Summary Criteria
 

• Site must be a SUPERB and relevant example of an educational website. It must be useful in a specified educational setting, particularly for the students you will teach. (If you do not like the site, find one you do like)

• URL link should be placed within the title -- not within a line of URL

• Review should include an extensive, thorough, and accurate summary description of the site

• Review will include relative strengths and weaknesses

• Review will suggest an appropriate audience, subject area, and at least one classroom application for which the site would be most useful (more is better).

• Thoroughly describe the level of learner control and/or student engagement

• Review will note sponsorship or commercial advertising (if any)

NOTE: Your best uses will be judged by your teamates, and one 'best use' will be selected from each team to represent the best of that team's sites. Your team will also be competing against all the other teams to submit the best overall site and review of the class. The person/team with the best overall site and review will be determined by a vote of all class mmbrs, and the winners (the person and thier team) will receive additional points.

Below are some examples.  They are VERY brief (particularly regarding strengths, weaknesses, and learner control ), but should give you some idea of  how to structure yours. Remember, your review will be in much greater detail and should be at least 2-3 pages in length.

The American Presidency

The American Presidency is a large collection of articles, speeches, photographs, and multimedia presentations associated with the history of the presidency. It is divided into three separate sets of articles drawn from Grolier's encyclopedias: The New Book of Knowledge, The Academic American Encyclopedia, and The Encyclopedia Americana. Grolier claims that all information has been researched and written by historians of the highest rank and academic standing.

Information is presented for multiple age groups from early grade school to adult. The New Book of Knowledge is designed for younger readers and provides an introduction to the history of the presidency and to the people who have held that office. The Academic American Encyclopedia and The Encyclopedia Americana are appropriate for all readers, from middle school students to adult, who seek detailed accounts of the presidents, American politics, and the electoral process.

This site is produced and maintained by Encyclopedia Americana and, not surprisingly, plugs their products.

Related concepts:  generative learning, scaffolds
 

Interactive World Fact Book

This site is based on information collected in the CIA World Fact book. Users can access a wide variety of facts regarding any country. Information categories include people, government, economy, communications, and more. Color maps and flags are accessible and, from this site, users can also access tons of information about immigration.

This is a useful site for early elementary through high school students involved in activities related to geography and social studies. The site could also be useful in higher education settings and for anyone who wants quick, accurate information.

The site is maintained by ITA (Information Technology Associates), which also offers information related products for sale. Although the site does have commercial elements, the advertising is fairly unobtrusive.
 
Related concepts:  Generative Learning, scaffolds

The Black Death

Part of the Discovery On-line Network, this site permits the user to journey across Europe during the 14th century and experience the social and political upheaval that took place as a result of the Plague.  This is more than just a collection of facts. The site places the user in the turmoil of the time period.  While users are given freedom regarding the order in which they visit the various cities, interaction is limited to listening to audio or reading text.  Through the use of background sounds and voice inflection, users experience the emotional trauma the people of the time endured.  The RealAudio plug-in  and text versions of the dialogue are provided.  A simple yet interesting layout eases navigation.

This site is appropriate for middle school and high school students.
 
Related concepts:  Anchored Instruction, scaffolds, cognitive apprenticeship

Volcanoes Online

This site is positively erupting with information about volcanoes and related topics, such as the earth's interior, continental drift, and plate tectonics. The site includes information / instruction, fun activities, and an online review quiz. Lesson plans are accessible and additional sources, both text and online, are suggested. The site is very easy to navigate and has appealing graphics and layout.

The site is ideal for middle school students and above, and is particularly remarkable because it was developed by three teenagers from different parts of the world. (The site won first place for ThinkQuest's 1998 contest!)

Bonus: The site has no commercial interference or advertising!
 
Related concepts:  Generative Learning
 
 
 
 Last edited: 08.26.02 - lrw