http://www.knowhow2go.org/
Summary: This website is an educational site to promote continuing education to high school students. The website encourages students to pursue "the tough classes" (classes which they wouldn't naturally be inclined to want to take because of the challenging nature of the courses) such as foreign language, advanced math, science, and other courses. The website is designed to provide information by grade level and could be used by a teacher of any content or a guidance counselor to help students understand the importance of challenging themselves. It includes interactive activities and videos.
Commentary: I used this site to promote the study of French. I shared it with my freshmen students. They enjoyed it and appreciated the interactive activities such as designing a dorm room, and the video. The website generated a lot of good questions and discussion. It prompted students to ask questions they might not otherwise think to ask about college and what they need to do in high school to reach their goals. The language and information was designed specifically to be age appropriate. By dividing information by grade level, the site makes the information even more accessible to students. The use of humor gets students' attention and shows a light, fun perspective to taking challenging courses. It is able to effectively motivate students. The experience I had in sharing this website with my students was positive. I rate this website 5 out of 5 stars.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
France This Way
http://www.francethisway.com/frenchfood.php
Summary: This page of the website France This Way is dedicated to French recipes. However, by clicking around on the other pages, there is access to information about the regions of France, how to make accommodations, and background information about the country. A teacher could use this website for a cultural project in which students had to create a travel brochure or plan an imaginary trip to the country. They could describe how they would travel, where they would stay, and what they would see and eat while visiting France.
Commentary: This website has a very simple yet functional design. Information is organized and easy to access. It offers guidance and tips for travelling to France, as well as what to see and do while visiting. The language is very easy to understand and would be age appropriate for high school students. The interactive map of the different regions is a fun way to explore the country. The imagery is amazing and provides a visual representation to the student. I rate this website 5 out of 5 stars.
Summary: This page of the website France This Way is dedicated to French recipes. However, by clicking around on the other pages, there is access to information about the regions of France, how to make accommodations, and background information about the country. A teacher could use this website for a cultural project in which students had to create a travel brochure or plan an imaginary trip to the country. They could describe how they would travel, where they would stay, and what they would see and eat while visiting France.
Commentary: This website has a very simple yet functional design. Information is organized and easy to access. It offers guidance and tips for travelling to France, as well as what to see and do while visiting. The language is very easy to understand and would be age appropriate for high school students. The interactive map of the different regions is a fun way to explore the country. The imagery is amazing and provides a visual representation to the student. I rate this website 5 out of 5 stars.
Office du Tourisme de Paris
http://www.parisinfo.com/
Summary: This is the official website of the Office of Tourism in Paris, France. This website is in French, and provides authentic reading opportunities. The website includes information on hotels, restaurants, museums, transportation, outings, and shopping. Because of the authenticity of the information, which is the equivalent of what a student could encounter on the Regents Examination, a teacher could use this website as a reading assignment. Another option would be to have students create a project that highlighted key aspects of visiting the city of Paris, and make this site available for their use.
Commentary: The website provides a variety of possible uses. Because of its versatility, it could be used by teachers and students for any number of reasons. Being the official site of the office of tourism in Paris, it is updated regularly, with accurate and relevant information. The design of the website is appealing and easy to navigate. One thing it could add would be more interactive activities for younger visitors to the site. However, the lack of games does not take away from the overall educational value of the site. Because of its many qualities, I rate it 5 out of 5.
Summary: This is the official website of the Office of Tourism in Paris, France. This website is in French, and provides authentic reading opportunities. The website includes information on hotels, restaurants, museums, transportation, outings, and shopping. Because of the authenticity of the information, which is the equivalent of what a student could encounter on the Regents Examination, a teacher could use this website as a reading assignment. Another option would be to have students create a project that highlighted key aspects of visiting the city of Paris, and make this site available for their use.
Commentary: The website provides a variety of possible uses. Because of its versatility, it could be used by teachers and students for any number of reasons. Being the official site of the office of tourism in Paris, it is updated regularly, with accurate and relevant information. The design of the website is appealing and easy to navigate. One thing it could add would be more interactive activities for younger visitors to the site. However, the lack of games does not take away from the overall educational value of the site. Because of its many qualities, I rate it 5 out of 5.
Le Petit Prince (The Little Prince)
http://www.lepetitprince.com/#/?lng=uk
Summary: This website is based on one of the most famous French characters of all time: Le Petit Prince (The Little Prince). The website includes interactive activities, games, a forum, news, and background information about the author Saint-Exupery. A teacher could use the site initially as an introduction to the story, and then students could return to later to complete activities.
