Evaluating+Webpages

= __**Evaluating Web Pages**__ =

__**Introduction & Why it's Important**__

 * Students need to be able to make sure the websites they are searching in or exploring are within a safe environment.
 * Students need to be made aware by teachers or educators that not all information is reliable and some may be misleading.
 * Students need to take the information presented and explore the page to make sure they are using a credible source.
 * Not every page or site will have their references out in the open.
 * In real world situations, students need to be able to manage their surroundings and make sure they can keep themselves safe at all times.

__**Basic Evaluation Techniques**__

 * Evaluate the URL for web page hosting
 * Use [|alexia.com]to verify the content
 * Use the [|wayback machine]to research previous content
 * Research the author, and webmaster’s credentials
 * Can the information be verified through a secondary source?
 * Look at the type of domain
 * Is the information current and are the links up to date?
 * Can the information be verified by citations?
 * What was the author’s purpose for creating the page?

__**Distribution Options**__

 * Once sites have been evaluated for safety and authenticity, teachers need to communicate the path the students should follow as they research topics online. Approved links can be shared through a variety of ways.
 * One sharing method is an open wiki. Teachers can build a **__wiki page__** incorporating evaluated sites, and students should only use these sites as they research.
 * Another sharing method is **__teacher managed web sites__**. Here, teachers can post approved web site to help guide students through their researching process.
 * Further, **__Word document__** pages can also be created to share specific web links. Word documents can be saved on student drives or downloaded on student computers.
 * All three of these methods are student friendly and teacher managed.

Resources used: [|UCB Evaluating Web Pages] [|Cornell University- Five Criteria for Evaluating Web Pages]