Why? | How? | What?

Why do we need to evaluate Web Sites?

Rationale

Whales in the Minnesota River?

On the web, it's sometimes difficult to distinguish truth from fiction. This "New York Times" article shows why skepticism is a good thing when dealing with information found on the web. Includes links to sites that help visitors know how to evaluate Internet resources.

But — I found it on the Internet!

An article from the Christian Science Monitor examining why it is crucial that students learn media literacy skills.

Teaching Zack to Think

Find out why a 14-year-old wrote a paper based on a "revisionist" Web site-and why this was not an unreasonable thing for a student to do. The article examines the importance of applying critical thinking skills when using information found on the Web.

Check These Sites — Are They Credible?

Ban Dihydrogen Monoxide!

Find out about this substance, which is colorless, odorless, tasteless and kills uncounted thousands of people every year.

City of Mankato, Minnesota

Which is the "real" home page for Mankato? Is it this one...

Mankato, MN Home Page

...or this one?

Strawberry Pop-Tart Blow-Torches

Are strawberry Pop-Tarts really useful as incendiary devices? Visit this site to learn about research in a rapidly-growing field.

California's Velcro Crop Under Challenge

Provides information about the factors which have conspired to threaten the quality of this lucrative crop.

Feline Reactions to Bearded Men

A well-documented research study into the responses of feline subjects to men with various types of beards.

How do we evaluate Web sites?

Web Site Evaluation Considerations

Answer these questions about the site you're using: Who? What? Where? When? How? Why? Developed by MMSD librarians Ron Goral and Joanne Lenburg for an inservice at Hamilton Middle School, January, 2001.

QUICK: The Quality Information Checklist

A site for kids about the importance of Web site evaluation. Offers eight ways of checking information on web sites, with examples of how/why to apply each of these criteria.

Virtual Salt: Evaluating Internet Research Sources

Educator Robert Harris offers selection tips for consumers of information, plus a list of "Tests of Information Quality."

Teaching Undergrads Web Evaluation

A guide that features a handy chart listing 5 criteria for evaluating web pages. Created by a librarian at Southwest Missouri State University.

Evaluation Criteria

Part of a site called "The Good, the Bad & the Ugly: Or, Why it's a Good Idea to Evaluate Web Sources." Presents 5 criteria and the reasons why each is important. From the library of New Mexico State University.

What are some examples of evaluation tools?

Web Site Evaluation Form

Developed by Ron Goral and Joanne Lenburg, 2001.

World Wide Web Page Evaluation Form

Created for middle-school students. A checklist with some opportunity for written comments.

Children's Internet Site Evaluation Instrument

A checklist from the creators of "Children's Software Revue."

Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators: Web Site Evaluation

Scroll down to her "Critical Evaluation Surveys" and find links to evaluation forms suitable for elementary-, middle- and secondary-school students. These forms are also available in Spanish, and as both HTML and PDF files.

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