🟦 RTT Worksheet — Exploring Webpage History with the Internet Archive
archive_org module — student_materials/worksheet.md#
1. What You Will Learn#
In this worksheet, you will learn how to:
- explore a webpage’s history using the Internet Archive
- identify structural changes over time
- detect drift (small or large changes)
- find the most reliable version of a webpage
- understand why some versions are more trustworthy than others
You will use the RTT operator chain to guide your thinking.
2. Choose a Webpage#
Pick any webpage that exists on the Internet Archive.
Write the URL here:
Target URL:
3. Collect Snapshots (WAYBACK_OPERATOR)#
Go to the Wayback Machine and look at the timeline of snapshots.
Answer:
List 4–6 snapshot years you see:
Did you notice any gaps (missing years)?
4. Compare Snapshots (LINEAGE_OPERATOR)#
Choose two snapshots and compare their structure.
Look for:
- layout changes
- navigation changes
- template changes
- anything that looks different in structure (not content)
Answer:
Snapshot A year:
Snapshot B year:
Describe 2–3 structural differences:
5. Identify Drift#
Using your comparison above, classify the drift:
- none — looks the same
- minor — small layout or style changes
- moderate — navigation or template changes
- high — redesign, rebuild, or CMS migration
Answer:
Drift level between A and B:
Why did you choose this level?
6. Find the Continuity Kernel#
Look across all snapshots you viewed.
What structural elements stayed the same every time?
Examples: header, footer, menu, index, sidebar.
Answer:
List 2–4 elements that stayed the same:
7. Check Substrate Stability (PRESERVATION_OPERATOR)#
Look at the format of the snapshots:
- HTML
- Image
- OCR
- Mixed
Answer:
What formats did you see?
Which format seems most stable?
Why?
8. Find the Most Reliable Version (DRIFTBOUND_RETRIEVAL_OPERATOR)#
Using everything above:
- drift
- continuity
- substrate
- stability
Answer:
Which snapshot year is the most reliable?
Explain your reasoning in 2–3 sentences:
9. Reflection#
Answer in one short paragraph:
What surprised you most about how webpages change over time?
10. Bonus Challenge#
Pick a second webpage and repeat Steps 3–8.
Compare the two webpages:
Which one had more drift?
Which one had a more stable history?