Introduction.  With over 110 million web sites on the Internet, and the number growing daily, users must be able to critically evaluate web sites.  As with material in other formats, use the following similar publishing elements when evaluating Web sites.  This page is related to analyzing geography and map related sites.

1. Author and Publishing Body.  Who is the author?  Is this author reliable?  Why or why not?  What is the email address and phone number?  What organization is responsible for publishing the site?  Is it educational, governmental, or private?

2. Content and Linkage.  Provide a critical analysis of the site.  How informative is the content?  Is it easy to use?  Can the maps and graphics be enlarged or reduced, and do they show sufficient detail?  Are the maps in color or monochrome and how good is the definition on the maps and graphics?  Are the maps interactive, meaning, can you write information on the map and create your own map?  What is the quality of audio and video if it is provided?  If it is a commercial site requiring a membership or offering items for sale, explain some of the items available.  Are the linkages to other sites embedded in text or in lists and which is better?  Explain what you think is the best hot link on the site.

3. Currency and Relevance.  When was the site established?  When was it last updated?  How important is updating to this site?  In your opinion, how often should it be updated?  Is the input to the site refereed by peers?

4. Applicability and usefulness.  Who is the audience for this site?  How well does it meet the needs of the audience?  How could the Web site be used in a classroom for education?  How is it useful in business?  How is it useful in government?  Who else would be interested in this site?

5. Rating.  With what degree of enthusiasm would you recommend the site to others?  In this project, use the scale 1 to 5 with 1 being the highest rating.

1 = Outstanding, a must see!
2 = Very good, well above average.
3 = Helpful, functional.
4 = Would seldom use, nothing special.
5 = Wouldn't recommend under any circumstance.

7. National Standards.  Enter the numbers for the "National Standards for Geography" that apply.

Assignment:  Critically evaluate TWO Web sites using an assigned form and the lists below, using the criteria above.  If a web site is inactive, let your Teacher know and you will be provided with another site.  This evaluation of web sites is due _______________.
 
 http://ejw.i8.com/geog/web/

Lists of sites to be used for Evaluation by students. NEW!

• Evaluating Web Resources.  Also has links to other web evaluation information. http://www2.widener.edu/Wolfgram-Memorial-Library/webeval.htm
• Evaluation of information sources.   Provides a significant number of links to web sites that provide evaluation ideas. http://www.vuw.ac.nz/~agsmith/evaln/evaln.htm
• Web Site Evaluation and Review Resources.   Provides a brief note of key points and then links to two sites. http://www.sunsite.unc.edu/reference/eval.html
• Evaluating Web Sites for Educational Uses: Bibliography and Checklist.  Both may prove helpful.  http://www.unc.edu/cit/guides/irg-49.html
• Untangling the Web, Critically Thinking in an Online World.  There is a good discussion of the challenges involved. http://www.library.ucsb.edu/untangle/jones.html
• Resource Selection and Information Evaluation. http://alexia.lis.uiuc.edu/~janicke/Evaluate.html
• Ten C's for Evaluating Internet Resources.  Poses basic questions for 10 aspects of a Web site that must be considered. http://www.uwec.edu/Admin/Library/10cs.html
• Search Engine Watch. Check out the information comparing Search Engines and how to search the various engines. http://searchenginewatch.com/