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Evaluation of Instructional Webpage

 

The following is an evaluation of the website listed below.  I explored the site and tested its usability and potential applications to the learning environment.

Who could forget Mr. Rogers?

Title:  Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood website                                            

Manufacturer:  PBS

Hardware required:  Windows 95 or better

Program type:  Educational webpage

I. Instructional Design and Pedagogical Soundness
  • Presentation on screen contains nothing that misleads or confuses students
  • Readability and difficulty are at an appropriate level for students who will use it
  • Comments to students are not abusing or insulting
  • Graphics fulfill important purpose and are not distracting to students
  • High degree of control over presentation rate
  • High degree of interactivity
  • Low quotient of violence or combat-type activities
  • More of a play and exploration website, little tutorial and instructional content
  • Graphics colorful but small, sometimes hard to read words
II. Content
  • No grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors on the screen
  • Exhibits a sensitive treatment of moral and/or social issues
  • Very helpful parent's corner; offers suggestions for handling complex issues, such as divorce
  • Next to each activity a lightbulb gives explanation of educational and moral benefits of activity
III. User Flexibility
  • User normally has some control of movement within the website
  • Cannot turn off sound through website
  • Interface is easy to use
IV. Technical Soundness
  • Website loads consistently
  • Website does what the screen says it will do
  • Animations, sounds, and videos work well and are informative
V. Decision
  • Content appropriate for targeted age group
  • Best if child is accompanied by parent since parental-oriented information also on most screens
  • Highly recommended to visit

Maryland Teacher Technology Standards

Outcomes     Indicators

Information Access, Evaluation, Processing, and Application

Access, evaluate, and process information efficiently and effectively.

 

1. Evaluate information critically 
   and competently for a specific
   purpose.
 

2. Organize, categorize, and store  
  information for efficient retrieval.

Integrating Technology into the Curriculum and Instruction

 

Design, implement and assess learning experiences that incorporate use of technology in the curriculum-related instructional activity to support understanding, inquiry, problem-solving, communication or collaboration.

 

  1. Evaluate technology materials 
     and media to determine their 
     most appropriate instructional
     use.

2. Assess students’ learning/
   instructional needs to identify 
   the appropriate technology for
   instruction.
 

 

Instructional Software Evaluation Checklist adapted from course textbook  Roblyer, M.D. & Edwards, J., (2000). Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching (Third Edition). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. 

©Greg Stiffler, 2005
Last updated by Greg Stiffler on Tuesday January 24, 2006