Website Evaluation

I think the website evaluation process was helpful because it will make me more mindful about the resources that I may or may not want to use and introduce to my future students.  For the purposes of the assignment, I didn't go "outside the box".  Rather, I choose to evaluate a site I was already somewhat familiar with- Scholastic.  Although I already thought the site was credible based on prior knowledge of Scholastic,  the process allowed me to dig a little deeper into their background and mission of education (not just literary education).  In the future, when I am going "outside of the box" and looking for web resources for my classroom and students, being aware of certain criteria and cross-checking references of such sites, will only help to build my credibility as a teacher and professional with my students and administrators. 

On a side note, but going along with website evaluation, particularly for the purposes of credibility and intent in mind, it's amazing how much seemingly credible information is out there. I think a lot of the credibility comes from if the website "looks" legit.  Well, I have to admit I was duped when it came to these adorable little miniature giraffes that appeared in a Direct TV commercial a few years ago.  Of course, when I saw the commercial I believed it was a special effect and no such creature existed... until someone posted a link on my Facebook account to "Sokoblovsky Farms - Russia's Finest Purveyors of Miniature Lap Giraffes".  I clicked on the link and found what appeared to be a legitimate farm in Russia that raised the miniature giraffes and even had a webcam you could view them!  Although, I quickly realized it was a joke... they had me going for a moment!