I evaluated a MERLOT learning material called “Voyage Virtuel.” The material is found via MERLOT at the following URL: http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=88300
Quality of Content:
The learning material provides valid concepts, and accurate models of French geography. It covers educationally significant concepts and skills for any level of French.
1. Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching-Learning Tool
Quality of Content:
The learning material provides valid concepts, and accurate models of French geography. It covers educationally significant concepts and skills for any level of French.
1. Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching-Learning Tool
a. Explanation:
The learning material provides an introductory tour of French geography. It provides an interactive website that allows the user to click on various French cities and then provides essential facts that make that city or region special.
b. Demonstration:
The website is in French and reads at a beginner’s level. The resource would be a valuable resource at any level of French. It covers essential geographic features and facts that are required to learn for all levels of French.
c. Practice:
The website is interactive and provides an overview of French geography. It is important that students are well acquainted with the various geographic features of France. The learning material provides the learner to access information visually (by using the interactive map) or by using a drop menu that provides a list of the cities displayed on the map. Learners can then read and explore the text and reinforce French vocabulary and culture. The site also provides education pictures of each city and region.
d. Applying:
The learning material is very user friendly and would work well in numerous units covered in the French language. For example, this learning material could be used for not only geography, but for food, history, weather, and activity units.
2. What is(are) the learning objective(s)? What should students be able to do after successfully learning with the materials?
After using this learning material students should be able to name the rivers, mountains, adjacent bodies of water, cities, and regions. Students will also be able to recall general facts about each city, (i.e. food, commerce, attractions, etc.) in France and explain what makes France an attractive touristic country.
3. What are the characteristics of the target learner(s)
The target audience for this learning resource are students of French and those planning a trip to France. Learners using this resource have an interest in France’s geography as well as in French culture.
4. Does the interactive/media-rich presentation of material improve faculty and students' abilities to teach and learn the materials?
The interactive presentation of material improves both faculty’s ability to teach and students’ ability to learn the material.
5. Can the use of the software be readily integrated into current curriculum and pedagogy within the discipline?
There is no new software presented in the learning material, but the use of the material would be easily integrated into the current curriculum and pedagogy within the French discipline.
6. Can the software be used in a variety of ways to achieve teaching and learning goals?
The material can be used in a variety of ways and will enhance learning to better achieve teaching and learning goals.
7. Are the teaching-learning goals easy to identify?
The website provides an introduction to French geography. Learners and teachers alike would be able to easily identify teaching-learning goals.
8. Can good learning assignments for using the software application be written easily?
It would be very easy to write up great learning assignments using this website.
East of Use:
1. Are the labels, buttons, menus, text, and general layout of the computer interface consistent and visually distinct?
Yes, this learning material has a very general and consistent layout.
2. Does the user get trapped in the material?
No, it is very easy to navigate through this website.
3. Can the user get lost easily in the material?
Depending on the level the language students is at, it may be difficult to learn all the information presented. The site is entirely in French, so first and second year students would have to put forth great effort to learn geographic concepts presented.
4. Does the module provide feedback about the system status and the user's responses?
No, there is no feedback provided. This question doesn’t really apply to this learning material.
5. Does the module provide appropriate flexibility in its use?
The website is flexible. The user can navigate the material in whatever way is directed or wanted.
6. Does the learning material require a lot of documentation, technical support, and/or instruction for most students to successfully use the software?
No, there is no software to use.
7. Does the material present information in ways that are familiar for students?
Yes, the material is presented in a very clear and simple way. It is like an interactive textbook.
8. Does the material present information in ways that would be attractive to students?
Yes, the material is presented in a very attractive and useful way for students.
