Website Evaluation

“Cautious Consumption of Information”

Kristine Woods, Media Specialist

Teasley Middle School

Internet: The Be All End All for Information?

The author is a doctor, the info must be good All information on the Internet is reliable Everything on the Internet is current info I don’t need to check the facts, they’re on the

Internet The info on the first search hit is all I need to

know

Healthy Skepticism

Internet is open to all…

Use critical thinking to

question information you find on the Internet

Website Evaluation

Website Evaluation

How do I critically evaluate a website?

5 W’s

Who What When Where Why

Video

WHO? a.k.a Authority Is it clear who has written the information?

Author’s name and qualifications Biography of author Link to main organization’s page Phone number or address Is material copyrighted Domain type – look at URL

Check it out!

http://www.thedogisland.com

http://www.dhmo.org

WHAT? a.k.a Coverage and Accuracy What is the purpose/aim of the site? Can the info be verified elsewhere?

Fulfill purpose/aim Ease of use Audience for info Quality Sources of info, verifiable Charts/Graphs clearly labeled

Check it out!

http://www.thedogisland.com

http://www.dhmo.org

WHEN?a.k.a Currency When was the site created? Updated?

Dates – written, uploaded, revised Indications info kept current Data gathered timeframe

Check it out!

http://www.thedogisland.com

http://www.dhmo.org

WHERE?a.k.a Objectivity Where does the info come from?

More info on sponsor – where is it Public service info Advertising vs. Info content Bias or Balanced view

fact or opinion Credibility

fact or fiction Common sense

Check it out!

http://www.thedogisland.com

http://www.dhmo.org

WHY?a.k.a Relevancy Does the site help me answer my question?

List five things you want to know from site Info useful to me? Should I use it? Better than another source? Advice, other ideas

Check it out!

http://www.thedogisland.com READ DISCLAIMER

http://www.dhmo.org

Dog Island Search

How do you cite a web page?

Title of Internet site. Site author (if known). Date created. Sponsoring organization. Access date. <URL>

Dog Island Free Forever. 2003. The Dog Island. 30 October 2005. http://www.thedogisland.com/

Now you try…

1. http://www.dhmo.org/

2. http://home.inreach.com/kumbach/velcro.html

3. http://zapatopi.net/treeoctopus.html

4. http://descy.50megs.com/mankato/mankato.html

5. http://www.sudftw.com/jackcon.htm

6. http://www.dreamweaverstudios.com/moonbeam/moon.htm

7. http://www.mcwhortle.com/

8. http://www.brookview.karoo.net/Sellafield_Zoo/

3-2-1 Evaluation

Three things I learned today

Two things I still have questions about

One comment about today’s lesson

Bibliography

Evaluating Web Resources. 1996. Alexander, J. and Tate, M. 10 October 2004 http://www2.widener.edu/Wolfgram-Memorial-Library/webevaluation/inform.htm

Evaluating Web Pages: Techniques to Apply & Questions to Ask. 2004. Regents of the University of California. 10 October 2004 http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Evaluate.html

The Five W’s of Web Site Evaluation. 2003. Schrock, Kathy. 10 October 2004 http://kathyschrock.net/abceval/5ws.pdf

ICYouSee: T is for Thinking. 2004. Henderson, John R. 10 October 2004. http://www.ithaca.edu/library/Training/hott.html

The Quality Information Checklist. 2000. HDA and CHIQ. 24 October 2004 http://www.quick.org.uk/menu.htm