1. A factbook or
almanac is usually an annual reference book that contains specific
information about or related to a certain topic.
2. Almanacs or
factbooks are usually smaller in scope than encyclopedias.
3. Factbooks and
almanacs are general reference tools that provide basic facts about
particular topics.
4. Factbooks “are
used to quickly answer basic questions about places, time periods, and
specialized subjects”.
5. An almanac can
be defined as “a resource that provides useful data and statistics related
to countries, personalities, events, and subjects”.
6. Factbooks are
known as “authoritative sources for answering basic questions students
might pose”.
Encyclopedia
1. An
encyclopedia is “a series of books that contain general information about
many topics or subjects”.
2. Encyclopedias
generally have a larger scope than a factbook or almanac.
3. Articles
within an encyclopedia offer the reader an overview of a subject, with
additional sources of information listed.
4. An
encyclopedia can be defined as “ a work that contains information on all
branches of knowledge or comprehensively treats a particular aspect of
knowledge, usually via articles arranged by subject”.
5. Encyclopedias
are generally used to find more detailed information than can be found in a
factbook/almanac.
6. The
information within encyclopedias is often arranged alphabetically.
Both
1. Both resources are reference materials that contain information.
2. Most encyclopedias and factbooks/almanacs are now widely available online.
3. Both resources can be used to answer ready-reference questions.
4. Both encyclopedias and factbooks/almanacs contain indexes to assist readers in locating information within the resource.
SCHOOL LIBRARY RESOURCE
WORKSHEET
WEEK 6
Student: Shelli Harrel
Date: 4/29/2015
DIRECTIONS:
Go to a school
library (elementary, middle school, or high school). Choose one
of the following print reference resources that we learned about this
week –dictionary, almanac, factbook, or encyclopedia. Discuss each section
thoroughly.
Name of school library visited and grade level:
Pittsburg Intermediate School/ Grades 5-6
Resource (cite in APA format):
Johnson, A. ,& Allen S.(Eds.).(1998).The Kingfisher Children’s Encyclopedia.
New York, NY: Kingfisher.
Authority of publisher and/or author:
According to the company’s website, Kingfisher is “a leading
international publisher of illustrated information books” with a “reputation
for creating authoritative yet accessible educational series alongside
innovative stand-alone titles”.
Kingfisher publishes books on subjects such as natural history, science,
geography, history, art and philosophy. With resources available in over 20
different languages, Kingfisher books are utilized all over the world. As a division of MacMillan publishers,
Kingfisher is part of a company with “a rich history in the book industry”.
Macmillan Publishers is a “global trade publishing company owned by
Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holtzbrinck, with imprints in the United States,
Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, and around the world.”
The information found in this
resource appears to be quite accurate for the time that it was published. Looking
at different reviews for this book, it seems that the readers appreciate the
format in which the information is arranged and the fact that the book contains
vivid illustrations and photos related to the content. According to a review on
goodreads.com, the “inviting layout makes it quicker and easier for users to
find the information that they seek and there is comprehensive coverage of all
the topics a child could wish to research.” The introduction to the book states
that it “has been written and checked by a team of specialist authors and
consultants, and produced by a team of editors and designers with years of
experience in children’s reference”.
The information within this
encyclopedia appears to have been current at the time of publication. At the
end of the book, there is a twelve page fact finder section. Within this area,
there are different dates and statistics listed, with part of that information
including such facts as the population of the largest American cities. This
information is dated 1996 and the within the section entitled “Highlights of
the 20th Century”, there is information dated up to 1998. Although
these facts and the information presented in this resource, appear to have been
current at the time that this book was published, by today’s standards it would
not be considered current due to the fact that the information is approximately
17 years old.
