Web site evaluation - Use of the Internet

Introduction
Most students will use the INTERNET for their projects. Many will use the information uncritically and waste a lot of time and paper unless they are taught to evaluate sites. It is well worth spending 1 - 2 hours doing this.
The use of several sites on the same topic allows effective comparison and the sharing of ideas within the class. The set provided (92 KB) (download) is on cloning but you could use a similar approach on any controversial topic.

Preparation
Put the web addresses as live links in a Word document. This saves a lot of typing during the session. You will need a minimum of one computer with Internet link between two students.

Activity
Give out the list of criteria (95 KB) (download) and briefly discuss the reasons for each. Tell the students that they have to evaluate the sites using the criteria and give each site a rating out of 5. They should note down at least one reason related to the criteria to justify their rating.

Start each student on a different site to ensure that they don't all get stuck on the first one. Aim for each student looking at about 4 and don't allow them to spend too long, more than 5 minutes, on any one.
They do not have to work through all the questions on any criterion.

Feedback at the end
Allow enough time to discuss their findings about 20 minutes depending on the size of the group. To get them to communicate their feedback it may be helpful to draw up a table with 4 columns on the board and collect in the ratings on each site. Ask for reasons for some of the ratings and briefly debate where there is disagreement.

Afterwards
Refer back to the criteria when discussing coursework research with individuals.