Evaluating Websites
School and real-life applications
Importance of Reliable Websites
Find reliable information in order to make
educated decisions.
Research papers and other assignments
require valid information.
Knowing the differences between reliable
and unreliable websites can help you in
daily life.
Content: Things to Look For
Does the title represent the content on the
page?
When was the document created and last
updated?
Is the information useful?
Does the information on the page give
links for further information?
Do the pictures support and supplement
the information on the page?
Authority: Is the website credible?
Who created the webpage and what
organization are they affiliated with? (author)
Would another website link this page for
further information?
Does the domain of the webpage affect your
evaluation? (ex. .gov, .edu, .com, or .org)
Example: Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus
College and University Websites
Domain ending in .edu
*University of Georgia: www.uga.edu
*University of Michigan: www.umich.edu
Always go to the Home Page first.
If you can’t find what you are looking for there
should be ‘Search’ function.
Academics: Admission requirements
From each college or university home
page look for a link that may say:
*Prospective Student, New Student,
Future Student, Admissions, etc.
Once you have entered the Prospective
Student page look for a link that says:
*Admission Requirements,
Freshmen, Admission Checklist, etc.
Kent State University
http://www.kent.edu/
Discussion
What did you find?
What couldn’t you find?
Did the graphics/pictures distract you?
How easy was it for your to assess the websites
for Academic Requirements and Fast Facts
about your school?
How do you think you will use these skills
outside of class?
Questions?