Format:
The format of this book is
arranged in such a way that it would be quite appealing to readers, especially
within the target audience of young children. With a layout that contains
“state-of-the-art graphics and illustrations” alongside important information,
this resource is both “functional and inviting”. According to the review from
goodreads.com, “headwords always appear in the upper left corner of the page
for quick reference and all entries begin with a concise definition of the
subject”. “Complex diagrams are fully annotated for easy comprehension,” while
“Fast Fact boxes contain key facts and essential data”. The arrangement of
information on each page of the book seems easy to read due to the appropriate
placement of text amidst illustrations and reference boxes. In general, the
format of this book makes locating information within this resource, a fairly
easy process.
The scope of this resource appears to be quite extensive for
a book designed for young readers. Some of the topics that are covered include
“ geography, science and technology, natural resources, animal life,
transportation, communications, astronomy, history and prehistory, politics,
religion, sports and the arts”. When browsing through the book, I noticed that
there are additional facts and resources noted on almost every topic covered to
allow the reader to explore the information further. In addition to the variety
of topics address in this book, it also contains a twelve page fact finder
section that gives information on such topics as: “Countries of the world,
States of the United States, Presidents of the United States, Population of the
Largest American Cities, The Provinces and Territories of Canada, the Prime
Ministers of Canada, International Organizations, Biographies, and Highlights
of the 20th Century”.
Ease of use:
This resource is designed in such a way that it is extremely
user friendly. The information is organized alphabetically and “a simple cross-referencing
feature makes it easier to gather information on a particular topic”. At the
beginning of the book, there is a page that clearly shows the reader how to use
the encyclopedia by pointing out the various sections on each page. This page tells
the reader that the book “provides information on two levels-quick reference
and in-depth knowledge”. There are sections like “fast fact boxes” or
“cross-reference boxes” that aid the reader in locating information quickly or
exploring a topic further. In addition to these features, this resource also
contains a lengthy index arranged alphabetically to assist the reader in
locating particular information or illustrations.
Start at the TAMUC
Libraries Homepage. Find the America: History and Life with Full Text
database. Find the article “Robert E. Lee in Northwest Ohio”.
A.Cite the article in APA format.
Baranowski, R.(2013). Robert E. Lee in Northwest Ohio. Northwest Ohio History, 80(2), 109-116.
B.Copy
and paste the abstract.
Abstract:
The article discusses a professional
visit tonorthwestOhiomade by future Confederate army
generalRobertE.Leein 1835. According to the article,Leesurveyed the Maumee Valley in northern
Wood County,Ohio, during
his time as a 2nd lieutenant with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Thearticle examines a territorial dispute
over the city of Toledo betweenOhioand Michigan, the political influence
ofOhioand president Andrew Jackson's desire
for its electoral votes in the 1836 U.S. presidential election, andLee'sjourney from Washington, D.C., toOhio.
Source: America:
History and Life Database
PART 2:
Using the same
database, find another article on a topic or person of your own choice.
A.Cite the article in APA format.
Zarefsky, D. (2015). LINCOLN
AND HISTORICAL ACCURACY.Rhetoric & Public Affairs, 18(1), 155159.
B.Copy and paste the abstract.
Abstract:
The article discusses the 2012 film
"Lincoln"
directed by Steven Spielberg, focusing on how the film captures the various
goals of former U.S. PresidentAbrahamLincolnportrayed by actor Daniel Day-Lewis in
the film. Other topics include howLincolnhandled the political atmosphere in
Washington, D.C. while gathering votes to pass the 13th Amendment, a discussion
ofLincoln'sgoal for the U.S. Civil War, and a
discussion of the historical accuracy of the film. It also discussesLincoln'splans for emancipation of slaves prior
to settling on a constitutional amendment.
Source: America:
History and Life Database
PRINT REFERENCE
RESOURCE WORKSHEET
(“100 most popular
picture book authors and illustrators: biographical sketches and bibliographies”
by Sharron L. McElmeel.)
For each print
resource, use Titlewave, reviews, and other resources that you select to complete
the assignment. You will have to put some thought into your answers. We are
putting into practice the topics and activities we covered in the first four
weeks of class.
