On the topic of making library instruction fun and engaging, here’s a list of hoax sites useful for sessions on evaluating the web. I have loosely organized them by subject and included additional resources at the end.
Business & Finance
Computer Science
- Click Monkeys
- Computer Tan
- First Page of the Internet
- Sit & Surf: MSN UK tests portable potty
- Spud Server
- Third Annual Nigerian Email Conference
Education
Fine Arts
- Genpets by Adam Brandejs (sculptor/programmer)
See also, Animatronic Flesh Shoe - Origami Boulder Company
Government & Law
Health Sciences
- AIDS Facts
- Alex Chiu’s Eternal Life Device
- BBC News: Blondes ‘to Die Out in 200 Years’
- Buy Dehydrated Water
- Chrissy Caviar
- Floral Sculpture Clinic
- Havidol
- Hetracil.com
- LASIK@Home
- The Onion (Sports)
- RYT Hospital. Includes: Genochoice & Male Pregnancy
- Yoga Kitty
Hospitality and Tourism
Humanities & Social Sciences
- Aluminum Foil Deflector Beanie
- Boilerplate Mechanical Man
- Mail Order Husbands
- Martin Luther King Hate Site
- The Onion (Politics section)
Science & Technology
- California’s Velcro Crop
- Dihydrogen Monoxide
- Feline Reactions to Bearded Men
- First Genetics
- Jackalope Conspiracy
- Minnesota Coconut Growers
- Primate Programming Inc.
- Save The Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus
- Save the Rennets
- The Onion (Sci/Tech)
- The Ova Prima Foundation
Trades & Apprentice
Additional Information & Resources:
Museum of Hoaxes’ Gallery of Hoax Websites: A listing of websites and explanations for many of the hoaxes listed above.
Open Directory- Hoax Sites: Another list of hoax sites and brief descriptions.
Snopes.com: Provides explanations for many of the hoax sites listed above and more.
The CRAAP Test: Teach students how to evaluate websites and all other information resources based on the following question: Are my resources CRAAP? The CRAAP Test applies the following criteria to information evaluation: Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy and Purpose. Multiple versions of this exist online.
