MERLOT Evaluation

Here I will evaluate a lesson I found on MERLOT. I chose a lesson on WebQuests by Bernie Dodge as I have used several Webquests with my students and am interested in their usefulness and how to create my own.

Quality of Content:

This is a webpage that contains many different resources to learn to create a Webquest, find and use already created Webquests, search for Webquests, share Webquests, and read about Webquests. There are many resources provided within this site, from communities to solve problems, to instructional videos to PowerPoint templates. The community section contains a Ning, a Yahoo Chat room, and a Forum to share and problem solve about Webquests. It is a comprehensive website all about Webquests.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching-Learning Tool:

Webquests are an excellent tool for teaching students not only content but technology. They provide students with up to date material and an interesting, action-packed way to learning the content.
Instructors: Teachers and Instructors can use this website to learn how to develope Webquests easily using a variety of resources (templates, online tools-both paid and unpaid, videos) as well as using the shared Webquests as complete ready-to-use tools.

Students: Students of all ages (although probably starting with upper elementary) can use the tools to create Webquests and use the already created Webquests that are easily found with the search engine.

This website is targeted for all users and is focused upon Webquests.

Ease of Use:

The main page has a side bar that continues througout the site. It lists the following: Home, Find Webquests, Create Webquests, Share Webquests, Useful Resources, Community, Research, Bookshelf, News. This side bar makes it very easy to navigate through the site and return quickly to home. There is a lack of advertisement which makes it safe for students. Also the graphics and pictures are kept to a minimum making it easy to load and easy to find information without distraction. Under the Create Webquests there is an easy to use graphic that compares the online resources (and their costs, if any) that makes it easy to choose which way to go. There are also the basic PowerPoint templates for teachers or students who want to keep it simple.