Year 7/8
Digital Technologies
Suggested duration: Two lessons
Summary
In this lesson, students will work in groups to learn how to evaluate a website identified as providing information on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures for user-friendliness, clarity of organisation, functionality, and most importantly, reliability. They will look at various elements of web design and use a checklist to evaluate a website of their choice. They will use a series of questions to determine whether or not certain online information sources are reliable.
Learning outcomes
- Students will be able to explain factors that influence the design of products, services and environments to meet present and future needs by their critique of a website.
| General capabilities | Cross-curriculum priorities |
|---|---|
| Literacy | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures |
| Critical and creative thinking | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures organising ideas: 1, 2, 3, 7, 9 |
| Intercultural understanding | |
| Information and Communication | |
| Technology (ICT) Capability |
Australian Curriculum content descriptions
Years 7 and 8 Design and Technologies
- Generate, develop, test and communicate design ideas, plans and processes for various audiences using appropriate technical terms and technologies including graphical representation techniques (ACTDEP036).
- Independently develop criteria for success to evaluate design ideas, processes and solutions and their sustainability (ACTDEP038).
Provisions for differentiation
Learning support
Students with special learning needs may wish to work with a partner, who can help them to complete their critique sheet.
Extension
Students could critique two websites and compare the reliability of the two using the criteria on the critique sheet.
Resources
- Five or more computers or devices with internet access (one per group of students)
- Activity worksheet (PDF) - one per student
- The Little Red Yellow Black Book - An introduction to Indigenous Australia (4th edition), Aboriginal Studies Press, AIATSIS, Canberra, 2018.
For teachers
Ensure that the guidance notes included in The Little Red Yellow Black Book teacher resource have been considered.
Vocabulary
- Reliability
- Validity
Preparation: Ensure that students have access to the internet. Copy the Activity worksheet - one for each student.
Step 1.
Organise the class into five groups. Each group must find and view two websites (approved by the teacher) identified as providing information on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures. In your group discuss the information and key learning of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures gained from the websites. Check the facts using The Little Red Yellow Black Book. Students should collaborate on a summary of the key information learned from the websites and present to the class.
Distribute the Activity worksheet.
Step 2.
Explain the instructions on the Activity worksheet.
Step 3.
Students should use the Activity worksheet to evaluate the reliability of the website as a source. Students need to check the validity of these facts by consulting The Little Red Yellow Black Book.
Assessment ideas
- Presentation of website information summary-group work
- Q and A on how to check for reliability and validity
- Completed and marked worksheets