1. Evaluating Educational Resources W301

2. What are Educational Resources? There are many kinds of resources available to you: –Productivity Resources are tools that you can use in lesson planning and grading to make you a more efficient teacher For example, gradebook software, lesson plan engines, and worksheet generators –Educational Resources are software and web resources that you can use actively with your students

3. Educational Resources Formats Educational Resources can come in a variety of forms: –Websites that are designed for use by your students –Software products that you can use in your classroom

4. Why Evaluate These Resources? Just because resources are “published” - either by a software company or by an individual - does not mean they are appropriate for classroom use To help you focus on the main points with educational resources, we are going to ask three questions…

5. Is the resource Accurate ? Is the resource Appropriate ? Is the resource Aligned with state content standards?

6. Accurate Is the information current? Is the information accurate? Who is the author? –Does the author have expertise related to the content? –Does the author project bias? –Is the author a teacher?

7. Appropriate What is the intended grade level and content area for the resource? –Is the reading level appropriate? –Does the content provide enough detail regarding the topic? Is the use of media appropriate? –Do things load well? –Do they not distract or detract from the content? Is the resource designed to be used BY students?

8. Aligned Is the resource aligned to state standards? Or can it be? Does the resource give the opportunity to foster skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, and reading? A resource itself may only present an opportunity for alignment, based on how you use it.

9. Lets Look at an Example http://www.explorelearning.com Accurate? Appropriate? Aligned?

10. Now Look at other examples.. Accurate? Appropriate? Aligned? http://www.whitehouse.net/ http://www.teacher.org/ http://www.lessonlocator.org/