Wiggling: (evaluating)

“Evaluation is defined as the making of judgments about the value, for some purpose, of ideas, works, solutions, methods, material, etc. It involves the use of criteria as well as standards for appraising the extent to which particulars are accurate, effective, economical, or satisfying. The judgments may be either quantitative or qualitative, and the criteria may be either those determined by the student or those which are given to him.” Benjamin Bloom

1. Let the evaluating begin!
   
   In an attempt to select sources and determine if they are the best choices for this project I reviewed the Wiggling Stage. Dr. Lamb encourages some steps to review and gather information. These steps include:
   
   Skimming the page and using headings and subheadings as a guide,
   Recording only the information required words, phrases and pieces of information.
   Citing sources as you use them.
   Using related links from good sites
   Book marking pages to return later.
   
   I have used each of these stages and they have helped me stay focused. In my option, these steps are more meaningful than the old style of note taking. It has forced me to continually evaluate, select, review and keep or discard information. I have been far more organized because I have kept detailed lists of possible sites, books, images etc. I created evaluations of top pick sites and keep lists of words, and phrases from sources. Students would be less likely to copy information when using all these steps.
   
   
   As I discussed in the last blog, I planned to look for a. variety of sources.
   The ones I have looked into include:
   
   Internet Sources: Evaluation:
   
   I returned back to my course work from L591 taught by Dr. Lamb. The information I needed to evaluate my selected internet sites. The site is http://eduscapes.com/tap/topic32.htm The criteria for evaluating sources are:
   
   Authority. Who says? Know the author.
   Objectivity. Is the information biased? Think about perspective.
   Authenticity. Is the information authentic? Know the source.
   Reliability. Is this information accurate? Consider the origin of the information.
   Timeliness. Is the information current? Consider the currency and timeliness of the information.
   Relevance. Is the information helpful? Think about whether you need this information.
   Efficiency. Is this information worth the effort? Think about the organization and speed of information access.
   
   
   
   The above criteria are helpful for my project. I especially paid close attention to authority, authenticity objectivity and efficiency. All of the sites I have met the criteria. One thing I noted was the ending on the url. I feel that org, edu, and gov, are probably more useful than com. There is less likelihood for bias with more neutral authors. Te list I am providing below has a description and also the URL. You will see that many of the sites are from Museums and Government Agencies.
   
   A list of Informative Sites:
   
   Civilization.ca - The Haida : Children of Eagle and RavenDescription: Ethnographic information about the Haida Nation including history, art, and sacred mythology. URL: www.civilization.ca/aborig/haida/haindexe.html
   Evaluation: top site. Created by Dr. George MacDonald a scholar, sponsored and supported by the Canadian Museum of civilization, very well organized, visual and easy to read.
   
   Haida IndiansDescription: The Haida are North American Indians living on the Queen Charlotte Islands of British This site describes these people’s history and life.
   URL: www.alaskan.com/akencinfo/haida.html
   Evaluation: A one page description only. Not too elaborate but contains some key points. A .com site so may not be overly useful.
   
   Haida - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaDescription: The Haida Nation claimed territories comprise an archipelago called the Queen ... Their ancestral language is the Haida language. This site gives a concise description of the people. URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haida
   Evaluation: current, detailed, relevant.
   
   Haida, Spirits of the SeaDescription: HAIDA SPIRITS OF THE SEA. A contribution in recognition of the United Nations International Decade of the World's Indigenous
   URL: www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Haida/java/english/home/Evaluation: Excellent resource sponsored by major museums, artists. Researched by scholars, efficient.
   
   
   Haida Language MainpageDescription: Haida, or Xaat Kíl, is the ancestral language of the Haida people. This is the place to learn about this ancient language. URL: http://www.haidalanguage.org/
   Evaluation: Brought to us by the Sealaska Heritage Institute. Well organized, relivant and easy to navigate.
   
   Haida - The Kids' Site of Canadian Settlement - Library and ...Description: The Haida live in one of the great temperate old-growth rain forests of Canada. This is a site for teachers and students.
   URL: http://www.collectionscanada.ca/settlement/kids/021013-2061-e.html
   Evaluation: An educational site good visuals, reliable, and well researched, good links.
   
   Native Americans - HaidaDescription: They speak the Haida language, which forms a branch of the family of Nadene languages ... of white fur traders, the Haida lived in large cedar-plank houses.
   URL: www.nativeamericans.com/Haida.htm
   Evaluation: Poorly organized, not enough details.
   
   
   Museum of Anthropology B.C.
   Description: A Museum site with stories and artwork from Indian Tribes including the Haida.
   http://www.moa.ubc.ca/
   Evaluation: Top notch. Authority, Relievence, Timelines, accurate details, easy to navigate.
   
   Civilization.ca - The Haida - Haida artDescription: The abstract concept of art for art's sake had little meaning for the Haida, but they had exceptionally high standards of craftsmanship and the desire to.
   http://www.civilization.ca/aborig/haida/haaindxe.html
   Evaluation: Government site, detailed and easy to follow, good images, links
   
   Guujaaw, carver on Haida GwaiiDescription: In the following sections you will find a story told with photos of a totem pole being carved at Skidegate, Haida Gwaii. The pole is designed and carved by ... URL: www.spruceroots.org/PoleSite/Haida.html
   Evaluation: Historical, and provides a deeper look at haida
   
   A Haida house at Massett.Description: To my knowledge, this is the only photograph of an occupied Haida house showing both an interior and exterior view. This house was located at the village of .
   URL: www.hallman.org/indian/house.html
   Evaluation: Historical look at homes
   
   Alaska Native Heritage CenterDescription: The Eyak, Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian share a common and similar Northwest Coast Culture with important differences in language and clan system.
   URL: www.alaskanative.net/38.asp
   
   Haida LegendsDescription: A series of Haida Legends written and illustrated by a grade 4 class at Selkirk Elementary. URL: www.yesnet.yk.ca/schools/projects/haida_legends/
   Evaluation: Interesting look at student projects
   
   Native American Resources
   Description: A series of Haida pathfinders and details about hundreds of tribes.
   URL: http://www.kstrom.net/isk/mainmenu.html
   Evaluation: exceptional list
   
   
   Haida Games
   Description: A fun site that shows games and artifacts that Haida People used for enjoyment and gambling.
   URL:http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Inuit_Haida/haida/english/games/stkgame.html Evaluation: good complement for family section, accurate, references, good images, easy to follow, age appropriate.
   
   Native American People/Tribes-Haida PeopleDescription: A Native American/American Indian non commercial website dedicated to educating, including examples/links of: pottery, baskets, arrowheads, beadwork,
   URL: http://www.blogger.com/www.snowwowl.com/peoplehaida.html
   Evaluation: not a government site but useful. artifacts
   
   Bringing Home the BonesDescription: Nonny (grandmother) Ethel's life spans perhaps the most dramatic period of cultural change in the thousands of years since the Haida settled on this rainy.
   URL: www.homelands.org/worlds/haida.html
   Evaluation: Excellent look at history, a fine primary source
   
   Bill Reid FoundationDescription: The Spirit of Haida Gwaii was completed and installed in 1991. ... Here we are at last, a long way from Haida Gwaii, not too sure where we are or where.
   URL: www.billreidfoundation.org/banknote/spirit.htm
   Evaluation: Respected foundation, accurate,realiable, clear.
   
   Vancouver Art GalleryDescription: The exhibition reveals how Haida art is reflective of the mythic realm, with many examples of Raven as the trickster, the transformer and creator.
   URL: www.vanartgallery.bc.ca/exhibitions_raven.cfm
   Evaluation: Amazingly well organized and great resources.
   
   Book Evaluations:
   Here is a list of books that I evaluated.
   
   Anne D’Alleva's Arts and Culture: Native Americans
   topic:Art and Myths evaluation: Has many pages dedicated to haidas,
   Clear and accurate, good visuals.

Richard Huber's Treasure of Fantastic & Mythological Creatures
topic:Art and Myth evaluation: Good visuals, not too many details, not as useful

Gary McLain's Indian American: Traveler’s Companion
topic: Origins, Art,Family, Livelihood
evaluation: Excellent, current, links to websites, and good bibliography.

Ellen Russell Emerson's Indian Myths
topic: Myths
evaluation:Written well, detailed stories, easy to follow.

Reginald and Gladys Laubin's Indian dances of North America
topic: Family
evaluation: Excellent research, authority, great visuals, lots of details.

David Penney's Art of American Indian Frontier
topic:Art an d Myth
evaluation: Well organized, easy to locate information, Historical Accuracy.

Jennifer Frantz's Totem Poles
topic:Art and Family
evaluation:Great for children, fun and easy to read, recommend to add in as a must read for kids.

Christian F. Feest's Native Arts of North America
topic: Art
evaluation: Scholarly, well organized, easy to access information, publisher well known.

Janet C. Berlo and Ruth B. Ohillips' Native North American Art
topic:Art and Family
evaluation: Exceptional book, host of details, images, other references, easy to read, accurate and visual.

I have spent time evaluating these and other books. The standards I used are similar to that of the website evaluations. Questions I asked are:
Is the author an authority on the topic?
Is it a well recognized publisher?
Is there sufficient information to interest the audience?
Does the book have information dealing with the questions I am want to explore?

Most of the above detailed books are written by historians or scholars. Many collections are created by Foundations. The book Native North American Art is published by the Oxford University Press; A real indication of well researched materials.

Evaluating Telephone Calls and Emails:

I have contacted two people about the Haida Project. Both are reputable. The first one is an educator and also a knowledgeable person about First Nation People. As I mentioned earlier, she is able to give me details about the Haida. The other person is not an educator, nor an author but he is well read and works extensively with Native Americans form all types of tribes. He has been a wonderful source in helping select the best websites. He also was able to share stories of Totem building and animal significance in Haida Art and Myths.


As I work to complete the Wiggling- I want to make sure I had enough variety of sources. I currently have images, sources from museums, government sources, encyclopedia sources, books and personal interviews. I hope to look into Grolier and also continue to review Inspire.