URL of website:__________________________________________________________
 

Authorship and Sponsorship	Yes	No	Comments
1.  Is the website author/manager clearly stated?
2.  Are sources of information appropriately cited?
3.  Is it possible to give feedback to author/manager?
Website's Purpose
4.  Is the purpose of the website obvious?
5.  Is content (high-quality information) the primary focus of the website?
6.  Is the website "relatively free" of overt bias (gender, racial, religious, etc.)?
Design and Stability
7.  Is information easy to use and find?
8.  Is the website visually appealing?
9.  Is the text easy to read?
10.  Is the website easy to navigate?
11.  Are the links pages well-organized and inviting?
12.  Are the collected links well-chosen and useful to  children exploring the subject?
13.  Is the website design appropriate (not too complicated or confusing) for the intended audience?
14.  If the website is for games or recreation, are playing instructions present?
15.  Does the page load in a reasonable amount of time? (Will it on the computers you will be using with your students?)
16. Is the page consistently available and does it load without problems?
17. Are required plug-ins clearly identified?
18. Do the design elements and features (searchable databases, animations, graphics, sound files,  introductory and transitional pages, and so on)  enhance the website?
19. Are interactive features clearly explained?
20. Is the website free of fees and requests for personal information?
Content
21.  Is the title appropriate to the website's purpose?
22.  Is the content easy to read and comprehend by its  intended audience?
23.  Is there enough information to make visiting the website worthwhile?
24.  If there is a large amount of information on the website, is there a search function provided?
25.  Is an outline of topics provided allowing users to find topics and move among them easily?
26.  Is the spelling and grammar always correct?
27.  Is the information current and accurate?
28.  Is the information updated regularly?
29.  Is there a "last updated" date?
30. Are more links to information on the topic provided?
31. Are graphics relevant and appropriate to the content?
32. Is the subject matter relevant to and appropriate for the intended audience?
33. Are the skills required to use the website's features and structure appropriate and/or appropriately challenging for the intended audience?
34. Does the website contain the highest quality information?

This checklist is modified from criteria taken from http://www.ala.org/parentspage/greatsites/criteria.html

Tip: keep a copy of this form open but minimized while you surf. When you find a website you want to make note of, cut and paste its url into the appropriate column and make a few notes about it.

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