Web+Evaluations+LT

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 * Comments**: The website Ology, as put on through the American Museum of Natural History, was an overall effective and useful resource for topics relating to integrated science in an upper level elementary classroom. It contained different sections designated toward specific areas of science, including zoology, biology, earth science, and paleontology. It promotes both teaching and learning because this site is designed to be a resource for both teachers and students. The website provides extensive information on many different areas of science through text, pictures, and articles, but also from interactive games, activities, and print-outs aimed toward children of an upper level elementary education. It reaches the target audience of upper level elementary that it intends with colorful backgrounds and format, large, easy to read text, and vivid photographs and graphics. I like that the site covers so many different topics of science, and isn't limited to one subject area such as biology. However, there are some definite distractions and things I believe inhibit the website from fully reaching students. The design and format of the pages are busy and cluttered, and although they are organized in tabs by the specific area of science they cover, the numerous buttons and pages that are accessible may lead students to become confused and lost as to where to go, or could distract them from their task. I thought there could have been a much simpler way to organize the site to make it easier to navigate for students and access the games and activities. However, for the most part this site was a great tool for students to be able to use. I could use this in the classroom as a follow up to certain science lessons, and have my students play some of the games or read some of the stories and interactive activities in order to better understand the information and give it a real world application.======

-This site has a lot of really good content pertaining to many different fields of science. It is great for upper elementary/middle school children. The homepage contains colors and pictures that would catch the attention of a younger child. The site is somewhat hard to navigate, not necessarily for a teacher, but definitely for a student. In order to get to the information you have to look around a bit and find the right thing to click on. I agree that the site could cause the students to get off task easily and quickly. Overall, this is a really good site for science studies. I would use this in my classroom if I assigned a project, because students could look up the information for it easily on this site. I would also probably use it on a Friday as a free day for them to play games, but still be getting an education.--AR

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 * Comments**: National Geographic for Kids is a valuable tool for use in the classroom to assist in lessons and activities dealing primarily with the natural and social sciences, and also with current world issues and topics of interest. The website was brightly colored and contained many interesting pictures of animals, people, and different world locations that related to an article or topic of current interest in the world today. It was easy to navigate the web page and I had no trouble loading the pictures and games that related to the areas of natural and social science. The information provided was done so in a way that would be accessible to an elementary student, which is reaching the appropriate age circumstances for my classroom. I especially liked that the website seemed very recently updated and current, and related the information on science and social studies to modern, current world affairs and issues. The only real problem I had with the website were the advertisements on the side of the page for other various National Geographic sources, but even then these were few and small. I would use this website in my classroom to help promote and better understanding of science and social studies topics with my students through the games, activities, and articles, as well as keep them informed on current world issues as it relates to them and society. It is not only a good resource for students, but teachers also.======