Evaluate IT! Elementary Teachers Evaluating Internet Information: An Action Research Project

The purpose of the research was to determine if teaching an instructional unit on evaluating Internet information would have an impact on teacher confidence and teacher ability to select quality Internet information. The instructional unit was taught as a series of staffdevelopment classes to seven elementary school teachers over a five-week time span. Five participants completed all activities. This qualitative study included observation, interview, and a post-intervention survey. Each participant selected and presented two Websites that were rated through self, peer and expert evaluation. Findings suggest that teacher confidence in selecting Internet resources for instruction increased and that by learning to evaluate Internet information teachers felt more confident in their ability to teach this topic to students. Participants indicated that one of the most important roles of the media specialist is as an instructional partner with the teacher. Implications for future study include the continuation of staff development instruction in information literacy skills and fostering a collaborative environment for the teacher and media specialist.Zahner, JaneBrovey, Andrew J.Schmertzing, Lorraine C.Ed.S.Instructional Technolog