Student Webpage Evaluation Form

Special thanks and credit to Cyberbee for the use of their model.

The Cyberbee tool has been adapted by Kristen A. Albert
for use in EDUC 632.

 

Title:  Using the Web to Enhance Music Education

Subject:  Exploration of Music Instruments

URL:  http://www.nyphilkids.org

Grade level:  5th Grade

Objective for the use of this site:  To learn more about instruments

Evaluation summary:  This webpage offers an excellent resource to any music program.  There is a plethora of information about instruments, performers, composers, and major compositions.  Students are introduced to music in a fun, interactive way that adds to their learning rather than disctracts from it.

E CRITERIA

1. Speed

 Score on a scale of 1 to 5

Support for score
  • The home page downloads efficiently enough to use during whole class instruction.
         5 The homepage and many of the links downloaded immediately.  Some links that had more intricate technology involved took a little longer, but still it wasn't too long.
  • The home page downloads efficiently enough to keep students on task during independent/small group study.
            5
 The speed of most pages was great.  Some of the pages provided an activity, such as a puzzle, for the children to do while the page downloaded. 

 

2.  First Impression/General Appearance

  
  • The homepage is designed attractively and will entice my students to further exploration.
              5
 The homepage is very colorful and attractive.  There is some animation which entices interaction.  The page is most definitely designed with children in mind. 
  • The homepage is designed clearly enough to be successfully manipulated by my intended users.
              5
 As you move the mouse over the page, bubbles pop up with information on each link.  It is very understandable.  There is a sitemap that also provides easy accessibility.      

 

3.  Ease of Site Navigation

  
  • My students will be able to move from page to page, link to link, item to item with ease, without getting lost or confused.
              5
 There is a column along the left of the page that allows you to move to the other links without having to go back to the homepage.  It is very easy to navigate, not confusing at all.      
  • All links are clearly labeled and serve an easily identified purpose.
              5
 Every link is musically related.  They provide information about instruments, composers, performing artists, and other relevant topics.
  • Links provided to other pages and sites operate efficiently enough to keep my students on task.
              5
 The only other link was to the New York Philharmonic website.  It downloaded immediately and provided information that is relevant to student learning. 

 

4.  Use of Graphics/Sounds/Videos

  
  • The graphics/sounds/videos are clearly labeled and clearly identified.
             5
 Audio clips are represented by a picure of an ear.  Clicking on it will play the clip.  Videos are clearly labeled. 
  • The graphics/sounds/videos serve a clear purpose appropriate for my intended audience.
             5
  		Every clip served to give a specific example of something.  They were  mostly clips of instruments.  The videos were from players in the NY Philharmonic.  They discussed many different things that encouraged children to play instruments. 
  • The graphics/sounds.videos will aid my students in reacing the desired objectives for using this site.
             5
 The sounds help to familiarize students with the instruments.  The sound and video clips also serve to entice the students to want to play musical instruments. 

5.  Content/Information

  
  • This site offers a wealth of information related to my stated objectives.
            5
 The entire site focuses on instruments and all sorts of information regarding music. 
  • The information is clearly labeled and organized, and will be easily understood by my students.
             5
 The information is written toward an audience of children with terms and phrases that are age appropriate. 
  • The content of linked sites is worthwhile and appropriate for my intended audience.
             4
 The one link is to the NY Philharmonic.  There is some information on it for kids, but a lot of the site is too mature for children. 
  • The website is free of advertising that may be inappropriate for my intended audience.
             5
 There were no advertisemens or pop-ups on this site. 
  • The content of linked sites adds to the value of this site for achieving my instructional goals.
             5
 There were videos for children on the NY Philharmonic site advocating learning to play instruments. 
  • The information providers are clearly identified.
             5
 The information provider is the NY Philharmonic. 
  • The information providers are reliable.
             5
 The NY Philharmonic - absolutely reliable. 
  • The content is free of bias.  (or)
  • The content's bias is recognized as acceptable.
             5
 No instrument is portrayed as being better than the others.  The same amount of information is provided for all instruments.
  • The site provides interactivity which increases its instructional value.
             5
 There were many activities in which the students could compose, change instrumentation, and others... 

 

6. Currency
 
  • The site was recently revised.
                5
 It is evident that the site is well-kept.

7.  Availability of Further Information
 
  • A contact person or address is readily available.
                5
  The address of the NY Philharmonic is accessible.
  • There is evidence that the author is a qualified expert.
                5
 Because the NY Philharmonic is the source, there is a lot of credibility that the information is accurate. 

Scoring:  109
Add the total number of points awarded to this site and determine your overall rating.
For any specific category that did not apply to this site, deduct five points from the total possible points.
JJJJJ 110-101 points
This site is well-designed and meets my instructional goals so effectively that I can provide my students with general instruction and allow free exploration.
JJJJ 100- 86 points
This site contains good material but a site map with specific directions will assist my students in reaching my stated objective.
JJJ 85-71 points
This site contains infomration that will make stops at designated points worthwhile, but students will need more structured guidance in order to reach instructional goals.  A list of bookmarks to specific pages and/or links is advisable, as is frequent discussion of student progress.
 JJ 70-56 points
Although useful information exists at this site, its most effective contribution to my objectives will be in whole-class instruction where I can guide exploration and keep students on task.
J 55-41 points
This site contains a few pieces of information that make it a possible alternative when other sources are not readily available.  Supervised student use is advised.