Context+&+Criteria

Critical Evaluation of Web-based Learning Resources

Context

The students are Year 5/6 and are diverse in their English literacy and computer literacy. However, all have used computers for interactive educational games such as [|Mathletics] and [|Spellodrome], have conducted Internet searches, and have used MS Word, Publisher and Powerpoint. They are familiar with navigation buttons, menus, drag and drop, and hyperlinks (underlined words are ‘clickable’). Not all have computers at home; the student to computer ratio is about 3:1; and the Internet connection is sometimes slow. Students only have a specialist science teacher for one lesson per week so the classroom teacher wants to spend an extra 45 minutes using web-based software to “support students in developing an understanding of science concepts” (Tasmanian curriculum: ICT, 2009, p. 16). The focus will be the Strand of ‘Science as a body of knowledge’, the Substrand ‘Living things’ (Tasmanian curriculum: Science, 2010, p. 52-53), and the topic of the human body (Tasmanian curriculum: Science, 2010, p. 64-65).

Criteria

Choosing the resources met several criteria before individual evaluation took place. For instance, the Le@rning Federation is a credible educational website, with no commercial content, and its material is free. Resources were selected for the appropriate age group and topic. Trialing showed that all of them downloaded quickly and that students could complete an activity in 10-15 minutes. This left four criteria for evaluation: · Minimal to moderate scaffolding of literacy and computer literacy. · High level of engagement for students (interactivity, animation, etc.). · Enhancement of learning. · Opportunities to integrate Science with other curriculum areas.