As you investigate different websites,
be sure to be critical of the material you are viewing. 
Below is a list of criteria to think about to
help you evaluate and determine how useful a website is.
Go to the following websites and on Ancient Rome
and complete the evaluation sheet.
Be sure to look at the conclusions drawn from
evaluation sheet to see if you are on the right path.
URL:
Title of Page:
Author:
Affiliation? school organization government company
What is the purpose of the information? Inform Persuade Explain(procedural) Entertain
Information presented is: fact opinion
Does the author cite sources so that you can verify content? yes no
Are there links to other sites tht useful for your research? yes no
What kind of illustrations are on this site:
Drawings
Maps
Photographs
Charts
Movies
None/Other
How hard it is to read the material: Hard Appropirate
What are the good points about using this website?
How would you improve this site?
Appearance:
Presentation of Information:
BOTTOM LINE: Based on the criteria above, would you recommend this
site? Why?
Now, investigate the following two websites using
the criteria listed above. Decide which website would be best to
use.
Compare your findings with the summary below.
The Development of Western Civilization World History Rome
Conclusions: After viewing
both websites, you should have selected the second website as the most
valuble. The second website is produced by the British Broadcasting
Company and made specifically for students. Information is easy to
find and the reading level is appropriate. The layout and design
are pleasing to the eye and easy to navigate. The website provides
links to other websites. Pictures, maps and charts help to clarify
information presented on the pages.
The first website provides
some of the same information, but the reading level is much harder.
Also, the website is more difficult to navigate. You have to go through
several different links to find informaton on a topic. Some of the
links provided are good and others do not have enough information.
Pictures are limited and the website is not appealing graphically.
Both websites contain some
of the same information. By comparing the two websites, you can see
how evaluating websites can help you find the most appropriate and best
websites for your use.
The following website were used to help develop the criteria for the evaluation checklist. They may be helpful to gather further information about evaluating websites.
Montgomery County's Criteria for Evaluating Websites
Critical Evaluation of a Web Site Middle School Level
The Good, the Bad & the Ugly: Evaluation Criteria
Evaluating
Web Pages: Techniques to Apply & Questions to Ask
NOTE: The evaulation checklist was developed by the media specialist at my school and used by my middle school students to evaulate different websites while they are researching. Montgomery County Public schools also has a recommended evaluation checklist.