IT 5140: Educational Website Evaluation & Critique

Buzun-Miller 1

Educational Website Software/Tool Evaluation and

Critique:
Weebly: Personal Website Creator/Electronic Portfolio
Gr. 9-12 CTE
Mallory Buzun-Miller
Website Description & Student Use
Weebly is a web-hosting service that allows users to create, maintain, and
produce their own professional looking website/s. The ease of use stems
from the drag-and-drop function, which allows the user to implant specific
features in to their web pages. One benefit of Weebly is that it offers an
option for completely free use with up to 2 personal websites.
This website is uses to help students establish and maintain a working
portfolio. Here the students work through multiple assignments to produce
portfolio quality work, where they showcase their talents, skills, and abilities
for future colleges and/or future employers.
Website Evaluation

Educational Website Software/Tool Evaluation Rubric

Compatibili
ty

Price
Use by and
for the
Students

Grad
e

The Software is
available on all
operating systems

The Software
is only
available on
Windows OR
Mac- not both

The Software is
not available
for students

Download of the
Software is free

Fee is minimal
for download
of the
Software

Software is easy to
use,
understandable
and can be done
without constant

Software is
moderately
difficult to use

Download of
the Software is
out of price
range
(over $10)
Software is too
difficult to use

2
2

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guidance

Instruction
s

There is no need
for instructions; the
website is selfexplanatory

Content

The Software
covers all the
content of the
course

Depth of
Content

Software covers
many or all content
concepts for unit
area

Relevance

The websites focus

has a strong
connection to the
purpose of the
content and
appropriate for the
student

Sharing

Specific
performance
summary
or student product
is saved and/or
created and can be
exported and/or
viewed by the
teacher or for an
audience

Thinking
Skills

Website
encourages the use
of
higher order
thinking skills

A few of the
websites
area/tools
need
instruction
Most of the
Software
covers the
content of the
course
Software
covers about
half of the
content
concepts for
unit area
Limited
connection to
the
purpose for
the app and
may
not be
appropriate
for the
student
Performance
data or
student
product is
available on
the website
but
exporting is
limited and
may
require a
screenshot
Website
facilitates the
use of higher
order thinking
skills

The use of
instructions for
this Software is
imperative

The Software
does not cover
realistic onthe-job content

Software
covers less
than half of the
content
concepts

Does not
connect to the
purpose for
the app and
not
appropriate for
the student

No
performance
summary or
student
product is
saved

Website
facilitates the
use of mostly
lower order
thinking skills

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including creating,
evaluating,
and analyzing
Engagemen
t

Student is highly
motivated to
use the tool

Adaptabilit
y

Software includes
adaptive technology for
students in need

including
evaluating,
analyzing,
and
applying
Student uses
the tool as
directed by
the teacher
Software is only
compatible with
computer's builtin visual aides

like
understanding
and
remembering
Student never
uses tool

Software is not
compatible with
any adaptive
technology

Total

20/2
2

Compatibility: It is important to remember that each student brings with

them different background knowledge, technology skills, and resources when
entering a classroom. Many students do not have the ability or education
yet to use coding to create their own personal functioning website. This
website is accessible on all major platforms and allows student to easily
access features and tools to build their own full functioning websites.
Accessibility: It is important to take in to account that students using this
website must first register using a personal/school email address. Also,
students must create and remember their individual log-in information
Price: One of the major benefits of this website is that the first 2 websites
produced under an email address are free. There are some additional addons that come at a small amount and an account upgrade which allows more
functions to be added to the website foundation. For the purpose within the

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classroom, the free version is above and beyond any need that the students
and assignments require.
Use for and by the Students: This website is a great opportunity for
student to practice technology skills while implementing their own personal
design ability both inside the classroom and at home. Because this website
functions on the drag-and-drop ability, students are able to maneuver around
multiple pages creating and developing unique interactive pages, which host
their own work and showcases their skills and work experience.
Instructions: In any situation, if something is hard to understand and
difficult to use it is going to be less interesting and less utilize. Weebly is an
extremely easy website to use and to manipulate, because of the drag-anddrop feature; students are able to add multiple types of files on to their
multiple pages. These widgets allow students to locate files saved on their
computers and upload them directly on to their web pages. Once the files are
uploaded the students are able to see the layout before they publish their
pages live on the internet.
Students must be first educated on the safe use of the internet, as well as,
how to create and develop their personal web pages. This prior instruction
allows students the knowledge needed to produce safe and secure websites
that showcase their unique abilities and house an electronic portfolio for
future success and use.