Student:Shelli
Harrel
Date:4/20/2015
Type of reference resource:Biographies (Biographic Sketches and Bibliographies)
Grade level recommended (not interest level): Although the
review listed in Titlewave does not specify a recommended grade level for this
book, I would say that it would be perhaps most beneficial for students from
grades 6-12. (The second review that I found recommended this book for students
in grades 6 and up.)
Cite the book in APA format:
McElmell, S. (2000). 100
most popular picture book authors and illustrators: biographical sketches and bibliographies. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries
Unlimited.
If there are not at least two reviews in Titlewave for the book, find
at least one more review that is relevant to school libraries and copy and
paste it below. (Hint: You can find reviews in Academic Search Complete. Use
the limiters on the left side of the page to select book
reviews.)
I found this review information in Academic Search Complete.
MCELMEEL, Sharron L.BiographicalSketchesandBibliographies. 579p. (PopularAuthorsSeries). photos. appendix. further reading,
index. Web sites. CIP. Libraries Unlimited. 2000. Tr $49. ISBN 1-56308-647-6.
LC 00-023181.
Gr 6 Up --This solid resource offers brief yet
substantial biographies of some of the best-knownauthorsandillustratorsofbooksfor children. The alphabetical entries are
clearly written and engaging. They note the individuals' birthplace and date
and list a few of their well-known titles. Thesketchescontain nearly all of the facts that students
doing reports would want to know and include some reflections on the nature of
the creators' work and how it may have been shaped by their life experiences.
Each article concludes with abibliography(and Webliography, when available). The selections are balanced
with respect to gender and ethnicity and represent the heart of a strongpicture-bookcollection. Many of the profiles are accompanied by a
black-and-white photograph. A detailed table of contents, a lengthy general
index, and a genre index provide access. There are many worthy sources of
similar information, such as the multivolume Something about theAuthorseries (Gale), Deborah Kovics's Meet theAuthorsandIllustrators(Scholastic, 1996), and Connie Rockman's
EighthBookof JuniorAuthorsandIllustrators(H. W. Wilson, 2000). Nevertheless, McElmeel's
splendidbookdeserves a place on library shelves.
~~~~~~~~
By Daryl Grabarek, ReferenceBookEditor; Walter Minkel, Technology Editor and
Linda Greengrass, Bank Street College Library, New York City
Copyright of School Library Journal is the property of Media
Source, Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or
posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission.
However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.
For each of the following evaluation criteria, explain your evaluation
thoroughly based on the type of resource you are evaluating. This is not a
short answer section of the assignment.
What is the authority of the publisher? The publisher is a well
established company that has been in business since 1964. Libraries Unlimited
serves academic, private, school, and special libraries by producing “science
textbooks, reference works, handbooks, professional guides, etc.” The company
has produced “more than 2,000 publications in both print and electronic
format”.
Is the information comprehensive? Based on the reviews, I
believe that the information found in this resource is comprehensive. According
to the second review, the book contains a well organized table of contents,
along with a general index and a genre index.
The information is arranged alphabetically and features facts about the
authors or illustrators, such as: birthdates, “reflections on
the nature of the creators' work and how it may have been shaped by their life
experiences”, and information about other “well-known works” by the same
individuals. In addition, there are also bibliographies and web resources
highlighted in this resource.
Is the information accurate? According to the review in
Titlewave, the information found within this work is current in the fact that
it provides information on the recent deaths of authors at the time that the
book was complied and published in 2000. The second review states that the book
“contains nearly all of the facts that students doing reports
would want to know” about the particular authors highlighted and a
“bibliography after each article”, as well as a detailed table of contents and
index. Based on this information, I would say that they book seems to have been
as accurate as it could have been at the time that it was published, although
some of the information might be dated compared to more recent publications. If
considering it for a reference source, I would say that it is not as accurate
as new material might be strictly due to the fact that it was published over 15
years ago.
Is the resource meant to be current or retrospective? While I
feel that this book was probably meant to be a current resource at the time of
publication, I would say that it now serves more as a retrospective resource to
show popular picture book authors and illustrators during the year 2000. While
the popularity of some authors and illustrators will stand the test of time,
there are most likely many new individuals that have been introduced in the
world of children’s picture books since the publication of this resource.
