This document provides instructions for a webquest that teaches students how to evaluate the quality and reliability of websites. Students are directed to fill out charts to categorize different evaluation criteria like purpose, authority, and currency. They then use these criteria to analyze two exhibits on different websites, identifying one as higher quality. The document emphasizes that research requires carefully evaluating each resource rather than blindly using top search results, as quality varies greatly among websites. Students also analyze fake websites to practice discerning unreliable sources. The goal is to train students to thoughtfully assess websites before using them in research.

1. Evaluating Websites Webquest
A. GO TO: http://teams.lacoe.edu/documentation/classrooms/gayle/evaluate/
evaluate.html
B. Click on the red arrow
C. Click on the “evaluating and selecting” button
D. The next screen says, “The quality of web sources varies greatly.” WHY IS THAT?
E. Read through the next THREE screens.
F. Fill in the chart below:
Evaluation Criterion What does that word Picture to help me Questions to ask
mean? remember when I look at a
(dictionary.com) website

2. G. When you get to the hand on the mouse screen, raise your hand for Mrs. Allen to
check your chart.
H. When approved, get 2 “Trash or Treasure” worksheets.
I. Go to this website: http://www.ithaca.edu/library/training/think8.html
J. Using your “Trash or Treasure” worksheet, and your evaluation criterion, EVALUATE
“exhibit one”. You should complete the top chart on your “Trash or Treasure” sheet.
K. Using your “Trash or Treasure” worksheet, and your evaluation criterion, EVALUATE
“exhibit two”. You should complete the bottom chart on your “Trash or Treasure”
sheet.
L. Which one is the best website to use? WHY?
M. The website tells you to google search “aids facts women” and see which site gets
listed first. What does that tell you about using Google as a major search tool?
RESEARCH IS NO LONGER ABOUT “GOOGLING’ SOMETHING AND BLINDLY
WRITING DOWN WHAT WE FIND ON THE FIRST FIVE SITES. YOU MUST
EVALUATE EACH AND EVERY RESOURCE SO YOU AREN’T FOOLED AND
BECOME A FOOL!
N. Go to this website: http://www.dillon2.k12.sc.us/teachers/searchtools.asp
O. Scroll down to “Fake Websites to Use For Student Instruction on Using the Internet”
P. Take a look at TWO different websites. Fill out a “Trash or Treasure” chart proving
why they are fake.
Q. YOU ARE DONE!! Turn in this sheet and your TWO completely filled out “Trash or
Treasure” sheets STAPLED to Mrs. Allen!
If you have extra time, begin finding QUALITY websites for your FARCEBOOK
person. You must evaluate a website BEFORE you get to use it!!