Becoming Website Smart: the pacific northwest tree octopus
Step One: The Guiding Questions
If you have not read the LESSON OVERVIEW, please click here first for an overview of the entire lesson.
This activity will allow you to use your critical thinking skills to analyze a website about the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus. You may work alone, with a partner or in a small group to analyze the site. You can find a partner, or a group, by posting a partner/group request in the Discussion Board.
See below for the questions that will guide you through the analysis/a critical reading of the website. Before starting to answer the questions, read the instructions on the following page for creative tools you can use to respond to the questions.
HOME PAGE:
The main page of the website is broken down into four parts – what are they and why/how do they make the website look more ‘valid’ (real, reputable, a trust-worthy source)?
What is one item that appears on the sidebar that adds a ‘real’ quality to the website?
FAQs PAGE:
What is the FAQs page?
What is it about the vocabulary used here/the way the information is presented that makes this page look reputable?
SIGHTINGS PAGE:
What are some convincing techniques used on the sightings page?
MEDIA:
What are the various types of media found on the Media page? (HINT: there’s at least 3!)
What were some of the most effective pieces of media for you?
The main page of the website is broken down into four parts – what are they and why/how do they make the website look more ‘valid’ (real, reputable, a trust-worthy source)?
What is one item that appears on the sidebar that adds a ‘real’ quality to the website?
FAQs PAGE:
What is the FAQs page?
What is it about the vocabulary used here/the way the information is presented that makes this page look reputable?
SIGHTINGS PAGE:
What are some convincing techniques used on the sightings page?
MEDIA:
What are the various types of media found on the Media page? (HINT: there’s at least 3!)
What were some of the most effective pieces of media for you?