How can you tell if the information is current? I can tell if
the information in this resource is current by examining the copyright date for
the work, as well as looking to see if the information about the featured
authors and illustrators offers current dates on published works or dates of
death. This resource is not current due to the fact that it was published in
the year 2000.
Is the information organized for ease of use? The information
in this resource appears to be well organized according to the review
information. It is arranged alphabetically and contains “a detailed table of contents, a lengthy general index, and a
genre index”. Entries also include bibliographies after each article and
additional web resources if available.
Is the resource affordable for a school library? This resource
is somewhat affordable for a school library because it is listed as costing $
73.49 for a hardcover volume on the Titlewave website. While this may not be
considered affordable for some library budgets, the fact that it is an older
book may mean that it is available at a less expensive price from other vendors
or websites.
Is the resource recommended by the reviews? If so, for what level? This
resource is recommended by both of the reviews that I found. Although the first
review on the Titlewave website did not specify a recommended age level for
this resource, it did describe the book as “an attractive and useful addition
to the existing bio-bibliographical reference works in children’s literature”.
The second review recommended this book to be appropriate for sixth grade and
above. It states that this “solid resource offers brief yet
substantial biographies of some of the best-known authors and illustrators of books for
children”.
PRINT REFERENCE
RESOURCE WORKSHEET
(“Atlas of the North
American Indian”)
For each print
resource, use Titlewave, reviews, and other resources that you select to complete
the assignment. You will have to put some thought into your answers. We are
putting into practice the topics and activities we covered in the first four
weeks of class.
Student: Shelli Harrel
Date: 4/20/2015
Type of reference resource: Atlas
Grade level recommended (not interest level): According to the
review from School Library Journal, this resource is recommended for students
in grades 10 and above.
Cite the book in APA format:
Waldman, C. (2009). Atlas
of the North American Indian (3rd ed.).New York, NY : Checkmark
Books.
If there are not at least two reviews in Titlewave for the book, find
at least one more review that is relevant to school libraries and copy and
paste it below. (Hint: You can find reviews in Academic Search Complete. Use
the limiters on the left side of the page to select book
reviews.)
For each of the following evaluation criteria, explain your evaluation
thoroughly based on the type of resource you are evaluating. This is not a
short answer section of the assignment.
What is the authority of the publisher? Checkmark Books is “the
trade imprint of Facts on File, Inc- leading publishers of reference and
non-fiction works in the sciences, social sciences, and the arts for over 60
years”. According to the company website, Facts on File specializes in “core
subject areas such as history, science, literature, geography, health, and
more” and their “print titles are authoritative references geared toward the
high school, academic, and public libraries”. The company has “nearly 70 years
of service to librarians”. Based on this information, I would say that this
publisher has a great deal of authority when it comes to producing reference
materials for libraries.
Is the information comprehensive? The information within this
resource appears to be very comprehensive in nature. According to notes from
the publisher, this book “chronicles the travel and experiences of Native
Americans from the first voyage to North America to the present day”. The text
also “details the history, traditions, conflicts, land cessions, and
contemporary ways of life for American Indians”. This information is enhanced
by a plethora of photographs and illustrations, as well as “comprehensive
appendixes, a glossary, a bibliography, and an index”. A review by the Library
Media Connection indicates that this volume contains “a chronology, list of
contemporary nations, list of geographical place names with Indian origins,
chart of tribal populations, and list of museums as well as historical and
archeological sites”.
Is the information accurate? Based on the information presented
in the reviews for this book, I believe that the information in this resource
is accurate. The review from Booklist highlights the fact that the author of
this work, Carl Waldman is “the former archivist for the New York Historical
Association” as well as “the author of other well-reviewed reference books on
Native Americans”. There are no indications from the reviews that this resource
contains inaccurate information. The fact that it was created by a well-known
author/former archivist, as well as published by a reputable publishing
company, I would assume that the information within this resource is as
accurate as it can possibly be. The School Library Journal review comments that
this book contains “exemplary informational content” and that it “stands out
due to its scope”.
