Evaluation

Learn to critically evaluate resources for accuracy

1. Evaluating websites is a skill that we need to teach our students. There is so much misinformation and fake websites that lure the user in and it is difficult sometimes to tell right away that it is a hoax. 

2. Many librarians are promoting the CRAAP Test (developed by librarians at California State University-Chico) to teach students how to evaluate resources. It is most often used to evaluate websites, but the same criteria can be applied to other types of resources as well. 

• Currency - the timeliness of information
• Relevance - the importance of the information for your needs
• Authority - the source of the information
• Accuracy - the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content
• Purpose - the reason the information exists

3. . Watch the short video that describes the CRAAP Test.                  

4. Visit the Bogus and hoax websites linked below. These are a source of fun and entertainment for many, and a great opportunity to apply your evaluation skills.

• http://www.dhmo.org/
• http://zapatopi.net/treeoctopus/
• http://www.timetravelfund.com/  

3. Use the CRAAP test to substantiate why these three sites are a hoax or bogus. Include this evaluation in your Google Document. 

• Here is a form that you can use with students to evaluate the Tree Octopus website or alternative.
• Check out these popular hoax websites.

After you have completed all the steps in the course it is time for your final assignment. Move on to your Searching Safely and Strategically assignment.