LPCI Library Learning Commons CGC – Evaluating Websites 2013

Learning Intention Today: You will learn how to evaluate a website.

Minds On… What makes a good website? Brainstorm the elements of a good website and write them here:

What makes a good website? Authority – Who is Behind the Website? Endings of website provides key information.gc – federal government of Canada.ca – internet country code domain for Canada Schools, educational institutions, libraries, museums, and some government any Canadian organization can obtain a.ca domain

What makes a good website? Authority – Who is Behind the Website.edu – usually indicates colleges/universities that offer 4-year degrees in the U.S. Created originally by the U.S. Most Canadian universities use.ca.org – was intended for non-profit organization

What makes a good website? Authority – Who is Behind the Website.com – was intended for commercial businesses.net – was intended for organizations involved in Internet operations Note: anyone can apply for and use any of the above letters in there url E.g.: YMCA’s url: in Oakville ends with.com In Vancouver ends with.org In Montreal ends with.ca

What makes a good website? Let’s compare two websites dealing with the issue of fracking. Council for Canadians Energy from Shale

What makes a good website? Categorize the website:  Government  Industry  Non-profit Has someone taken responsibility for the content of this website?  Yes  No If yes, who is/are the author?______________ If yes, what are the credentials of the author? ___________________________________ Can you contact the organization or author through a real world postal address or phone number?  Yes  No Authority – Who is behind the website?

What make a good website? Objectivity Does the site provide:  Factual Information  Opinion  Propaganda Is the information biased in any way?  Yes  No Does the website offer more than one viewpoint?  Yes  No

What make a good website? Accuracy Are the facts supported with data?  Yes  No Is there evidence of good research and documentation?  Yes  No

What make a good website? Relevance Does the website contain information that you need?  Yes  No Does the website contain information that is relevant to your topic?  Yes  No

What make a good website? Completeness Does the site clearly state the topics it intends to address?  Yes  No Is the information well-written and easy to understand?  Yes  No Does the site offer a list of further in-depth resources or links?  Yes  No Is the date of publication given?  Yes  No

What make a good website? Currency Is the information current enough for your topic?  Yes  No Does the website’s information seem well organized?  Yes  No

What make a good website? Format Is the site easy to navigate?  Yes  No Does the site present the information in an attractive and clear way?  Yes  No

Next class: You will be assigned a Canadian industry. Your challenge is to take two websites about a Canadian your industry and the evaluate them for Authority, Objectivity, Accuracy, Relevance, Completeness, Currency and Format

The Virtual School Library Website Access at school: 1)Click on Explorer 2)Click on AW Then click on Virtual Library on the sidebar Access from home: 1) 2)From Lawrence Park C.I. website. Click on Library 3)Google Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute Library and click on link: Virtual Library Link: