Group items tagged

This website, found at education.nationalgeographic.com, is geared at teachers, families, and student audiences. The encyclopedia resources on the site can be altered to better fit each of these audiences depending on the user's selected audience. In addition to encyclopedia resources, videos, photographs, lessons, and educational activities can also be found on the website. The website developer, National Geographic Society, does a wonderful job of providing external links and updated information on a variety of scientific and social topics which could be helpful in elementary classroom research activities. National Geographic's website content is relevant and correct, since it's most recent update took place in 2015. Although the site identifies its sponsor as the Verizon Foundation, no biases in the texts can be detected. On every educational page, whether it is an encyclopedia entry for K-2nd grade audiences or a suggested lesson plan for teachers, National Geographic provides a multitude of working links to back up the site's information and facts. At the bottom of every page, the website provides contact information in the forms of email addresses, mailing addresses, and telephone numbers for users to use in case of any questions or concerns. Clearly, the National Geographic Education website's content is accurate and very useful for science and social studies education. The design of this site is compatible with all web browsers and downloads efficiently. The Education home page offers an attractive, organized display of the website's resources and choice of audiences. This easy-to-follow format also flows onto every page on the website for easy navigation, and all links are integrated into the website's text for convenient learning and fact-checking. Over all, the presentation of National Geographic's content is attractive, organized, and current.

Overview This site is for children to learn. It is for a younger age probably around the 3rd or 4th grade level. All the links work, but some of the videos and games take a while to upload. They could be uploading slow because of my internet access, however. It is a very fun and energetic site for kids to look through and learn and play games all at the same time. I think kids would really enjoy exploring and learning through internet, therefore this site would be a good one for them. Teachers could use this form of technology to teach. Content There is a lot of different types of content on this site. There is everything from biology to history to spelling. With so much different information and topics kids could take a lot from this website. It is a multipurpose website that is fun for the student, but also a learning purpose as well. The links all work and go to the correct page. My favorite part of this website is all the different games to be played in the different subjects. Kids can have fun while learning because of the great areas of information and learning there is to be done on this site. Design The design of this site is okay. It is pretty well organized which is helpful for children, although these days kids know more about technology than their elders. I believe students could navigate through the site pretty easily and would love to explore the various activities and pages. Having the pictures is very good for students as well because of how much visuals have become a part of learning in society. The design is not the best but it is eye catching and pretty well organized, and works.

Overview: Kid's Know It is a site with educational games. It does not seems like it would ve appealing to kids. The site seems to be intended for younger kids, but it is unclear. I think teachers would be more appreciative to the site than the actual students. Content: There seems to be a lot of different subject areas as well as games. The site however, does not specify what grade levels it is intended for. On the plus side, there is an 'About Us' section, information about the copyright, as well as a way to contact the operators of the site. It seems to be done in a professional manner. Design: The site is colorful and catches the eye. There are lots of games and many different categories. Each subject has a picture and a description of what the link contains. The initional picture you see when you first come to the site could be more appealing. The design overall is pretty good.

Taylor Pilch 09/09/2011

Overview: In this Mathplayground.com there are many different types are math problems for students K-8. Some of the problems come in an educational game form. Some of the games that this website has to offer are word problems, percentage, and multiplication, finding different angles and even math videos for students to watch. Content: The content of the website MathPlayground.com is very clear to understand. The different types of tools that this website has to offer are all given on the side of the website making it very easy to find the different problems that the students or teachers are looking for. This website even offers logic puzzles that are fun for students to play and not know that they are actually using math in the mean time. This website also offers a teachers section that offers many different tools like flash cards, math worksheets and even math manipulatives. Design: This website is a little more difficult and it would be geared to the older students and not the younger students. And yet again this would be a great tool to use as a reward in the classroom. The website does have a few ads that can distract the eye to look at the ads instead of looking at what the website has to offer. Also this website is kind of boring looking and the students could get lost and not know where to look when asked to find something. Overall this website can be a great tool to use in the future at home or in the classroom.

Chelsea Brunski 10-08-12 Overview The purpose of this website is to allow students to play games that will help them with math. The intended audience for this website would be for children in grades first through sixth. There aren't any outside resources but I think that it is okay for this website. This website has so many interactive games and videos that it doesn't need any other resources. My overall impression of this website is that it is a pretty good website. It is kind of confusing to decide what games teach what concepts but it is very interactive. I think when you are dealing with younger students and a subject like math you need something to keep them intrigued. Content The content on this website is all interactive. Every page that you go to you can find different games to play. All of these games have to deal with different type of math problem. They range from fractions to proportions. You can also practice word problems and watch videos for extra help. All of the games that are provided have a video game feel to them which draws children in. All of the games do serve an educational purpose and are reliable. The author of this website is a math teacher as well so she is a reliable source. Design When you first open this site you are taken to a webpage that is full of color. It has very strong eye appeal which attracts you to stay on this site. Since this site is for younger users I think that the vibrant colors work well for it. There is only a small amount of ads at the top of the page that blend in with how the homepage looks. This is something that could be confusing to a child. It is easy to navigate to all of the different games. Since it is for younger children I think that it is okay that the games are all put together instead of broken up into different subjects. There are also tabs at the top which help organize the site into different content area.

Katie Hertel 1-23-2010 Overview: PBS educational games, videos and activities is an educational website for younger early childhood children. It teaches through many of the popular kids education television shows such as Barney, Author, Sesame Street, Dragon Tales, etc. There are available resources to parents and teachers to make sure this website is teaching their children in an effective way. Overall, my impression of this website was that it is an easy effective way to entertain your children through educational ways that are fun and entertaining. Content: As I explored on the website I found that it was easy to navigate. There are links formed as circles that have a picture of the educational animated television shows that kids today are familiar with. When clicking on these links it pulls up that shows official website which has clippings of the show, fun activities, and games related to that specific show that help younger children grow familiar with what they are learning outside of just the game. The information that is taught can be a reliable way to help teach children. Along with reliable material it has supported detail of the sites publication information. Design: This site is well designed and easy to understand how to access what kind of educational experience you want. It is very appealing, especially to a child's eye. Not very many irrelevant advertisement interruptions appear to be a problem. Although a lot of sources on this website prove to be a safe and reliable way of helping children learn, it is also obvious that it is for money purposes as well.

This website is an educational game site for kids. It is mainly based on PBS kids television series but it provides games in all different subject areas and has links for parents and teachers on "how to raise spectacular children". There are not a lot of outside links on this site to access other information, but the authors or the Public Broadcasting Systems seem like reliable authors and the content is great! I don't think a lack of outside sources takes away from the site at all. The content of this site is very educational and informational for students and would be easy to incorporate into lesson plans for an interactive way for students to test their knowledge. One thing that may be a set back is that the games are mainly based off of PBS kids TV series so it may be distracting to the students to have their favorite episodes one click away. The site is sponsered by PBS though so no extra ads or additional distractions are present! The site also has the terms of use and privacy conditions easily accessible and provide log-ins for students so that they can save their work and progress for later which is great! Each game also provides easy step by step instructions as well that can be read or heard so students can get the most out of their gaming experiences. The design of the website is great as well. The home page not only includes interactive links that move when you hold your mouse over the top of them, but it also has audio as well to bring students in. The games are very interactive and there are so many that every student should be able to find something that they enjoy doing! The colors are bright and the navigation is incredibly easy which makes students want to come back for more. Any questions that they may have are answered within the games which also helps subdue any frustrations that may arise. Overall, a great site for kids that would be easy to incorporate into lessons!

Jennifer Durn January 24, 2010 Purdue Online Writing Lab - http://owl.english.purdue.edu/ OVERVIEW The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) is a site designed to provide online writing resources for writers of all ages; from middle school through college and into adulthood. This site provides a variety of writing resources ranging from assistance with APA and MLA formatting, to tips for avoiding plagiarism and resume assistance. Overall, I found the site to be particularly user friendly and have utilized it when completing assignments in past courses. CONTENT The purpose and function of the Purdue OWL site is readily identifiable when the home page is accessed. Sources and authors are listed clearly and the content of the website is current and up-to-date. Resources are also available which highlight recent updates to the site and provide navigational tips for accessing information quickly and easily. Information presented in each section is relevant and easy to select what is important for the particular writing project. DESIGN Using Mozilla Firefox, I did not have any issues with navigating the Purdue OWL site. Recent updates and upgrades to the website have improved the visual appeal. Multimedia resources are not available on the site but given the subject matter, this is not surprising. One area where this site could use additional work is the lack of links to other websites outside of Purdue University's English Department.

Stetson Fancher Reviewed Aug. 31, 2010 Purpose The purpose of the Purdue Online Writing Lab is to help give information and references towards writing documents for school related projects. It is there to educate Purdue students and others about all kinds of references and sources to help make the writing process easier. They have everything from avoiding plagiarism and APA formatting style guide to exercises that might help you with your writing. This site is a great site to use for students as young as junior high, up on through graduate school. It does a great job of making difficult information accessible. Content This site has a full arsenal of information that it has to offer writers with many different kinds of goals. It also does a great job of organizing the information so that it is easily accessible to those who need it. It also keeps the references us up to date as possible. It keeps the most current style guides and even frequently produces podcasts to those who subscribe. It does not always show all of its references on the home page, but as you dig into information, then it becomes more available. The content that this site provides is one that can be applicable for many different writers.

Adam Matson 9-14-2011 Website Evaluations: 1) http://owl.english.purdue.edu/ - Purdue Online Writing Lab Overview- This site is intended for the use by students (grades 7-12+) and teachers alike in regards to English writing styles, citations, etc. The site is developed by Purdue University and even allows students to turn written works in to be reviewed by university students and teachers to help correct and guide the writing process. It has a very complete overview of how to write well-rounded essays, letters, etc. and is easy to read and navigate. It covers areas such as MLA and APA formats along with how to cite sources both in-text and bibliographical forms. I would recommend it for anyone who has a question about a writing assignment. Content- The content of this site is extraordinarily helpful and easy to navigate. From the homepage you can easily discern that the main focus is education in English writing. All areas are labeled clearly and cover many sides of whatever subject you are on. It explains clearly every aspect, such as citing sources, and shows many examples, reviewing almost all instances the writer might run in to. Design- The design is fairly basic, as many educational sites are. It is not very interactive (meaning videos, sounds, games, etc.), but it very easy to navigate. Tabs and links are obvious and lead to such places as Contact Information. Links to other parts of the site are always colored differently and easy to discern. All links are easy to read and very specific, letting the user narrow down their intended search quickly and efficiently.

A website full of logic puzzles, math videos, word problems, and other math games

Ryan Pinkston January 22, 2011 1) Overview- The primary goals of Math Playground are to help students feel more confident about their math skills and to help them form more positive attitudes toward the subject of math. I try to accomplish these goals by providing engaging games and activities that students find meaningful and fun. 2) Content Credibility- It is easy to determine the basic content and intended audience for this site. The authors of the material are identified and information about the author is easy to find. The content achieves the intended purpose effectively, appears to be complete, and the information is easy to understand. It seems to be free of bias and provided interactivity that increases its vaule. 3) Design Evaluation- The homepage downloaded in a timely manner and is some-what attractive. There are clearly marked tabs and the information for contacting the sponsor is readily available. Directions are clear and easy to follow and the links within the site work efficiently as well. The information is clearly labeled and well organized. The same basic format is used consistently throughout the site. A working link to contact the person for further address is available. 4) I would use this website because it has a ton of different games for math and they are all fun in the own way. It is easy to use and navigate through.

This website gives definitions of 51 Types of Poetry

Sarah Kautzky January 31, 2011 Overview: The purpose of this website is to provide basic statistics help to high school and college level students. This site is intended for students who are enrolled in a statistics course and are seeking additional help and information. This website may also be used by statistics teachers to create lesson plans or be used as a reference. The information is separated into chapter like grouping. My overall impression of this site is a very good one. This is something that I would surely use as a statistics teacher and I would encourage my students to look at it and reference it as needed. Content: The creator of this website is an undergraduate professor who created it as a supplement to the textbook for his students.  He is a credible source and contact information is available in the form of a drop box. Links to other sites and sources are in working condition and are very helpful. This website achieves its purpose in delivering the basic information taught in a statistics class. All of the information is current, relevant, and correct. The information is easy to understand as well. The site is very well organized and free of bias and spelling or grammatical errors. Design: The design of this website is pretty good. There are no download errors or broken links. The homepage is very neat, clean, and organized which appeals to me, but others might be that it is plain looking. The site does not contain a table of contents because it is one in itself the way it is laid out. A copyright date is listed at the bottom of the page. Navigating the site is fairly easy and there are links that allow the user to jump to related pages. The graphics are only used when appropriate and when they add something to the material. The cleanliness and simplicity of it promotes learning and limits distraction.

Overview: The purpose of the site is to create a connection of running to health. The intended audience is interested in a long term relationshiop by adding running to a health lifestyle. I liked that the emphasis was more on overall health than overwhelming you with the running, thus puttting running in it's place. Content: The resources provided defining and describing the activity, proper mechanics, advice for beginners, a site on medical clearance for running, and other related searches doctor-patient, teeens, older adults, mental health). I especially enjoyed the video on form running. The author's bibliography provides insight to background and credibility to the subject. Design: The home page picture welcomes you to an unknown adventure. The resources are set in a methodical approach of one related topic to another. The added searches are easily accessibl;e and seem to have updated information. The sponsor advertisements do not overwhelm the site.

Overview: Notes in Spanish is a great teaching tool so that students can listen to a variety of topics in Spanish at home or in school. There are different levels of podcasts ranging from beginner to advanced with many podcasts in each level. There are also packets available to purchase that help to comprehend and test your knowledge on the podcasts. Content: The content of Notes in Spanish is relevant to Spanish listening comprehension. The content is presented in a profession yet fun manner. The authors contact and background information is readily available. Both authors are qualified to present the podcasts because of their background with Spanish and fluency level. The site does not present the date last revised but new podcasts are added often. There are not any external links presented in the site but the site does provide sufficient information. Design: The design of Notes in Spanish is attractive and simple. The tool bar on the top of the screen makes for easy navigation. The site is simple and there are not too many links; there are no external links present. The use of multimedia makes a significant contribution to the site because the main information on the site is in the form of podcasts. The site is simple in its design but is effective in delivering quality information.

Oil on canvas painting by Edgar Degas created around 1872. This painting has an orchestral pit view and appears to have adopted a very mature style of depicting the art form.

Michael Gonzales September 14, 2011 Overview: This website is a great start to help educate children about the Spanish language. It is filled with links to games, worksheets, and even flashcards. This website offers the basics and helps form the foundation to teaching and understanding the Spanish language. The site is professional and is well organized. Content: I believe that learning any language is important to the well being of any individual. It allows you to open your mind and expand your world to what is out there. This website is a great way to start off your journey to understanding Spanish. It offers you the basic levels and lessons that will allow you to become fully immersed in the information. It is interactive, allowing you to play matching games and also provides educational videos. It also provides the user to explore countries and learn information that is relevant to the language. I can for sure use this in my classroom becomes it covers all corners of the basics and allows you to reach further and test your boundaries. Design: The design of the website is very professional and is very well laid out. The information is accessible and straight forward and is easy to navigate within. The animated images are enriching and capture the audience's attention. Each section is organized into its own category and offers a wide range of information and media. I believe that this site is easy accessible by any student as well adults who want to learn some information about Spanish and other countries.

Websites with great spanish videos for second grade

Randi McInerney September 15, 2011 Overview: The purpose of the BBC Learning School Beta website is to promote and provide educational materials for students, parents, and teachers. This website would be great for k-12 education and teachers and parents of those children. The site offers educational games and learning tools, resources for teachers, tips for parents to help improve their children's education, and education related news articles. The content and design are very visually attractive and extensive. Content: There is a lot of content available on this site, but it is easily accessible. There are interactive games, video clips, news articles, and other activities and information. The website has extensive information for all of the intended audiences. There does not seem to be any reliable contact information available besides a "feedback form" to send criticism or praise and "frequently asked questions" are also available. Design: The website downloads correctly and quickly and looks very interesting and organized. The site is easy to navigate, even without directions. The site could be used by a primary aged school child fairly effectively because of the clear labels and ease of navigation.

This is a great site! I'm definitely using it in my WebQuest.

Jacqueline Twiford Web Site Review September 20, 2009 http://www.schoolworld.com/teacherSites.cfm?subpage=502 "School World", is wonderful way to incorporate technology into your classroom. This site allows you as a teacher to post assignments, announcements, and messages and even quizzes online. By incorporating this site into your classroom you are also including parents in their student's education. CONTENT This site's purpose is very obvious once you read through the first few paragraphs. Through this site you can build a webpage for your classroom, for a small cost. By utilizing this website you can bring your classroom into the student's home, including parents in their learning. As a teacher you can post grade book information to quizzes and notes to the parents and students. This is a great way to incorporate technology into your classroom on a daily basis; also it is beneficial to have a site that you can check on student's progress at any point. DESIGN "School World", is a very organized website allowing you to immediately see what the content is and how it can apply to you and your classroom as well as how it can help you. An interesting icon I noticed was the awards of excellence and teacher's choice winner, all very reputable awards that makes me feel this site is a very reputable one for teacher s to use. It also encourages use of this site to include organization ad technology as well as including adults in the child's education. Through this site you can have students help you update content as well as yourself in seconds. This site is an excellent way to incorporate technology as well as keep a well organized classroom for a small amount a year.

Tonya Searles This website clearly states on the first page that the audience is open to students or any person in the world who needs writing help. In this case, the website is being used by English students. The website provides assistance with all forms of writing including grammar, spelling, punctuation, and citing material. The user simply has to click on the topic they need help in and go from there. The website is currently maintained by the writing lab at Purdue University, and does provide copyright dates through 2014. The information is authoritative and accurate because it is developed by the aforementioned professionals at Purdue University. For an English student, or any student, the website is relevant because it can assist with basically any type of writing assignment. The purpose of the website is to help people check their work and get help with writing when they need it. The website clearly displays common mistakes people make and how to fix them, as well as allowing for people to search more in depth for rules of writing. The websites colors are very similar to that of citationmachine.net. They are subdued and not overly hard to look at for long periods of time. The website has a lot of content, but the front page is neatly categorized without being overwhelming. I like how the mission statement of the website is right on the home page. The content is categorized by topic and each link I clicked on worked. Each link will take you to a new page with subcategories and recommendations for further suggested resources. I think the site is very user friendly and informative.

Provides a bulletin board to share with others. Users can post 90 second video commentaries on the board and respond to others posts