Running head: WWWDOT LESSON PLAN

WWWDOT Lesson Plan

John J. Alvarez

New Jersey City University

WWWDOT LESSON PLAN

Unit Goals:

Using the WWWDOT method, students, will evaluate a website to determine if it is a

trustworthy source of information with 75% accuracy by the end of 3 classes.

Grade Level:

9-12th

Grade

Instructional Objectives:

Students will:

Understand the components that make up the WWWDOT framework.

Work in groups to compare thoughts and develop conclusions whether websites are

credible sources of information or not.

Develop critical thinking of website analysis.

Retain this information for use in real life situations.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.1

Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid

reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.1.A

Introduce precise claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and create

WWWDOT LESSON PLAN

an organization that establishes clear relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and

evidence.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.1.B

Develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly, supplying evidence for each while pointing out the

strengths and limitations of both in a manner that anticipates the audience's knowledge level and

concerns.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.1.E

Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument

presented.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.7

Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-

generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate;

synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under

investigation.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.8

Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, including the validity of the

reasoning as well as the relevance and sufficiency of the evidence.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.6

Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how an author uses rhetoric

to advance that point of view or purpose.

WWWDOT LESSON PLAN

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.8

Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the

reasoning is valid and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; identify false statements and

fallacious reasoning.

AASL Standards:

1.1.1 Follow an inquiry-based process in seeking knowledge in curricular subjects, and make the

real-world connection for using this process in own life.

1.1.2 Use prior and background knowledge as context for new learning.

1.1.3 Develop and refine a range of questions to frame the search for new understanding.

1.1.5 Evaluate information found in selected sources on the basis of accuracy, validity,

appropriateness for needs, importance, and social and cultural context.

1.1.7 Make sense of information gathered from diverse sources by identifying misconceptions,

main and supporting ideas, conflicting information, and point of view or bias.

1.1.8 Demonstrate mastery of technology tools for accessing information and pursuing inquiry.

1.1.9 Collaborate with others to broaden and deepen understanding.

1.2.2 Demonstrate confidence and self-direction by making independent choices in the selection

of resources and information.

1.2.4 Maintain a critical stance by questioning the validity and accuracy of all information.

WWWDOT LESSON PLAN

2.1.1 Continue an inquiry-based research process by applying critical-thinking skills (analysis,

synthesis, evaluation, organization) to information and knowledge in order to construct new

understandings, draw conclusions, and create new knowledge.

2.2.3 Employ a critical stance in drawing conclusions by demonstrating that the pattern of

evidence leads to a decision or conclusion.

2.3.1 Connect understanding to the real world.

2.4.4 Develop directions for future investigations.

3.2.3 Demonstrate teamwork by working productively with others.

Unit Overview

Part 1:

With prior knowledge of

doing internet research,

students will begin to

analyze a website supplied

by the teacher using the

WWWDOT method.

Part 2:

Using the computers in the

school library, student

groups will use the

WWWDOT approach to

analyze 2 websites from

the supplied list and draw

conclusions as to whether

they are legitimate or hoax

websites by the end of

class.

Part 3:

Using the forms from the

last session, students will

review and correct their

answers by the end of the

class.

WWWDOT LESSON PLAN

Part 1:

Objective: With prior knowledge of internet research, students will begin to analyze a website

supplied by the teacher using the WWWDOT method.

Duration: 45 minutes

Materials: notebooks, pens, computer, internet, projector and screen or SMART Board

Management: Students will be in whole group for the lesson.

Introduction: Start a dialog with the students about research. Ask some of the more common

websites students use. Many should answer that they use either answers.yahoo.com, Wiki, or

something similar. http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/education/2010/march/The-Top-10-

Reasons-Students-Cannot-Cite-or-Rely-on-Wikipedia.html is a top 10 reasons not to use Wiki

for research. This will generate discussion and the teacher can segue into using other sources

here. The reasons why you should not use Wiki can apply to many websites. Explain that when

doing research students should use information from credible sources. How does one “cut

through the clutter”? Tell the students that today we will discuss one such method. (15 minutes)

Lesson: Explain that we are going to discuss the WWWDOT method. WWWDOT stands for:

Who wrote this and what credentials do they have? (5 minutes)

o You should look for the author or organization responsible for the website. Check

what kind of credentials (explain) the author has and see if they can be verified.

Why was it written? (5 minutes)

WWWDOT LESSON PLAN

o Was it written to share research? Where they paid by a company to review a

product (should be noted if they are)? Is it a website promoting an item for sale?

Is it a hoax written to trick people? Is it a blog giving an opinion?

When was it written? (5 minutes)

o Can you find the date? Many articles will have the date at the top of the page by

the article title and author. Other times it may run across the bottom of the page.

Does it help meet my needs? (5 minutes)

o Can you understand it? Is it an opinion or based on research? Does it help you

find the answer(s) you need?

Organization of the site? (5 minutes)

o Is it professional looking? Easy to navigate (can you find what you are looking

for)? Links are not dead? Links to other information about the same topic?

