Evaluating Websites, Software, & Student Technology Projects
Ed-205 Computers In Education
The Evaluation Cycle• It is important to evaluate technology before, during,
and after instruction has taken place.
Sources of Information• Many sources are available to help identify and evaluate
educational technology.• State Dept. of Ed - lists (www.evalutech.sreb.org)• Professional Educational Organizations
(MACUL - www.macul.org)• Colleagues• Published Evaluations• Technology Conferences
(MACUL)• The Web
Evaluating Web Resources• Not all information on the web is placed there by
reliable sources.• Evaluating web-resources presents a unique
challenge.
Evaluate for:• Authority: Is the author identified? Are credentials listed? A tilda ~ is usually an indicator that
the site a personal site and not a professional site (e.g., many universities use a ~ or % for student accounts). GVSU uses the word student, but another service might use members in the actual domain name (or another similar term)
• Affiliation: Is the site associated with a professional organization, school, governmental agency, etc.– Look at the domain name: .com, .org, .edu, .gov -- .gov and .edu are typically more
trustworthy than .com and .org (and others). Can you truncate the domain name to learn more? http://www.mecca.org/~crights/dream.html can be truncated to http://www.mecca.org/ (plus, the ~ indicates it’s a personal site most likely and the truncated version reveals this as well)
• Content: Is the site provided as a public service, does it relate to your curriculum, is the level appropriate, do links add value in meeting your goals? Is there an obvious bias? Do you see a hidden bias?
• Audience & Currency: is the site suitable for your students, how up to date is the site? Reading level appropriate?
• Design: does the site load fast, use graphics appropriately, easy to navigate, do the links work?
Fig 7-12
Fig 7-13
Evaluating Software• Once you have located a software package you must
evaluate it for use in your curriculum.• Sample versions are fine but most companies allow
you to download trial versions or they will send you free evaluation copies to use for a specified time. – www.tomsnyder.com– www.inspiration.com– www.hyperstudio.com
Evaluate for:• Compatibility with your hardware• Content (does it match your curriculum?)• Documentation (can you learn how to use it?)• Technical Support (can you get help?)• Ability & Academic
levels (is it appropriate for your students?)• Ease of use (will your students be able to navigate through
the software?)• Use a RUBRIC or
Checklist (see next slide)• Get student feedback
(have your students try it)
fig 7-7a
fig 7-7b
Evaluating Technology-Based Student Projects
• “Technology-Based” Student Projects help facilitate integrating technology and multi-media into the curriculum.
• Create a checklist or Evaluation Rubric before assigning the project.
• The evaluation tool will help guide students through the project.
• Include teacher observation.
Evaluate for:• Content: Determine what the content is to include.
Evaluate spelling, punctuation, etc.• Planning: Use of flowchart, storyboard, or concept
map.• Creativity: Consider
originality, imaginative/innovative approach to the subject, and artistic abilities.
Fig 7-16