validating web sites 3 4

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Validating Web SitesValidating Web Sites

By Cecile WebsterBy Cecile Webster

Why Do We Need to Validate?Why Do We Need to Validate?

Students need to be able to:Students need to be able to: Use practical and usable methods while Use practical and usable methods while

exploring the Internetexploring the Internet Make sense of sitesMake sense of sites Gain a proper prospective on what they can Gain a proper prospective on what they can

encounter on the netencounter on the net

Sites should be:Sites should be: Simple and clearSimple and clear Written in calm, logical toneWritten in calm, logical tone

Sites should not be manipulative in its Sites should not be manipulative in its actual messageactual message

Guide to checking the quality of informationGuide to checking the quality of information

on the Internet on the Internet

Anyone can publishAnyone can publish

Expert Web MastersExpert Web Masters

Over 156 million sites (85+ billion web pages) Over 156 million sites (85+ billion web pages) including blogsincluding blogs

Quantity vs. QualityQuantity vs. Quality

A Strategy to Validate a Web Site!A Strategy to Validate a Web Site!

REAL StrategyREAL Strategy

RR Read the URLRead the URL

EE Examine the site’s contentExamine the site’s content

AA Ask about the author/publisherAsk about the author/publisher

LL Look at the linksLook at the links

*Alan November/November Learning*Alan November/November Learning

R is for Reading the URLR is for Reading the URL

What is the domain name?What is the domain name?Is found after the http:// and the www. to Is found after the http:// and the www. to

the first forward slash/the first forward slash/

Ex. Ex. http://amherstschools.orghttp://amherstschools.org Amherstschools.org is the domain nameAmherstschools.org is the domain name

A domain name can provide clues about the A domain name can provide clues about the qualityquality of information of a site or tell you what a of information of a site or tell you what a site is aboutsite is about

R is for reading the URLR is for reading the URL

What is the extension in the domain name?What is the extension in the domain name?

An extension is preceded by a . (dot)An extension is preceded by a . (dot)

Examples:Examples: .com and .net.com and .net

Intended to show type of establishment that Intended to show type of establishment that owns and publishes the domainowns and publishes the domain..


ExtensionsExtensions

More reliable ones:More reliable ones:

.edu, .gov, .k12.edu, .gov, .k12

Watch out for:Watch out for:

.com, .org, .net.com, .org, .net

Can be purchased by anyoneCan be purchased by anyone

no guaranteesno guarantees

R is for Reading the URLR is for Reading the URLCheck this list:Check this list:

..eduedu Educational organization (most US universities)Educational organization (most US universities)

.k12.k12 US school site (not all US schools use this)US school site (not all US schools use this)

.ac.ac Academic institution (outside of US)Academic institution (outside of US)

.sch.sch School site (some schools outside of US use)School site (some schools outside of US use)

.com.com Company (usually .co in the UK)Company (usually .co in the UK)

.org.org Any organizationAny organization

.gov.gov Government agencyGovernment agency

.net.net NetworkNetwork

.mil.mil Military institutionMilitary institution

.biz.biz commercial purposescommercial purposes

.name.name commercial purposescommercial purposes

.pro.pro commercial purposescommercial purposes

.info.info commercial purposescommercial purposes

Computer UserComputer User DictionaryDictionary


If you don’t recognize the domain name or extensionIf you don’t recognize the domain name or extensionLook past the first forward slashLook past the first forward slash

Ex. Ex. /~abutz/di/intro.html/~abutz/di/intro.html

The presence of a name or the tilde ~ or % usually The presence of a name or the tilde ~ or % usually means it is a personal web site.means it is a personal web site.

Ex. Ex. http:/pubweb.northwestern.edu/~abutz/di/intro.htmlhttp:/pubweb.northwestern.edu/~abutz/di/intro.html

Even though northwestern and .edu should be a Even though northwestern and .edu should be a trusted site, the ~and name indicate a personal trusted site, the ~and name indicate a personal web pageweb page..

This site is no longer available at the original address!This site is no longer available at the original address!

E is for Examining the ContentE is for Examining the Content

Look for information that:Look for information that:is correct -- contradict info found elsewhereis correct -- contradict info found elsewhereis up-to date -- ? when last updatedis up-to date -- ? when last updatedis right for their topicis right for their topicis useful for your topicis useful for your topic

Are resources and links provided and do they work?Are resources and links provided and do they work?

