HIT: Web Site Evaluation, pt 1

["Cheryl W. Stevens" <cheryls@NECA.COM>]

I would like to thank all who offered suggestions on short evaluations for
web sites. Though I am not sure I found the one I had saved, I found a
fantastic evaluation site at:

http://www.science.widener.edu/~withers/webeval.htm.

This site, put up by Wolfgram Memorial Library at Widener University offers
short evaluation criteria for different kinds of sites and is available as
a PowerPoint presentation (though I don't know how it is used!)

Below are the other responses I received:

It's probably more extensive than what you're looking for but
take a look at the Peer Evaluation Scoring Guide from the
Global Schoolnet Foundation at www.gsn.org ... I've used it
as the foundation for an evaluation piece we use...


Cheryl--
        Check out Kathy schrock's Guide for educator homepage
http://www.capecod.net/Wixon/wixon.htm.  She has three different levels,
elem., middle, high  that are simple and quick and give some ideas of what
to look for.


Source: Dr.Julie Tallman
URL: http://itech1.coe.uga.edu/Faculty/jtallman/jt.html

>Criteria for project 2:
>Web Site Evaluation from the Aderhold Hall group of students.
>
>       Introduction
>       Name
>       Address (URL)
>       Brief description of the site
>       Stated purpose of the site
>       Content
>              Is it accurate and verifiable?
>              Is the content free of opinion and bias?
>              Is it original or abstracted?
>       What do the links offer that is not easily available in other sources?
>       What is the purpose or point of view?
>       Is it resource-rich or simply a page of links?
>       Is it current and in-depth?
>       Access
>              Is the site usually accessible?
>              Is an alternative URL provided if main site not available?
>              Do parts take too long to load?
>              Is it stable or has the URL changed?
>              Can it be accessed with standard software and hardware?
>              Is it open to everyone or do parts require fees?
>       Design/Interface
>              Is the interface designed to assist speedy navigation and
>location of specific materials?
>              Is the resource interesting to view?
>              Do the visual effects enhance the resource, distract from
>the content, or substitute for content?
>               Is it well-organized?
>              Have special needs been considered?
>       Authority
>              Who is in charge of the site and responsible for the content?
>              Is there reference to dependable and recognized organizations?
>              Does the Webmaster want feedback for improvement?
>       Navigation
>              Can you move around the Web page easily?
>              Are there sufficient hot links within the site?
>              Do the links take you directly to the information specified?
>              Does the site hotlink to useful external sites?
>              Are the links successful?
>              Are the navigation buttons consistent throughout the site?
>              Are directions necessary for maneuvering around the site or
>is it intuitive?
>
I am using the material from

http://www.science.widener.edu/~withers/webeval.htm.

but have found there is more information in sites than I can handle.
My problem is condensing to a level of sanity.


Check the Oct. issue (I think) of Classroom Connect Magazine!



Cheryl W. Stevens
Library Media Specialist
Willimantic, Connecticut
cheryls@neca.com

Tolland High School
1 Eagle Hill
Tolland, CT 06084