Evaluating Websites
Evaluating websites is very important because it is so easy to think that because it is on the Internet, it is a good resource. Several factors combine to make excellent websites. These include design, ease of use, credibility, and content. There is an outstanding article on this topic at http://www.sccu.edu/faculty/R_Harris/evalu8it.htm
Another outstanding source related to this topic is an online module for evaluating web resources http://www.science.widener.edu/~withers/webeval.htm
which includes questions to ask to evaluate sites.
The third site you need to see is http://www.sret.sreb.org/
EvaluTech is a searchable database of curriculum related instructional materials specifically designed for grades Kindergarten through Grade 12.
Another concept is the use of a worksheet as an evaluation guide http://www.cyberbee.com/guide1.html
This is another example of a web
evaluation for primary grades http://www.siec.k12.in.us/~west/edu/rubric1.htm
which is for teachers to use to evaluate sites. You may wish to adapt these examples for your own use. Wouldn’t it be interesting to provide students with a checklist or rubric to help them determine the value of web sites? Here is a website evaluation rubric: What makes a good web page? http://www.crpc.rice.edu/CRPC/Women/GirlTECH/Materials/rubric.html
Another facet of evaluation of web sites that we have not discussed is the idea of evaluating the site from the editing side. This interesting site, The Website Garage, allows one to submit one’s page for evaluation. It lets you look at your page through the “eyes” of other browsers. If you do web pages, or require this task of your students, this site is for you! http://www.websitegarage.com/