OBJECTIVES
Upon
completion of this lesson, the students will be able to: |
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Recognize the indicators that determine a Web site’s credibility. |
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Use
critical thinking skills to determine the credibility of different Web
sites. |
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Make
judgments as to which sites could be used as acceptable resource material
for the research paper. |
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MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT |
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Computer lab with Internet access. |
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LCD
projector and screen or Smart Board. |
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The
Web article entitled “Evaluating Internet Resources”
http://library.albany.edu/internet/evaluate.html |
TIME
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2
class periods or 96-100 minutes of instruction. |
PROCESS
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DAY 1 – Learning the
Different Evaluation Techniques
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Read
and discuss the article entitled “Evaluating Internet Resources”
http://library.albany.edu/internet/evaluate.html
. |
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Present and discuss the Power Point Presentation entitled “Web Resource
Evaluation Techniques”.
http://www2.widener.edu/Wolfgram-Memorial-Library/webeval/eval1198/sld001.htm |
HOMEWORK
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The students should find
a school-appropriate Web site (one they may be able to use for their
research paper). Record the URL (Web address) and be prepared to evaluate
it during tomorrow’s class. |
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For those without access to
an off-campus compute, a printed copy on homepage found during class should
be used. |
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DAY 2 – Teacher Modeling of
Evaluation Techniques
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Lecture about and model how to use the following indicators to evaluate a
Web site's credibility. Use the corresponding Web site's to illustrate each
indicator.
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Author
Credibility -
http://www.library.ucsf.edu/tobacco/index.html
Is the name of the author present?
Is there a way to contact
the author? (Email, phone number, etc.)
Are the author’s credentials listed?
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Purpose (Content) -
http://www.library.ucsf.edu/tobacco/index.html
What is the site trying to do?
Why was the site created?
Was the site created to
sell a product or promote a particular idea?
Was the site created solely for the purpose of entertainment?
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Domain -
.gov - U.S. government site -
http://www.whitehouse.gov ;
.edu – accredited or
reputable college or university -http://www.uiuc.edu or
http://www2.widener.edu/Wolfgram-Memorial-Library/webeval/eval1198/
; .com – a
commercial site that is created for a profit or to make money -
http://www.eastbay.com ;
.org – a non-for-profit
organization -
http://www.petfinder.org ;
.net – a network
infrastructure (often used for a server that hosts Web sites for others –
http://www.rr1.net
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Currency -
http://www.usatoday.com/ Has the site been updated recently?
Does it contain current information?
Where is the date of the document usually placed?
(bottom of page)
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Overall
Design -
http://online.wsj.com/public/us or
http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/%7Edkbrown/
Does the site have any errors (spelling, grammatical,
and/or profanity?)
Is the information easy to find?
Where is the date of the document usually placed? (bottom
of page) Is the
material easy to read? Are the background and text colors easy on the eyes?
Are the graphics
appropriate and appealing or inappropriate and annoying?
Are flashing icons or advertisements present? |
HOMEWORK
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The students should examine
the Web site they found on DAY 1 (Evaluation Techniques). |
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Using the same Web site,
the students should be prepared to complete an evaluation checklist to
determine the site’s credibility. |
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The students should be able
to report their findings. |
