True or False? Subject: Technology Grade: 9-12

Brief Description

Students complete a tutorial on Web literacy and use what they learn to determine the reliability of Web site content.

Objectives

Students learn to evaluate Web site content.

Keywords

technology, Internet, literacy, content evaluation, media literacy, critical thinking

Materials Needed

• computer with Internet access
• The ABCs of Web Literacy
• evaluation form for Web sites, such as

  Critical Evaluation of a Web Site: Secondary School Level or
  Checklist for an Informational Web Page, five copies for each student

• the following informational Web sites:

  Mankato, Minnesota Home Page
  Feline Reactions to Bearded Men
  Body Ritual Among the Nacirema
  Republic of Molossia
  Case Analysis Of A Historic Killer Tornado Event In Kansas On 10 June 1938

Lesson Plan

Depending on the number of computers available, this activity can be done as a whole class lesson, in small groups, or as independent assignments.

• Invite students to explore The ABCs of Web Literacy.
• Provide each student with the URLs for the five informational Web sites above and with five copies of the secondary level evaluation form.
• Ask students to examine each site, complete an evaluation form for each, and use the forms to determine which sites are legitimate.
  Note: None are legitimate.
• Invite volunteers to share their evaluations and conclusions with their classmates.
• Discuss with students the reasons determining the reliability of information they find on the Internet is important.

Assessment

Evaluate students on the information in the Web site evaluation forms.

Lesson Plan Source

Education World

Submitted By

Linda Starr

National Standards

Technology:
  NT.K-12.5