“But I Found It on the
Internet...
It Has to Be True!”
“The Computer as an
Educational Tool:
Productivity and Problem Solving”
©Richard C. Forcier and
Don E. Descy
Today
1. Introduction
2. Problem
3. Solutions?
4. Questions/Comments
Internet Stages
 1969:
Military/Research
 1986: Higher education/Research
 1991: General education:
Using the Internet
Finding things/Publishing
Credibility
The Problem (1)
 Web
publishing
Anyone can do it.
No screening
Ill-informed/Pranksters
“Bad” examples
The Problem (2)
 Naive
users
Believe it is filtered
Believe it is accurate
Confuse it with library material
Solutions?
 Understand
the problem
 User guidelines
 Use Web review tools
 Luck
Understand the Problem
Educate users about
potential
problems and solutions
User Guidelines
Author, producer, site publication,
purpose, date of publication,
arrangement, intended audience,
coverage, writing style,
reasoning, references...
User Guidelines (2)
 Author
Is author known in field?
Affiliations listed?
Address, mailto, homepage?
Creator or compiler?
Who’s Who, Whois, finger
User Guidelines (3)
 Site
Is URL clearly noted?
What can you find out about
site?
Ending suffix: .edu .com .net
.mil .au .ca .gov .us
Does information/site fit?
Try deleting right to left
Sites to Visit
1.
city-mankato.us
Is Mankato a real place?
Are the advertisements real?
Is this a real city?
How can you tell?
Sites to visit?
1. www.whitehouse.gov
2. www.whitehouse.net
3. www.whitehouse.com (X)
Which was real?
1. www.dole96.com
2. www.dole96.org
(Neither presently online)
User Guidelines (4)
 Publication
Single page/series?
Author, collection,
organization?
Abstract, full text,
presentation?
Where published/presented?
User Guidelines (5)
 Purpose
Inform?
Advocate position?
Stimulate discussion?
User Guidelines (6)
 References
Well documented?
Current references?
Links to other sources?
Links to referenced work on
same or other servers?


ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19): Your well-being is assured.
There should be some positive news regarding real
estate or an investment. You may have to cope with
work overload, but colleagues are willing to assist.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20): You're in a do-or-dare
mood and want to persuade loved ones to support a
project. With the harmonious moon in your sign, you
should have extremely positive news and unconditional
support.
User Guidelines (7)
 Intended
audience
 Coverage
 Writing style/reasoning
 Spelling, grammar, etc. ...
Web Review Tools (1)
 Reputable
organizations
 Named reviewers
 “Honest” reviews
 READ any introductory material!
Web Review Tools (2)
 Yahooligans
Safe site for students
Huge database of sites
Screened and checked
yahooligans.com
Web Review Tools (3)
 Argus
Clearinghouse
Rates, reviews sites and lists
1–5 checks
Uses Info/Library Pros
www.clearinghouse.net
Online Tools (1)
 Information
Quality WWW Virtual
Library (T. Ciolek)
www.ciolek.com/WWWVLInfoQuality.html
Online Tools (2)
 Kathy
Schrock’s Evaluation
Guides (Kathy Schrock)
school.discovery.com/schrockguide/
Sites to Visit (1)
Strawberry Pop-Tart Blow Torches
www.sci.tamucc.edu/~pmichaud/
toast/
 Feline Reactions to Bearded Men

www.sree.net/stories/feline.html
Strawberry Pop-Tart Blow-Torches
Feline Reactions to Bearded Men
Sites to Visit (2)
 RealAroma

First Human Male Pregnancy
www.malepregnancy.com
RealAroma
First Male Pregnancy
Credibility Page
Don’s credibility page
The Solution (?)
Educate users about
potential
problems and solutions
Triangulate!
Comments
and
Questions?
Presentation available at:
descy.net