Site Report

byJoshua DoyonDick Elsbree

Norma Jordan

Selection of Sites: MethodTo determine the best WBLE websites for use in the K-8 science curriculum, we looked at data collected from the evaluation rubric to discover which WBLE's had the greatest value and impact in the classroom. Data responses were broken up into four main categories: usability, content, educational value, and vividness. Under each of these categories are several subsections, or questions, used to determine the value of each WBLE. We feel to be able to successful rate these subsections, at least 75% of the respondents needed to select the same response. Rating websites due to this method, it becomes easier to understand and interpret collected data. Moreover, it becomes apparent which WBLEs can be considered successful and which ones could not.

Selection of Sites: Results.

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Selection of Sites: Analysis and Recommendations

Analysis: Based off of our evaluation method, we determined that none of the sites are appropriate based on the WBLE evaluation rubric results. All of the sites did not meet the 75% success rate in the educational value section of the rubric. Educational value looked at learning activities, activity plans, resources, feedback, communication, rubrics, and help tools. Of the six sites, three of them were rated successful for learning activities, but all were lacking in the rubrics and help tools. Recommendations: Of the six sites evaluated four rated highly in usability and content. If the teacher was willing to create learning activities, rubrics, and help students in class during instruction these sites could be useful in the classroom setting.

Overview and Analysis of the Characterization-Parts of the Food Chain

Overview: Parts of the Food Chain is part of Animal Kid's Corner brought to you by Shepard Software. Shepard Software hosts a variety of websites that offers online learning in math, animals, geography, and science. Animal Kid's Corner and its contents which includes Parts of the Food Chain is recommended for use with older kids in elementary school to early middle school.

Grade Level: The majority of reviewers (13) thought that the site was at a 4th to 6th grade level, One reviewer though it was 7th to 9th grade, and 2 reviewers thought it was 1st to third grade level.Primary Instructional Style:7 reviewers said the primary style was informational, 7 reviewers said it was a mix of instructional styles, and 1 reviewer thought it was tutorialMost Effective Use: 3 reviewers thought it was appropriate for whole class instruction, 3 thought small groups, 4 thought individual in class, and 5 thought individual out of class.Most Useful Application: 3 reviewers thought it was basic instruction for all, 3 differentiated instruction, 4 remedial instruction, and 5 enrichment instruction.

Analysis of the Usability

The analysis shows that the majority of the reviewers found the purpose, enjoyment, and readability to be adequate. The majority of reviewers thought the navigation and design were poor. The homepage was split between poor and not present.

Analysis of the Content

The majority of reviewers thought the site had no authority. The reviewers mostly thought that the relevance was excellent. The site was adequately sufficient. The appropriateness was rated excellent to adequate by the majority of the reviewers.

Analysis of Educational Value

The majority of the educational value categories where rated as poor, or not present. These categories were activity plan, resources, communication, feedback, rubric, and help tools. Only learning activities had an adequate rating.

Analysis of the Vividness

The majority of the reviewers that responded believed the links were excellent or adequate. There was a split by the reviewers when it came to updating. Half of the reviewers said it was adequate or excellent, but the same number also thought it was not present.

Review and Analysis of Characterization - Kids Biology

Overview: Kids Biology is part of the KidsKnowIt Network. This network was created by a classroom teacher from Salt Lake City, Utah. The goal of the site is to aid in the teaching of biology. Kids Biology is broken down into three area of general biology, animal biology, and human biology.The site is advertised for any age group that is interested in biology.

Grade Level: The majority of the reviewers (8) felt that the site was intended for 7th-9th graders. Seven felt it was at a 4th to 6th grade level, and one reviewer thought it was at a 10th to 12th grade level.Primary Instructional Style: Nine of the reviewers classified the style as informational. The other seven reviewers classified it as a combination of instructional styles.Most Effective Use: Half of the reviewers (8) thought that the most effective use was as individual outside of class instruction. Five reviewers would use it for individual in class instruction. The remaining three selected small groups. Most Useful Application: Nine reviewers selected basic instruction. The remaining seven reviewers selected from the other categories.

Analysis of Usability

All of the areas of usability with the exception of design were rated highly by the reviewers. Design was split among adequate and poor, more reviewers selected poor over adequate.

Analysis of Content

The content of Kids Biology was mostly favorable. The relevance, sufficiency, and appropriateness was rate adequate or excellent by the majority of reviewers. There was an issue with the authority of the site being that most reviewers selected that it was not present.

Analysis of Educational Value

It was unanimous that the site had no rubric and almost unanimous in the sites lack of help tools. As for the activity plan and resources the majority of responses were poo or not present. Learning activities had slightly more positive comments (excellent and adequate) then negative (poor or not present) comments.

