Unit Activity Lesson Plans

Introduction
Students have read about the Internet and other electronic resources. In this lesson, they will practice evaluating a Web site.

Lesson Description
Students will review an article on HowStuffWorks.com. They must evaluate the site and the article using the evaluation questions provided in the unit.

Instructional Objectives

1. Students will be able to transfer ideas and techniques from the unit reading.
2. Students will explore a Web site to assess its value and reliability.

Student Web Activity Answers

1. What person, organization, or company created the information?

Possible answer: The material on this Web site is from HowStuffWorks, Inc. If you click on the "About" link in the blue bar at the bottom of the page, you will get to the page that describes the company. If you click on the author's name, Marshall Brain, at the beginning of the article, then you'll discover that Marshall Brain is the founder of HowStuffWorks, Inc. You'll also find that Brain has a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a master's degree in computer science from North Carolina State University. Before he started HowStuffWorks, Brain was a computer science teacher at NCSU and also ran a software training and consulting company.

2. Is the information in this article current?

Possible answer: According to the information at the bottom of the page, the site is copyrighted 1998-2004. However, it does not say specifically that the information was updated in 2004. So this article might not include the most current information.

3. What is the purpose of the information?

Possible answer: The purpose of this information is to explain how digital television works.

4. How can you verify the information included in this article?

Possible answer: The information on this Web site can be verified through other sources including books, journal articles, or even an expert interview.

5. Does the site refer to other reliable sources of related information?

Possible answer: The "Lots More Information" section of this article provides a list of links to other references and sources. Some of the related sites are pages on this Web site; others are on other Web sites.

6. Does the site contain spelling or other errors that make you suspicious?

Possible answer: I don't see any obvious typos or other errors on this Web site.

GO TO STUDENT ACTIVITY