Is the resource meant to be current or retrospective? In terms
of the intent of this resource, I believe that it is meant to be retrospective
in nature because of the fact that it covers elements of history. Being that
this is the 3rd edition of this book, attempts are certainly being
made to ensure that current information is added to this resource, but I feel
that it is designed to provide the reader with the ability to review various
historical details and not just current information related to the topic.
How can you tell if the information is current? One of the best
ways to determine if the information found in this resource is current is to
refer to the copyright date for this book. In addition, if possible, readers
could look for what they know to be more current data or dates highlighted
within the text. This book was printed in 2009 and according to that date, it
could only be considered current in terms of a history source because the
information is just under six years old. According to the reviews, this is the
3rd edition of this book and the previous edition was published in
the year 2000. This newest version has been “expanded and updated” and
“contains a chronology now current through 2008”. Some of the more current
updates mentioned in a review by School Library Journal are that this resource
includes “information on the first Native American in space and the Canadian
Parliament’s endorsement of the UN “Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples”.
Is the information organized for ease of use? The information
in this book appears to be well organized for easy access. According to the
notes section on the Titlewave page, the book contains “biographical
references, an index, and more than 120 detailed maps that mark tribal
locations, migrations, and more and includes a chronology”. The publisher
highlights the fact that the book “features comprehensive appendixes, a glossary,
a biography, and an index”. The Booklist review states that “this volume is
arranged in seven sections” that provide “an overview of Native North America”.
The sections are then divided by topics to make them easier to use. A review by
Library Media Connection highlights the fact that this resource contains
“current statistics” and many of the pages “are illustrated with photos, maps,
and drawings that extend the text”. The subject divisions in this book “follow
a chronological pattern” and are “complemented numerous maps and photographs”,
as well as “an extensive map list and a series of appendixes” according to the
review by School Library Journal.
Is the resource affordable for a school library? This resource
is very affordable for a school library, as it is available in paperback on the
Titlewave website for only $25.00. It can also be purchased in hardcover or
eBook format for $85.00. In addition, the website offers an unlimited access
eBook version for $136.00.
Is the resource recommended by the reviews? If so, for what level? According
to the reviews, this resource is highly recommended for school libraries. The
review from Booklist states that “the atlas is a good reference value, the text
and maps are solid, the features are excellent, and the price is right”. The
Library Journal review calls this resource “a valuable addition to any
geography collection” and “a remarkable compilation of all aspects of Native
American life, history, and culture”. In the Library Media Connection review,
the reviewers refer to this book as “a veritable treasure trove of information”
and state that “this reference volume will be useful in school and public
libraries”. The School Library Journal recommends this resource for students in
grades 10 and above, calling it “an impressive and exhaustive work”.
SCHOOL LIBRARY RESOURCE
WORKSHEET
Student: Shelli Harrel
Date: 4/21/2015
DIRECTIONS:
Go to a school
library (elementary, middle school, or high school). Choose oneprint reference resource that we learned about this week – a biographical
source, an index, a map, an atlas, or
a gazetteer. Evaluate the resource using the following criteria. Discuss each
section thoroughly. This is not a short answer worksheet.
Name of school library visited and grade level:
Hughes Springs ISD Elementary School / Grades K-5th
Resource (cite in APA format):
Fonda, S.P. & Daniels, P. (Eds.)(1999).United States Atlas for Young Explorers: A
Complete Reference Guide to the United States. Washington, D.C.: National
Geographic Society.
Authority of publisher and/or author:
The National Geographic Society is one of the leading
publishers of maps, atlas and other informational texts. According to the
company’s website, “it is one of the largest nonprofit scientific and
educational institutions in the world”. “Its interests include geography,
archaeology and natural science, and the promotion of environmental and
historical conservation.” “National Geographic reference books are
information-rich, illustrated books that cover broad topics or single
subjects.” The books are “published in over 25 languages around the world”.
