ESSENTIAL QUESTION

why is it important to evaluate the source and validity of the information found on a Web site?


STUDENT STANDARD AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Technology Research Tools

• Students use technology to locate, evaluate and collect information from a variety of sources.
• Research and evaluate the accuracy, relevance, appropriateness, comprehensiveness, and bias of electronic information sources concerning real world problems.

MATERIALS (all files available at the bottom of the page)

• Inspiration® or online brainstorming tool, computer,  and projection device
• Critical evaluation tool for each student
• Internet access or hard copy of Web page for each student
• 5W's handout for each student
• The Important Book summarizer sheet

PROCEDURE

1. Using Inspiration® or an online brainstorming tool and the computer and/or the IWB, have the students brainstorm a list of criteria which make a Web page useful for research. Answers should include title, author, date of creation, date of update, source of the information, contact e-mail address, layout of page, ease of use, fast to load, etc.
2. Pass out the 5 W's handout and the critical evaluation tool and go over both. Be sure to emphasize the importance of the credibility of the author and the source of the information on the page. Talk about ways to determine if information is correct (e.g. finding the information in a print source, on another Web page, via an expert)
3. Surf to the Ban Dehydrogenate Monoxide page (http://descy.50megs.com/descy/webcred/webcred/dhmo.html) or hand out the PDF version (below) and have students, on their own or in small groups, evaluate the information on the page using the critical evaluation tool.
4. Have the class come back as a group and discuss the pros and cons of this page. Did anyone know the information was bogus? How could this be determined? Emphasize the fact, with little knowledge of a topic, it is almost impossible to know if the information located is correct.
5. In small groups, have students visit some of the other bogus Web sites listed at the bottom of this page.

ASSESSMENT

1. Have the students fill out The Important Book summarizing sheet.
2. Have the students write a paragraph explaining why it is important to evaluate the information found on a Web page. Have them include the ways to find out more about the author, the sponsoring agency, or the information itself.
3. Have the students create a list of 10 questions to ask themselves when critically evaluating the information they have found.

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

1. Have students compose a one-page instruction sheet or a Voice thread to explain the Web page evaluation process to younger students.
2. Have students identify other Web sites dealing with critical evaluation of Web information or additional bogus sites and have them create a Web page, Diigo list, or Glogster page with links and descriptions. Some of these bogus sites can be found below.