Waterlife (this is not a required post)

Hi!  Well, I came across this web-based instruction, and I just had to share it with you.

It's called Waterlife and is an interactive story about the water cycle of the Great Lakes.  Just look at it; it's amazing!  (Well, I thought so anyway.)

Again, this isn't a required post nor does it require a response.  I just wanted to pass this along.

View Waterlife here.

Khan Academy --posted for TayrenC

http://www.khanacademy.org/

 Khan Academy is a free websit4e designed to cover several different topics.  It started out as one man posting math tutorials for his niece on YouTube since she lived across the country, but need help with her math homework.  The tutorials became so popular that he founded Khan Academy and expanded the subject matter to include science, computer science, finance, economics, and humanities and test prep.  You can log in using your Google account and it will keep track of your progress.  Then all you need to do is choose a subject that you want to learn about.  When you choose a topic, you are then given a series of tutorial options to choose from that build on each other.  The tutorials are done using video, which are insightful and engaging.  In the math section you have the option to test your knowledge by quizzing yourself about the subject covered in the tutorial.  In other sections, you can leave questions in the comment area located below the tutorial and someone will answer those questions or expand on the topic more. 
Instructional Aspects
1. Objectives clearly stated - 3
2. Objectives appropriately sequenced - 5
3. Instructional strategies appropriate for the objectives - 4
4. Instructional activities/process clearly described - 5
5. Tasks adequate/significant for achieving objectives -4
6. Resources adequate/significant for achieving objectives - 4
7. Learning achievement adequately evaluated - 4
8. Evaluation criteria clearly expressed - 4

Motivational Aspects
9. Gaining and maintaining learner's attention - 5
10. Relating to learner's interest and goals - 5
11. Building on learner's prior knowledge and foreshadowing what the lesson is about - 4
12. Providing positive feedback and feeling of accomplishment - 4
13. Motivational strategies serve for objectives - 4

Web Design Aspects
14. Navigation clear and easy to access - 5
15. Authorship and date clearly stated - 1
16. Text follows rules of grammar, spelling, and literary composition - 3
17. Use of multimedia (Text, graphic, audio, video, animation, etc.) visually appeal - 5
18. Mechanical aspects (No broken links, misplaced or missing images, etc.) - 5
19. Web design appropriate for objectives - 5
20. Web design appropriate for learner characteristics – 5

Total 84 /100

 The objectives for this site are not easily found or stated.  If you click on the About tab, then you are able to view how the site works and the ideas behind it.  I think since the site covers so many subjects, one objective statement would be difficult.  I thought that using the site was fairly intuitive, though I did not see the option to test myself in the math section right away. I love that if you ask a question about a subject someone from the site will answer back with clear and concise information.  I also love the tutorials.  They are engaging, sometimes funny, and also put into terms that are easy to follow, so they are accessible to almost anyone.

Test Page

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