Accuracy of information: The information within this resource
appears to have been accurate at the time that it was published. This
particular book was mentioned within our textbooks as a suggested resource for
middle school age students. Due to the fact that the copyright date for this
book is 1999, I would say that it would no longer be considered accurate today
because the information has most certainly changed considerably in the last 16
years. While I am sure that there are most likely updated version of this book
available, this particular one was the only reference atlas of its kind at the
library that I visited.
Comprehensiveness: This book appeared to be very comprehensive
in nature based on the outline of information that I found within the table of
contents. The resource is divided into two sections, the “physical United
States” and the “political United States”. Under the first section, readers can
find a physical map of the United States, as well as information on the natural
environment, federal lands, and endangered species. The second section contains
a political map of the United States, along with information about territorial
growth, population, and transportation. The maps that are featured throughout
the book are divided by regions of the United States and include the Northeast,
the Southeast, the Midwest, the Southwest, and the West. Within each featured
region readers can find maps and information about the states located there.
Retrospective/Current: I believe that this resource was
designed to be a current resource at the time that it was published, but due to
the age of the book it would now be more of a retrospective resource. The book
was published in 1999 and while the basic information featured within it would
most likely not have changed, there will generally be revisions and additional
information discovered over the last 16 years that should be included to make
the content current.
Ease of use: I found this resource organized in such a way that
it appeared very user friendly and I feel that the reader could access the
information without difficulty. There is a page at the beginning of the book
that informs the reader about how to use the atlas. This page tells readers how
the book is organized, as well as how to read the map information, map icons,
and information presented alongside the maps. In addition to this, there is
also an extensive index at the back of the book that makes locating information
within this resource a fairly simple process.
For website evaluation, look at all of the pages of the website.
Part 1:
Go tohttp://www.ushmm.org/. Evaluate the website to determine if it is
appropriate for use in research by using the following criteria. Copy and paste
Part 1 into your document.Write at least one sentence to answer each question toelaborate
on how you reached your conclusion. (Yes
it is, or no it isn't are not acceptable answers.) Use more than one sentence
if needed to answer each question thoroughly.
1. Scope and Subject Matter
What
subject is covered?
This website provides
information about the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, as well as
resources to inform individuals about the events surrounding the Holocaust. The
subject addressed on this website is genocide that occurred during the Holocaust
in World War II.
What
is the purpose of the site?
The purpose of this website is to tell the public about the
United States Holocaust Museum. One of the missions of the museum is to
“empower people worldwide to confront hatred” by educating them on the events
of the past and bringing attention to current events. This site also helps to
educate individuals about the events of the Holocaust and to bring attention to
other cases of genocide around the world in an effort to prevent future
genocide events.
Who
is the intended audience?
It appears that the intended audience for this website is
everyone from Students and Educators to Professionals and Communities of Faith.
What
is the intended age or academic level?
It appears that the website is designed for students in at least
the middle school or high school age bracket, up to college level. There are
lesson resources for educators that are designed for middle school or high
school students to teach them about the events of the Holocaust.
Is the information unique, or
is it available in other places?
While information
about the Holocaust is available other places, this website offers a very
comprehensive collection of information and resources for not only the
Holocaust, but genocide events around the globe. According to the information
on the site, it is “the world’s leading online authority on the Holocaust, is
available in 15 languages and was visited in 2014 by more than 9 million people
representing 236 countries and territories”.
2. Authority - Hint: Read the "About Us" section of the
webpage to check for authority.
What
are the credentials of the author(s)/organization who produced the site?
The United States Holocaust Memorial Council (“established by
Congress in 1980”) is the governing board of the museum. It is composed of “55
members that are appointed by the President”, along with “five members from
both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives” and “three ex-officio
members from the Department of Education, Interior, and State”. The museum is
the organization responsible for creating and maintaining the website. Sara J.
