product evaluation project

7/29/2019 Product Evaluation Project

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Product Evaluation Project

Jeff Toorongian, Heidi Hilmer, Christi Camel

EDTECH 505_SU11


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Cells Alive RecommendationCells Alive is above your target age range, with a mode of grades 10-12. It presents

material with a mixed approach (both information and tutorial) and has been

determined to be effective in a variety of settings, including whole class, small

groups and individually. The most appropriate instructional application was found to

be basic instruction for all levels though differentiation for multiple groups may be

found. Site usability, content and vividness were deemed excellent, though the

educational value was lacking in an activity plan, method of communication, student

feedback, a rubric, and help tools.

This site may be useful for accelerated students at your school but will need to be

heavily supported by the classroom teacher to see the best results.

The Dinosauria web site was rated at the high end of your K-8 target range with a mode

of grades 7-9. Significant ratings above this range may also indicate an older target

audience than you specify. Materials are informational and best used as individual

resources either in or out of the classroom. Basic instruction was identified as the most

appropriate use for Dinosauria, while enrichment instruction was also mentioned.Usability ratings ranged between adequate and excellent, with design rating the

highest. Content ratings were excellent in all categories. The educational value of

Dinosauria received adequate ratings for activities and resources, but activity plans,

communication and feedback, and a rubric and help tools were not present. External

links were rated excellent. Although the site may be useful to some students in the K-8

range, you might consider this site better suited to your advanced learners in thosegrades.

Dinosauria Recommendation


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Earth Floor RecommendationThe Earth Floor web site fits well with your K-8 target range. The mode was grades 4-6 and

followed closely by grades 7-9. The web site was rated best for information uses and suited to

individual student use both in and out of the classroom. Basic instruction was the identified

application. Usability and content ratings were excellent in all categories with the homepage

and navigation rating the highest. Educational value ratings indicated many items were not

present, including activity plans, communication tools, feedback mechanisms, a rubric, and

help tools. Educational resources were rated excellent however. While external links were

rated highly, there was an indication that the site has not been kept current. Overall this site

does match your target grades and should provide valuable information for those

students. The site seems highly appropriate for individual enrichment activities as well.

Food Chain RecommendationThe Food Chain web site is well suited for your target K-8 students, as the survey results

indicate an appropriate grade level of 4-6. The site reflects a mixed mode of instructional

styles that will provide basic science instruction for all learners. The usability of the Food

Chain site is adequate in terms of its homepage design, navigation, readability, and user

enjoyment. The graphics and learning activities, including games, are age

appropriate. While the site content is relevant and appropriate for your students, the

overall design is poor. Advertisements are a distraction throughout and external links

navigate the users away from the site. The site does lack additional resources, feedback

opportunities, assessment and help functionality. Therefore, students may benefit from

using the site in class, where assistance is available.


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Kids Biology RecommendationKids Biology was found to be at the upper end of your target age range, with a

recommendation of 4th-9th grade. Material was found to be presented in an

information style, with some respondents classifying it as mixed mode. Kids Biology

would be most effectively used by individuals, but seems suitable for both in andoutside of class use. The most appropriate instructional application was found to

be basic instruction for all levels. Site usability, content and vividness were deemed

mostly adequate, though the educational value was lacking in an activity plan,

resources, method of communication, student feedback, a rubric, and help tools.

While this site is grade level appropriate for your needs, it is lacking in several very

important areas and may not be beneficial to your students.

The Genius of Leonardo Da Vinci RecommendationThe Genius of Leonardo da Vinci web site is not suited for your target grade level, as

the survey results indicate an appropriate grade level of 10-12. At first glance, the site

seems more appropriate for a Fine Arts resource. However, it does contain a wealth of

science material and the site received a top rating for relevant content andappropriateness. The site design, readability, and user enjoyment also ranked very

high. The most effective use of the da Vinci site would be as a tutorial for an individual

learner. A majority of the information is provided via external links, however some are

inactive. Many learning activities are provided, but there is no activity plan or rubric for

assessment questions. Additionally, there are no communication tools or help

functions. While this site does not fit your grade level needs, it may be well suited for

the advanced student as an enrichment resource.


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Pros Cons Pros Cons

Graphics (images/

animations) and sound

enhance the site, simple

site design, navigation was

intuitive

Ads detract from the site,

purpose is not clearly

stated, color scheme may

be overwhelming

Clear, high quality,

relevant content, large

amount of content,

website author is highly

qualified

Data with pictures is

inadequate, no external

links

Cells Alive

Qualitative Response Summary

Usability Content

Pros Cons Pros Cons

Interactive quizzes thatallow learners to review

material, link to a live help

center

No rubric, no activity plan,no forum or chat option,

activities (puzzles and

crosswords) don't

reinforce content

understanding

Site was well-maintained,links all worked (all

internal)

No external links

Educational Value Vividness


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Pros Cons Pros Cons

Content mostly relevant. Too many links, confusing

navigation.

