 Evaluating a Web-Learning Site By Jessica Curtis EDTE 506 July 2009

The Site I Chose…   I chose this site because it was recommended in the Beer textbook. I looked at a few others but reacted strongly to this particular site.  I used the Questions and Checklists provided in the text on pages 11, 151, and 153 to evaluate the website.

Exhibit 2.1 Question 1  I hated the overall layout of the page.  TOO MUCH HAPPENING AT ONCE! Sensory overload!  Too many text sizes, colors, banners, advertisements, yikes!  Get ready for it…

WHOA!!! TOO MUCH!!!

Exhibit 2.1 Question 2  Lots of great resources and information  Definitely a “Mega Site”  More than enough to explore for quite a while  Not JUST primary education; applicable for upper grades as well!

Exhibit 2.1 Question 3  I didn’t actually learn anything from this site.  I gained new techniques and strategies but I did not learn in the traditional sense.  I am excited to use some of the new ideas I have discovered with the site.

Exhibit 2.1 Question 4  One great part of the site is the “Education World Mini Site Guide” at the very bottom of the page.  “Five-Minute Filler” link! Very fun and educational.

Exhibit 2.1 Question 5  I had to FILTER out unnecessary content to be able to get to the good stuff.  If I had followed my first inclination, I would have run away from this site screaming!  There was no opportunity for collaboration in this arena.

Exhibit 2.1 Question 6  Too much was happening to allow me to focus  Chaotic, spastic design, especially on the sidebars  Focus on the center boxes to see the structure and access the meaningful links

Exhibit 11.1 ~ Objectives  No objectives present  Categorical organization  No feedback provided to the user  Individual lesson plans may have these features

Exhibit 11.1 ~ Materials  Well-fitted to purpose of website  Presentation is a mess, but everything seems applicable  Minimal Technical Support  Site updated regularly, but extensive archives allow user to access old postings with ease  Example: “Five-Minute Fillers” has 40 volumes of postings

Exhibit 11.1 ~ Navigation / Construction  Unappealing construction due to sidebars and color pallet  Easy navigation; multiple ways to navigate  Could be confusing for less experienced users as there are so many ways to navigate.  Navigation does not always take you to the same place; you must pay attention to the history map to know where you are

Exhibit 11.1 ~ Communication and Collaboration  Contact Us link – least populated page on the whole site!  Direct for “when all else fails”  Does go to an actual person  Little opportunity for collaboration since the main purpose of this site is a resource cabinet  Beg, Borrow, Steal, but not contribute  Can leave feedback or post updates

Exhibit 11.2 ~ Dos and Don’ts

Conclusion  Overall, upstanding, decent website  Has its flaws but also its plusses  Definitely a great Beg, Borrow, Steal site