We decided that the next criteria are important to take into consideration when you are looking for a web page, since these will help you to decide whether or not these sites are reliable and if the material there presented will be useful for one’s purposes.
First, what you need to take into account is reliability (authority). It refers to the website's authors: Their personal information as regards who they are, what they do, their experiences and how to get in contact with them.
When we analysed the webpage Handout Online, for example, we didn’t really know who the author/s is/are nor the credentials or authority they have to talk about the subject, so we are not sure about the worksheets’ reliability. In addition to this, we have found some spelling mistakes, which reinforce what we have said before. The web page only provides an email address where you can share any doubt or experience that you might have.
Although it does not seem as a hoax, we need to be careful when using these materials.
In addition, another important criterion is currency. This aspect has to do with how up- to- date the blog and the information provided there is. It is important to know when was the last publication to see that the blog is in use. Also, if there is any dead link, that might mean that the author is not using the blog anymore. This is an important aspect to consider when looking for websites to work wit
In the BBC website, for example, it is clearly stated that they are not responsible for “external links”, since they select them when the page is created but then, they are no longer responsible for them as regards information published there (up-to-date, appropriate) or if these links continue to be current.
It is also important to consider the web page’s purpose. If you are looking for a webpage witheducational aims, make sure that it is clearly stated in it. Also, the final syllable of the URL address is a good hint of what this web page is about.
When we first enter the Handout Online site, the first thing we could see is an image with this phrase: “Just download, print and photocopy. Fantastic low prices: check out our free ESL worksheet samples and join today!” So, we know that its aim is not only to provide educational tools, but also to sell you their products. And, as we said before, the final syllable of the URL site is .com, which tells us that it is a commercial site.
Finally, you need to take into account the web page’s clarity. The format of the website should be easy to go through. The information presented needs to be clear, in a neat, legible font. If there is any graphic, it should add to understanding of the content, complement it. There should not be mistakes in spelling and word usage since that has to do with reliability on the authors, too.
In the BBC website, for instance, we can see that there are more graphics than text, which is why
we consider that the site’s organization may be a bit confusing the first time you access it. Although this website has a lot of valuable information, it is not presented in the clearest format. The content is not divided into categories, but the web page makes up for it offering a browser to find the topic of your interest.
