Evaluating Web Sites: A Critical Information Skill

Abstract

The evaluation of Web resources has become a critical information skill for students. Because of the uniqueness of these resources, new tools are required that not only assess the content validity and mechanical functionality of a Web site, but also its motivational quality. This paper describes the development and validation of a set of Web evaluation tools (Website Motivational Analysis Checklist: WebMAC), designed for use by students in grades 1-12, that are based on motivation theory and provide multiple feedback mechanisms.