Evaluating Websites for Credibility

As a teacher in the Knowledge Revolution, I plan on using all sorts of technology with my students in the classroom. It is always important to monitor what they are working on and teach them appropriate ways to look up information. I can help them with evaluating websites for credibility by telling them to read everything very carefully. Always double check the information you are reading with another website or source of knowledge. If something is not believable it is best to compare it with a truly reliable source. If a student is unsure of how to tell if a website if reliable they can always ask the teacher for help in determining what is right.

It is also important to check for authors and contact information on pages. Viewing how often the page is updated proves that the website has current information listed. When facts are stated on the website it is definitely reliable if the author cites the source. If the source is cited the reader can go back and check the original source for the information and make sure that this is reliable. Teachers should have a list of these procedures by the computers for students to refer to with the last option as checking with the teacher. If this list is too complicated for the students to do at this young age, they can work with an aid or the teacher directly when they are on computers looking up information.