Develop Students’ Website Evaluation Skills

When students do research, we want them to evaluate their sources to decide if they are credible and reliable. Of course, we know that students have different skills and knowledge, so it’s always worth reviewing some fundamentals before they do research. One of these fundamentals is students’ website evaluation skills. In this way, we can ensure students are given equal opportunities to be successful, rather than depending on what we hope or assume they know or can do.

Many students will turn to the Internet as the starting point for their research. Below you will find a short workshop I do with students on website evaluation skills. After years of trying different acronyms, guides, and checklists, this has given us the most success. I use it before asking students to complete shorter research activities (such as this exploration of upstanders) or longer, more-involved assignments. It can be used for in-person, online, synchronous, or asynchronous learning.