Software Websites and Apps

The website I choose was oceana.org. I choose this website because even though I am not a science teacher, I saw "Marine Life" and I was drawn to explore more about it! Oceana is a website that is geared towards protecting the world's oceans. It's purpose is to educate students about different marine life in the ocean and how they can preserve these animals and protect them in our oceans. Students can learn about these animals, including fun facts about their favorite marine life. The website is organized, and has beautiful photos of all the different types of marine life living in our oceans, ranging from coral to sharks.

When it comes to the rating scale, this website has the following credentials.

  • There is an email contact provided along with a list of heads of the company such as CEO's, Board members, and a staff list.
  • This website clearly supports the campaign to protect the world's oceans, offering a place to donate to help the world's oceans, or to personally volunteer. 
  • The purpose of this site is to share what their campaign is about, accompanied with facts about marine life.
  • The website is mostly focused on fundraising for the clean ocean's campaign. 
  • This website can relate to a biology teacher's objective of studying marine life and how they can be harmed by the environmental problems of today
  • The information will challenge learners to compare and contrast different animals and can prompt them to think of a creative way in which they can work to clean up the oceans.
  • This website is appropriate for a secondary audience.
  • The website is regularly updated.
For the Middle Grades I choose the flashcards deluxe app. This is a website used to help students study anything they want.
Rubric: 
  • The app has no author listed. The app does provide an email for contact with the name listed as "Ernie".
  • It is unclear what institution supports this app
  • It's purpose is to clearly create flashcards
  • This app would not challenge learners to analyze, think, reflect, or discuss
  • This app is appropriate for students who are reviewing for an assessment. If review was the lesson objective then this app would align with it.
  • I cannot tell when the last time was that this app was last updated
Elementary grades
I chose Mathemagics, an app for children to practice math problems.
  • This app comes from the Blue Lighting Labs Company, there is no author listed
  • This app is supported through the Apple App store
  • It's purpose is to get elementary students to develop mental math skills
  • This app could relate to a teacher's objective of drilling addition and subtraction problems
  • This app is not geared towards higher-order thinking, it is more focused on drilling basic math skills which is an important foundation for elementary school students
  • It is appropriate for an elementary school audience 

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