110 likes | 363 Views
Evaluating Educational Resources. W301. What are Educational Resources? . There are many kinds of resources available to you: Productivity Resources are tools that you can use in lesson planning and grading to make you a more efficient teacher
E N D
What are Educational Resources? • There are many kinds of resources available to you: • Productivity Resources are tools that you can use in lesson planning and grading to make you a more efficient teacher • For example, gradebook software, lesson plan engines, and worksheet generators • Educational Resources are software and web resources that you can use actively with your students
Educational Resources Formats • Educational Resources can come in a variety of forms: • Websites that are designed for use by your students • Software products that you can use in your classroom
Why Evaluate These Resources? • Just because resources are “published” - either by a software company or by an individual - does not mean they are appropriate for classroom use • To help you focus on the main points with educational resources, we are going to ask three questions…
Is the resource Accurate? • Is the resource Appropriate? • Is the resource Aligned with state content standards?
Accurate • Is the information current? • Is the information accurate? • Who is the author? • Does the author have expertise related to the content? • Does the author project bias? • Is the author a teacher?
Appropriate • What is the intended grade level and content area for the resource? • Is the reading level appropriate? • Does the content provide enough detail regarding the topic? • Is the use of media appropriate? • Do things load well? • Do they not distract or detract from the content? • Is the resource designed to be used BY students?
Aligned • Is the resource aligned to state standards? Or can it be? • Does the resource give the opportunity to foster skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, and reading? • A resource itself may only present an opportunity for alignment, based on how you use it.
Lets Look at an Example • http://www.explorelearning.com • Accurate? • Appropriate? • Aligned?
Now Look at other examples.. • Accurate? • Appropriate? • Aligned? • http://www.whitehouse.net/ • http://www.teacher.org/ • http://www.lessonlocator.org/