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Teacher Lesson Plans

Lesson: Critical Analysis of Arthurian Internet Website

Possible Adaptations:

  •  May be used for critique of any website
  •  May be used for any work
  • May be done as a class to show the importance of validating Internet sites
    • Goal of Lesson: To teach students to write a critical analysis
                             To teach students to validate Internet sites
                             To allow students to demonstrate learning of the Athurian legend

    Materials Needed:
        Computer Lab, or access to computers at home
        Many addresses of "good" and "bad" Arthurian websites -- in this lesson I used a different address for each student (sample list attached)
        Critical Review sheet
        Evaluation rubric
     

    Description of Activity:
      1.  After teaching a unit on the Arthurian legend, assign each student a website address.  Each
          website should be an Arthurian legend website (sample list attached).
      2.  Go over Internet sources with class.  Explain that the Internet is not a critically reviewed source.
          ANYthing may be published on the Internet, whether it is fact or fiction.  Explain the importance of
          evaluating Internet sites for credibilty and validity BEFORE using them for research.  You may
          want to discuss the basic parts of a website address.
     3.  Go over the attached instruction sheet with students.  It gives directions for how to view the
        website and  how to organize findings.
    4.  Review critical analysis.  Remind students that their website may NOT be credible or valid.  It must
        be examined for both.  In the essay, students should address both good AND bad aspects of the
        website. This includes validity of content, reliability of information, and the layout of the
        computer design.
    5.  Give students the review guide to use for their own purposes when reviewing the website.  This is not
        to be handed back to you; it is only for their own note-taking purposes while they review their
        website.
    6.  Grade essays, showing examples of good sites or essays at the end of the assignment. If your
        school requires the use of rubrics, see the attached sample.