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Weebly is exciting and fun for students, it gives them the freedom to create
and design their own websites while learning the course content. This gives
the students their own personal stake in what the overall design outlook is
and allows students to show their own creativity and design abilities.
Overall Content & Depth in Content: With the use of this website within
a career readiness course setting, many of the basic content concepts are
covered previously to the creation of their website. The final portfolio site
allows students to show what they have learned about marketing themselves
and show examples of work and activities they have completed. Also, the
use of the blog allows students to communicate with each other and grow
their sites in to a communication tool for success and improvement.
Relevance: Weebly connects directly to the class, as well as, the use and
connection to new and growing technology both in the classroom and in real
life situations. Many of the basic concepts are put together in a conclusion of
a functioning career electronic portfolio that can be continuously updates
and changed overtime. This is a great tool for evaluating students
understanding and assessment of concepts covered.
Sharing: Sharing within the classroom is an important part of growth for not
only individual students, but for the entire class. Weebly allows student to
give others their unique website address, which allows others to visit other
student sites for critiques or for interesting design elements which could be

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used to help improve their own site or that of the students being visited.
This allows for group evaluations and problem solving opportunities.
Thinking Skills: Weebly allows students to use critical thinking skills in
order to develop, create, evaluate and analyze their personal design layouts,
as well as, what a sound portfolio piece should consist of. By allow students
to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, students are better
prepared for success in their futures, whether for college or the working
world.
Engagement: With many students today being technologically adapt and
the use of hands on, easy access, and ease of use helps when gaining
student engagement. The ability to create and develop ones own electronic
portfolio by using design and creativity inspires students to complete and
continue to develop their portfolio over time and for future use.
Adaptability: Weebly allows for a diverse student group ease of use.
Whatever the employability and educational background level, students of all
levels are able to use this website to continue to build their electronic
portfolio. Weebly allows for success from both advanced students, as well as,
special need students. Practice and requirements of the use of the website
can be structured to meet a variety of individual and educational objectives
for all. By adding and/or removing requirements, all students have the
opportunity to complete assignments in regards to their learning level.
Learner Centered

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The Weebly website allows students to design and build a variety of web
pages by using the drag-and-drop function. Students can add and remove
necessary elements to make a fully functioning webpage and/or electronic
portfolio. By allowing student to communicate amongst themselves, the
ability to connect and grow both to each other, individually, as a class, with
content, and with technology helps inspire confidence in the learning process
and opens up growth for all involved.
Evidence & Review
Along with positive personal testimony from multiple users, the Weebly
website has been recognized by Time Magazine as one of the best 50
websites of 2007. Also, the Weebly site has been recognized by The Wall
Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine and Newsweek. This shows that the
website not only holds educational value, but has a solid standing in the
business world. Along with these awards and recognition, my personal use of
this website has been a positive addition to my classroom and to the lives of
my students.
Scholarly research has shown that when technology is integrated properly
within the classroom, student content recognition increases. Also, educating
students on the proper use of technology and the internet better prepares
their technology tool base and helps them to become more successful in
their future endeavors. With all of the function and ease I highly recommend

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the Weebly personal website builder for any career readiness classroom
which involves creating an electronic portfolio.
Standards
ISTE Standards: Students
1. Creativity and Innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop
innovative products

and processes using technology.

a. Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes

b. Create original works as a means of personal or group expression
2. Communication and Collaboration
Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work
collaboratively,

including at a distance, to support individual learning and

contribute to the learning of others.

a. Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others
employing a variety of
digital environments and media
b. Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple
audiences using a variety
of media and formats
c. Develop cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging
with learners of
other cultures
d. Contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve
problems
3. Research and Information Fluency
Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.
a. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use
information from a variety of sources and media
b. Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on
the

appropriateness to specific tasks

4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making

Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage
projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate
digital tools and resources.
b. Plan and manage activities to develop a solution or
complete a project

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c. Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make
informed

decisions
d. Use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore

alternative
solutions
5. Digital Citizenship
Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to
technology and practice legal and ethical behavior.
a. Advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of
information and
technology
b. Exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that
supports

collaboration, learning, and productivity

c. Demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning
d. Exhibit leadership for digital citizenship
6. Technology Operations and Concepts
Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts,
systems, and operations.
a. Understand and use technology systems
b. Select and use applications effectively and productively
c. Troubleshoot systems and applications
d. Transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies