The World Wide Web gives us access to more information than we can possibly use. TV networks, sports stars and teams, companies, schools-everything seems to have a Web site. How good is the information we get on the Web? How can we tell a good Web site from a bad one? In this activity you will evaluate a Web site of your own choosing.

     You will need a computer with Internet access and a Web browser.

     Choose a topic that interests you (there are a few suggestions in the DATA- BANK). Locate at least three Web sites related to your topic. After you have explored each site, record the URL and evaluate each site, using the following guidelines:

Topic:                                                                                    

URL:                                                                                     

Site Name:                                                                           

Author/Company:                                                                 

Evaluate using a numerical rating scale (1 to 5, for example) for the following elements, or add your own:

1.         Use of Color
2.         Features
3.         Links
4.         Speed of Downloading
5.         Ease of Navigation
6.         Quality of Information
7.         Free From Bias
8.         Strengths
9.         Weaknesses
10.         Any Other Criteria You Might Want to Use

     Present your findings to your club or class. In your presentation, discuss the following:

• Describe the process you followed in reviewing the sites. Describe the variations in quality that you found.



• Where did you find the most reliable information? Why?



• What types of features did you feel really enhanced the quality of a Web site?

     Develop and test a Web site evaluation tool for others to use.

     Develop a multi-media presentation of your findings. For instructions on developing presentations, see the "Lights, Camera, Presentation!" lesson.

Topic Ideas for Web Sites:

• High Schools
• Computer or Software Companies
• Television Shows
• TV and Movie Stars
• TV Networks
• NFL Teams
• NBA Teams
• Major League Baseball Teams
• Art

URL's:

• For additional topics, see http://www.yahoo.com/.



• For information on Web page design, good and bad, start with the Lycos Web Design Page at http://www.lycos.com/resources/Webdesign/index.html.



• For more detailed information on Web site evaluation, including instruments, visit: http://www.capecod.net/schrockguide/eval.htm.

Adapted from material developed by Illinois 4-H. Used by permission.

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