Skip to Main Content

Digital Literacy: Evaluating Websites & Sources

Evaluating Websites

Evaluation of Websites

Step One: Watch & Discuss

  • Click the following link and watch the video: Common Craft Evaluation of Websites
  • After watching the video, discuss the following:
    • Why is it important to evaluate websites?
    • How does the topic of website evaluation relate to your roles as journalists?
    • (Consider: Might people evaluate your work as a journalist in a similar fashion? Why does this idea matter?)

 

Step Two: Review & Think

  • Below you will find the CARD test categories for website evaluation
  • Read the information and think about how the four evaluation categories (Credibility, Accuracy, Reliability, & Date = CARD) are applicable to website evaluation. 

CREDIBILITY

Anyone can post information on the Internet. Anyone. Who do you trust? Is this information based on primary or secondary sources? You may need to look at the HOME section or the “About Us” for this information.  

ACCURACY

Do there appear to be errors on the page (for example, facts, spelling, grammar, etc.)? Does the information on the page make logical sense? Can you verify the information elsewhere? Do the authors of the page cite the sources of information?

RELIABILITY:

All websites include information. Consider the authors’ purposes in creating the website? Is the content trustworthy? Is it free of bias? Look for citations or a list of materials used in the creation of the page.

DATE:

Some information on the Internet is old, dating back to the mid 1990’s. When you search for information on the Internet, how do you find information that is current and up-to-date?

Step Three: Apply

  • Have you ever thought about who owns or is financially responsible for websites? 
  • Click the"Who Owns a Website? (Group Activity #1)" tab to learn more about this topic! 

Group Activity #1: Whois.net?

Step One: Read about this Topic

​How can journalists find out who is behind a website?  Who created it?  Who registered it?  Who pays for the website to remain online? 

Read about whois.icann.org to begin your investigation. 

**ICANN is the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers.

 

Step Two: Investigate 

  1. Try to visit this website: https://www.martinlutherking.org/
    • What happens at school?
  2. The internet filter blocks this website at school. Click “more information” to find out why? Hint: read the “static category.” What is the reason?  
  3. So let’s find out who is behind the website.Visit Who IS? to investigate this website
  4. Who is the "Name" associated with this website? 
  5. What is the “Organization” listed?
  6. Open a new browser and "Google" the name of the organization. What type of organization is associated with this url? 
  7. Now read about this organization and the recent news about it (you may even find something on Wikipedia). 
  8. SO…Who is behind https://www.martinlutherking.org/? 

Step Three: Reflect

  • Now that you’ve investigated this url and organization, complete the following Google Form: Who Is It? Reflection
  • Next click the"Website Evaluation (Group Activity #2)" tab to apply what you've learned! 

Group Activity #2: Website Evaluation

Your Turn!

  • Apply what you’ve learned and evaluate a website

​Materials:

  • Each person will receive a copy of the “CARD Test – Website Evaluation Checklist” (yellow handout)

Directions: