Evaluating Evaluating InformationInformation

on the Interneton the Internet

Unlike the ACS Media Unlike the ACS Media Center, the Internet has Center, the Internet has

no media specialist no media specialist available to sort out the available to sort out the

valuable information valuable information from the substandard from the substandard

“stuff” found there“stuff” found there

““Nobody knows Nobody knows you’re a dog on the you’re a dog on the

Internet”Internet”

Students (and Teachers) Students (and Teachers) needneed

to learn howto learn howto distinguish betweento distinguish between

“the good and the bad”,“the good and the bad”,“the worthwhile and the “the worthwhile and the

worthless”worthless”

The ability to critically The ability to critically evaluate information is evaluate information is an essential skill in the an essential skill in the

information ageinformation age

You may have some You may have some memories of Web sites memories of Web sites

that left you that left you wondering . . . “who wondering . . . “who

made this?” or “Is this made this?” or “Is this for real?”for real?”

What do you think What do you think about Mankato?about Mankato?

Climate?Climate?

History?History?

Culture?Culture?

Criteria forCriteria forEvaluating WebSitesEvaluating WebSites

AccuracyAccuracy AuthorityAuthority ObjectivityObjectivityCurrencyCurrencyCoverageCoverageOther criteriaOther criteria

AccuracyAccuracy Is the information reliable and Is the information reliable and

error-free?error-free? Are the links accurate?Are the links accurate? Are the sources cited?Are the sources cited? Does the content seem Does the content seem

believable?believable?

You be the judge - You be the judge - AccuracyAccuracy Jason’s Dinosaur SiteJason’s Dinosaur Site

Walking with DinosaursWalking with Dinosaurs

Land O’ Dinosaurs Land O’ Dinosaurs

AuthorityAuthority Who are the authors of the site, and Who are the authors of the site, and

what are their qualifications? Can they what are their qualifications? Can they be contacted?be contacted?

Is the site sponsored by a business, Is the site sponsored by a business, organization, or educational institution? organization, or educational institution? (Look at the domain in the URL) (Look at the domain in the URL)

Is it reputable and legitimate?Is it reputable and legitimate? Is there an “about us” link?Is there an “about us” link?

You be the judge: You be the judge: AuthorityAuthority

Harriet Beecher Harriet Beecher Stowe: 1811 - 1896Stowe: 1811 - 1896

Harriet Beecher StoHarriet Beecher Stowe: A Woman of Mawe: A Woman of Many Wordsny Words

Harriet Beecher StoHarriet Beecher Stowe: Mother, Reformwe: Mother, Reformer er

ObjectivityObjectivity Does the information reveal a Does the information reveal a

bias?bias? Is the page designed to sway Is the page designed to sway

opinion?opinion? What are the goals or objectives What are the goals or objectives

of the page?of the page?

You be the judge: You be the judge: ObjectivityObjectivity

Health Hazards of Health Hazards of Tobacco - Some FactsTobacco - Some Facts

Secondhand Smoke: Secondhand Smoke: The big lieThe big lie

CurrencyCurrency When was the Site produced?When was the Site produced? When was the site last updated ?When was the site last updated ? If there is no explicit mention of the If there is no explicit mention of the

last update – skim the page and last update – skim the page and check links to determine currency. check links to determine currency. Are there many dead links?Are there many dead links?

Is the information on the page Is the information on the page outdated?outdated?

You be the judge: You be the judge: CurrencyCurrency

Children’s GardensChildren’s Gardens

Kennedy Space CenterKennedy Space Center

Educational Resources Educational Resources Information CenterInformation Center

CoverageCoverage What topics are covered, and how What topics are covered, and how

thoroughly ?thoroughly ? What is its intrinsic value ?What is its intrinsic value ? Is some content restricted (fees, Is some content restricted (fees,

members only, etc) ?members only, etc) ?

You be the judge: You be the judge: CoverageCoverage

The New York The New York Times Times

The Grand The Grand Rapids Press at Rapids Press at mlive.com mlive.com

Other Criteria you Other Criteria you would use?would use?

Web Evaluation Guided Web Evaluation Guided TourTourhttp://www.infosearcher.com/cybertours/tours/tour04/_tourlaunch1.htm

Credit goes to David Snyder,Credit goes to David Snyder,ASCD Reference Librarian, for ASCD Reference Librarian, for

these guidelines for these guidelines for Evaluating Website Evaluating Website

Information.Information.

ASCD 2003 Conference Presentation: “Searching for Accurate Information on the Internet”