: differentiating between primary and secondary sources, evaluating source credibility based on author credentials and publication dates, and the ethical use of information. It explicitly teaches the mechanics of avoiding plagiarism through quoting, paraphrasing, and citing sources. The video demonstrates specific techniques for paraphrasing, such as using synonyms and changing sentence structure, rather than just swapping a few words. For educators, this video serves as an excellent introduction to research projects or a standalone lesson on media literacy. It simplifies complex academic concepts like "credibility" and "citation" into concrete, relatable examples. The video includes built-in pause points for active learning, allowing students to practice identifying source types and paraphrasing text alongside the narrator. It is particularly useful for upper elementary and middle school students learning to write research papers or navigate online information.