Web resources and the super five: Critical evaluation of information and tools

It is impossible to read any type of publication or attend a conference without running into a discussion of the Internet. Educators are often frustrated by access and learning to tap resources. Because presentation of materials via the Web is so visually appealing, users may overlook the need to evaluate web content as they would more traditional information sources. This session presents the need to evaluate Web Sources, sites, and pages as well as review the "super five" approach to evaluating materials: currency, scope, objectivity, authority, and accuracy. Because the resources presented via the World Wide Web and its search tools are easy to use and visually appealing, learners may forget to apply critical thinking and evaluative criteria to them. It is important to remember that traditional print resources are also still valid and that traditional means of evaluating information need to be applied to the Web resources as well.