Investigating Websites An introduction to website reliability

 After completing this lesson, I will be able to…  Understand what the word “reliable” means  Understand the importance of finding “reliable” information  Be able to list 5 rules to follow when deciding whether a website is “reliable” Lesson Objectives

 Visit this online dictionary for kids and scroll down to “R” to look up the definition of the word “reliable”   Hint: make sure you get the spelling right!  Once you find the definition, right the meaning down in your own words on the sheet provided. What is “reliable”?

 Do you think that the information you find in books is reliable? Circle your answer on the sheet provided.  Write down a few reasons for your answer.  Do you think that the information you find on the internet is reliable? Circle your answer on the sheet provided.  Write down a few reasons for your answer. Books versus the internet

BooksInternet Not just anyone can write a book and get it published In order to get a book published, the author must do lots of research Authors of books have an editor and a publisher checking their work to make sure their information is correct Anyone, even you, can put information on the internet People can put information on the internet without doing any research at all People can put information on the internet without anyone checking their work Books versus the internet  Below are some facts about information in books and on the internet. Read through them and make any changes to the last two questions on your worksheet as you need to.

 Imagine you have been given a project to do on an animal of your choice. You choose the walrus. While researching you come across this website: Save the Mountain WalrusSave the Mountain Walrus  View the website now and read through some of the information.  You hand in your assignment after including some of the information from the website.  Imagine your embarrassment when your teacher tells you that the Mountain Walrus doesn’t even exist and the website you used was full of information that was not true! Importance of finding reliable information!

 Considering the scenario from the previous slide, answer the following question on your worksheet:  Why is it important to look for reliable information when researching on the internet? Importance of finding reliable information!

 This doesn’t mean that ALL information on the internet is unreliable. You just need to know how to find the information that IS reliable!  View the following document The Five W’s of Website Evaluation and the video Evaluating Websites.The Five W’s of Website EvaluationEvaluating Websites  Use the information from both to come up with 5 rules to follow to find reliable information on the internet.  Write your rules on your worksheet.  When you finish, discuss your answers with a partner. 5 Rules to Finding reliable information…

 Well done on completing the Investigating Websites activity.  You are well on your way to becoming a critical evaluator of website information! Congratulations!