EXAMPLE OF REVIEW TEMPLATE FOR MERLOT (3-1-2017)
WHICH INCLUDES AN EXAMPLE FOR A SITE REVIEW AND GENERIC STATEMENTS FOR STRENGTHS AND CONCERNS
EXAMPLE SITE NAME: THE DOUBLE HELIX
STEP 1
Overview (Example)
The Double Helix is a site that provides good information about DNA along with a game to help users learn how DNA is replicated. There is additional information at this site about the history of DNA. The introductory material is pretty good and the game, although a little long, gives users a good interactive way to learn about DNA.
Type of Material (Example)
This site is an interactive tutorial that helps users learn about the DNA magic code and how it is replicated.
Technical Requirements (Example)
This site requires use of Adobe Flash Player.
STEP 2
Learning Goals (Example)
Users will learn about the DNA code and how it differs among organisms.
Recommended Uses (Example)
The material can be used in the classroom, although it might be best suited for individuals who enjoy interactivity in learning about DNA.
Target Student Population (Example)
High school and undergraduate students will benefit from this site.
Prerequisites (Examples)
There are no prerequisites for this site, although some knowledge of biology will help in understanding what is presented.
STEP 3 (Examples of Generic Statements from Many Sites)
Content Quality and Rating = (0.00)
Strengths
<ul>
<li>The information is accurate and provides a good basic background about the material
<li>Interactivity keeps users interested in the material
<li>The information is accurate and fairly interesting
<li>At the time of this review, content of material is accurate and up-to-date
<li>Most of the images are good quality
<li>Images are appropriately categorized
<li>The content is well organized for the human systems addressed
<li>Material is accurate
<li>The information is an accurate and complete
<li>Animations are well done and show good detail
<li>Narrations by experts add credibility to material
<li>The topics are well-organized
<li>Quality of graphics is very good
<li>Color usage is logical
<li>The text is accurate and complete
<li>Images beautiful and very colorful
<li>Material is clearly laid out
<li>Each step is clearly shown
<li>The information is a comprehensive survey of what may be studied for this topic
<li>Most of the images are good quality, many of the videos are also very good
<li>Some rare or hard-to-find images and videos are provided
<li>Images, videos, and audio files are appropriately categorized
<li>The content is well organized and follows good pedagogy
<li>Animations and simulations are straightforward
<li>Quality of graphics is good
<li>The learning objects are interactive and engaging
<li>Animations and simulations are accurate and straightforward
<li>Quality of graphics is good and provides enough detail for this level of understanding
</ul>
Concerns
<ul>
<li>Collection is incomplete and many of the materials are under construction
<li>Although there is some organization with sections, it is not clear if this approach follows traditional pedagogy for teaching this subject
<li>There were some mistakes noticed in some of the material
<li>It would help if some actual photographs accompanied the animations so users have an idea of how the animations relate to real life
<li>Some of the content is time sensitive and not all of the materials are readily available during one visit to the site
<li>There were no concerns about content at the time of this review
</ul>
STEP 4 (Examples of Generic Statements from Many Sites)
Potential Teaching Effectiveness and Rating = (0.00)
Strengths
<ul>
<li>The pedagogy of providing information is a nice blend of learning and interactivity
<li>The learning experience is interesting
<li>This is a unique way of learning
<li>The blend of text and images makes the material interesting
<li>The images shown are colorful and engaging
<li>Material is intuitive
<li>This site makes learning exciting and fun
<li>This is a good site for getting an idea of what might be seen in nature
<li>The large collection makes it fun to explore many aspects of the subject matter
<li>Most of the images and videos are in color
<li>Animations are easy to follow
<li>This is a good searchable database
<li>Information provided helps students understand the relatedness of the topics
<li>Narrations help users focus on key concepts
<li>Material is engaging and interesting
<li>Information within and between topics flows very well
<li>The material is logically presented
<li>The way material demonstrates relationships among biochemical processes
<li>Sample questions (and answers) are provided at the end of sections
<li>Material promotes conceptual understanding
<li>Material is presented in such a way that it can be used in lecture
<li>The material is interactive and hence, keeps users actively involved with the learning experience
<li>The interactivity is exceptionally well done and engages users to learn material
<li>Material is intuitive and easy to learn from trial-and-error
<li>Material builds upon knowledge in multiple ways depending on how users navigate through the site
</ul>
Concerns
<ul>
<li>Learning objectives are not clear
<li>Objectives are not clearly stated
<li>Material is basically text and images, which may not be very exciting for users who prefer animations
<li>Users who encounter this site may not understand its utility
<li>Very few labels or magnifications are provided for the photomicrographs
<li>This site would benefit from more animations or interactivity
<li>The materials, and the way they are presented, are not necessarily engaging, but still very straightforward
<li>There were no concerns about potential teaching effectiveness at the time of this review
</ul>
STEP 5 (Examples of Generic Statements from Many Sites)
Ease of Use and Rating = (0.00)
Strengths
<ul>
<li>The information is well organized
<li>Site is fast and intuitive
<li>No defective links or major bugs were found
<li>Very easy to navigate to the different major sections of site
<li>No defects were detected in the way the interactive lessons are presented
<li>Information is easy to understand
<li>The information is organized and follows a logical order
<li>Animation flows very easily
<li>Narrations and animations played simultaneously without problems
<li>No defective links or major bugs were found
<li>The information is organized and follows a logical order
<li>Animation flows very easily
<li>Navigation is intuitive
<li>No defective links or major bugs were found
<li>The information flows easily from one topic to another
<li>Adobe Flash Animations load quickly and run smoothly
<li>No defects were detected in the way the animation is presented
<li>Information is easy to understand
</ul>
Concerns
<ul>
<li>There were several broken links at this site
<li>Navigating through this site appears to be slower than other sites
<li>It would help if a pause function was added to the game
<li>There were no concerns about ease of use at the time of this review
</ul>
STEP 6 (Examples of Statements)
Overall Rating = (0.00)
Other Issues
This is an absolutely wonderful site and one of MERLOT’s favorites.
The authors have done a great job with this site.
The authors should be encouraged to update the material at this site.