Overview

This form has been created to ensure students will examine the places they are utilizing either for general information or for specific assignments and papers. While the internet is a fun and useful resource utilized by all, it can also lead to the spread of misinformation, which is why everyone, especially students should take time to assess their online resources. 

The key factors one should consider when assessing an online resource are: Authorship, Aesthetics, Connections, Currency, Understanding, and Bias. 

The most easily accessed factors have to do with authorship. Look for typos, names, dates, titles. If a website has frequent grammatical errors it means that it's less likely this website has been through multiple eyes and checked for accuracy. Similarly if someone isn't willing to sign their name to the information being shared its less trustworthy due to a lack of accountability.

Aesthetics are also a very important competency. Taking time and making sure the site is presented well demonstrates that the author has respect for their work. Having a simple site could convey that not a lot of time was put into it, so maybe it should not be trusted since it was put together very quickly. Aesthetics are important in grabbing a reader's attention, and helping convey information. 

Connectedness demonstrates proficiency in technology. Making citations and resources easy to find and access makes a reader want to be more trustworthy or an author's content. Having embedded links makes the paper embody logos. 

Having up to date information also allows an author to be more credible. The websites students' navigate should not be never updated. There should be visible dates and new and current issues being posted with some frequency. Students should not trust resources that seem old. 

You should be able to understand everything your author is saying! If they are using superfluous words and exaggerating a bit much, the website should not be trusted! If it seems fishy, it probably is not true. 

If the author seems to be trying to sell you something, please close the tab students. If there is an obvious sponsorship, or if there is something that the author is asking for, they lose credibilty. For my students, you should only be on educational websites. These authors should not have anything to gain except for the pure joy of teaching.