Introduction: Everywhere we turn, we're
presented with another reference source. We're flooded with information. We
have books, pamphlets, magazines, newspapers and now the Internet. The dilemma is in
determining which information is reliable and appropriate for our research needs. Is all
information equal?
Task:
1. Print Evaluation
What criteria do we use
to determine whether print materials are reliable?
Check the following link for ideas - Print
evaluation
Assignment:
Examine 2-3 print
resources to determine which resources should be trusted as reliable references.
Check for the following 5 categories:
Accuracy
Authority
Objectivity
Currency
Coverage
Report group findings to the class. Be prepared to give specific examples from the
print materials. Should all information be accepted as equal?
2. Website Evaluation
What criteria do we use
to determine whether websites are reliable? Can we use the same criteria as for
print resources? What criteria items do we need to add?
Assignment:
Examine the websites from The Why It's A Good Idea to Evaluate
Web Sources and complete the evaluation form.
See the following websites for ideas on evaluating webpages.
Be prepared to discuss and support your answers with examples from the websites.
Website Resources:
1. Checklist for evaluating web resources
2. Website Evaluation Checklist - The Good, The Bad and the Ugly
3. Website Evaluation Checklist Grades 7-12 from Pleasant Valley High School
4. 5 Ws and 1 H Evaluation Checklist
5. Kathy Schrock's web evaluation
6. Ms. Moyer's Web Pages Evaluation
7. Joyce Valenza's Evaluating Webpages
Extension Activity:
Which is the real
Mankato, MN website?
Reflective Activity:
Students will be asked to explain why they
selected particular websites that they utilized for their position term paper.
Students will include a separate page explaining their research focus.
PLAGIARISM
Resources and websites:
1. Internet policy and plagiarism skit
Designed to be adapted to individual school Internet and plagiarism policies. Intended to heighten student awareness of issues.2. Google - Enter phrases that are suspect in search box. Remember to place quotation marks around the phrase.
3. Plagiarism Q & A - Nicely designed Q & A site designed by Michael Spears from Grosse Point North High School (MI).
4. The New Plagiarism - article by Jamie McKenzie providing teachers with methods to discourage plagiarism.
5. Turnitin - A plagiarism prevention service that offers different pricing plans for schools. The service will search for plagiarized material. Teachers can try a free month trial.
Mary Moyer, Media Specialist and Lynn Sharp, English Teacher
Delsea Regional High School
Franklinville, NJ
Reviewed and Updated 10/31/2001