E is for Examining the ContentE is for Examining the Content

Look at its history:Look at its history:

The The WaybackWayback Machine Machine -- -- www.archive.orgwww.archive.org

--has web pages archived from 1996 --has web pages archived from 1996

--check --check http://pubweb.northwestern.edu/~abutz/di/intro.hthttp://pubweb.northwestern.edu/~abutz/di/intro.htmlml

A is for Ask About the Author/PublisherA is for Ask About the Author/Publisher

Who owns the site?Who owns the site?EasyWhois gives youEasyWhois gives you

Date site was createdDate site was createdSpecific contact namesSpecific contact namesAddresses at which organization is based.Addresses at which organization is based.

try the following:try the following: http://http://www.easywhois.comwww.easywhois.com Enter domain nameEnter domain name Ex. Martinlutherking.orgEx. Martinlutherking.org

http://www.martinlutherking.orghttp://www.martinlutherking.org

A is for Ask About the Author/PublisherA is for Ask About the Author/Publisher

Knowing the author/publisher, you can now:Knowing the author/publisher, you can now:

Do a Google search on both the organization Do a Google search on both the organization and the individualand the individual In this case Stormfront and Don BlackIn this case Stormfront and Don Black GoogleGoogle After checking this out, we definitely do not After checking this out, we definitely do not

want our students reading and researching want our students reading and researching information on this site.information on this site.

L is for Look at the LinksL is for Look at the LinksForward LinksForward Links

Links an author puts on website to other information Links an author puts on website to other information on the Interneton the Internet

author has full control over inclusion of forward author has full control over inclusion of forward links.links.

Students should ask these questions about Students should ask these questions about forward linksforward links

What are the URLs of the forward links?What are the URLs of the forward links?Can help you judge quality of link and see Can help you judge quality of link and see patternspatterns

Domain name on link same as on original site, Domain name on link same as on original site, chances are likely same person wrote them all.chances are likely same person wrote them all.

L is for Look at the LinksL is for Look at the Links

Forward Links-con’tForward Links-con’t Do domain names change?Do domain names change?

Check URLs of forward links Check URLs of forward links

Who wrote themWho wrote them

Chance of bias in info if same person wroteChance of bias in info if same person wrote Is information biased?Is information biased?

Judge the Judge the qualityquality of a website by the company it of a website by the company it keeps.keeps.

Any opposing viewpoints included in links?Any opposing viewpoints included in links? If so, shows a balanced and unbiased approachIf so, shows a balanced and unbiased approach

L is for Look at the Links L is for Look at the Links External LinksExternal Links

Are not controlled by a website’s authorAre not controlled by a website’s author Could be made by anyone in the worldCould be made by anyone in the world

Who is linked to this site?Who is linked to this site?Are they universities, schools, or commercial Are they universities, schools, or commercial sites?sites?Check URLs, titles, descriptions carefullyCheck URLs, titles, descriptions carefully

What is the purpose of the link?What is the purpose of the link?Why have groups or individuals chose to link to Why have groups or individuals chose to link to this sitethis site??


What do other sites say about the information on What do other sites say about the information on the site?the site?

Cross-reference information and look for hidden bias.Cross-reference information and look for hidden bias. How to Find External LinksHow to Find External Links

Go to Alta VistaGo to Alta Vista http://www.altavista.comhttp://www.altavista.com

Type in the following:Type in the following: Link:http://www.zapatopi.net/treeoctopusLink:http://www.zapatopi.net/treeoctopus

Scan the list of sitesScan the list of sitesRespond to the three questionsRespond to the three questions

Who is linked to this site?Who is linked to this site? What is the purpose of the link?What is the purpose of the link? What do other sites say about the information on What do other sites say about the information on

this sitethis siteCan you make any generalizations?Can you make any generalizations?


The link: command will work in Google as well, The link: command will work in Google as well, but with more limited results.but with more limited results.

