Website Evaluation/Edith Bowen

1. My favorite evaluation form was the MidLink Magazine Web Page Evaluation Form because it allowed the person judging to rate the different aspects, not just check yes or no. After rating each section, the total score explained if it was a valid site or not. The form I didn't really like was CyberGuide. I felt like this form had the least amount of information. I didn't like the set up. I felt the other forms gave more information of the site and let the evaluator explore the website more fully.
2. I didn't really find any hidden secrets. One thing that was hard for me to find was the date the websites had last been updated. I enjoyed reading the mission statements, sponsors, and seeing where the company was based. This is information that I usually don't pay attention to.
3. It is important to use website evaluations because not all websites are valid. Anyone can make any website, so it is important to make sure the website is accurate, current, and factual. It is important to teach this to students so they can use websites accurately for research projects.
4. I wouldn't use an evaluation form if I was shopping online, playing games, or any other leisure activity online. It isn't really relevant for non educational purposes.

Today was my favorite day in class. We went over to Edith Bowen and talked with one of the teachers there. He is great and incorporating technology in the classroom. He wrote a grant and got ipods for every student in his class. He has podcasts, videos, games, and audio books loaded on them. It is great for the students to use. He also showed us how he uses google docs and his class website. Everything is updated online and is e-mailed to the parents. He talked about using text messages to send the parents information. I think this is a great idea!
We got to work with the students one and one and they showed us their favorite aspects of technology. My student showed me the math link they use in class to time their math facts. He liked this the best. He also showed me spellingcity where the students do spelling activities and pre-tests online. He also showed me a typing game they play to increase their computer skills. He was really enthusiastic about it and he was great with using technology. I was impressed at how much he knew and what he could do on a mac computer.
It was really cool to see how a teacher uses technology in an elementary school classroom. He had great ideas. It was cool to see how much the students could handle.