Why we used it:
This would be a teacher led activity to explore the validity of a website. The teacher would then review with the class the 5 W's to determine if it is a reliable source.
What others say about it:
This website was created by teachers to teach students about the validity of the Internet. Just because we can search for a topic on the Internet doesn't always mean it is reliable. The authors of this website explained that even though the website looks like a reliable one it is not the case and all content on this website is fictional.
Why we used it:
Students will explore this website in groups to determine if it is a reliable source. They will analyze the website's validity by looking at the 5 W's and discuss it as a group. The group should come to the conclusion that it is not a reliable source because there is no such thing as a tree octopus.
What others say about it:
This website is "bogus." The Tree Octopus was made up by Lyle Zapato in 1998. Everything about the Tree Octopus and its origin is made up. Many teachers use this website to teach children about Internet reliability.
Why we use it: Students will explore this website in groups to determine if it is a reliable source. They will analyze the website's validity by looking at the 5 W's and discuss it as a group. The group should come to the conclusion that it is not a reliable source because dehydrated water does not exist.
What others say about it: "Dehydrated water is nothing. People can not eat or drink it. It is a great site to take students to figure out that it is a hoax and why they came to that decision." Students can not trust that everything on the Internet is true.
Why we used them: Students will work together to fill out a Google Doc to determine if the website is a reliable source. They will review the website's reliability by looking at the 5 W's and explaining their reasoning of why it fits or does not fit. This a good and reliable website to use to learn about the War of 1812.
What others say about them: This is a reliable source that explains the different points of view from the American, Canadian, Native American, and British sides of the War of 1812.
Why we used them: Students will work together to fill out a Google Doc to determine if the website is a reliable source. They will review the website's reliability by looking at the 5 W's and explaining their reasoning of why it fits or does not fit. This not a good and not a reliable website to use to learn about the War of 1812.
What others say about them: This is a blog with many peoples opinions of the War of 1812. There is not research on the opinions just comments on the perspectives of American, Canadian, Native American, and British.
Why we used them: Students will work together to fill out a Google Doc to determine if the website is a reliable source. They will review the website's reliability by looking at the 5 W's and explaining their reasoning of why it fits or does not fit. This a good and reliable website to use to learn about the War of 1812.
What Others say about them: These are reliable websites that are sponsored by WETA and PBS. The videos and websites are engaging, professional, and informative. Most of the information on this website may be new to many of the viewers.
Why we used them: Students will work together to fill out a Google Doc to determine if the website is a reliable source. They will review the website's reliability by looking at the 5 W's and explaining their reasoning of why it fits or does not fit. This not a good and not a reliable website to use to learn about the War of 1812.
What others say about them: 123 help me provides essays for students or teachers. Many of the essays are not reliable and have inaccurate information.
This would be a teacher led activity to explore the validity of a website. The teacher would then review with the class the 5 W's to determine if it is a reliable source.
What others say about it:
This website was created by teachers to teach students about the validity of the Internet. Just because we can search for a topic on the Internet doesn't always mean it is reliable. The authors of this website explained that even though the website looks like a reliable one it is not the case and all content on this website is fictional.
Why we used it:
Students will explore this website in groups to determine if it is a reliable source. They will analyze the website's validity by looking at the 5 W's and discuss it as a group. The group should come to the conclusion that it is not a reliable source because there is no such thing as a tree octopus.
What others say about it:
This website is "bogus." The Tree Octopus was made up by Lyle Zapato in 1998. Everything about the Tree Octopus and its origin is made up. Many teachers use this website to teach children about Internet reliability.
Why we use it: Students will explore this website in groups to determine if it is a reliable source. They will analyze the website's validity by looking at the 5 W's and discuss it as a group. The group should come to the conclusion that it is not a reliable source because dehydrated water does not exist.
What others say about it: "Dehydrated water is nothing. People can not eat or drink it. It is a great site to take students to figure out that it is a hoax and why they came to that decision." Students can not trust that everything on the Internet is true.
- War Museum
- American: http://www.warmuseum.ca/war-of-1812/explore-history/the-american-war/
- Canadian: http://www.warmuseum.ca/war-of-1812/explore-history/the-canadian-war/
- Native American: http://www.warmuseum.ca/war-of-1812/explore-history/the-native-american-war/
- British: http://www.warmuseum.ca/war-of-1812/explore-history/the-british-war/
Why we used them: Students will work together to fill out a Google Doc to determine if the website is a reliable source. They will review the website's reliability by looking at the 5 W's and explaining their reasoning of why it fits or does not fit. This a good and reliable website to use to learn about the War of 1812.
What others say about them: This is a reliable source that explains the different points of view from the American, Canadian, Native American, and British sides of the War of 1812.
- Perspectives of War of 1812
- American: http://theagenda.tvo.org/blog/agenda-blogs/guest-post-three-countries-perspectives-war-1812
- Canadian: http://theagenda.tvo.org/blog/agenda-blogs/guest-post-three-countries-perspectives-war-1812
- Native American: http://theagenda.tvo.org/blog/agenda-blogs/guest-post-three-countries-perspectives-war-1812
- British: http://theagenda.tvo.org/blog/agenda-blogs/guest-post-three-countries-perspectives-war-1812
Why we used them: Students will work together to fill out a Google Doc to determine if the website is a reliable source. They will review the website's reliability by looking at the 5 W's and explaining their reasoning of why it fits or does not fit. This not a good and not a reliable website to use to learn about the War of 1812.
What others say about them: This is a blog with many peoples opinions of the War of 1812. There is not research on the opinions just comments on the perspectives of American, Canadian, Native American, and British.
- PBS War of 1812
- American: http://www.pbs.org/wned/war-of-1812/essays/american-perspective/
- Canadian: http://www.pbs.org/wned/war-of-1812/essays/canadian/
- Native American: http://www.pbs.org/wned/war-of-1812/essays/native-nations-perspective/
- British: http://www.pbs.org/wned/war-of-1812/essays/british-perspective/
Why we used them: Students will work together to fill out a Google Doc to determine if the website is a reliable source. They will review the website's reliability by looking at the 5 W's and explaining their reasoning of why it fits or does not fit. This a good and reliable website to use to learn about the War of 1812.
What Others say about them: These are reliable websites that are sponsored by WETA and PBS. The videos and websites are engaging, professional, and informative. Most of the information on this website may be new to many of the viewers.
- Help Me
- American: http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=23372
- Canadian: http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=23372
- Native American: http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=23372
- British: http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=23372
Why we used them: Students will work together to fill out a Google Doc to determine if the website is a reliable source. They will review the website's reliability by looking at the 5 W's and explaining their reasoning of why it fits or does not fit. This not a good and not a reliable website to use to learn about the War of 1812.
What others say about them: 123 help me provides essays for students or teachers. Many of the essays are not reliable and have inaccurate information.