Bloomfield has served as the director of the museum since 1999. She also serves
on the “International Auschwitz Council, the board of the International Council
of Museums/USA (ICOM/USA), and the advisory board of the Robert Bernstein
Institute for Human Rights at New York University School of Law”.
Is
contact information for the author(s)/organization provided? Hint: Read
the "Contact Us" section of the webpage to check for contact
information.
There is an option available to contact the museum through an
online email system. In addition, the museum has a Facebook page, a Twitter
feed, a YouTube Channel, and a Pinterest page. There is also a phone number and
email address provided for General Museum Information and Member Services,
while contact information for specific individuals is provided for various
inquiries related to different aspects of the museum.
Is
it reputable? How do you know?
Yes, I believe the information to be reputable because of the
background information provided about the museum and the number of visitors to
the site. According to the information on the “Facts and Figures” page (which
shows to have been last updated in March of 2015), the website had over “18.5
million visits in 2014” not to mention the “290 thousand email subscribers” and
numerous followers on the museum’s social media pages.
Is
this site mainly designed for product promotional purposes, or is it
mainly designed for informational purposes?
This site is designed for informational purposes because there
not product promotional ads on the website. There is a section of the site that
informs visitors about ways that they can support the museum and its goals, as
well as a page to make online donations. However, these are not the main focus
on the home page of the website.
Does
the address, specifically the domain, suggest the perspective from which
the site was designed? For example, ".edu," ".com,"
".gov" respectively imply education, commercial, and government
origins.
The website’s address is www.ushmm.org. The .org suggests that it is a site designed to represent a
non-for-profit organization and that is what this site represents.
Is appropriate attribution
given where required?
Yes, I feel that
appropriate attribution is given in regard to the elements of the museum’s
collection and exhibits that are available to view both online and in person.
3. Currency and Completeness
When
was the site last updated, and is this done regularly?
From the information that I examined, the site appears to be
updated on a regular basis. There is a page entitled “Today at the Museum” that
was updated with information and activities for the date that I viewed this
website, which was April 11, 2015. Other dates that I noticed in regards to
updating information was on a “Facts and Figures” page that showed to have been
updated last in March of 2015.
How
current are the links? Do they work?
I would say that the links are most likely current. Of the links
that I tried, every one worked to take me to an additional page or resource.
Does the site thoroughly cover
the topic?
I feel as though this
website thoroughly covers the topic of the Holocaust, as well as other past and
current genocide events.
4. Design
Are
the resources well organized and logically presented?
The resources on this website are extremely well organized and
presented in a user friendly format. On the right side of the home page, there
are four general categories for information resources: “museum information,
resources for academics and research, resources for educators, and resources
for professionals and students”. By clicking on any of these four categories,
visitors can further explore these topics and more detailed resources by
clicking on additional menu options.
Are
the text and background color choices contrasting enough for the text to
be easily read?
The information on this website is easily readable due to the
contrast between the dark background and white font found on the homepage. The
main information pages for each category are contrasted with a white background
and dark colored text, but still very readable.
Are
the graphics clear and relevant to the information being provided?
All of the graphics on this site can be seen easily against the
background of the page and appear relevant to the information being highlighted
on that particular part of the website.
Is
multimedia provided? If so, is it appropriate for the site?
Multimedia is provided on this website. On the homepage of the
site, there is a slideshow highlighting four topics of importance in relation
to the mission of the museum. Further exploration of topics presents visitors
with access to online exhibitions of collections that include photo slide shows,
as well as audio and video clips relaying information about specific topics
related to the Holocaust. For instance, there are interviews with survivors, as
well as links to videos highlighting the events that occurred during this time
period and current global genocide issues as well. Every multimedia aspect that
I encountered in my exploration of this site seemed appropriate for the site
and the content being presented.
5. Ease of Use
Is
the site user friendly with an effective interface?
I found the site to be very user friendly and with an effective
interface. Navigation to different parts of the site was not difficult and it
is designed in such a way that users can find information quickly and
efficiently.
