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Educational
Website Evaluation
The following is an evaluation of the PBS kids website: http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/games.html.
On the site, many games are offered which test logic and critical
thinking. Overall, the website is challenging and engaging.
Title:
PBS Kids Games
Publisher PBS Ready to Learn
Content Area: Logic and Critical Thinking Skills
Hardware Required: ©Windows 95 (or more recent), ©Flash, and ©QuickTime
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 abusive or insulting
II. Content
*No Grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors on the screen
*All content accurate and up to date
*No racial or gender stereotypes; not geared toward only one sex or to certain
races
*Exhibits a sensitive treatment of moral and/or social issues
III. User Flexibility
*This is the biggest weakness on the site. While playing most of the games
there is not way to start over. For a player to restart the game they must
use the back button and then reenter the game, sometimes having to go through
all the directions another time.
IV. Technical Soundness
*Program loads consistently, without error
*Program does what screen says it should do
*Program works on desired platform
*Online links work as indicated
Note: Flash Plugin is necessary to play most games
Decision:
Overall this is a great website for students to use to challenge their logical
thinking and problem solving skills. While playing these games it is easy
to forget that you are in fact working on your critical thinking. The
games offered range in appropriateness for elementary aged students.
http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/games.html
© 2002
Educational Broadcasting Corporation
"Cyberchase" is a trademark of Educational Broadcasting Corporation.
Evaluation
checklist adapted from:
Roblyer, M.D. & Edwards, J., (2000). Integrating Educational Technology into
Teaching (Third Edition). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
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Outcomes
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Indicators
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Information Access, Evaluation, Processing, and
Application |
| Access, valuate, process and apply information efficiently
and effectively. |
Apply
information accurately in order to solve a problem or answer a question. |
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Communication |
| Use technology to communicate information in a variety of
forms. |
Use
multiple digital sources to communicate information online. |
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Legal,
Social, and Ethical Issues |
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Demonstrate an
understanding of the legal, social and ethical issues related to
technology use. |
Establish classroom
policies and procedures that ensure the compliance with copyright Fair Use
guidelines, security, privacy and student online protection |
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Assessment
for Administration and Instruction |
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Use technology to
analyze problems and develop data-driven solutions for instructional and
school improvement. |
Use appropriate
technology to share results and solutions with others, such as parents and
the larger community. |
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Integrating
Technology into the Curriculum and Instruction |
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Design, implement and
assess learning experiences that incorporate use of technology in a
curriculum-related instructional activity to support understanding,
inquiry, problem solving, communication, and/or collaboration. |
Manage a
technology-enhanced environment to maximize student learning. |
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Professional
Growth |
| .Develop
Professional practices that support continual learning and professional
growth in technology. |
Identify
local, state and national standards and use them to improve teaching and
learning. |
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