In this assessment, students are presented with an Instagram post from @newarklibrarynjroom and asked how much they trust the post as a source of information about New Jersey history. To answer this question successfully, students should read laterally about the Newark Public Library’s New Jersey Room, which was renamed the “Charles F. Cummings New Jersey Information Center” in 2006. Students should conclude that the center is a generally trustworthy source of information because its collection is dedicated to local history and it receives funding from the New Jersey Historical Commission.
Level: Proficient
Student considers who is behind the post and explains why the New Jersey Information Center is a trustworthy source for learning about Newark history.
Level: Emergent
Student considers who is behind the organization but does not fully explain why the New Jersey Information Center would be a trustworthy source of information.
Level: Basic
Student does not consider who is behind the post and/or focuses on irrelevant considerations, like the quality of the photo, the amount of information it presents, the amount of engagement it has received from users, or the trustworthiness of Instagram or social media platforms overall (without considering the organization behind the post).