Assessing Web Site Credibility

Overview

These activities help students learn to judge the authority and credibility of information posted on the Internet. Students will use one of two approaches: a comparative assessment of two Web sites (one of which is bogus) or a pro and con assessment of one Web site. The same criteria are used in either approach. Either approach can be used as an independent activity or as part of a research or inquiry project. Students begin by discussing criteria for evaluating a Web site and then apply these criteria to examples. Next, students are introduced to the selected approach using Web sites provided by the teacher or selected by the students. Finally, students assess the credibility of Web sites.