Commentary: The website has dual-language settings and can be accessed in either English or French. This makes it accessible to beginning level students who perhaps haven't had sufficient exposure to the language, and to advanced level students who are reading the text. The design of the site is appealing and makes it easy and fun to navigate. The interactive aspect provides the student with the opportunity to explore additional aspects of the story that are not available simply by reading the book. Students would be able to expand their understanding of the book on a more global level as well, by following news updates. The website serves as a wonderful addition to the book. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars.
Summary: This website is based on one of the most famous French characters of all time: Le Petit Prince (The Little Prince). The website includes interactive activities, games, a forum, news, and background information about the author Saint-Exupery. A teacher could use the site initially as an introduction to the story, and then students could return to later to complete activities.
Commentary: The website has dual-language settings and can be accessed in either English or French. This makes it accessible to beginning level students who perhaps haven't had sufficient exposure to the language, and to advanced level students who are reading the text. The design of the site is appealing and makes it easy and fun to navigate. The interactive aspect provides the student with the opportunity to explore additional aspects of the story that are not available simply by reading the book. Students would be able to expand their understanding of the book on a more global level as well, by following news updates. The website serves as a wonderful addition to the book. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars.
Guide to France
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/france-guide/
Summary: This website provides cultural and background information on the country of France. It includes a facts page, a map page, a photo page, and a video page. This website could be used with an introductory level course to introduce the student to the country, or to research some facts about the country.
Commentary: The website provides a variety of accurate and relevant information. It was published by National Geographic Magazine, a 1888 published source for information on world cultures and meant to inspire people to care about the planet. The information published on this website is copyrighted and was compiled by professional journalists. It is very organized and easy to navigate. The website provides a balance between visual and written information. The information is easy to understand. I would rate this site 5 out of 5 stars.
Andre Guide
http://www.andregide.org/
Summary: The website provides biographical information about one of the most influential and well-known French writers of all time: Andre Guide. The information is in English, yet the content targets an advanced reading level. This website would be used for advanced students who are assigned a research paper based on a French author, who are looking to include analyticla components in their writing.
Commentary: The information is very organized, easy to navigate, and reflects professional design. The website includes a photo archive with narrative descriptions, as well as contact information to request additional resources. I rate the site 5 out of 5 stars.
Summary: The website provides biographical information about one of the most influential and well-known French writers of all time: Andre Guide. The information is in English, yet the content targets an advanced reading level. This website would be used for advanced students who are assigned a research paper based on a French author, who are looking to include analyticla components in their writing.
Commentary: The information is very organized, easy to navigate, and reflects professional design. The website includes a photo archive with narrative descriptions, as well as contact information to request additional resources. I rate the site 5 out of 5 stars.
Claude Monet
http://www.monetspalate.com/the_film.html
Summary: This website provides a creative point of view into the biographical information about the life of one of the most famous painters in the history of France and the history of the world: Claude Monet. It provides a unique perspective by exploring Monet's beloved Normandy not only by portraying his artistic inspiration, but also another aspect of French culture: cuisine.
Commentary: The website is visually appealing and the creativity invites the visitor to explore the different pages included in the design. It includes an educational video documentary with images and scenes surrounding Monet's home in Giverny. This provides the student with visual exposure to some of the artist's famous works, as well as exposure to the culture of the region. The perspective of the website is unique in that it provides the student with a perspective not only on the artist's works, but with a perspective on a topic which anyone enjoys: food. For this reason, I think student may be more able to connect with the artist and recognize that he was someone who lived just like them, and who perhaps also shared some of their interests. I rate this site 5 out of 5.
Summary: This website provides a creative point of view into the biographical information about the life of one of the most famous painters in the history of France and the history of the world: Claude Monet. It provides a unique perspective by exploring Monet's beloved Normandy not only by portraying his artistic inspiration, but also another aspect of French culture: cuisine.
Commentary: The website is visually appealing and the creativity invites the visitor to explore the different pages included in the design. It includes an educational video documentary with images and scenes surrounding Monet's home in Giverny. This provides the student with visual exposure to some of the artist's famous works, as well as exposure to the culture of the region. The perspective of the website is unique in that it provides the student with a perspective not only on the artist's works, but with a perspective on a topic which anyone enjoys: food. For this reason, I think student may be more able to connect with the artist and recognize that he was someone who lived just like them, and who perhaps also shared some of their interests. I rate this site 5 out of 5.
Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc)
http://archive.joan-of-arc.org/
Summary: This website was created based on one of the most famous French historical figures of all time: Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc). This website provides a biography of her life, and would be used as a cultural reading, since it is in English. The website also provides excerpts from her letters as well as information surrounding her trial, which lead to her death.
Commentary: Advantages are that the website is easy to navigate. The information was cited by the author. The author also cited references for additional information. The information is copyrighted, and the author explains how to cite the text if it is used in a research project, which is very educational. The author's contact information in available, and update information is clearly displayed, as well as how to provide feedback. The only disadvantage is that there is a lack of imagery on the site, which could help it to be more appealing to learners. It would provide students with a visual representation to which they could attach information. The lack of imagery, however, does not hinder the validity of the website. I rate this website 5 out of 5 stars.
Summary: This website was created based on one of the most famous French historical figures of all time: Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc). This website provides a biography of her life, and would be used as a cultural reading, since it is in English. The website also provides excerpts from her letters as well as information surrounding her trial, which lead to her death.
Commentary: Advantages are that the website is easy to navigate. The information was cited by the author. The author also cited references for additional information. The information is copyrighted, and the author explains how to cite the text if it is used in a research project, which is very educational. The author's contact information in available, and update information is clearly displayed, as well as how to provide feedback. The only disadvantage is that there is a lack of imagery on the site, which could help it to be more appealing to learners. It would provide students with a visual representation to which they could attach information. The lack of imagery, however, does not hinder the validity of the website. I rate this website 5 out of 5 stars.
Le Petit Nicolas
http://www.petitnicolas.com/#part=news
Summary: This website was designed based on one of the most famous and beloved French characters of all time: Little Nicholas. The stories began in 1959. Then, in 2009, a the film was created. All French students will be exposed to "Le Petit Nicolas" at some point in their foreign language career. This website provides the background of the creation of the story, as well as additional information about the characters. This website would be used as an introduction before beginning the book.
Commentary: The website portrays accurate and relevant information. The design is appealing and easy to navigate, and provides the student with interactive opportunities. The set up provides the student with information in an organized fashion, and information is separated according to topics. This allows the student to understand the different aspects of the story. In my opinion, the site is a wonderful addition to teaching the novel. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars.
Summary: This website was designed based on one of the most famous and beloved French characters of all time: Little Nicholas. The stories began in 1959. Then, in 2009, a the film was created. All French students will be exposed to "Le Petit Nicolas" at some point in their foreign language career. This website provides the background of the creation of the story, as well as additional information about the characters. This website would be used as an introduction before beginning the book.
Commentary: The website portrays accurate and relevant information. The design is appealing and easy to navigate, and provides the student with interactive opportunities. The set up provides the student with information in an organized fashion, and information is separated according to topics. This allows the student to understand the different aspects of the story. In my opinion, the site is a wonderful addition to teaching the novel. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars.
Photos de Paris
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/city-guides/paris-photos-1/#paris-canal-stmartin_2380_600x450.jpg
Summary: This website was created by National Geographic Magazine. It includes pictures depicting the culture of the city of Paris. The photos provide the student with a visual representation of the city. The website would be used for Learning Standard 2: Student will develop an understanding of target culture. The photos could be used with an introductory French class, when introducing the city of Paris, or by an advanced class, where the students would be assigned to write a story about on of the pictures, in preparation for the Regents Examination.
Commentary: The advantages of this sight are that the photos were taken and provided by professional photographers and the information provided about the photos was composed by professional journalists. National Geographic Magazine was founded in 1888, to inspire people to care about the planet. It continues to do so today, which is why it is used by educators. The pictures portray a variety of real-life scenes. There are also links to other albums of other cultures. I do not notice any disadvantages to this site. I rate this site 4 out of 5 stars.
Summary: This website was created by National Geographic Magazine. It includes pictures depicting the culture of the city of Paris. The photos provide the student with a visual representation of the city. The website would be used for Learning Standard 2: Student will develop an understanding of target culture. The photos could be used with an introductory French class, when introducing the city of Paris, or by an advanced class, where the students would be assigned to write a story about on of the pictures, in preparation for the Regents Examination.
Commentary: The advantages of this sight are that the photos were taken and provided by professional photographers and the information provided about the photos was composed by professional journalists. National Geographic Magazine was founded in 1888, to inspire people to care about the planet. It continues to do so today, which is why it is used by educators. The pictures portray a variety of real-life scenes. There are also links to other albums of other cultures. I do not notice any disadvantages to this site. I rate this site 4 out of 5 stars.
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