What is our overall impression and recommendation about the quality of this web tool?
This web tool scores an overall score of 5 Stars.
Receiving 48/50 stars possible.
We would highly recommend the web tools available on the readwritethink.org site to educators, parents, and administrators. Readwritethink.org is an amazing resource for anyone wanting to help children reach 21st century literacy goals. This website speaks for itself. We recommend that you log in and give it a spin!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Evaluation Criteria 10: Additional System Requirements
Are there any additional system requirements or downloads necessary to use this web tool? 4 Stars
The only additional "plug-ins" that your computer needs for readwritethink.org are:
-Acrobat Reader
-Flash Player
-Shockwave Player
and - Quicktime player
These are fairly common and very easy to download.
The only additional "plug-ins" that your computer needs for readwritethink.org are:
-Acrobat Reader
-Flash Player
-Shockwave Player
and - Quicktime player
These are fairly common and very easy to download.
Evaluation Criteria 9: Application Possiblities
How can this web tool facilitate learning? 5 Stars
Readwritethink.org is truly a wealth of information and resources for teachers, parents and students. Let's start with the classroom resources. In this section of the web tool, you can find lesson plans, student interactives, print outs, and a literacy calendar. The lesson plans, as well as all of the other student resources are organized by grade level, objectives, lesson/ activity type, and integrated subject. The student interactives include graphic organizers, templates for online writing activities such as creating acrostic poems, designing your own action figure collectors cards, and writing fractured fairy tales. The print outs are useful for both teachers and students for off line activities such as prewriting, self reflection checklists, and informational sheets (i.e. "How to create a podcast"). The literacy calendar lists author birthdays and publication dates of interest. The next section is professional resources. In this section you will find strategy guides for teaching, a quality professional library that includes samples of articles from professional journals, books and other publications. You will also find a listing of professional development meetings and events and online learning. These resources are advertised; but participation is left to the expense of the teacher/ school. Finally, the parent/ at home resources list lessons, activities, projects, games, tools, podcasts, tip sheets, printouts for children based on their grade level.
Readwritethink.org is truly a wealth of information and resources for teachers, parents and students. Let's start with the classroom resources. In this section of the web tool, you can find lesson plans, student interactives, print outs, and a literacy calendar. The lesson plans, as well as all of the other student resources are organized by grade level, objectives, lesson/ activity type, and integrated subject. The student interactives include graphic organizers, templates for online writing activities such as creating acrostic poems, designing your own action figure collectors cards, and writing fractured fairy tales. The print outs are useful for both teachers and students for off line activities such as prewriting, self reflection checklists, and informational sheets (i.e. "How to create a podcast"). The literacy calendar lists author birthdays and publication dates of interest. The next section is professional resources. In this section you will find strategy guides for teaching, a quality professional library that includes samples of articles from professional journals, books and other publications. You will also find a listing of professional development meetings and events and online learning. These resources are advertised; but participation is left to the expense of the teacher/ school. Finally, the parent/ at home resources list lessons, activities, projects, games, tools, podcasts, tip sheets, printouts for children based on their grade level.
Evaluation Criteria 8: Safety
Does this web tool contribute to a safe learning environment? Are students protected from exposure of their personal information and inappropriate material? 5 Stars
Use of the website does not require any log in or identification of any sort. There are not any advertisements from companies or organizations other than the International Reading Association, The National Council of Teachers of English and Verizon/ Thinkfinity. Without exposing student's personal information or objecting them to questionable advertisements, this website fosters a safe learning environment.
Use of the website does not require any log in or identification of any sort. There are not any advertisements from companies or organizations other than the International Reading Association, The National Council of Teachers of English and Verizon/ Thinkfinity. Without exposing student's personal information or objecting them to questionable advertisements, this website fosters a safe learning environment.
Evaluation Criteria 7: Teacher Control
To what extent can the teacher scaffold student activity using this web tool? 5 Stars
Depending on the grade level and age of the learner a teacher may need to scaffold the students experience with some of the interactive tools. Teachers can easily provide a link on a computer desktop, in a file that will take a student directly to the activity. Older students can learn to quickly and easily locate activities with or without teacher guidance. It really is a very user friendly system designed with the educator in mind. Learning activities have been review, level, and categorized by teachers and experts in the field. Activities and lessons can be used by teachers to easily bridge learning from one activity to the next.
Depending on the grade level and age of the learner a teacher may need to scaffold the students experience with some of the interactive tools. Teachers can easily provide a link on a computer desktop, in a file that will take a student directly to the activity. Older students can learn to quickly and easily locate activities with or without teacher guidance. It really is a very user friendly system designed with the educator in mind. Learning activities have been review, level, and categorized by teachers and experts in the field. Activities and lessons can be used by teachers to easily bridge learning from one activity to the next.
Evaluation Criteria 6: Ease of Use
How easily can students, teachers and parents navigate the web tool? 4 Stars
The readwritethink.org web page offers a lot to the user. Therefore, in the beginning the site may seem a bit visually overwhelming. There are also many options and ways to navigate throughout the site. It may require some users a little practice to become accustom to using the web tools and navigating around the site. We found that with a little adjustment time it was quite user friendly.
The readwritethink.org web page offers a lot to the user. Therefore, in the beginning the site may seem a bit visually overwhelming. There are also many options and ways to navigate throughout the site. It may require some users a little practice to become accustom to using the web tools and navigating around the site. We found that with a little adjustment time it was quite user friendly.
