REAL+Lesson

Evaluating the Validity of Websites for Research

Objective: Given “REAL” Guidelines and a list of websites, TLW demonstrate understanding of the validity of websites by explaining how a website meets the “REAL” criteria at 100% accuracy.

Set: Show [|__Whales in Lake Michigan__]  site. Is seeing believing?

Purpose: Not all websites contain accurate information. How do we know when a website is accurate and trustworthy? It is our job as researchers to make sure that we report correct information.

Input/Model: Prezi Presentation: REAL applied to Whales in Lake Michigan site. (Describes the REAL components and shows an example) [|REAL Prezi Presentation] OR

Check for Understanding: Questioning

Guided Practice: Give every group the [|__tree octopus__] <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> site to practice the REAL process.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Independent Practice: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In a small group, students pick a topic they are interested in. Each topic has at least 2 sites provided (one real, one fake). Students must determine which site(s) are real and which are fake. Groups will present their findings. [|websites.docx]

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Closure: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Exit Ticket: Explain the components of REAL on note cards or digital bulletin board like <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">[|__linoit__] <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">.