Desired Characteristics

The format is User Friendly: Clear scope, easy to understand and use, includes appropriate, clearly labeled links.

• Purpose of site is obvious.
• Structure is clear, intuitive.
  • Home page has a well-labeled table of contents.
  • A consistent graphic helps with navigation.
  • Main path is clear (Next and Previous buttons, Start here if appropriate).
  • Shortcut buttons provide alternate routes.
  • Supporting pages link back to Home page and/or original table of contents.
  • If a document is long, it has a table of contents with links to main sections so you don't have to scroll through the whole document.
• Useful content is not more than three clicks away from Home page.
• Links are accurately described and operate efficiently.
• Page titles are meaningful and consistent with the words used to link to the page.
• Site provides user support (online help, FAQs).

The format is Courteous: Graphics are quickly downloaded and relevant, text is easy to read. Background is subdued and coordinates with text colors and graphics.

• Connection is fast; site is usually accessible.
• Pages load quickly.
• Pages display correctly.
• Text is easy to read.
• Background doesn't interfere with text.
• Graphics and multimedia have a purpose, add to the instructional value.
• Images and image links have alternate text links; the page makes sense without images.
• Site uses thumbnails for large images and tells you how big the images are.
• Downloadable files are easy to download. If a file is very large, its size is indicated.
• Site invites feedback and provides an e-mail address.
• The URL is included on each document.
• You can submit sensitive data securely.

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The format is Aesthetically Appealing: Attractive and creative use of graphics.

• Creates good first impression.
• Design is clean and uncluttered.
• Consistent design/style gives the site coherence.
• Presentation is tasteful.
• Site is engaging and makes you want to come back to it.

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The content is Credible: Information is accurate, complete, and maintained.

• Point of view is clear.
• Site is free of bias, or the bias is clear.
• Site exhibits care: correct spelling, punctuation, grammar.
• You can easily identify the publisher (the server it resides on).
• Author is identified.
• You can easily find out more about the author and the author's authority.
• You can contact the author or webmaster; an e-mail address, phone number and/or address is provided.
• Information is current, timely.
  • Tells you when it was first published, including the year.
    
  • Tells you when it was last updated, and how often it will be.
    
  • Tells you what was updated.
• Criteria for inclusion of material are available.
• Site is persistent. You're confident it will be there the next time you want to visit it.
  (What type of site is it? - commercial, school/university, government, listserv, personal page, nonprofit, other...)
• Appropriate copyright information is included.

The content is Useful: Content is meaningful, difficult to convey, and/or quintessential.

• Provides a path for further study.
• Makes judicious use of links; there aren't so many that you feel overburdened.
• Links are valid.
• Includes a bibliography if appropriate.
• Content is unique, not available elsewhere.
• Information is appropriate for the intended audience.
• Site has a searchable index.

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The content is Rich: Information is rich and likely to be revisited.

• Interactivity adds to instructional value.
• Information supports or enhances the curriculum.
• Linked information is relevant and authoritative or illustrative.

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The content is Interdisciplinary: Integrates several content areas or disciplines.

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The learner process includes Higher-Order Thinking: Challenges learners to think, reflect, discuss, hypothesize, compare, classify, etc.

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The learner process is Engaging: Process engages the learner.

• Stimulates the imagination.
• Interactive instruction increases the educational value.
• Content is interesting.

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The learner process engages Multiple Intelligences or Talents (language, math, intrapersonal, interpersonal, spatial, musical, physical): Effectively integrates at least 3 intelligences or talents.