Website Evaluation

Teacher Notes

This lesson introduces students to website evaluation, a skill that is necessary before students conduct independent, online research.

Materials:

  • Copies of Kathy Schrock’s “The Five W’s of Web Site Evaluation” for every student
  • A television or projector paired with a computer
  • Computers or internet-connected devices for every student
  • Chart paper

Learning Activity:

Day 1:

  1. Bell-ringer: How do you know what information to believe? Consider things your friends tell you, things you read, or things you hear on television.
  2. Discuss why we need to be careful consumers of information, especially what we read online. Pass out and briefly discuss Kathy Schrock’s “The Five W’s of Web Site Evaluation” (see handout on the last page).
  3. Project the website Aluminum Foil Deflector Beanie ( and walk students through an evaluation using the five W’s.
  4. Give students two more websites: Buy an Ancestor Online ( and Feline Reactions to Bearded Men ( With a partner, students will select one of the websites to evaluate. They will discuss the five W’s and record their answers. The teacher will monitor partner work, evaluate understanding, and clarify any misunderstandings.
  5. Discuss the partner work with the entire class: Could these websites be trusted? Why or why not? Are there any needs for which these websites would be appropriate?
  6. For the closing activity, connect back to the bell-ringer: How do students know that a website can be trusted? Students will work in groups to discuss the qualities of reliable websites. Each group will report back to the class, and the teacher will compile qualities into a poster-sized checklist, making sure all areas of the assessment rubric are included. The checklist will be displayed for future reference.

Day 2:

  1. Have students conduct online research for a specific topic determined by your curriculum or student interest. Students should find two websites that are credible and relevant. For each website, students should record the URL and their answers to the 5 W’s.
  2. Students will share their findings with a partner.

Future lessons may address subsequent steps in the research process.

Rubric: Website Evaluation

4-Excellent / 3-Good / 2-Fair / 1-Poor
Who / An author is listed with appropriate credentials. The site includes contact information or links to additional information about the author. / An author is listed, but credentials or associations are not. It is uncertain whether or not the author is the creator of the material. / No author is listed, but an email contact is provided. / No author is listed, and no email contact is provided.
What / The purpose of the website is clear, and the information is free of bias. Content can be verified in other reputable sources. The site is organized and includes working links. / The purpose is somewhat clear, and the information contains minimal bias. Content can be verified in other sources. The site is not well-organized, but the links work. / The purpose is vague, the information contains bias, and the site contains much advertising. Many links no longer work, and not all content can be verified. / The purpose is unclear, and bias is obvious and overwhelming. There are no working links, and content cannot be verified.
When / Information has been updated in the last six months and is accurate. / Information has been updated in the last year and seems to reflect currency. / Information has not been updated in the last five years, but the information is still of good quality. / Either a date is not given or the information is out of date.
Where / Publisher is a reputable, unbiased organization. The website includes references to other credible sources. / The site is supported by a larger organization, but some bias is apparent in the information and any additional sources. / A commercial internet provider supports the site, but there is no connection with a large organization. Few sources are provided. / No organization or publisher is listed. Site is an anonymous blog or forum. Because it is highly opinionated, credible sources are not cited.
Why / The information is thorough and appropriate for student needs. / The information is basic, yet useful for student needs. / The information relevant to student needs is limited. / The information is useless for student needs.

THE FIVE W’S OF WEB SITE EVALUATION

WHO

Who wrote the pages and are they an expert?

Is a biography of the author included?

How can I find out more about the author?

WHAT

What does the author say is the purpose of the site?

What else might the author have in mind for the site?

What makes the site easy to use?

What information is included and does this

information differ from other sites?

WHEN

When was the site created?

When was the site last updated?

WHERE

Where does the information come from?

Where can I look to find out more about

the sponsor of the site?

WHY

Why is this information useful for my purpose (or not)?

Why should I use this information (or not)?

Why is this page better than another (or worse)?

©2001-2009. Kathy Schrock. All rights reserved. Page may be reproduced for classroom use.