Teaching Website Evaluation

Why do we need Web Site evaluation? Today there is a huge amount of information on the Internet. We all need to be more discerning about the quality and accuracy of the information that we get off the Internet. Accurate information on the Internet should be attractively displayed and able to download in a timely fashion.

How do you start with your students? I start with a quick overview on how to use the Internet discussing each of the following: Internet Terminology (see Glossary of Terms) The Menu bar and icon bar of Internet Explorer How hyperlinks work

Off to a Web Site - Three Important Things I have the students go to the following site: The Whirled Bank Group I ask the students to find the three most important pieces of information on this site. Click on the hyperlink above to see the site. OR you can use Clones R US.

What is important about this web site? Actually, there is only ONE important fact about this web site and it is found on the web page entitled IEEHA. It clearly states that The Whirled Bank Group is a spoof on the World Bank. And one important fact (found in About Us) "DreamTech exists in a different dimension. As you've hopefully realized, this site is a spoof site, which simulates one possible ramification from advances in cloning science."

Why do I use this website? Technically, this web site is well done. The most important thing about a web site is that the information on it is TRUSTWORTHY and CREDIBLE. This web site proves that not everything on the Internet is true.

Criteria for evaluating a web site. Credibility Content Design Features Technical Elements

What instrument do I use? Web Site Evaluation for Intermediate Grades It is important to have students fill out the top of the form with URL on it. Have students write three sentences to sum up their thoughts on the web site. I go through and thoroughly explain the terminology used on the Web Site Evaluation form.

Review Searching the Internet It is important to review with all your students Internet searching techniques. For more information on this subject, go to Searching the Internet

The Final Steps Using a topic that is currently being discussed in the classroom, I have students working in small groups do a search on the Internet with each group using a different search engine. I have students share what their searches have found and how different their results are. Students have to select one of the web sites obtained from their search and review it.

Why do we need Web Site evaluation?	How do you start with your students?	Off to a web site - Three Important Things	What is important about this web site?
Why do I use this website?	Criteria for evaluating web sites.	What instrument do I use?	Review searching the Internet
Final Steps		Bottom of Page