Create 1.1.3 Appearance

Appearance is a very important aspect of designing an instructional website.  It is usually what gets someone interested or not.  But appearance is definitely not everything that is important about an instructional site.  There needs to be appropriate educational content as well as have media inserted that captures the appropriate age level user.  The site also needs to be easily navigated with properly linked buttons and tools.  Here are some examples of good educational sites and some that are not so good.  This is based on my opinion so feel free to share your comments about them!

Good Examples:

• Khan Academy - The site has great resources mainly for math and science.  It has a lot of tutorials and helpful information.  
• Brainpop - Brainpop has a lot of short length videos that give good introduction to endless topics.  It is a bit on the juvenile side, but I used to use this a lot when I taught middle school math.  But I do believe a paid subscription is required for this.
• PBS Kids - This is a great resource for young kids. It has so many educational games and videos that can be watched.  Excellent use of media and videos.  
• Kids USA - This site has a lot of information from art to healthy eating to math.  Great site!
• Shmoop - This website demonstrates excellent integration of audio and visual representations demonstrating task analysis, math skills, and knowledge.

Bad Examples:

• Cool Math - This site is mostly games that are not even related to math.  They are mostly mindless games.  
• I Know That - This site is not one b it appealing because I couldn't even enter the site because I need to install two news versions of things to be able to do anything.  Not what I want to have to do to see a site.
• Vocabulary - This site is fine, it just seems a bit boring.  There is nothing that would make me want to go back to it.  
• Enchanted Learning - This site has a lot of information.  I wasn't even sure where to start with it.  
• Choose My Plate - This site is a great idea to educate kids on how to eat healthy, but there is just way too much information on it!  It is overwhelming.  It could easily be presented in a simpler manner.