Using the Internet in Career Education

If job seekers or career counselors choose not to participate in using the Internet as a key tool in career development, they may be cheating themselves and their clients. (Henshaw 1997, p. 4)

The World Wide Web has a plethora of information that counselors and teachers can use about career planning, individual jobs, and searching for a job. This Brief includes information on identifying, evaluating, selecting, and using the Internet in the career education classroom.

Identifying Websites

Search engines and publications will lead you to myriad sources of information on career education. Once sites have been identified, they can be bookmarked for future reference. Because websites often disappear or change their address, it is important to search the World Wide Web at intervals to make sure your information is current.

Search engines and Web indexes offer a variety of features. Indexes such as Yahoo! and Magellan are organized and evaluated and are like familiar library tools. Engines such as AltaVista and HotBot search words or phrases; some have advanced features that allow for more precise retrieval of information. It is important to consult the "help" section of any search tool to learn about idiosyncracies and defaults (Information Management 1998).

The ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult, Career, and Vocational Education has developed several publications that include information about websites, such as Information Management (1998) and Wagner (1999). Listservs such as VOCNET (vocnet@cmsa.berkeley.edu) have subscribers who are always willing to share their experiences and expertise and a request will bring a wealth of information.

Evaluating Websites

The criteria for evaluating websites are much the same as evaluating any instructional resource (Sowards 1997; Symonds 1998; Wilkinson, Bennett, and Oliver 1997):

• Authority. Who developed the website/document? Is the author/institution identified with name, address, credentials? Does it show the date it was updated?
• Layout, design, and accessibility. Is the site easy to use? Is it well organized? Does the user have control of options such as frames and text only? Is there a site map? Is there a subscription fee? Can the material from the site be downloaded in a reasonable amount of time?
• Links. Are links sufficiently identified? Are they arranged logically? Are they current? Are they reliable?
• Content. Is the content consistent with the purpose of the site? Is it appropriate for the Web as a medium? Is it appropriate for its intended audience? Is the content relevant? Is the method- ology described and appropriate? Has the document been peer reviewed? Is there a bibliography? Are there obvious errors in content?
• Information structure and design. Does the website follow accepted instructional design standards (purpose, scope, interactivity, format)?