Learning Objectives:

Students will: Recognize and understand the parts of a URL. Be able to use critical evaluation skills in judging a Web site. Be able to use a Web evaluation instrument to evaluate a Web site.

Motivational Goals: Maintain interest in the research process. Promote value of information skills.

1. Show students that all Web sites may not contain factual information by introducing a site that students will find incongruous to what they know, such as the bogus Mankato, MN site at http://www.lme.mankato.msus.edu/mankato/mankato.htm . Discuss whether this would be a valid site to use for a report on Minnesota?

2. Brainstorm how students have evaluated print resources or what they think would be important to consider.

3. Relate the brainstormed list to website evaluation.

4. Instruct students on what each part of the URL means. Dissect the site used above or another URL. This will help determine the purpose of the site. -URL = Universal Resource Locator

-http:// = hypertext transfer protocol, i.e. What type of resource the site is. -Domains = the source of the site;

-com = commercial;

-org = organization;

-net = internet;

-ac, edu, k12 = educational;

-gov = government;

-mil = military;

-~ = personal sites

-Country abbreviations: us, uk, gb, etc.

- / = a folder or specific page

- .htm or .html = hyper markup language

5. Review why it is important to evaluate Web sites they will use for assignments and research.

6. Evaluate Web site together. Consider the purpose of the site, reliability of the author/creator, date of site or update, point of view, truth of material, ease of navigation, links and esthetics (colors, font).

7. Give handouts on what each part of the URL means, and a Web site evaluation form.

8. Assign students to evaluate a Web site of their choice.