Quality of websites:Quality of websites:

Check spellingCheck spelling

Check grammarCheck grammar

Check syntax errorsCheck syntax errors

Check for any awards givenCheck for any awards given

Recommendations:Recommendations:

Use WorldBook or Grolier instead of:Use WorldBook or Grolier instead of: Wikipedia or any of its offshootsWikipedia or any of its offshoots UncyclopediaUncyclopedia

Trusted Websites used by AMS teachers in Trusted Websites used by AMS teachers in the Computer Center:the Computer Center:http://http://www.nycareerzone.org/graphic/index.jspwww.nycareerzone.org/graphic/index.jsp some connection to NYS, used by Career & Life Skills some connection to NYS, used by Career & Life Skills

teachersteachers

http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.htmhttp://www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm online edition of online edition of Occupational Outlook HandbookOccupational Outlook Handbook, used by , used by

Career & Life Skills teachersCareer & Life Skills teachers

http://http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/severeweather/index.shtmlwww.nws.noaa.gov/om/severeweather/index.shtml

about tornadoes (and other storms), used by Grade 8 about tornadoes (and other storms), used by Grade 8 Earth Science teacherEarth Science teacher

http://www.thirteen.org/tenement/logcabin.htmlhttp://www.thirteen.org/tenement/logcabin.html Tenement Museum on Orchard St. in NYC, used by Tenement Museum on Orchard St. in NYC, used by

Grade 8 SS teachersGrade 8 SS teachers

http://www.sciencecourseware.org/VirtualEarthquake/http://www.sciencecourseware.org/VirtualEarthquake/ interactive site on earthquakes using Richter scale, etc., interactive site on earthquakes using Richter scale, etc.,

Grade 8 Earth ScienceGrade 8 Earth Science

http://www.iris.edu/seismon/http://www.iris.edu/seismon/ seismic monitoring site, Grade 8 Earth seismic monitoring site, Grade 8 Earth

ScienceSciencehttp://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/immigration/tour/shttp://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/immigration/tour/stop1.htmtop1.htm Ellis Island tour, Grade 8 SSEllis Island tour, Grade 8 SS

http://conjuguemos.com/home/index.htmlhttp://conjuguemos.com/home/index.html Spanish & French conjugation practiceSpanish & French conjugation practice

WebSitesWebSites

We will look at and evaluate using Alan We will look at and evaluate using Alan November’s REAL method:November’s REAL method:

Fun Phones:Fun Phones:http://www.ericofon.com/sale/novelty/novelty.htmhttp://www.ericofon.com/sale/novelty/novelty.htm

Dihydrogen Monoxide Research Division:Dihydrogen Monoxide Research Division:http://www.dhmo.orghttp://www.dhmo.org

Street Gang DynamicsStreet Gang Dynamicshttp://www.gangwar.comhttp://www.gangwar.com

Dog Island Free ForeverDog Island Free Foreverhttp://www.thedogisland.comhttp://www.thedogisland.com

McWhortle EnterprisesMcWhortle Enterpriseshttp://www.mcwhortle.comhttp://www.mcwhortle.com

All About ExplorersAll About Explorershttp://www.allaboutexplorers.comhttp://www.allaboutexplorers.com

Ova Prima FoundationOva Prima Foundationhttp://www.ovaprima.orghttp://www.ovaprima.org

Victorian Robots:Victorian Robots:http://www.bigredhair.comhttp://www.bigredhair.com

Hemp NutsHemp Nutshttp://www.hempfood.comhttp://www.hempfood.com

Carnival in Quebec Carnival in Quebec http://http://carnaval.qc.ca/en/index.aspcarnaval.qc.ca/en/index.asp

The Pacific Northwest Tree octopusThe Pacific Northwest Tree octopushttp://www.zapatopi.net/treeoctopushttp://www.zapatopi.net/treeoctopus

Worm Man’s Worm FarmWorm Man’s Worm Farmhttp://www.wormman.com/http://www.wormman.com/

Feline Reactions to Bearded MenFeline Reactions to Bearded Menhttp://www.improbable.com/airchives/classical/cat/cat.htmlhttp://www.improbable.com/airchives/classical/cat/cat.html

Fuhrer Putz Nuclear Submarine Docks Fuhrer Putz Nuclear Submarine Docks http://descy.50megs.com/mankato/subyard.htmlhttp://descy.50megs.com/mankato/subyard.html

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