Kristi Clement

SLM 521:  Web Drop In #4

October 10, 2009

 

Media Curriculum Unit:  Organize and Interpret Information (Grades 4-5)

VSC: Students will use appropriate print, non-print, and computer/online/digital formats to organize and manage data/information.

Time Frame: 2-3, 30 minute lessons

Lesson:  How to Evaluate a Website

Students will learn that not all websites contain accurate and reliable information.  They will learn that teachers and experts use some general criteria for what constitutes a quality website. Students will participate in a discussion, access a website and complete a rubric to help determine whether the website contains accurate and reliable information.

Students will be introduced to some general criteria on what constitutes a quality source.

Guiding Questions:

·         Where do I go when I have a question?  Where do I go for the 411?  Non-fiction, information. 

·         When you need the definition of a word where do you go?

o   Dictionary:    merriam-webster online

·         When you want to find a location where do you go? 

o   Map:  randmcnally online

o   Atlas

Anyone can put anything they want on the internet.  It is important to understand how to evaluate websites to determine whether the information is reliable and accurate.  As a whole group, students will be guided to a number of selected websites to discuss how to evaluate websites with a critical eye.

http://lib.nmsu.edu/instruction/evalcrit.html

Evaluating Websites, Clementk

ALA Website Evaluation

Classzone.com Evaluating Websites

 

 

 

Students will view two homework help websites as a whole group exercise and discuss what to look for to determine accuracy and reliability.

Discovery Education Homework Help

 

Biscuit's Website

 

 

Students will then visit three websites to review and complete the rubric.  Depending on time, class size and computer availability, students may work in pairs or in groups.

 

Please click on the following two websites and complete the rubric that you have been given.  Please feel free to take notes concerning particularly good and bad components of each site.

 

Mo Willems

 

Mem Fox

 

 


 

You be the judge

 

3 points, great

2 points, just o.k.

1 point, needs some work

 

How does the website rate?

Judge’s Name:       ___________________________________

 

Website address:____________________________

 

1.     Was the website easy to read and understand?                        3     2     1

2.     Did the pictures, video or graphics load quickly?                                                  3     2      1

3.     Did the pictures, videos or graphics make the website more interesting?    3….2….1

4.     Were the directions easy to use?                                                                           3      2     1

5.     Had the website been update recently?                                                                  3      2     1

6.     Could you find information about the author or sponsor of the webpage?           3      2     1

7.     Were the links on the webpage up to date and accurate?                                      3      2     1

8.     Did the information on the website seem real or true?                                 3      2     1

9.    

Add it up

16-20 points:  Great!

11- 15 points: good

7-10 points: o.k

0-6 points: needs work

 

Was the website fun and/or

interesting to explore?                                                3      2     1

 

10.   Would other kids your age

 enjoy visiting this website?                                  3      2    1

Total points:  _________