Is
the site open to everyone? Or do some sections require registration or
payment?
Just as the museum is open to everyone and does not require an
admission fee, from what I explored, all sections of the website are free for
everyone to access.
In
what language is the site written? If the information is translated, what
other languages are given?
The website is written in English, but translations are
available in 14 other languages. Here is a list of the languages that the
website can be viewed in:English home page Show language options
Are
special needs users considered in the design? For example, are alternate
text descriptions provided for the visually impaired? How will the page
function for hearing impaired users? Hint: Look for a transcript.
On the page entitled “Website Accessibility”, it states that
“the museum wants its website to be accessible to all who wish to use it” and
that they “make every effort to be compliant with the Section 508 and W3C
accessibility guidelines”. Currently, it has “descriptive text equivalents for
all images and graphics, can be successfully read with screen readers, and can
be read and navigated with text-only browsers such as Lynx”. They are working
on offering “synchronized open captions for video and audio” soon, but those
features are unavailable at this point. In addition, they offer suggestions for
visitors on how to adjust the size of the text, font or background colors on
the site. The final part of this page offers information on how to contact the
museum if an individual has difficulty viewing the website.
Part 2: Score each of the
following websites using the criteria below. Copy Part 2 and paste it in your document. For each website,
tell the total score the website received based on the criteria. Total possible
score is four for each website.
The site is sponsored by a highly-reputable
business, professional organization, museum, university, or a United States
government department or agency.
Yes: 1 point
No: 0 points
The site has been created or updated within the last six months.
Yes: 1 point
No: 0 points
The domain is .gov, .org, or from a well-known reputable organization or
company, or the domain is .edu and the faculty maintain the site.
Yes: 1 point
No: 0 points
The purpose of the website is to present factual information.
(Based on the criteria, I felt as though this
website should be awarded all four points. I know the Mayo Clinic to be a
highly-reputable organization, the site appears to have been recently updated
and I believe that the website was created to present factual information.)
(Based on the criteria, I felt as though this
website should be awarded all four points. From what I know about Autism
Speaks, it is a highly-reputable organization, the website appears to have been
recently updated and I believe that the website was created to present factual
information.)
(I was not exactly sure about whether or not this
site has been updated within the past six months, but I saw something at the
bottom of the site that showed Nov/14, which I assumed would mean November of
2014. For that reason and the fact that the site offers online chat features, I
gave 1 point for the site having been created or updated within the past six
months. Another thing that I was not sure applied to this was the purpose of
the website being to present factual information. While I know that this site
is produced by the Bristol-Myers Squibb company and from what I know, it is a
reputable company and I believe that the information presented is based on
facts, I do not feel that is the purpose behind the creation of the website. I
think that the purpose is more geared to enticing individuals to try the
prescription drug Orencia for RA.)
D. People Magazine
Score: __3___
(The one thing that I was not sure applied to this
was the purpose of the website being to present factual information. While I
know that People is a reputable business and attempts to ensure that they
present factual information in their articles, I do not think that the intended
purpose of the site is to present information as much as it is to help sell
subscriptions.)
E. Botox
Score: _2____
(I
did a bit of additional research on the Allergan company that is behind Botox
cosmetics and the creation of this site. Based on the information that I found,
it appears to be a reputable company and that is why I awarded this site 2
points for being sponsored by a reputable company and the domain being a company
domain. Although when it comes to judging these factors, the information that I
felt was necessary to determine the scores was essentially lacking from the
website itself and therefore, the site might not be deserving of the score that
I awarded. From the information that I could find on this website, I do not
believe that it has been updated within the last six months. The Product
Information link at the bottom of the page showed that the posted product
information was dated 2013 and written in the Terms of Use information for this
site, it stated that while attempts to update information on the site were
often made, they did not guarantee the content to be up to date. I also do not
believe that the purpose of this website is to present factual information.
While it does contain information about Botox cosmetics, I feel that the
intended purpose for the site is to market the product to consumers.)
