WYSIWYG
What you see is what you get!
  

INTRODUCTION:

Do you trust everything you read in a library book?

Do you trust everything you read on the internet?

You better say, "NO!"

There are thousands of websites that contain inaccurate, biased and just plain stupid information.

TASK:

In this project you are going to learn how to tell if a web site is reliable or just a waste of time.

PROCESS:

Option A: I could tell you how to determine if a website is reliable. I could make a list of things to look for and you could memorize it. Then your teacher could give you a test which will grill you about all the details.

or...

Option B: You can go and check out a few websites and make up your own list. Then you could share your list with the other students and come up with our own class list. Then you will write a short report about the websites you have visited.

OK, I don't really have a list. You will have to make up your own anyways.

  1. Create a short report about the web sites listed below. Every person in your group will write their own report but you should share your ideas with each other.
    • Which sites did you visit?
    • Were they reliable?
    • How could you tell if they were reliable?
  2. As a group, create a list of "Reliability Rules."
    • What things should you look for on web pages?
    • What other ways can you tell if a web site is reliable?

Use the following list of websites for your report.

  1. Do bears hibernate?
  2. Where is the country of Melchizedek?
  3. Which one is the real website of the World Trade Organization?
  4. Where is New Hartford, Minnesota?
  5. How many people live in Ruritania?
  6. How would you like to go to Mankota, Minnesota for a holiday?
  7. Which one is the official website of the United States Whitehouse?

 

EVALUATION:

Value Component  
1. __ Report I visited all the sites and determined which ones were unreliable.
2. __ Group work We worked as a team and helped each other determine the Reliability Rules.
3. __ "Reliability Rules" I helped creat a fairly comprehensive list of rules that I will use in the future.
4. __ Group Discussion I shared my ideas with the rest of the class and added to my list of Reliabilty Rules.
5. __ Future Assignments In future assignments, I will use the Reliability Rules to determine reliable internet sources.
Ask your teacher about the value of each component.

CONCLUSION:

Discuss the "Reliability Rules with the rest of your class. Can you add to your list?