1. Evaluating Websites October, 2009

2. Webpage Evaluation Procedure Identify the type of Web Page Advocacy Business/Marketing Informational News Personal Entertainment

3. The 5 W’s of Web Site Evaluation WHO is the source of the information? –Has someone taken responsibility for the content of this web site? –Is information about the author or organization clearly stated? –Can you confirm that the company or author is a credible, authoritative source of information? –Can you contact the author/sponsor from the website? –How did you get here? Did you link to this site from a site you trust?

4. The 5 W’s of Web Site Evaluation WHAT are you getting? –Is this page mostly fact or mostly opinion? –Is the information biased in any way? –Three main reasons information exists—to inform, persuade, and sell. –Some websites have an “About this site” link on the home page. –Are there links to the organization sponsoring the page? Or, does this seem like a lone person trying to voice his/her opinion?

5. The 5 W’s of Web Site Evaluation WHEN was the site created? –Is it important that the information you are seeking be right up to date? –Is a reference date provided to show when the materials was put online, or when it was last updated? –Do the links work? –Does it matter to you whether this information is outdated? Why?

6. Deconstructing a web address http://www.franklin.k12.wi.us –“http” hypertext document –“www” short form for the “World Wide Web” –franklin.k12. domain name of person or organization hosting the Web site. –wi.us location of site –~ Sometimes you might see a (~) symbol. This indicates you may be on a personal Web page.

7. Domain Suffix.orgnon-profit organization.comcommercial.netnetwork or net provider.edueducation.govgovernment.milmilitary.bizbusiness

8. The 5 W’s of Web Site Evaluation WHY are you here? –Before heading out into cyberspace, it’s a good idea to stop and consider whether or not the Internet is even the best place to go. Ask yourself: Can I get the information faster off-line? Does the online material I am finding suit my needs? Or, should I keep researching? Am I able to verify this information? Can I find similar information elsewhere from places I trust? Why is this page better than another?

9. Practicing Web Evaluation Save the Northwest Tree Octopus http://zapatopi.net/treeoctopus/ DHMO http://www.dhmo.org/ California’s Velcro Crop Under Challenge http://home.inreach.com/kumbach/velcro.html All About Explorers http://www.allaboutexplorers.com/

10. Bibliography Shrock, Kathy. The 5 W’s of Web Site Evaluation. http://kathyschrock.net/abceval/5ws.pdf October 22, 2009.http://kathyschrock.net/abceval/5ws.pdf Media Awareness Network. The 5 W’s of Cyberspace. http://www.media- awareness.ca/english/resources/educational/handouts/internet/5ws_cyberspace.cfm October 24, 2009.http://www.media- awareness.ca/english/resources/educational/handouts/internet/5ws_cyberspace.cfm Slide Background: Crystal Graphics. PowerPlugs for PowerPoints http://www.crystalgraphics.com/powerpoint/Templates.search.results.asp October 22, 2009. http://www.crystalgraphics.com/powerpoint/Templates.search.results.asp