Sharon Adamavage

Name:_____________________________________ 10/27/09
Date:____________

CRITICAL EVALUATION OF A WEB SITE

SECONDARY SCHOOL LEVEL
©1996-2009. Kathleen Schrock (kathy@kathyschrock.net)
Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schrockguide/

1. What type of connection do you have to the Internet?

• ___ Dial-XS connection
• ___ Direct connection: 56K DSL T1 T3 ✔ Broadband/cable Other:_________
Internet Explorer
2. What Web browser are you using?__________________________________

3. What is the URL of the Web page you are evaluating?

www.regentsprep.org/Regents/math/algtrig/math-ALGTRIG.HTM#m5
http://______________________________________________________________________________
Oswego City School District Regents Exam Prep Center
4. What is the name of the site? _________________________________________________________

Part 1: Technical and visual aspects of the page YES NO

As you look at the questions below, put an X in the yes or no column for each.
Does the page take a long time to load? X
Do any pictures or photographs on the page add to the information? X
Is the spelling correct on the page? X
Are there headings and subheadings on the page? X
• If so, are they helpful? X
Is the page signed by the author? X
Is the author's e-mail address included? X
Is there a date on the page that tells you when it was last updated? X
• If so, is it current? X
Is the format standard and readable with your browser? X
Is there an image map (large clickable graphic with hyperlinks) on the page? X
Is there a table (columns of text) on the page? (Check the source code to be sure.) X
• If so, is the table readable with your browser? X
If you have graphics turned off, is there a text alternate to the images? X
On supporting pages, is there a link back to the home page? X
Are the links clearly visible and annotated or explanatory? X
Are there photographs or sound files on the page? X
• If so, can you be sure that a picture or sound has not been edited? X
• If you're not sure, should you accept the information as valid for your purpose?

Summary of Part One

Using the data you have collected above, write a short statement explaining why you would or wouldn't
recommend this site to a fHOORZVWXGHQW for use LQ a project.
The website is quick to load and contains many graphics that can add to the learning experience for
students. Not only is the page colorful, but it is easy to navigate and contains a wealth of visible and
up-to-date information. The author provides her email address as well. The website is for Regents
Exam Prep Center and contains many photographs and some videos. It is a good site for student
research on a particular topic of Algebra 2.

©1996-2009. Kathy Schrock. All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce in paper for classroom use granted.
Permission is not granted for re-posting or derivative works. Linking is permitted.
Part 2: Content YES NO
As you look at the questions below, put an X in the yes or no column for each.
Is the title of the page indicative of the content? X
Is the purpose of the page indicated on the home page? X
When was the document created? X
If there is no date, is the information current? X
Does up-to-date information matter for your purpose? X
Is the information useful for your purpose? X
Would it have been easier to get the information somewhere else? X
Would information somewhere else have been different? X
• Why or why not?

Did the information lead you to other sources, both print and Web, that were useful? X
Is a bibliography of print sources included? X
Does the information appear biased? (One-sided, critical of opposing views, etc.) X
Does the information contradict something you found somewhere else? X
Do most of the pictures supplement the content of the page? X

Part 3: Authority YES NO

As you look at the questions below, put an X in the yes or no column for each.
Who created the page? State Education Dept. (Regents exam for NY state resources)

What organization is the person affiliated with? State Education Dept. (Regents exam for NY)

Conduct a link: command in a search engine to see who links to this page. X
Can you tell if other experts in the field think this is a reputable page?
Does the domain of the page (k12, edu, com, org, gov) influence your evaluation? X
Are you positive the information is valid and authoritative? X
• What can you do to validate the information?

Are you satisfied the information useful for your purpose? X

• If not, what can you do next?

If you do a search in the newsgroups on the creator of the page, do you find additional X
information that shows the Web page author is an expert in the field?

©1996-2009. Kathy Schrock. All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce for classroom use granted.
Permission is not granted for re-posting or derivative works. Linking is permitted.
Narrative Evaluation
Looking at all of the data you have collected above while evaluating the site, explain why or why
not this site is (or is not) valid for your purpose. Include the aspects of technical content,
authenticity, authority, bias, and subject content.
This page includes many Algebra 2 categories. The main page has links to major topics. When you
click on a major topic, you are directed to subtopics. If provided, this allows your students to get
examples of specific types of problems they may be struggling with in class. Each subtopic is broken
down even more and provides lesson examples for the students to read and then once the skills have
been mastered their is an interactive practice link to see if they mastered the skills in that set. Also,
each subtopic contains an actiivty that a teacher can use with their class when completeing each unit.
The activities are hands-on and small group focused. This helps give real world examples to students
and make math come alive to them. In adddition to the math resources, the site also provides a list of
study tips for students, teaching strategies, review and formula sheets, and links to other teacher
resources.
The page is for the Regents NY test. It is published by the State Education Dept.

©1996-2009. Kathy Schrock. All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce for classroom use granted.
Permission is not granted for re-posting or derivative works. Linking is permitted.