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Make Safe Choices | Choose Great Sites | Recognize Advertiser's Tactics
Making Your Own Responsible Use Policy for the Internet

Question:

How can I make sure that I have chosen the "Best" Internet sites?

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Tasks:

Read the Scenario and explore the evaluation sites to learn about choosing great web sites.
Explore the The Science of Skateboarding.
Discuss what makes this website a great or a poor website.
Develop a poster to teach others how to choose great Internet Sites.

 

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Scenario: "Choose the Best Web Sites"

The Facilitator says, "Today, during our Open-Circle discussion we are going to try to develop a plan to find the "best Internet sites."  It's hard for me to remember that the information given on some Internet sites is not always as good as the information we can find in a book.  Remember, that books have editors to check the accuracy of the information where many web sites do not.  Does this mean we shouldn't use the Internet? No!  It does mean that we have to be extra careful to double check the information we find.  What are your ideas for a plan to choose only the "Best" web sites?"

One boy says, "I always look to see if the page is easy to use.  I want a page that not only has cool colors and graphics to make it look nice but has a descriptive title that gives me a clear idea of what information I will find on this website. I want a web page where I can move from page to page easily. Also, I want my information fast so I need a page that loads quickly.

Another girl states, "Like our facilitator said before,  I want to make sure that the page I am reading gives me the correct information.  To do this, I try to find out who wrote the web page I am viewing. I want to find out whether this person has a clue about what they are writing about or are they just some person throwing out their opinion on something they really don't know much about."

A friend of yours says, "Yes, and you need to ask yourself, " Why was this site created?" Did the author give one sided information that has a hidden message or did they present the information fairly."

Another girl says.  "I find that most good websites provide links that will lead you to more great information. By using the provided links and I am able to double-check your information for accuracy."

Your other friend says, "You know sometimes it's easier to get basic information from a book or encyclopedia. I always ask myself, "could I more easily find this information using a book or encyclopedia that has been checked, double checked, triple checked…for accuracy?""

A boy across the circle says, "I think that one of the best things about the Internet is that it challenge you to think, reflect, discuss, hypothesize, compare, and classify information.  I always like the hands-on activities that get me to apply what I have have learned."

Your facilitator says, "What are your ideas on choosing the best web sites?  Add your thoughts to our discussion board!

 

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Resources:

Eight Ways to Check Information on Websites
Ten C's For Evaluating Internet Sources
Blue Web'n Evaluation Guide
Critical Evaluation Guide
Web Evaluation Page
CyberGuide Evaluation Forms
Web Site Evaluation Lesson Plan

 

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Suggested Activity:  

The Poster Campaign

Your facilitator says, "We can have a great time taking the knowledge that we have gained about Choosing the Best Web Sites and putting it to use with our suggested activity, "The Poster Campaign." First, check out  The Science of Skateboarding to help us decide if this is a web page that we should use.  Take ten (10) minutes to look over this web page. Next, take notes on the strengths and weaknesses of it.  Then, meet with several of your classmates to discuss, "should we use this web page?"  We can use our ideas that we come up with to create posters that will educate other students on how to choose great sites.

 

Do you have a great idea for an activity that would help others learn to Choose the Best Web sites that you would like to share with others? E-mail us your ideas! 

 

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