Lesson Plan Title |
Evaluating the Internet |
| Developed by |
Dale Schuett 
(Cooperating Teacher) and Katie Kloster (Student Teacher) |
| Subject Area |
Social Studies |
| Topic |
The Internet as a Research Tool |
| Grade Level |
6-8 (adaptable 9-12) |
| Lesson Summary |
The students create
portfolios that must include articles and reflections on topics covered
in class. The Internet should be a source for these articles.
The students will use various search engines and a scoring checklist to
evaluate Internet sites for reliability and accuracy. |
| Standards |
National Content Standards
World Geography
11. The student will know the processes, patterns,
and functions of human settlement by explaining the causes and effects
of urbanization (e.g., rural-to-urban migration leads to urbanization),
comparing and contrasting the differing characteristics of settlement in
developing and developed countries, and examining how and why large cities
grow together.
National Educational Technology Standards
8. Select and use appropriate
tools and technology resources to accomplish a variety of tasks and solve
problems.
10. Research and evaluate the accuracy,
relevance, appropriateness, comprehensiveness, and bias of electronic information
sources concerning real-world problems.
|
| Lesson Objectives |
Upon completion of instruction, the students
will have:
-
Used multiple search engines to find potential articles
for their portfolios.
-
Evaluated an Internet site using a scoring checklist
containing twelve different criteria.
-
Expanded or limited an Internet search to find resource
materials.
|
| Assessment |
Each pair of students must evaluate three Internet
sites using the twelve criteria on the scoring checklist and assign a rating
to each site. On the evaluation form, the address of the site and
the search engine must be included. Each pair of students will use
a minimum of two search engines in their search for articles. The
search engines will be noted on the scoring checklist. |
| Technology to be Used |
Computers with Internet access |
| Other Materials |
Checklist for evaluating Internet sites and Internet
activity on evaluating sites |
| Procedural Activities |
-
The day before going to the computer lab, the students
will be instructed about the Internet activity to allow for productive
lab time. The students will be reminded of the portfolio requirements
for articles and reflections and asked to think of potential subjects for
which to search. Give the students information on ways to expand
or limit a search if they are having difficulty finding the information
they are seeking.
-
On the day of the activity, pair students and give
the assignment sheets and three checklists to each pair. Go over
the requirements of the project reminding the students that they must use
at least two different search engines and look up three different subjects.
As a class, review the checklist to ensure student understanding
of all criteria.
-
Allow students time to search for and evaluate three
sites. Students must rate each site and turn in their evaluation
checklists. If the students want to use an article for their portfolio,
they will need to print it.
-
Review the activity and check for student understanding.
Encourage the students to use a site evaluation any time they use the Internet
as a research tool.
|
| Attachments |
Checklist for evaluating
Internet sites and Internet activity on evaluating
sites |
Technology
Integrated Lesson Plans