Evaluation Criteria 4: Cost
Are there any costs involved in the use of this web tool? 5 Stars
Costs involved in using this web tool are miminal, in fact the tools can be accessed and used at no cost in most cases. The some of the professional development opportunities that are provided by the NCTE on this site do cost money. However, we would expect this to be so.
Costs involved in using this web tool are miminal, in fact the tools can be accessed and used at no cost in most cases. The some of the professional development opportunities that are provided by the NCTE on this site do cost money. However, we would expect this to be so.
Evaluation Criteria 5: Web tool Mission/ Objectives
Does the web tool's objectives align with Kansas state standards? 5 stars
Yes! The standards that are used for the web tools at readwritethink.org are aligned to the standards created by the NCTE and the IRA. These are easily accessed from the readwritethink.org home page under the heading About Us. These standards align well with Kansas literacy standards.
Yes! The standards that are used for the web tools at readwritethink.org are aligned to the standards created by the NCTE and the IRA. These are easily accessed from the readwritethink.org home page under the heading About Us. These standards align well with Kansas literacy standards.
There is no mission statement on this website, the NCTE and IRA along with Thinkfinity Verizon Foundation have mission statement on their websites and readwritethink is fulfilling their missions. 21st Century Literacy is their mission.
Evaluation Criteria 3: Author and Sponsorship
Are the web tool authors and affiliates reputable? 5 Stars
The content on the website is a product of collaboration by advisors, contributing authors, and content review board members. The advisory committee is made up of a literacy coach, a language arts teacher, three Ph.d.s, an Ed.d and a MEd professors. These individuals represent all regions of the United States. The Content Review Board consists of two groups- "classroom resources" and "parent and after school resources"There are approximately 72 representatives from the IRA and NCTE that make up the Classroom Resources Content Review Board. The second part of the review board consists of 29 IRA and NCTE representatives. Members of the review board represent all regions of the United States as well. According to the website, "All classroom resources are reviewed by a minimum of two literacy educators who work collaboratively with authors and ReadWriteThink editors to help make sure the materials reflect best practice and current research." and, "the advisors and board members, "play a key role in helping the site carry out (our) mission. Board members offer insights, suggestions, and expertise in support of ReadWriteThink's staff and authors in the development of the site and its instructional resources.".
In addition to the IRA and NCTE advisory and board members, readwritethink.org is in partnership with Verizon Thinkfinity. For more information on these educationally focused organizations, please refer to the following websites:
http://www.reading.org/
http://www.ncte.org/
http://www.thinkfinity.org/?q=home
The content on the website is a product of collaboration by advisors, contributing authors, and content review board members. The advisory committee is made up of a literacy coach, a language arts teacher, three Ph.d.s, an Ed.d and a MEd professors. These individuals represent all regions of the United States. The Content Review Board consists of two groups- "classroom resources" and "parent and after school resources"There are approximately 72 representatives from the IRA and NCTE that make up the Classroom Resources Content Review Board. The second part of the review board consists of 29 IRA and NCTE representatives. Members of the review board represent all regions of the United States as well. According to the website, "All classroom resources are reviewed by a minimum of two literacy educators who work collaboratively with authors and ReadWriteThink editors to help make sure the materials reflect best practice and current research." and, "the advisors and board members, "play a key role in helping the site carry out (our) mission. Board members offer insights, suggestions, and expertise in support of ReadWriteThink's staff and authors in the development of the site and its instructional resources.".
In addition to the IRA and NCTE advisory and board members, readwritethink.org is in partnership with Verizon Thinkfinity. For more information on these educationally focused organizations, please refer to the following websites:
http://www.reading.org/
http://www.ncte.org/
http://www.thinkfinity.org/?q=home
Evaluation Criteria 2: Grades and Ages
For what grades/ age groups is this webtool appropriate? 5 Stars
Readwritethink is appropriate for use with all ages and grades K-12. Lessons, interactives, podcasts, etc. are categorized and reviewed by for professionals for their age appropriate usefulness.
Readwritethink is appropriate for use with all ages and grades K-12. Lessons, interactives, podcasts, etc. are categorized and reviewed by for professionals for their age appropriate usefulness.
Evaluation Criteria 1: Subject Area
How well does the web tool cover content in it's subject area? 5 Stars
Readwritethink.org is very thorough and comprehensive in it's approach to offering resources for K-12 classrooms, professional and at home use. You can easily find lessons plans and activities for teaching comprehension, critical thinking, inquiry, researching, listening, vocabulary, writing genres, the writing process and SO MUCH more! There are also lessons that integrate other subject areas and themes such as the arts, mathematics, social studies, science and English Language Learners. One neat characteristic of this website is that it is always adding to it's materials that are available. Teachers are encouraged to submit their own lesson plans and activities to be featured on the webpage. The webpage selects the best submissions, pays the teacher for their contribution and publishes their work for others to access!
Readwritethink.org is very thorough and comprehensive in it's approach to offering resources for K-12 classrooms, professional and at home use. You can easily find lessons plans and activities for teaching comprehension, critical thinking, inquiry, researching, listening, vocabulary, writing genres, the writing process and SO MUCH more! There are also lessons that integrate other subject areas and themes such as the arts, mathematics, social studies, science and English Language Learners. One neat characteristic of this website is that it is always adding to it's materials that are available. Teachers are encouraged to submit their own lesson plans and activities to be featured on the webpage. The webpage selects the best submissions, pays the teacher for their contribution and publishes their work for others to access!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)