Evaluating Internet Resources Lesson
Lesson Overview
- What Are Internet Resources?
- Why Evaluating Internet Resources Is Important
- Understanding Website Domains
- Are All .org Sites Trustworthy?
- Does a Professional-Looking Website Mean It's Reliable?
- What Are Subscription Databases and Why Are They Important?
- Can You Trust Search Engine Results Like Google?
- Questions to Ask Before Using a Website
- Let's Apply What We Learned
- Quick Guide to Evaluating a Website
- Becoming a Digital Detective
In today's digital world, students frequently rely on the internet to gather information for projects, assignments, and personal curiosity. However, not all internet information is accurate, up-to-date, or reliable.
The focus of this lesson is on understanding domain reliability, author credibility, website bias, subscription databases, and the importance of critical thinking when using search engines.
What Are Internet Resources?
Internet resources include any form of digital content used for obtaining information. These can be:
- Web pages
- Online articles
- Databases
- Multimedia content (videos, podcasts, infographics)
For academic or research purposes, it is crucial to use resources that are accurate, credible, and intended to inform or educate rather than to persuade or sell.
Key Point:
Not every website is created with the same level of care or expertise. Some are made by experts; others may be opinions or advertisements pretending to offer facts.
Why Evaluating Internet Resources Is Important
Every student should know how to separate fact from opinion, and truth from misinformation. The internet gives access to a wide range of content, but anyone can publish anything without review or fact-checking.
Example:
If you're researching endangered animals and use a blog that shares incorrect data, your report may contain misleading information.
Poor research habits can lead to:
- Inaccurate schoolwork
- Misunderstanding real-world issues
- Difficulty distinguishing trustworthy news and information
Evaluating resources helps you become a better student, communicator, and digital citizen.
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Understanding Website Domains
Each website ends with a domain like .com, .gov, or .edu. These endings can help you determine the reliability of the content.
| Domain | Meaning | Who Uses It? | Reliability |
| .gov | Government | Federal/state/local agencies | Very High |
| .edu | Education | Colleges, universities, schools | Very High |
| .org | Organization | Non-profits, advocacy groups | Varies – needs evaluation |
| .com | Commercial | Businesses, news, blogs, stores | Often biased – evaluate carefully |
| .net | Network | General or technical sites | Inconsistent – evaluate carefully |
Are All .org Sites Trustworthy?
No. The ".org" domain does not guarantee reliability. While many reputable charities and non-profits use this domain, some groups use ".org" to promote biased opinions or agendas.
Important Tip:
You must evaluate each .org site separately. Ask:
- Who created it?
- What is their purpose?
- Are they trying to inform or persuade?
Example:
An animal welfare .org site might provide scientific facts, while another .org might focus on promoting certain animal rights perspectives. Both can be useful, but students must understand their goals.
Does a Professional-Looking Website Mean It's Reliable?
Students might think that if a website looks good or has a listed author, it must be trustworthy. That's not always true.
What to Look For:
| Factor | Why It Matters |
| Author Name | Check who wrote it. Are they an expert? |
| Author's Background | Do they have experience or education in the subject? |
| Domain | Is it .gov, .edu, etc.? |
| Errors or Mistakes | Spelling or grammar errors can indicate poor quality |
| Bias | Is the author trying to influence your opinion? |
Critical Thinking Example: If an author with no science degree writes about medicine, even on a good-looking site, their opinion might not be reliable.
What Are Subscription Databases and Why Are They Important?
Subscription databases are online collections of trustworthy information that schools and libraries often pay for. Unlike websites found through Google, these databases contain peer-reviewed, edited, or scholarly sources.
Benefits of Subscription Databases:
| Feature | Why It Helps |
| Expert-reviewed | Information is checked before it's published |
| Reliable content | Fewer mistakes or false claims |
| Academic quality | Excellent for school research |
Examples of Subscription Databases:
- Britannica School
- World Book Online
- Scholastic GO!
- PA Power Library (for Pennsylvania students)
Key Understanding: Subscription databases are more trustworthy than random websites because they undergo strict editing processes. They also often come with built-in tools like citations and definitions, helping students understand and use the content responsibly.
Can You Trust Search Engine Results Like Google?
Search engines like Google are powerful tools, but not everything they show is trustworthy.
Why Be Cautious:
- Anyone can publish online.
- The top results are not always the best-they might be paid ads.
- Search results often mix accurate and inaccurate information.
Good Practice: Use Google to find sources, but don't trust them right away. Check each site for domain, author, date, and bias.
Tip: Never use only one source. Compare multiple sources to get a balanced understanding.
Questions to Ask Before Using a Website
To think like a responsible researcher, always ask these key questions:
| Question | What It Tells You |
| Who is the author? | Is the person qualified or experienced? |
| What is the domain? | Gives clues about reliability |
| When was it published or updated? | Is the information current? |
| Why was it created? | To inform, sell, persuade, or entertain? |
| Are there references? | Good sources back up their facts |
The CRAAP Test (simplified for students):
- Currency: Is it recent?
- Relevance: Does it help answer your question?
- Authority: Is the author credible?
- Accuracy: Are the facts supported?
- Purpose: Is the goal to inform or persuade?
Let's Apply What We Learned
Scenario 1: You find a .com website about climate change written by a company that sells air purifiers.
Should you trust it?
No, because the company has a reason to persuade you to buy their product, which can affect the facts they present.
Scenario 2: You're researching volcanoes and find a .edu article by a geologist from a university.
Should you trust it?
Yes, it likely contains accurate, educational information written by an expert.
Scenario 3: A YouTube video explains dinosaurs, but it's made by someone with no science background.
Should you trust it?
You should verify the content by checking other sources before using it.
Quick Guide to Evaluating a Website
| Check This | What to Look For | Why It Matters |
| Domain | .gov or .edu preferred | Higher trustworthiness |
| Author | Name and qualifications | Shows expertise |
| Content | No errors, factual support | Indicates quality |
| Date | Recent or updated | Ensures relevance |
| Purpose | Inform vs. persuade | Helps detect bias |
Becoming a Digital Detective
Evaluating internet resources is an essential skill in the modern classroom. By understanding domain types, questioning authorship, checking for bias, and using subscription databases, students can find accurate, reliable information for all subjects. This lesson gives students the tools to think critically, evaluate wisely, and succeed in digital research tasks.
Students who master these skills will perform confidently on quizzes and real-world tasks that demand accurate online research and judgment.
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