Adaptive+Schools-web+site+review

“Adaptive Schools-web site review”

__Website’s Design and Navigability Assessment__ The Center forAdaptiveSchool’s website design attracted my attention for various reason; thus, leaving me with a good impression. For example, when opening up the website’s homepage, it functioned in an efficient way. Additionally, features of the design such as the Universal Resource Locator ( URL), download time, readability of the content, direct links to action points, contact details, credential validation, and statements from the co-authors and developers are all reasons for me to rate the design as very professional and user friendly. Furthermore, due to the lack of disruptions while navigating the site, this compelled me to explore on a much deeper level. While navigating through the site, the following things were discovered. The site was easy to use, it provided direct connection to different topics, a link was always available to direct me back to the homepage, and the navigational links were always visible by way of color codes. One of the things that helped build my trust in the website was the extended information given regarding the areas of expertise, educational background, award winning accomplishments, and years of experience the co-authors and developers had in their work with and knowledge of the collaboration process. When typing in the short and simple Universal Resource Locator (URL), the download time to the home page was so quick that it left me wanting to continue my adventure. Most reviewers can attest to the fact that this is not the case when visiting many web addresses. Alternatively, in terms of the language used by the authors to disseminate the content, much of the information was straightforward and easy to understand. This was due to fact that the pages were not cluttered with to many words and images. Frankly, there seemed to have been just enough content on each page written in the appropriate font size for the reader to navigate smoothly. During my review process, there was never an experience where certain links could not be accessed due to default. In fact, it was as simple as clicking on a particular content of interest and it was readily made available. It is important to make mention that within certain paragraphs there were direct links related to the body of knowledge for me to access as well. Because of this type of design, it made the site highly interactive. Moreover, providing of contact details such as snail addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses on many of the pages added a personal touch to the design and navigation of the website. As a result of the many, valuable qualities offered in the design, they all increased my confidence and trust in using the site. __Descriptive Overview__ The Center for Adaptive Schools is a website authorized by professionals and educators to provide information to viewers on the importance of collaboration. It is through collaboration, according to the co-authors and co-developers of this website, which student learning, growth, and achievement can be accomplished. Additionally, making collaboration a priority in adaptive schools is necessary because of the changing needs of students. Implemented as a means for enhancing educator’s knowledge of collaboration, skills, attitudes, and application of the collaborative process, the website offers resources, content topics available through seminars that encompass discussions on facilitating group work, norms for effective collaboration, building strong collaborative and caring work cultures, effective meetings, working together for school improvement, skills to enhance communication and effective interaction, and developing interpersonal communication. Despite the many topics offered through seminars on this website, the primary focus of the Center for Adaptive Schools is facilitating group work. For example, one particular objective would be directed toward helping educators learn to use their practical knowledge to develop collaborative groups. Similarly, another seminar would assist teachers in learning how to obtain more productive meetings through norms, skills, goal clarification, problem-solving, decision-making, and better interactions among team members. Appearing on the homepage are links to access additional information for products and publications, readings, recommended web sites, contact information, future training opportunities, and a bibliography reference as well. When opening up the homepage, there is an attractive array of colors to captivate the viewer along with the mission of the Center forAdaptiveSchoolsand welcoming address. According to the mission of this website, its focus is to provide guidance in assisting schools to cultivate their practical and shared responsibility toward the common goal of increasing constant awareness of student improvement. On the other hand, this collective sharing of responsibility among teachers on behalf of student achievement can never be conceptualized as long as educators work in isolation of each other. Having said this, it is obvious due to the educational background and experience of these authors as to not only how, but why they would become strong advocates for collaboration via the Center for Adaptive Schools. __Authority__ The individuals responsible for the website, Center for Adaptive Schools, are Bob Garmston, Bruce Wellman, Michael Dolcemascolo, and Carolyn McKanders. As a result of my in-depth and careful review of the website, it is evident that these co-authors and co-developers have the necessary qualifications to serve as leaders and supporters about the value of collaboration. Moreover, my supporting facts for this opinion is due largely in part to their practical teaching experience in the field of education, extended education background, and knowledge. For example, three out of four hold master degrees in a specified area of education from acclaimed institutions of higher learning. Not only do these individuals have the educational background to support their advocacy concerning the collaboration topic, but having served in roles such as principals, superintendents, curriculum directors, educational consultants, and public school teachers can give further validity to the information presented on the website as well. With this having been said, there could never be anyone more qualified to persuade educators on the effectiveness and merit of collaboration than professionals having the necessary training, skills, and application of what it is they are attempting to get others to buy into. Also, with the website having provided contact information of the authors and developers, this gave more credence to their position on the content. Lastly, due to my prior knowledge and understanding of collaboration before reviewing the website, much of the content was a reinforcement of what I already knew to be authentic information. __Accuracy__ Having directly participated in numerous collaborative processes as an experienced public school teacher, it is my belief that the information disseminated on this website is reliable. However, despite my prior knowledge regarding the subject matter and learning experiences as a result of my enrollment in EDU 713, these are not the only factors impacting my position as to the accuracy of the information. While navigating the website, research was mentioned quite a few times as a way of building trust in the information. Other indicators to substantiate the content as accurate were provided as well. For example, on one particular page conveying information about collaborative cultures and student learning, a reference was cited at the bottom of the webpage from the American Educational Research Journal. Yet, on another page about the seven norms of collaboration and effective meetings, a reference was also cited from a sourcebook written by the co-authors. Similarly, a bibliography was provided to give the reviewer evidence of articles the information was extracted from. Included in the bibliography were authors, dates, year of the publication, and page numbers of the information used on the website. According to the Center for Adaptive Schools, some of its information is researched based in the areas of best educational practices and learning theory also. Despite the fact that there was no comparative data or statistics used to validate the accuracy of the information, having a strong understanding of collaboration is enough to convince me of the content as being factual information.

