LISD Instructional Technology

Lubbock ISD, 1628 19th Street, Lubbock, TX 79401, 806-766-1000

Just Do I.T.!

Information Fluency

Technical
Sites

Instructional
Technology
Home

LISD Home

S.N.A.P.
Validation of Web Resources

There are two parts to validation…

RELATIONSHIP to the task at hand and
LEGITIMACY of the information

Why is this a bigger problem with Web-based resources than print resources?

The ease of self-publication on the Web assures that the variety of points of view will be the widest possible. It is not only easy, but cheap to publish on the Web. And with the sophisticated software tools of today it is easier than ever to create very professional looking documents and web sites.

S.N.A.P.*	*Source* - Somebody created this site; Who? *Nature* - Why does this site exist? *Appearance/Accessibility* - Does this site function efficiently? *Page Content* - Is the information accurate and reliable?
Source	Is the name of the author or authoring organization indicated on the site? Is there anyway to contact the author (email link)? Is there any indication of the author's authority related to the topic? Does the site's Internet domain (.com, .edu, .mil, .org) provide clues to its source?
Nature	What is the purpose of the site? Does the author or authoring organization have some agenda that would bias the information presented? Is the site selling something? Does the information appear to be expressing opinions or facts?
Appearance Accessiblility	Does the site work properly… Links work? Pages or pictures are not missing? Is the site extremely slow to load?
Page Content	Does the information at this site agree with or contradict other information I have found? Does the site indicate how timely the information is… Creation or Revision Date for the site? Date the information was developed or gathered? Is the information time sensitive? Does the information (text or graphical) at this site relate to my topic? Can I find my key words and their synonyms?

Additional Sources of Information Alexander, Jan and Tate, Marsha. Teaching Critical Evaluation Skills for World Wide Web Resources American Association of School Librarians (AASL). ICONnet Bartelstein, Andrea and Zald, Anne. Teaching Students to Think Critically about Internet Resources Beck, Susan. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: or Why It's a Good Idea to Evaluate Web Sources Evaluating Web Sites for Educational Uses: Bibliography and Checklist Kirk, Elizabeth E. Evaluating Information Found on the Internet National Association for Managers of Student Services in colleges (UK). Evaluating web sites and information Schrock, Kathy. Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators: Critical Evaluation Surveys

* DeNeene Henderson, Dallas Public Schools; Joann Lickteig, University of North Texas

Page last updated: 04/29/2003

LISD Competencies | Technology Home | LISD Departments