Element

Needs Improvement

Shows Promise

Strength Area

Points

Curriculum

S

See the Utah Core Curriculum Standards http://www.usoe.k12.ut.us/curr/1testa.htm

The site is unrelated to what students typically study.
(0 points)

This site is somewhat related to what students might study in a core subject or elective course.
(3 points)

This site is clearly related to what students might study in a core subject or an elective course and can be used to support, enrich, or extend student learning .
(6 points)

Standards

See the Utah Core Curriculum Standards http://www.usoe.k12.ut.us/curr/1testa.htm

Goals and objectives are not clear and/or there is no reference to standards.
(0 points)

There is some mention on the site, in the Teacher's Guide section, or elsewhere, of goals, objectives, and their relation to standards.
(3 points)

Goals and objectives are clearly stated and are matched to standards.
(6 points)

Authority

S

You can not figure out who authored the content or whether the author is a reliable expert.
(0 points)

The author or producer of the site is identified, but there is no background information available.
(2 points)

The creator of the site and her/his credentials are noted
(4 points)

Element

Needs Improvement

Shows Promise

Strength Area

Points

Activity Helpers

The site does NOT contain suggestions for how students can conduct investigations, create presentations, or complete projects.
(0 points)

The site contains suggestions for how students can conduct investigations, create presentations, or complete projects.
(2 points)

The site includes graphic organizers, templates or forms to help with student work.
(4 points)

Teachers' Aids

The site contains no resources to assist teachers.
(0 points)

The site contains a few lesson plans and suggestions to assist teachers.
(2 points)

The site contains detailed lesson plans, suggestions for how to manage activities in different settings, strategies for supporting special needs students, and activity extensions.
(4 points)

Grade Level

No grade level is specified on the site, OR the specified grade level is too broad to be meaningful. (0 points)

Material or activities are NOT well-matched to its target audience. The reading level is too high or too low, or the activities are either too complex or too simple.
(2 points)

Material and activities on the site are well-matched to the target audience.
(4 points)

Answer for RESOURCE or SUPPLEMENTAL sites only

Element

Needs Improvement

Shows Promise

Strength Area

Points

Quality of Content

S

The information on this site is shallow, out-of-date, or just the same as what can usually be found in a text book or in the school library.
(0 points)

The information on this site is more extensive or more current than what is likely to be found at school.
(3 points)

The information is timely, extensive, and dynamic. The use of animation, sound, graphics, or other enhancements makes it easier to understand and/or enjoy the material.
(6 points)

Answer for PROJECT sites only

Quality of Information

See Principles of Engaged Learning

http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/content/cntareas/math/ma2lindi.htm

This site uses no or few principles of engaged learning

 (0 points)

This site uses some principles of engaged learning (3 points)

This site uses several principles of engaged learning
(6 points)

Interactivity

Can't email anyone or leave a message on a bulletin board or contribute your ideas anywhere on the site!
(0 points)

Can contact someone on this site, but messages aren't monitored for appropriateness

 (3 points)

Messages may be sent to experts, author, and others and messages are monitored. (6 points).

Element

Needs Improvement

Shows Promise

Strength Area

Points

Publishing

Even though the site is intended to help students with a school project, there's neither a place where students can share their work nor suggestions for how to share student work locally.
(0 points)

The site contains suggestions for ways students can share their work online or with their local community.
(3 points)

The site includes an area where students can share their work online and includes instructions for contributing student work.
(6 points)

Answer for ALL sites

Connections

S

This site dead-ends. There aren't any links to other online resources.
(0 points)

The site contains links to other resources, but they are not described.

(1 point)

This site links out to other well-described resources on the same topic.
(2 points)

Design

S

This site just isn't put together well! The colors are distracting, the words are hard to read. The layout makes it hard to use the site.
(0 points)

The site is well designed and generally appealing.
(1 point)

The site is visually appealing and uses colors and graphics to enhance the impact of the information.
(2 points)

Navigation

S

Getting around is confusing. It's easy to feel lost.
(0 points)

You can navigate the site, but sometimes it is difficult to get to the section you want. (1 point).

Navigation is easy due to the use of  navigation tools, e.g., pull-down menus, an index, a site map (2 points)

Element

Needs Improvement

Shows Promise

Strength Area

Points

Technical features

S

Web technology is NOT used effectively. High-tech features on the site distract from the site's purpose, or make it slow or likely to crash.
(0 points)

Web technology is generally used effectively. However, if the site features "new" tech goodies, like shockwave, sound, java and animation, they seem to be unrelated to the instructional purpose.
(1 point)

Web technology is used effectively. If the site features "new" tech goodies, like shockwave, sound, java and animation, they are used to make the information more clear.
(2 points)

Tone

S

There is evidence of disrepect or hate toward a person or a group.
(0 points)

There is evidence of bias or unexplained negativity on the site.
(1 point)

Neutral or positive attitudes predominate. Any bias is mitigated by background information on the author’s perspective or  other information.
(2 points)