Educational Resource Website Reviews
by U.M. Schin
Tech Assessment Solutions, Inc.
Jan 2012
freerice.org - useful website for structured exercises in math and language arts. The games award points and each 100 points earns a bowl of rice for a child in a Third World country. The rice is donated to the poor by the United Nations World Food Programme.
There are 6 categories of content on the website and you can create your own group and compete against others. The concept is well-intentioned, but may be a bit abstract and inaccessible for young people in the US who have not been steeped in ideas about social justice.
Immersion Learning Site (resources for a variety of topics like the Titanic, The Gulf, Dolphins, etc.) login required. The site lacks texture. It looks good on the surface, but there really isn't much there when you start to explore. The Titanic Moviemaker is an ok activity that created a bit of interest. After you have your movie together interest may wane, as there are limited ways to approach the activity.
Jason - jason.org is a terrific science social navigation website. Lots of lab activities, games, and learning activity ideas in a space that can be personalized and structured as a classroom, with student logins, etc. Various content areas such as Force and Motion, Weather, Geology, Energy, Ecology, Space, and the BioSphere. There are live events scheduled and a youth participation summer program for ages 14 and up. Professional development and volunteer opportunities for adults are also available.
A couple of drawbacks to the jason site: this is traditional education put online. It works well if your child has come out of a traditional educational setting and you are helping them transition to emergent curriculum. Also, some of the content is outdated, for example upcoming live events that have happened already.
Khan Academy - great social navigation website created by Salman Khan. The presentations are strictly lecture, good for those folks who can learn this way. This site is a high quality resource to supplement hands on activities with each of the content areas, math (elementary and advanced), science, etc. Sal has a very easy-going, informal manner that is obviously a 'really smart guy' trying to help others learn this stuff.
Wide variety of topics including: Algebra 1 & 2, Arithmetic, Banking & Money, Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, etc. There is an emphasis on California Standards and Standardized Testing in general, as test prep for all kinds of secondary and post secondary educational exam requirements. The site has an optional learning management structure that allows you to set up classrooms and monitor individual progress on viewing instructional videos and completing activities. Good resource for the dedicated lifelong learner who knows how to use it!
lumosity - this site offers to help you improve your brain. There are numerous unsubstantiated claims and references to landmark studies that are not named specifically. The registration process steps you through selection of topics that interest you and then offers to create a Free Account. If you read the terms of service, you find out that there is a contract subscription fee...use your own judgment on this one!
kidzbop.com - a social networking site for kids with some cool video editing tools that will appeal to preteens. This is a 21st Century version of the 1950's Mickey Mouse Club, complete with resident official "Kidzbop Kids" similar to the original Mouseketeers...but with an attitude. The primary activity is creating collections of webcam videos in multi-episode sets, like your own version of Josh and Jake (?) While there is an emphasis on self-awareness and building self esteem, expectations seem low with the overriding message being that 'success' is being a music-video idol and collecting "fans" ...youTube and Facebook style. The site could be valuable as a tool for developing digital storytelling skills, if some high quality models could be made available.
mangahigh.com - basic learning management system site, lets you set up classrooms and assign tasks. The tasks are web-based video games. The big drawback is that the games are all timed, with no way to shut the timer off. Good site for those children who have memorized their math facts and who thrive on personal challenge.
physicsgames.net- lots of games. The question is "Will they go back again....?"
sheppardsoftware.com - This site has a wide variety of kid's games in multiple content areas...very standard, trivia recall type of questions. If you are looking for educational games for a variety of ages, this might be a good find for you.
Your Weight On Other Worlds - This is a simple calibration conversion tool, end product being different measurement units...not very relevant. I mentioned this activity to one of the kids yesterday and got a very subdued response. What do you mean you don't care what you weigh on Mars...?
Tech Assessment Solutions, Inc.
Jan 2012
freerice.org - useful website for structured exercises in math and language arts. The games award points and each 100 points earns a bowl of rice for a child in a Third World country. The rice is donated to the poor by the United Nations World Food Programme.
There are 6 categories of content on the website and you can create your own group and compete against others. The concept is well-intentioned, but may be a bit abstract and inaccessible for young people in the US who have not been steeped in ideas about social justice.
Immersion Learning Site (resources for a variety of topics like the Titanic, The Gulf, Dolphins, etc.) login required. The site lacks texture. It looks good on the surface, but there really isn't much there when you start to explore. The Titanic Moviemaker is an ok activity that created a bit of interest. After you have your movie together interest may wane, as there are limited ways to approach the activity.
Jason - jason.org is a terrific science social navigation website. Lots of lab activities, games, and learning activity ideas in a space that can be personalized and structured as a classroom, with student logins, etc. Various content areas such as Force and Motion, Weather, Geology, Energy, Ecology, Space, and the BioSphere. There are live events scheduled and a youth participation summer program for ages 14 and up. Professional development and volunteer opportunities for adults are also available.
A couple of drawbacks to the jason site: this is traditional education put online. It works well if your child has come out of a traditional educational setting and you are helping them transition to emergent curriculum. Also, some of the content is outdated, for example upcoming live events that have happened already.
Khan Academy - great social navigation website created by Salman Khan. The presentations are strictly lecture, good for those folks who can learn this way. This site is a high quality resource to supplement hands on activities with each of the content areas, math (elementary and advanced), science, etc. Sal has a very easy-going, informal manner that is obviously a 'really smart guy' trying to help others learn this stuff.
Wide variety of topics including: Algebra 1 & 2, Arithmetic, Banking & Money, Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, etc. There is an emphasis on California Standards and Standardized Testing in general, as test prep for all kinds of secondary and post secondary educational exam requirements. The site has an optional learning management structure that allows you to set up classrooms and monitor individual progress on viewing instructional videos and completing activities. Good resource for the dedicated lifelong learner who knows how to use it!
lumosity - this site offers to help you improve your brain. There are numerous unsubstantiated claims and references to landmark studies that are not named specifically. The registration process steps you through selection of topics that interest you and then offers to create a Free Account. If you read the terms of service, you find out that there is a contract subscription fee...use your own judgment on this one!
kidzbop.com - a social networking site for kids with some cool video editing tools that will appeal to preteens. This is a 21st Century version of the 1950's Mickey Mouse Club, complete with resident official "Kidzbop Kids" similar to the original Mouseketeers...but with an attitude. The primary activity is creating collections of webcam videos in multi-episode sets, like your own version of Josh and Jake (?) While there is an emphasis on self-awareness and building self esteem, expectations seem low with the overriding message being that 'success' is being a music-video idol and collecting "fans" ...youTube and Facebook style. The site could be valuable as a tool for developing digital storytelling skills, if some high quality models could be made available.
mangahigh.com - basic learning management system site, lets you set up classrooms and assign tasks. The tasks are web-based video games. The big drawback is that the games are all timed, with no way to shut the timer off. Good site for those children who have memorized their math facts and who thrive on personal challenge.
physicsgames.net- lots of games. The question is "Will they go back again....?"
sheppardsoftware.com - This site has a wide variety of kid's games in multiple content areas...very standard, trivia recall type of questions. If you are looking for educational games for a variety of ages, this might be a good find for you.
Your Weight On Other Worlds - This is a simple calibration conversion tool, end product being different measurement units...not very relevant. I mentioned this activity to one of the kids yesterday and got a very subdued response. What do you mean you don't care what you weigh on Mars...?
