Evaluating Websites By Zuber, Basil, Elizabeth and Rehana

Effective Learning Websites Motivational Graphics should be appropriate and functional rather than decorative Adaptable to different learning needs as a form of differentiation Focused towards a learning objective Human collaboration encouraged

Ineffective Learning Websites Excessive use of drag and drop multiple choice questions Too texty – no interactivity, no thinking Dull – should conform to HCI principles Computer as tutor

Pedagogical Theory We looked at a mix of behaviourist, constructivist and Vygotskian theories as well as experience and intuition Beliefs did affect how we thought about the websites (guilty about using behaviourist paradigm)

Learning vs. non-educational sites Design is more important in non-educational sites – bells and whistles Superficiality – the learning may be less challenging in non-educational sites – learning sites are designed for a specific learning objective (some pedagogical theory implicit) Guidance is important for the student in learning websites

Criteria Influenced by Learning Theory Context is important for the learning – computer is only one facet of the learning experience Constructionist benchmark sets the agenda for instructional design, particularly with reference to computers (possible as an ideal) Difficult to implement in practice Theory or anti-theory, there has to be some rationale behind the design of learning websites.