Briefly describe three evaluation criteria you might use to validate resources found on the web?

Judge the accuracy of the information and take note of the date modified.

Sub-questions to ask yourself:

Does the site provide evidence that it comes from reputable sources?

Does the site contain any obvious biases, errors, or misleading omissions in the document?

Does the site contain advertising that might limit the nature of the content?

Is the information current and up-to-date?

Is the level of information in this site appropriate for the intended audience?

Sub-questions to ask yourself:

Does the site contain information appropriate for the intended learners with respect to their maturity and cognitive abilities?

Does the site contain any extraneous and unsuitable vocabulary, language or concepts, bias, or stereotyping?

Is the information in this site presented clearly?

Sub-questions to ask yourself:

Is the information arranged in an orderly fashion?

Is the information presented clearly?

Is the information in this site closely related to purpose, content, activity, and procedures?

Sub-questions to ask yourself:

Is there a clear tie among the purpose, content, and procedures suggested?

Does the site contain any activities irrelevant to the topic?

Does the site contain any redundant or isolated activities without a relationship to objectives?

Is the information in this site complete in scope and ready for use?

Sub-questions to ask yourself:

Does this site contain complete breadth and depth of information related to the topic it claims to cover?

Are there any content gaps in concept development?

If a website has activities, are the content, presentation method, and learner activity potentially engaging?

Sub-questions to ask yourself:

Are the suggested activities challenging, interesting, and appealing for the intended learners?

Does the information in the site emphasize and promote relevant action on the part of the learner?

Does the site have the potential for developing confidence and satisfaction as a result of learner effort?

If it claims to be comprehensive, is the information in the site well organized?

Sub-questions to ask yourself:

Is the information in the site easy to use and logically sequenced, with each segment of the resource related to other segments?

Does the information flow in an orderly manner, use organizing tools (e.g., a table of contents, a map, or headings), and avoid the use of unrelated elements that are potentially ineffective or overpowering?

Are references, bibliographies, or other supporting evidence provided?

After you are comfortable recognizing the elements of good sites by using the above seven questions and sub-questions, find and evaluate some sites on your own. With some practice, finding and evaluating Web materials for instruction will become second nature. Keep in mind that instruction might be found in different sized chunks. You might find several parts in different places to construct your own lesson, or you might find good entire lesson plans.