Since not everything on the web is suitable for student or classroom use it is important for teachers to evaluate potential sites before using them. The following five tips will help guide teachers when choosing online resources for use in class or by students.
Check Web Sites for Authority and Currency
Checking a web site's currency, or if the information is up-to-date, depends on the information being sought. Typically there is a revision date at the bottom of the web page or, for articles such as news reports, it may be located at the top near the title. The date shown should be recent for current events or newer technologies.
When determining authority, consider both the source and the writer. A source such as a blog might initial be suspect, but if the information is about a legal case and the blog maintained by a law firm it can be considered a good source. Some sites might not list an author; for example, Discovery Education, but the site itself is maintained by a reputable source for information.
Determine Accuracy and Objectivity of Text
Determining accuracy can be as simple as reading the text; however, it might require further investigation. One thing to consider is if any conclusions are supported by facts found on the site. Another is to investigate any references provided to see if these are accurate.
Objectivity can be more difficult to determine. First, check for any obvious bias. Then, check for emotional or inflammatory language. Finally, ask if the author seems to be trying to sell something or convince the reader of a particular opinion. If it online source fails any of these, it's objectivity is questionable and may not be suitable for classroom or student use.
Examine Site for Relevance
The fifth tip is to examine the site for relevance to the lesson and for the class. For example, a particular web quest might be suitable for the grade level, but cover too much, too little, or different information than a lesson needs. Or, the information in an article might be accurate and from a reliable source, but at too high of a reading level.
Another relevancy problem is the format of the presented information. Some sites contain many distractions, such as advertisements, that might make it difficult for students to locate the information or stay focused. Other sites might present the information in a video or multimedia format that requires more speed from the school's network than is available, thus making it unsuitable for use in a classroom.
The web contains information that is useful for students, but it is a teacher's responsibility to make sure that what is used in class or for student use is appropriate. Five tips for evaluating online resources is to check the site for authority, currency, accuracy, objectivity and relevance.
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