__Objectivity (POV)__ It is obvious on the homepage through the mission statement that the co-authors of the website are clearly proponents of collaboration. My reason for this assertion is because despite student improvement being the continuing end result, the avenue for reaching this destination is through teacher realization of the significance and advantages of their shared responsibility in the collaboration process. After having personally reviewed this website, there are no conflicting views about the intent of the author’s purpose. Additionally, due to the strong education background in teaching these co-authors have, it would seem most appropriate for their bias in persuading educators to embrace the information. Because the author’s point of view about collaboration is so strong, it is not by surprise that the website includes some advertising as a means of helping to sustain its cause. However, advertising seemed to have been kept to a minimum only to support the mission of the site. From what was gleamed through my review of the site, there are no outside agencies supporting the Center for Adaptive Schools. This could be cause for why the site did not avoid attempting to sell its products. Finally, for all intents and purposes, I feel that the author’s point of view about the worth and necessity of collaboration in adaptive schools is so real that winning viewers over can happen without them ever purchasing anything. Taken one step further, the objective of the authors interpreted from the mission statement was enough to assure me of its seriousness not only in helping students, but teachers as well.

__Coverage__ When considering whether this website presents comprehensive coverage of the topic from an in-depth perspective, the answer would be yes. My support for this reasoning is because the website provides a broad spectrum of information related to this topic through various resources. For example, additional coverage related to the topic included information about cognitive coaching, enhancing presentation effectiveness, and facilitation skills. Aside other topics of interest associated with the collaboration process, the website also provided tools and products, seminars, and training opportunities to assist in broadening one’s knowledge base of collaboration. When navigating other web addresses related to this same subject, I found the Center for Adaptive Schools to be just as thorough and informative. Additionally, this website does not appear to depend on outside links but by the same token, it does provide recommended sites. Throughout navigation of the site, the manner in which the coverage was presented was effective. For example, all of the content was easy to find due to clear headings to illustrate an outline of the content. __Currency__ In providing answers to the following questions associated with currency such as were dates given at the initial time of posting as well as revised, whether the links were up-to-date and reliable, or whether the site was fully developed, my answers would be yes. For example, when navigating through the website, it was clear at the bottom of each page that recent, revised dates had been documented. In a like manner, several pages had been revised as recent as August 19, 2011. On the other hand, some of the web pages had been revised on September 2, 2011. The point being made is that the information disseminated on the site was fairly current and up-to-date. Furthermore, I would consider all the links as having been reliable because all sites were active. Even when additional sites were recommended, they were easily accessible. By the same token, it was not known when information was originally posted, despite copyright dates having been given.

__Recommendation__ After carefully reviewing this website, I would strongly recommend that educators visit this site. For the purpose of helping teachers to see why their precious time would not be in vain, it is important for me to provide solid reasons for my making this suggestion. For instance, some of us tend to work in isolation of our colleagues for the majority of the school day. Moreover, due to the fact that some teachers are rarely afforded the opportunity to work collaboratively towards the common good of our students, we may simply not understand the process at all. Taken a step further, I feel that we can never appreciate something we do not understand. With that having been said, I think one of the main reasons to persuade teachers to visit this website is to help them get a deeper understanding via the vastness of important information it provides on the topic. Not only can they obtain useful knowledge from reading the information on this site, but can take full advantage of additional resources as well. Take for example a teacher wanting more assistance in understanding the collaborative process, he or she can seek to attend seminars or training sessions to cultivate the necessary skills required for successfully interacting with other teachers on behalf of student improvement.