Analysis of Vividness

The analysis of vividness shows that the majority of reviewers thought the links were adequate. The updating had a mixed result with slightly more reviewers saying it was adequate than it was not present.

Overview and Analysis of Characterization-Earth FloorOverview: The Earth floor presents Earth science fundamentals, such as cycles, spheres, and geologic time. Earth Floor was developed and is maintained by the Exploring the Environment Team.  The team consists of thirteen professionals that include instructional designers, science content developers, programmers and curriculum writers. 

The age level recommendation for this site is 7th- 9th grade.

Grade Level: The majority of reviewers (7) recommend that this site be used with 7th-9th grade students, 4 reviewers though it was for 4th- 6th grade users, and one reviewer thought it was best for 10th-12th graders.Primary Instructional Style: 9 reviewers said the primary style was informational, 2 reviewers said it was a mix mode- a combination of instructional styles, and 1 reviewer thought it was tutorialMost Effective Use: one reviewer thought it was appropriate for whole class instruction, 1 thought small groups, 7 thought individual in class, and 3 thought individual out of classMost Useful Application: 6 reviewers thought it was basic instruction for all, 2 differentiated instruction, 0 remedial instruction, and 4 enrichment instruction.

Earth Floor

Analysis of Usability

Earth Floor

The analysis shows the majority of the reviewers found the purpose, homepage, navigation, design, enjoyment, and readability to be adequate or better. Very few reviewers found any of the elements to be poor or not present.

Analysis of Content

Earth Floor

The majority of reviewers thought the site was excellent or adequate in all areas. However, one reviewer felt the sufficiency of the WBLE was poor. Three reviewers felt the site lacked authority.

Analysis of Educational Value

Earth Floor

The majority of reviewers felt many elements were not present on this site. Reviewers felt the site had excellent or adequate learning activities and resources, but lacked communication, feedback, rubric, and help tools.

Analysis of Vividness

Earth Floor

The majority of reviewers thought the site had excellent links, but poor updating.

Review and Analysis of Characterization- The Genius of Leonard da VinciOverview:  The Genius of Leonardo da Vinci was developed by Learners Online. Learners online is a monthly publication that highlights new educational resources on the Internet for teachers, students, and families. The site was developed in 2002. The age level recommendation for this site is 10th-12thgrade.

Grade Level: The majority of reviewers (12) recommend that this site be used with 10th-12th grade students, 3 reviewers though it was for 7th- 79th grade users.Primary Instructional Style: 5 reviewers said the primary style was informational, 5 reviewers thought it was a tutorial, one thought it was a simulation, 4 reviewers said it was a mix mode- a combination of instructional styles.Most Effective Use: 3 reviewers thought it was appropriate for whole class instruction, 2 thought small groups, 10 thought individual in class, and 0 thought individual out of classMost Useful Application: 7 reviewers thought it was basic instruction for all, 2 differentiated instruction, 0 remedial instruction, and 6 enrichment instruction.

The Genius of Leonardo da Vinci

Analysis of Usability

The Genius of Leonardo da Vinci

The analysis shows the majority of the reviewers found the purpose, homepage, navigation, design, enjoyment, and readability to be adequate or excellent. A few of the reviewers found homepage,navigation, and enjoyment to be lacking what is needed.

Analysis of Content

The Genius of Leonardo da Vinci

The majority of reviewers thought the site was excellent or adequate in all areas. However, one reviewer felt that the authority was poor, and one reviewers felt the authority was not present.

Analysis of Educational Value

The Genius of Leonardo da Vinci

The majority of reviewers felt many elements were not present on this site. Reviewers felt the site had excellent or adequate learning activities, activity plan, and resources, but felt communication, feedback, rubric, and help tools were not present.

Analysis of Vividness

The Genius of Leonardo da Vinci

The majority of reviewers thought the site had excellent or adequate links, but poor updating.

Review and Analysis of Characterization- Cells AliveOverview: Cells Alive is created and maintained by Jim Sullivan. Cells Alive has been online since 1994, providing information, images, and computer enhanced videos to teachers, students, and lovers of science on Biology related topics. Cells Alive is a free-website, which is made possible by proceeds from the Cells Alive CD-ROMS. The information and computer enhanced graphics on Cells Alive are recommended for high school and college aged students. This is a very user-friendly and informational website for any learner who is hoping to learn more about Biology.

Grade Appropriateness: A majority of the reviewers, 16 believe Cells Alive is best suited for high school aged students. 4 reviewers believed this WBLE was appropriate for middle school aged students, while 3 reviewers believed its application is best seen for college aged students. Primary Instructional Style: A majority of reviewers, 14, considers Cells Alive to be primarily a mixed mode instructional style. 7 reviewers believe Cells Alive is an informational WBLE, while 3 believe the primary instructional style is tutorial. Most Effective Use: 9 reviewers believed this WBLE was most effective for individuals in class, 7 selected individual use outside of class, while 4 reviewers thought this was most useful for a small group setting, and the last 4 believe students would learn the nest through whole class instruction. Most Useful Application: 12 reviewers believed Cells Alive most useful application was basic instruction for all learners. 5 reviewers believed this WBLE was best suited for differentiated instruction, another 5 believed Cells Alive was designed for enrichment instruction, while 2 believed the most appropriate application of Cells Alive was for remedial instruction.

Analysis of the Usability

Examining the usability graph, the majority of reviewers believed Cells Alive's website purpose, enjoyment, navigation, homepage and purpose were excellent. The only other category to receive such a high rating was design, which received an excellent rating

Analysis of Content

This content graph addresses what is on the Cells Alive website. Examining the information collected, reviewers believed Cells Alive's appropriateness, sufficiency, and relevance were all excellent. Its authority, was a tie for both excellent and adequate.

Analysis of Educational ValueThough Cells Alive may have value in terms of content and useability, it is difficult to determine its educational value. Out of the 7 categorizes, reviewers felt the educational value of the website was poor. This can be seen from responses from help tools, rubric, feedback, communication, and activity, where users noted these were either no present or applicable.Only resources were deemed better for reviewers and received a rating of an excellent

Analysis of Vividness

In terms of having an current website through updating the information and keeping links functioning for a good experience with Cells Alive, a majority of the reviewers believed this website does an an excellent or adequate job. Out of the 24 respondents, only 2 believe the links and 4 believe updating fall below par.

Review of The DinosauriaOverview: The Dinosauria is apart of the University of California system and sponsored by the University of California Museum of Paleontology. The Dinosauria provides background and additional resources on dinosaurs. A visitor to this website will learn who dinosaurs were, what happened to them, if they are still around today, and how they are portrayed in today's culture. A content-driven website for anyone looking for gain information about dinosaurs. This website is primarily designed for middle school to high school aged students, with some application to the collegiate levels

Grade Appropriateness:The majority of reviewers, 10 believed The Dinosauria to be most appropriate for middle school aged students. 7 reviewers believed The Dinosauria was designed for high school aged students, 5 for college ages students, and 1 for elementary aged students.Primary Instructional Style: An Overwhelming majority of reviewers, 21, believed The Dinosauria primary instructional style was informational, while 2 reviewers believed it was a mixed mode. Though no indication, of which two modes were presented to usersMost Effective Use: Reviewers were split about the most effective use of The Dinosauria. 11 believed this website was best suited for individuals, in class, 10 believed this was for out of class individuals, while 2 reviewers selected small groups, and the last reviewers believed whole class instructionMost Useful Application: Basic instruction was deemed the most appropriate use for The Dinosauria, as 16 reviewers selected this option. 7 reviewers believed this website would allow enrichment instructions through the application of advanced activities, while 1reviewer believed this website was designed for differentiated instruction.

Analysis of the UsabilityOverall, The Dinosauria seems very easy to use. The reviewers noted this WBLE had an excellent design and purpose, adequate readability, enjoyment, and navigation. The Dinosauria is lacking with the homepage itself, as this category received 9 votes for poor and 8 votes for adequate.

Analysis of ContentReviewers believed the content of The Dinosauria to be excellent. Evident from the content graph, The Dinosauria's authority, relevance, sufficiency, and appropriateness all were rated at either excellent or adequate. Moreover, all of these categories were solely excellent, expect for appropriateness, which was a tie with adequate

Analysis of Educational ValueThough reviewers noted there the quality of content for The Dinosauria, there appears to be no real educational value. Out of the seven categories, five received a rating of Not Present/Not Applicable. The remaining two categories, resources and learning activities, received a rating of adequate. A more- in-depth analysis should occur if a teacher plans to use this WBLE in their classroom.

Analysis of Vividness

In terms of having a vivid and updated website on the Internet, many of the reviewers feel The Dinosauria does an excellent job (13) with thier links and an adequate job (8) with updating.

Final Slide Slide # Assignment Author Slide 2-4 Summary Dick ElsbreeSlides 5-9 Analysis of "Food chain" Dick Elsbree Slides 10-14 Analysis of "Kids Biology Dick ElsbreeSlides 15-19 Analysis of "Earth Floor" Norma JordanSlides 20-24 Analysis of Genius of Leonardo da Vinci Norma JordanSlides 25-29 Analysis of "Cells Alive" Joshua DoyonSlides 30-34 Analysis of "The Dinosauria" Joshua DoyonSlide 35 Final Slide Norma Jordan Editor Joshua Doyon