REAL - Evaluating a website
- 1. Evaluating a Website Adapted from Alan November, 2013 1
- 2. Why do we need to evaluate websites? The World Wide Web is a lot like a flea market: there's a vast selection of sites to choose from but not a lot of order to it. Some sites are offered by reputable "dealers" and some from individuals who want to show off their personal favorite items. Sometimes it's hard to tell what's a hidden treasure, what's worth taking a look at, and what's a waste of time.
- 3. REAL strategy Before deciding to use a website for work at school you should evaluate it Use REAL to help you remember!
- 4. R Read the URL http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/harrypotter andthedeathlyhallows/mainsite/index.html Domain name: Do you recognize the name? Domain extension: .com=commercial which can be bought by anyone Everything after the forward slash directs you to a specific page of the website. If you delete everything after the slash you will go to the home page.
- 5. E Examine the content Look at the words, pictures, etc. Is the site up to date? Is the information correct? Check at other sites.
- 6. A Ask about the author and publisher Can you find the author’s name? Is the author an expert?
- 7. L Look at the links Where do the links on the webpage go? What do other sites say about the webpage?
- 8. Before you use a website in your research--evaluate it! Use your own brain to make decisions!
Editor's Notes
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