Examples of problem sites:  

• Is this true?  You decide: Mike, the Headless Chicken  http://www.miketheheadlesschicken.org

• Better read that again web hoaxes and misinformation http://www.infotoday.com/searcher/sep00/piper.htm  

• TCEA convention, 2002 - presentation by Dr. Mary Ann Bell Lists hoax sites. http://www.shsu.edu/~lis_mah/documents/TCEA/hoaxtable.html

• Save the Pacific Tree Octopus http://zapatopi.net/treeoctopus.html 

• These e-zines are fun and have been believed by students and others. (watch out - some x-rated stuff here.)

  • Satirewire  www.satirewire.com (now static, but the old issues are good.)

  • The Onion www.theonion.com

Evaluation Checklists: 

Click here for a form for students to use to evaluate multiple sites

Click here for the brochure "What's in a web site?" from EETAP (reprinted by permission)

• Quality Information Checklist for evaluation, good for younger kids -- take the test!   http://www.quick.org.uk/menu.htm  

• The ABC'S of website evaluation from Kathy Schrock - a checklist and some links.  http://kathyschrock.net/abceval/index.htm

• A good, short guide from Dakota State University http://www.departments.dsu.edu/library/evaluat.html  

• ICYouSee from Ithaca College http://www.ithaca.edu/library/Training/hott.html

• From Berkeley: Evaluating Web Pages - techniques to apply and Questions to ask.

•  http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Evaluate.html

• UCLA College Library Thinking Critically about WWW Resources http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/college/help/critical/index.htm Another guide, for older kids to college students

• Evaluating Web Resources Home Page http://www2.widener.edu/Wolfgram-Memorial-Library/webevaluation/webeval.htm Some good pointers and useful PowerPoint presentations.

• Critical Evaluation - Guides - University of Alberta Libraries http://www.library.ualberta.ca/guides/criticalevaluation/index.cfm Excellent guides for older students.

Teaching Research Skills: 

• Nueva Library Research Goal http://nuevaschool.org/~debbie/library/research/research.html Debbie Abilock at Nueva School has created one of the best websites for teachers.

Other resources:

• Webquest to teach Internet site evaluation by Joyce Valencia http://mciunix.mciu.k12.pa.us/~spjvweb/evalwebteach.html 

• PowerPoint on evaluating websites by Peter Genco of Fairview High School in PA. http://www.iu5.org/fsd/PPT/ceswww/CESWWW.PPT Adapt this PowerPoint to meet your needs, but give Mr. Genco credit by leaving the first screen intact. 

• Debbie Stanley's CD: The PowerPoint Research Process: Hands-on Lessons includes handouts for students and teachers to aid in research and collaboration.  email her at researchprocess@aol.com for information.
• Research Assistant for Students and Teachers is a program that all ages of students can use to gather information, store it, organize it, and create bibliographies. Purchase from www.toolsforteachers.com  and other places.
• Reality Check - a game and lesson plans for teaching web site evaluation and research skills to grades 9-12.