Evaluating Information

        In today's school library, we teach research skills.  But, these skills have certainly changed over the years.  Gone are the days of teaching how to look up a topic in the print encyclopedia and the old fashioned card catalog.  Now, we must teach 21st century literacy skills.  These involve instructing students to use internet resources to find research information.  However, this opens a whole new can of worms....evaluating the trustworthiness of internet websites.
        There a great number of 'spoof' websites out there.  They look legit at first, and to a young student, of course if it's on the internet, it must be true.  These are good for a laugh and even better to teach our students to evaluate sources for reliability, trustworthiness, and purpose.  Direct instruction of these skills is essential!  Just a few of my favs:

1. All About Explorers
2. Dihydrogen Monoxide Research Division
3. California’s Velcro Crop Under Challenge
4. Feline Reactions to Bearded Men
5. Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus
6. Aluminum Foil Deflector Beanie
7. British Stick Insect Foundation
8. The Jackalope Conspiracy
9. Buy Dehydrated Water
10. Republic of Molossia
11. Dog Island
12.