Website Evaluations
I chose two sites K-12 teachers can utilize for Social Studies resources: http://myexecpc.com/~dboals/boals.html and http://www.ceismc.gatech.edu/busyt/soc.html. The purpose of the former is to encourage World Wide Web use for teaching and learning history and social studies. It offers approximately 28 links to different categories found within the social studies arena. The latter website entitled: Busy Teachers’ Website K-12” offers a condensed version of approximately 20 subject areas covered in both the Science and Social Studies areas.
After reading the articles by Kathy Schrock and James Wrench on website and software evaluation and reviewing each of the above websites, I have preliminarily chosen six criteria to judge the overall quality of educational websites.
· Authenticity- current updated site, credible sources, appropriate reading level for teachers and students- 5 points
· Diversity-cultural diversity appears in graphics, subject areas, along with appropriate language and descriptors utilized in text and choice of links- 5 points
· Informative-broad in scope, accurate information presented, representative number of links for the subject area to other areas providing additional resources- 5 points
· Clarity/Organization-Purpose of website clearly stated on the home page; fulfills stated purpose; layout of site easily understood; correct spelling and grammar- 5 points
· Art/Aesthetics-Background colors, text colors and graphics do not overpower the information being presented; appropriate use of color graphics, sound and video that enhance the information- 5 points
· Overall Quality- Site creates a motivating, informative, challenging, thorough and inspiring source of information appropriate to the subject area; is easy to navigate and provides accurate information-5 points
Evalutaion
The website http://myexecpc.com/~dboals/boals.html
provides an enormous amount of resources for both teachers and students. There
are 28 links for subject areas, such as archaeology, genealogy, critical thinking,
Western and non-Western history, in addition to links to a variety of Museums
in the
The http://www.ceismc.gatech.edu/busyt/soc.html
website promises teachers that it is a brief, all encompassing website that
they can refer to for lessons as well as direct students to for certain
portions of their lesson. Depending on
the subject, some lessons can be used for elementary school-aged children,
while others are more appropriate for high school students. The website is easy
to navigate. The creators have chosen 20 subject areas both teachers and
students can link to. These include: social studies, biology, physics,
paleontology, astronomy art, computer technology and ecology. Each link
provides at least four or five additional hyperlinks to online websites to
search for lesson plans, publications, and activities and other established
sources and organizations. In addition, this site has several other links that
are unique and valuable resources, including a Cultural Diversity link and Kudos and Quotes link that are updated
frequently. The creators also provide a feed back button. For teachers who do not have a great deal of time
to surf the web or just need a couple of reliable sources, activities or
lessons, this website is ideal. It is organized
and its purpose is clear and promises
to be an enjoyable experience for both students and teachers who are learning to
use the internet. Overall, the site
is authentic, presents credible,
basic, current information; is sensitive
and respectful to a number of cultures; is basic, not artsy but easy to navigate and is appropriate for all ages. +30
points.