by Kathy Pastores
LD Online http://www.ldonline.org
The strength of this site is its content. It has positive information with strategies - so useful for anyone who cares about a student with a learning disability. I like the annotations of items - rather than simple title lists. The site also offers interactivity with the bulletin boards and LD chat. The organization and presentation also is strong - in my opinion, an all-round terrific site.
Family Village http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/library.htm
This site has one of the broadest, family-friendly coverage of disabilities or health conditions related to children. Under each specific disability or health need, information is offered on who to contact, more about it, and related websites. While the content is excellent, I find the home page unclear; I wouldn't start by looking under library for information on disabilities. (Note that I took you directly to the disability info rather than the main homepage.) The cutesy icons are not clear in my opinion, as to where they will lead. For example, Shopping Mall, depicted by a wrapped present, offers resources for adaptive products and assistive technology. Also, the site map isn't really a map but an alphabetical listing of all topics. Still, when I want up-to-date, sensitive information about a child's disability, this is where I start.
The Biology Project, University of Arizona http://www.biology.arizona.edu
OK, it is probably heretical to suggest a U of A site in an ASU West class but this site's content and interactivity are strengths. Includes information on biochemistry, cell biology, chemicals and human health, immunology, etc. It offers complex information in highly visual ways with self-tests to engage learners. Organization is very linear.
KidsHealth http://kidshealth.org
This site has a popular magazine look to its homepage but the organization of information for parents, for kids, and for teens is respectful of its audience. Somewhat slow loading but a lot of information. Parents' content includes general health, infections, emotions and behavior, growth and development, nutrition and fitness, pregnancy and newborns, medical problems, etc. Teen content includes body basics, mind matters, sexual health, food and fitness, health problems, what's new for teens, etc.
Sporting News http://tsn.sportingnews.com
This site takes a different approach, squeezing information into every nook of the page. Offers many ways to navigate the site - by sport, by team, by issues. This is probably a good read of their audience. Sports maniacs want information access, lots of it. They probably wouldn't be put off by how busy the site is. Some interactivity - a question on how to protect pitchers with an opportunity to vote.
The Behavior Home Page, Kentucky Dept. of Ed http://www.state.ky.us/agencies/behave/homepage.html
The Behavior Home Page probably has too much verbiage and not enough open space or graphics to be particularly visually pleasing. However, the content is far reaching. A navigation bar on the left organizes the site by sections: Interactivity (with a webquest), Behavioral Interventions (with a useful piece on time out procedures, often misused), Links (with Behavioral and Social Skill resources), etc. There are also links between academic frustration and behavior with several articles on reading. A few links didn't work and I couldn't a past article I've referenced on managing aggressive behavior.
Access Excellence http://www.accessexcellence.com
Unusual choice of pictures/graphics on home page but clean, straightforward look. Website sponsored by Genentech. Much detailed information - content is a strength. It is meant for health/bioscience teachers and learners. Includes a graphics gallery of labeled diagrams with explanations representing the important processes of biotechnology from genetics to viruses to a body atlas. Classic collection includes information on genetic counseling. I wondered by certain lower levels were placed where they are. For example, why is the graphics gallery under About Biotech?
National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities
Wordy site with almost no graphics - hasn't changed much over time. Still, their information is regularly updated and content is trustworthy. Info on IDEA, en espanol, on disability organizations, state resource sheets, etc.
ADDitude magazine http://www.additudemag.com
Different looks in Netscape and Explorer - site adapted for both. The Netscape version is older (e.g., premier magazine issue shown rather than current issue). While there is a good variety of topics offered, sometimes the underlying topics are limited. For example, under adolescents, only one article on teen driving was found - no other issues. Information on children and young adults with ADD, ADD test, ask the coach, food and nutrition, health insurance, ask the doctor, etc.
Education Central at Parent Soup http://www.parentsoup.com/edcentral
I love this site - very friendly and welcoming. You can explore the site by topics or grade levels. Solid, family friendly information on standardized testing, fun learning, ADD/ADHD, home schooling, etc.