The site contains a lot of text, little graphics and many videos. It is a simplistic site with a tool bar on the left side. It begins with a pre-assessment which provides immediate feedback. Objectives are clearly states as well as CEC standards address the Council for Exceptional Children Professional Standards. They continue with an overview of the module then several pages of focused learning. Each page provides a case study, some pictures and maybe a video. At the end of the module is a summary and post assessment. You have the option to print a glossary of professional terms, discussion questions, activities and citations for additional assessment opportunities for that focus.
Overall I really liked the site. It is definitely geared to the adult learner who is self motivated to read and reflect on each focus page. There are no games or colorful graphics. These modules are more like a textbook with little to no interaction capabilities. However, the information if fabulous and I will use some of the focus areas in our Professional Learning Communities.
|
|
High
|
Med
|
Low
|
Score
|
|||
|
Instructional
Aspects:
|
|||||||
|
Objectives
clearly stated
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
5
|
|
|
Objectives
appropriately sequenced
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
5
|
|
|
Instructional
strategies appropriate for the objectives
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
5
|
|
|
Instructional
activities process clearly described
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
5
|
|
|
Tasks
adequate/significant for achieving objectives
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
3
|
|
|
Resources
adequate/significant for achieving objectives
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
3
|
|
|
Learning
achievement adequately evaluated
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
3
|
|
|
Evaluation
criteria clearly expressed
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
|
|
Motivational
Aspects:
|
|||||||
|
Gaining
and maintaining learners’ attention
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
3
|
|
|
Relating
to learners’ interest and goals
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
5
|
|
|
Building
on learners’ prior knowledge & foreshadowing what the lesson is about.
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
5
|
|
|
Providing
positive feedback and feeling of accomplishment
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
3
|
|
|
Motivational
strategies serve for objectives
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
3
|
|
|
Navigation
is clear and easy to access
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
5
|
|
|
Authorship
and date is clearly stated
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
5
|
|
|
Text
follows the rules of grammar spelling and
literary composition
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
5
|
|
|
Use of
multimedia (Text, graphic, audio, video, animation, etc.) is visually appeal
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
3
|
|
|
Mechanical
aspects (No broken links, misplaced or missing images, etc.)
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
5
|
|
|
Web design appropriate for objectives
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
5
|
|
|
Web design appropriate for learner characteristics
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
5
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
|
|
|
|
82
|
|
|
The website overall scored average because evaluation was not a significant part of the overall learning process.
|
|||||||
I believe your assessment of this website is spot on. I really enjoyed the design of the website. The colors and simplicity gave it a crisp, clean look. I had a little trouble finding the modules at first, so I imagine other people might as well. The information this website offers is very in depth and well organized. Definitely a great tool for any adult who needs more information about this condition.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with your assessment of this website. Teachers often are given so little help dealing with the students they teach, and this site could help a lot. It is simplistic, but because the information is so good, it has great value. I also think that teachers who pursue this type of learning are more like ly to be motivated to overlook the textbook-like quality of the pages and are likely to find insight. Nice find!
ReplyDeleteI can see why there was not a lot of focus on evaluation. It seemed that most of the information was geared toward making sure teachers and parents had the information they needed about the program to enable them to help children with this type of condition. To me, it looked as though you needed to sign up with a new account in order to see what was in the modules themselves, unless I missed something. The links to all the different informational pages and videos were rather subtle, and I just had to stumble upon them, but once I did, I could see that there was a great deal of work that went in to the construction of this site. It was put together very professionally.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that this site requires an account in order to be able to view the material. I do not like that aspect of the site. However, this site is really beneficial. The design and setup for this website works for this site. Usually I like interactivity and color because it attractive, but this website setup works for this site.
ReplyDeleteI like this site. It is very simple, but has a lot of useful information. I agree with Megan about needing an account to view the material. I think this would be a very useful website for teachers who want or need to know more about children with Autism.
ReplyDeleteThis site is definitely geared towards adults, anyone who wants to learn more about Autism. I would view it as more informational than educational since it doesn't have any evaluation activities.
ReplyDeleteThe site offers a variety of modules, however, you have to create an account to view the modules. It would be great to view a sample prior to creating an account. I liked that the visuals are not overwhelming. The flash technology did not move too fast. The site also has a section for visitor tracking. Over 169,000 visits to the site.
ReplyDeleteI don't enjoy having to create yet another account to move forward. The visuals are very appropriate given that's it talking about the autism spectrum. This site has LOTS of excellent information to assist teachers in the understanding of the learning disability; however, navigation throughout the site is not simple and definitely does not jump out at you.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the problem with creating accounts. I feel we have hundreds of accounts all over the place. I have 3 autistic students and I found myself spending a spending lots of time exploring this site. It's great information that is easy to navigate.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very informative site with information about Autism, and how teachers can help Autistic children with assistive technologies and other strategies. Somehow, I was able to access all the info by clicking on the menu bar on the left! I guess I got lucky... :) Yes, I agree it does not have the assessments/interactivity for the site to be a complete WBI. I think the simplicity with the design and colors are OK since the major purpose is to provide information to the general population or teachers.
ReplyDeleteThis website seems to have a huge amount of helpful information on it, but it cannot be accessed without creating an account, as noted above. This is a major turn off for me. I was also concerned about needing tokens to get certificates. It says the prices vary as to how many tokens a module costs. I would want a price list prior to signing up to know if it were advantageous for me to sign up. Overall this website seems like a great place to acquire more knowledge, there are just a few things that I personally don't care for.
ReplyDeleteAwesome site! Autism is so common nowadays, that every teacher in America, probably has at least 1 student in their classes, K-12, with it. I think it's a great website, to help teachers grow and learn about autism, as well as helping autistic students in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteLori this is a very good module. I think this could help people understand autism. I agree with Dr. Hu that the strategies could help teach the children who have autism.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great resource for teachers. It is great that there is a site like this that could really help teach students with autism. I know everyone is down about having to create an account, but it is just a common thing in today's world. I just wish is was free.
ReplyDelete