Criteria for Evaluating Web Resource

2. To ensure that students and teachers are served best by Web 2.0 tools it
seems important that a criteria is used to evaluate the worthiness and
usefulness of each tool.
The following set of criteria has been created for analysing web
resources tool:
Criteria 1 : User Experience
Criteria 2 : Web Navigation
Criteria 3 : 21st
Century Tool
Criteria 4 : Value
Criteria 5 : Authority

3.
When evaluating user experience it is important to consider the following:
 Does the student perceive the functions in the tool as useful and fit
for the purpose?
 Is the information quick to access and accessible on free web platform
from any digital device with connectivity?
 Is the tool interactive?
Why this Criteria ?
User experience is related to layout, clear instructions and labeling on a
website. If a user perceives the usefulness of the website, they are
more likely to continue using it, or otherwise it can be frustrating, and
students may focus on how to use the tool instead of the learning task
at hand (Castañeda, Francisco, Muñoz-Leiva, Luque, 2007)

4.
When evaluating web navigation for web2.0 tool consider the following:
 Is it consistent?
 What type of navigational elements are used? Does it include Help,
Back, History And Bookmark Buttons.
 Is the page simple and easy to use?
Why this Criteria ?
Consistent navigation – in both how and where it appears on the site –
promotes ease of use and increases student’s ability to find relevant
information more quickly. If the navigation is constantly changing from
page to page (except where absolutely necessary), students lose their
on-site bearings and must reorient themselves constantly (deGeyter,
2012)

5.
When evaluating 21st
Century tool for web2.0 tool consider the following:
 Does the web tool allow for collaboration, communication and
connectedness
among students?
 Does the tool provide opportunities for students and teachers to be
creative in planning and presenting their task?
 Does the tool provide avenues for critical thinking?
Why this Criteria ?
This criteria is important to evaluate as technology is “an enabling force
behind globalization, knowledge work and entrepreneurship’, (Cisco
Systems, 2006). The Partnership for 21st Century skills (2007), states
that learning and innovation skills increasingly are being recognized as
the skills that separate students who are prepared for increasingly
complex life and work environments in the 21st century, and those who
are not. A focus on creativity, critical thinking, communication and
collaboration is essential to prepare students for the future.

6. When evaluating value for web2.0 tool consider the following:
 Will it be a valuable addition to the classroom?
 Will it contribute to student learning?
 Does the information contribute something new or add to your
knowledge of the subject?
 Is it interesting and not too excessive?
Why this Criteria ?
For technology to be used effectively in the classroom it is vital that it is
closely aligned with curriculum and core standards and reflects
pedagogy . Technology is a tool and should only be employed if it will
facilitate learning and deepen students engagement with the content
(Murphy, DePasquale, & McNamara, 2003).

7. When evaluating Authority for web2.0 tool consider the following:
Is there an author? Is the page signed?
Is the author qualified? An expert?
If the page includes neither a signature nor indicates a sponsor, is there
any other way to determine its origin?
Why this Criteria ?
Why IMPORTANT? -Anyone who knows a little HTML coding and has
access to a server can create and load a web page. It is important to find
out the author’s identity and his or her qualifications or expertise in order
to determine the credibility and reliability of the information (Barker, Joe
& Obromsook, 2012). As a result, this check and balance system helps
prevent the release of unsound information (Lydia, 2009).

8. Barker, Joe, and Saifon Obromsook. Evaluating Web Pages: Techniques to Apply & Questions to
Ask. (Library, University of California--Berkeley, 2012)
Castañeda, J.A Francisco; Muñoz-Leiva, Teodoro Luque (2007). "Web Acceptance Model
(WAM): Moderating effects of user experience". Information & Management. 44: 384–396.
doi:10.1016/j.im.2007.02.003.
deGeyter S. (2012) 6 Easy Ways To Improve Your Site’s Navigation
http://searchengineland.com/6-easy-way-to-improve-your-sites-navigation-132138
Lydia M.,(2009), Evaluating Internet Sources A Library Resource Guide
http://library.nmu.edu/guides/userguides/webeval.htm
Murphy K.L., DePasquale R & McNamara E. (2003), Meaningful Connections – Using Technology in
Primary Classrooms.
https://www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/200311/TechInPrimaryClassrooms.pdf
Technology in Schools: What the Research Says. Metiri Group, commissioned by Cisco Systems,
2006.
http://www.cisco.com/web/strategy/docs/education/TechnologyinSchoolsReport.pdf