2026.10.24

CONT 951 – Module 4 – Technology and Personal and Social Competency

How can you evaluate the reliability and credibility of online information for STEM-related research and projects?

First, I can evaluate whether the source is an institution, blog, or media. Generally, I trust institutional sources and traditional media as more reliable than blog posts. I can use spelling, formatting, content, and syntax as potential indicators of a source’s quality. I can use Google Search and AI tools to gather evidence of an online source’s credibility.

How do you recognize the impact of technology on your personal well-being and social relationships?

I recognize technology’s impact on my personal well-being and social relationships by staying mindful of my screen time. I find that I am susceptible to the infinite-scroll mechanics of most social media platforms. I still feel I get value and learning from YouTube; however, I am finding myself on “YouTube Shorts” more often, which can lead to lost hours. I recognize that I feel emotionally drained after long sessions of scrolling YouTube Shorts.

Because of the likelihood I will fall into scrolling-induced black holes, I do not use social media like Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, X, TikTok, etc. without an explicit goal in mind. This means I check social media only every few months to catch up on missed messages or for research.

How do you help students navigate technological advancements?

I think students should be led to make their own decisions about the potential impacts of technological advancements. However, students may not have the media literacy to identify and seek reliable sources from multiple perspectives. Therefore, I play devil’s advocate with students and ask neutral questions to encourage them to consider multiple perspectives.

“I can…” Statements for the Personal and Social Competency regarding technological advancements

  • I can evaluate the effects of using technology on my well-being.
  • I can listen to perspectives from multiple sources to evaluate technology’s impact in personal, social, and utility-based contexts.
  • I can develop strategies to solve technology-related problems.
  • I can advocate for inclusive behaviour online.