To-do list for the future. (5 minutes)

o Were there other links you wanted to read? Information you want to share with

family or friends? Anything you wanted to check up on to make sure it was

factual? Ask librarian/teacher any questions?

Explain to the students that you will go over each step and explain why they are important (see

above). (Differentiation – the teacher should use an actual website and go over each of the steps

for students to see) Teachers should use a relevant example. This is a review that is about 1 year

old at this point: http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/call-of-duty-ghosts-review/1900-6415523/.

Something more relevant to the time of the lesson or the students in the class should be used in

its place though. This is a legitimate website, author is posted, date is posted, reason is known,

site has clean layout, etc. It’s a perfect example of a legitimate source. (30 minutes total)

WWWDOT LESSON PLAN

Part 2:

Objective: Using the computers in the school library, student groups will use the WWWDOT

approach to analyze 2 websites from the supplied list and draw conclusions as to whether they

are legitimate or hoax websites by the end of class.

Duration: 45 minutes

Materials: Computers, internet, handout 1 (2 copies each), pens

Management: Students will work in groups of 4.

Introduction: The lesson should start with a website for students to analyze to see what they

remember. http://www.malepregnancy.com/ is a website that should get children discussing. It’s

a safe for school website with many links to other spoof website, even a fake USA Today. This

looks like it could be legitimate and is sure to get students ready for the other websites in the

day’s lesson. (10 minutes)

Lesson: Students will break off into groups of four. (Differentiation – groups can help each other

in the discussion phase and they can pick an area of the library where they feel most comfortable

to work) Each student should take 2 websites to analyze and fill out one WWWDOT worksheet

(handout 1) for each website.

List of websites (mix up and remove hoax/legitimate headers):

Hoax:

http://www.venganza.org/

http://www.dhmo.org/

WWWDOT LESSON PLAN

http://zapatopi.net/treeoctopus/

http://www.deadlysins.com/guineaworm/

http://www.buydehydratedwater.com/

Legitimate:

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/directory?direction=desc&sort=extinction_status

http://www.fws.gov/endangered/

http://www.cartercenter.org/health/guinea_worm/index.html

Once all students in the group have finished they should share their findings with the group. At

this point the other group members should debate whether they agree or not and why. Once the

students have agreed on all 8 of the websites they may turn their worksheets in as a group. (35

minutes)

Part 3:

Objective: Using the forms from the last session, students will review and correct their answers

by the end of the class.

Duration: 45 minutes

Materials: WWWDOT forms from the last session, computer, projector and screen or SMART

Board

Management: Students will be in groups as before but the whole group will be part of the

session.

Introduction: Students will be reminded of last week’s lesson and asked if anybody can

remember what the acronym WWWDOT stands for. (5 minutes)

WWWDOT LESSON PLAN

Lesson: The teacher will walk through 4 websites, 2 legitimate and 2 hoax (10 minutes each) one

at a time. The first question is how many thought the site was legitimate, how many thought it

wasn’t, and how many weren’t sure. The answer will then be supplied with a quick walkthrough

of why. Students should compare to their notes. The teacher should ask how many got the

answer correct. For the final 4 websites the answers will be given. Tell the students if they have

questions about the final 4 they can come see you privately (differentiation – this may also help

draw out some of the students still having problems with the method). (40 minutes)

Assessment:

Formative

Part 1: Students will start to use the methods described and begin to understand what they

are looking for.

Part 2: Students will have an open debate about the websites and see points from others

that they may have missed.

Summative

Student groups will score a minimum of 6 out of the 8 websites categorized correctly.

Resources:

I have included the resource used below.

Handout 1 (WWWDOT checklist)

WWWDOT LESSON PLAN

References

Duke, N.K., Jiménez, L.M., Zhang, S. (2011). The WWWDOT Approach to Improving

Students’ Critical Evaluation of Websites. The Reading Teacher, 65(2) 150–158

Rubenstein, G. (2010). What Works for Differentiating Instruction in Elementary Schools.

Edutopia. Retrieved on November 8, 2014 from http://www.edutopia.org/stw-

differentiated-instruction-replication-tips

The WWWDOT Approach

Name: __________________________________Date: ________________________________

Website URL: _________________________________________________________________

Who wrote this and what credentials do they have?

Can you find the author?

Can you find their credentials?

Can you validate their credentials?

Why was it written?

Explain research

Inform readers

Sell a product

Trick somebody

When was it written and updated?

I can find the year.

o What year? ________________________

It was updated:

o When? ____________________________

The WWWDOT Approach

Does it help meet my needs?

Yes - and tell how

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

No

The reading level is too difficult for me

Organization of the site?

Easy to navigate?

Easy to understand content?

Commercial banners?

Spelling and grammar mistakes?

To-do list for the future.

______________________________________

______________________________________

______________________________________

______________________________________

______________________________________

______________________________________

The WWWDOT Approach

Based on findings please rate the site:

Reliable

Possibly reliable

I’m not sure

Could be unreliable

Definitely unreliable

Explain why:

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________