Investigating WebsitesAn 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”

http://dictionary.kids.net.au

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

Books Internet• 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 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.

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 toFinding 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!