Content good and

relevant. Good use of

pictures.

Good sources provided.

Can be wordy.

Excessive information.

DinosauriaQualitative Response Summary

Usability Content

Pros Cons Pros Cons

Many resources available. Passive learning. Noactivities, interactivity or

exploration opportunities.

Rich information.Links mostly worked.

Not updated for manyyears (at least 5).

One broken link.



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Purpose Popular: Exc/Adeq

Median: Adequate

Homepage Popular: Excellent

Median: Excellent

Navigation Popular: Excellent

Median: Excellent

Design Popular: Excellent

Median: Excellent

Enjoyment Popular: Excellent

Median: Excellent

Readability Popular: Exc/Adeq

Median: Adequate


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Pros Cons Pros Cons

Modules organized clearly.

No ads. Fun, eye catching

design. Nothing distracting

on the pages. Well

designed and good

graphics. Good

readability. Easy to follow.

Text is wordy and less

focused. Stale design.

Lots of scrolling

required. No homepage,

no purpose or objectives

listed. Confusing

navigation.

No multimedia.

Thorough

coverage. Well written

and engaging. A good

basic site. Content well

presented, good

activities.

Can get wordy. Not

challenging enough for

academically

talented. Should be

more interactivity for

younger kids.

No references listed.

Earth Floor


Usability Content

Pros Cons Pros Cons

Good mix of information

and activities. Instructional

materials thorough and

well presented. Great

outside resources. Lots of

new information for

students. Many resources.

No activities present. No

communication forums or

feedback opportunities.

Mostly timeless

content. Most links work.

Some links broken.

Not recently updated.



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Pros Cons Pros Cons

Appropriate graphics for

grade level. Games can

be used by individuals or

small groups.

Large quantity of

advertising is

distracting. Busy page

design. Navigation is

confusing.

Age appropriate

content. Concise

information presentation

with diagrams.

Poor page organization.

No sources are

provided.

Food ChainQualitative Response Summary

Pros Cons Pros Cons

Good content. Learninggames illustrate core

concepts.

Limited learningactivities. No assessment

or feedback

opportunities. Poor game

design.

Many informational links. Links not clearlydifferentiated from text.

Some advertising links.

No indication of last site

update.


UsabilityUsability Content


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Pros Cons Pros Cons

Easy to navigate, colors

are nice

Ads detract from content

(placement in the middle

of material), sporadic

placement of text and

images, too many

distractions, no clear

purpose, lacks continuitythroughout the site, text is

small

Sufficient information

preseneted for target age

group

Difficult to discern

content from ads, excess

and irrelevant games,

lacks organization, hard

to determince authority

Kids Biology


Usability Content

Pros Cons Pros Cons

Good amount of content,

additional links providemore content

No interactivity, games

provide no application ofcontent, no feedback, help

tools are found on a

different siteprovided

Most links work, links

provide additionalvaluable information

Links are hard to discern

from text (same color andweight), forum link is

broken



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The Genius of Leonardo da Vinci


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Pros Cons Pros Cons

Easy to use. Clear

presentation of a single

lesson.

Links to external sites are

redundant, distracting, or

inactive.No table of

contents. Home page

needs better structure.

Good content for

enrichment, regular

lessons, or remediation

depending on grade

level. Appropriate for

small group work.

Poor design -important

information is difficult to

ascertain. Most

information is obtained

through external

links. Assessment is

subjective.

The Genius of Leonardo da Vinci


Usability Content

Pros Cons Pros Cons

Provides a great deal of

information. Checks for

understanding with

assessment questions.

Passive learning. Limited

activities and

interactivity. Lack of

rubric for assessment. No

help component.

Abundance of

informational links.

No indication of last

update or update plans.

Broken links and missing

media.


Responsibilities


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ResponsibilitiesJeff Toorongian-recommendations and data analysis slides

for Dinosauria and Earth's Floor

Heidi Hilmer-recommendations and data analysis slides for

Food Chain and The Genius of Leonardo Da Vinci

Christi Camel-recommendations and data analysis slides forCells Alive and Kids Biology

All members-slide design and layout, discussion on data

analysis procedures and useful information to include(settled on sample size, frequency distribution and mode)

product evaluation project

Documents