READ THESE Instructions! The following presentation is intended to help you think critically and intelligently about websites. To move from one page to the next, click once on the forward arrow button located in the lower left corner of each slide. Use the back arrow to review the previous slide. Click this arrow when you are ready to proceed

EVALUATING WEB SITES IT LOOKS LOVELY, But Is It True? designed, compiled by and mostly written by v guarino Adapted by D Heaver

THE INTERNET: IT’S A BIG WORLD OUT THERE. Since you were a child, adults were selecting books for you. Your parents chose books for you to read, while your teachers chose texts for you to use. Since you were a child, adults were selecting books for you. Your parents chose books for you to read, while your teachers chose texts for you to use. Now you have to be able to make informed choices on your own.

THE BIG LIE There is one belief we must unlearn as we enter cyberspace. It is erroneous and will cause us to make poor judgments. The mistaken belief is that... All that we see in print is true.

THE INTERNUT AFTER ALL, ANYONE CAN POST MESSAGES. ANYONE CAN CREATE A WEBSITE. ANYONE CAN PRETEND TO BE SOMEONE ELSE. ANYONE CAN TRY TO MISLEAD YOU. As the internet becomes a more common mode of sharing information, and as the number of sites grows exponentially, you will need to distinguish fact from fiction.

NEVER FEAR Armed with the right questions, you can surf the net and find valuable information. Armed with the right questions, you can surf the net and find valuable information. Those questions are based upon a standard set of criteria known as the...

CARS CARS is an acronym for... Credibility, Accuracy, Reasonableness & Support It is your checklist for information quality

CREDIBILITY Goal: A source that is created by a person or organization who knows the subject and who cares about its quality.  What type of extension is at the end of the URL (.com,.edu,.gov,.org – commercial, education, government, organization)?  Is there a tilde (~) in the URL, this means it’s someone’s personal page.  Is there a publishing or sponsoring organization? Is the organization an authority on the subject?  Is the author listed? Is the author an authority on the subject? How do you know?

Goal: A source with information that is current, complete, and correct.  Does the information on the site agree with other sources (including your basic knowledge of the subject)?  Does the site contradict itself?  What is the date of publication or copyright?  How recently has the site been updated?  Are there spelling errors, grammar errors, dead links, or other problems that indicate a lack of quality control?ACCURACY

Goal: A source that is truthful and unbiased  Does the author, host, publisher, or sponsor have a bias?  Does it offer a well-balanced argument that provides various perspectives?  Are there glaring flaws in the arguments provided?  What is the motivation or purpose for creating the site?  (To sell a product? To advance a viewpoint or belief? To educate?) REASONABLENESS

Goal: A source with verifiable sources of information  Are the sources listed? Can they be checked (links)?  Are the points made proven by sound data from reliable sources?  Is there a way to contact the author or organization?  Are prominent, respected institutions identified as affiliates of the site?  Can you contact the affiliate organizations? SUPPORT

In addition to CARS, a site’s structure and design should suggest that the author has his viewers’ best interests in mind. Here are a few other items to :  The site should be easy to navigate.  The internal & external links should function.  The images as well as the pages should load quickly.  The visual elements should help, not hinder, the viewer’s understanding.  The helper applications should be easily accessible.  The site should include an index and navigation buttons.  The site should provide a “Works Cited” or Bibliography. FINAL ANALYSIS

True or False: One belief we must unlearn is, All that we see in print is true. FT REVIEW 1

CORRECT! TRUE

Remember, anyone can print anything online, so we must unlearn that “All that we see in print is true.” SORRY, PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING FOR REVIEW #1

Which criteria of CARS does the following align to: Goal: A source that is created by a person or organization who knows the subject and who cares about its quality REVIEW 2 Credibility Accuracy Reasonableness Support

CORRECT! CREDIBILITY

Would you trust medical advice from a car mechanic? Probably not, but you would trust the mechanic’s advice about your car. The author or organization should be an authority on the topic. THE CORRECT ANSWER IS CREDIBILITY. PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING FOR CREDIBILITY.

Which criteria of CARS does the following align to: Goal: A source with information that is current, complete, and correct. REVIEW 3 Credibility Accuracy Reasonableness Support

CORRECT! ACCURACY

If the information is outdated, contradicts itself, or does not match other information on a topic, that is a red flag. THE CORRECT ANSWER IS ACCURACY. PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING FOR ACCURACY.

Which criteria of CARS does the following align to: Goal: A source that is truthful and unbiased REVIEW 4 Credibility Accuracy Reasonableness Support

CORRECT! REASONABLENESS

A web site should be free of bias and provide solid information on both sides of controversial issues. THE CORRECT ANSWER IS REASONABLENESS. PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING FOR REASONABLENESS

Which criteria of CARS does the following align to: Goal: A source with verifiable sources of information REVIEW 5 Credibility Accuracy Reasonableness Support

CORRECT! SUPPORT

The author or organization should list all sources of information and be able to be contacted when a question arises. THE CORRECT ANSWER IS SUPPORT. PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING FOR SUPPORT.

Click the button below to end the PowerPoint and begin your biography project. No luck needed in your searching, simply use what you have learned! CONGRATULATIONS YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE MODULE. Go Search the internet!

Some Library and University Websites that List and Further Explain Criteria We hope this helps you develop a critical eye! Online Checklists for High School and Lower Grades Every Checklist Imaginable A High School Website Evaluation Webquest

R E V I E W Look at the following websites. Would would argue that either website either fails the CARS criteria in a number of ways OR that you believe either meets the CARS criteria. List the evidence! martinlutherking.org kingcenter.org