1. Comparing Websites
Information Literacy Instruction Educational Resources

2. Evaluating Educational Resources
Origin
Design
Content
Accessibility
Currency
3. What is the websites origin?
The organization providing the site is clearly indicated.
There is information about the site's authors (About Us, Our Objectives, Modus Operandi, Mission Statement, etc.)
The site's creators have provided their credentials (if need be).
The site's creators have indicated the source of their materials where it is necessary to do so.
There is an address made available for further information and questions concerning the site's information and content.
4. Is the website well-designed?
The site's general appearance is appealing to its intended audience (colors, graphics, layout).
It is easy to navigate through the site -links are clearly marked and self-explanatory making navigation intuitive.
The links appearing on the site work (take the user to a new page).
Supporting pages have a link back to the site's main page.
The text on the site is easily readable (font, size, color scheme).
The graphics on the site serve a purpose and are not too big.
The site is not cluttered with advertising -overshadowing its content.
The site is interactive -there is something to DO on the site (game, fill-out forms, chat, newsgroup/message board, etc.).
The site's design and added features (graphics, sounds, video, databases, Active X, Shockwave, CGI, JavaScript and Java Applets) do not hinder the appeal of the site but enhance it.
5. Is the websites content meaningful in terms of educational value?
The title of the site is indicative of its content.
The language is developmentally appropriate for its targeted audience.
The use of text and graphics as links is appropriate to level of understanding of targeted audience.
The targeted audience has required skills to comprehend content.
The targeted audience has required skills to navigate with ease through the site.
The site is free of spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, syntax errors, or typos.
The site promotes equal and just representations of racial, gender, and religious issues.
The content is informative.
The site contains a wealth of information and deserves more than one visit.
The site has links to other websites relevant to the same topic.
6. Is the website accessible?
The site does not take a long time to load.
The site provides a "help feature" or instructions on its use.
The site does not require special "plug-ins" or other types of special viewing helpers. If it does, this is clearly indicated.
The site does not require usage fees to be paid.
The site has rules to its use.
The site requires a registration or password to access and use it.
7. Is the website current?
The site has been recently updated.
The information recently updated is highlighted for the user.
There is a statement pledging to current updates.
8. www.oclc.org/worldcat
Origin
Design
Content
Accessibility
Currency
9. www.bestedsites.com
Origin
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10. Resources
http://pages.infinit.net/seguind/evaluation.htm
http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/webcrit.html
http://library.duke.edu/services/instruction/libraryguide/evalwebpages.html
http://www.w3.org/WAI/eval/