im making an educational website for children any one got any tips?
I’m making educational website for primary school kids specifically year 5. I done research on usability, educational theories and primary research with kids. However am looking for some more practical advice from educators. I’m thinking of focusing on; English, Maths or Science as they all appear good areas for the children can experiments and build on skills. The software will be for groups of children to use and will use experiential learning. Does any one know any good software I can look at? Or reviews of software? I have looked at Organ Trail Also what features would you personal like to find and of course why? Also any advice will be welcome.
I will of course be using some knowledge of linguistic and a spell checker, as I am dyslexic.
Have you asked the kids about what they might like to see on there. Also, just like "Adult Education", keep it simple and don’t get all carried away.
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October 29, 2009
12:03 pm
Have you asked the kids about what they might like to see on there. Also, just like "Adult Education", keep it simple and don’t get all carried away.
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October 29, 2009
12:25 pm
Look at some other educational sites for ideas. Having some fun games on there to keep them interested. Make things easy to read and big. don’t have huge chunks of writing, little children don’t want to read a bunch of tiny writing. have fun pictures, colors. create interactive problems
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October 29, 2009
1:06 pm
You ought to focus on children’s SPELLING, and children’s GRAMMAR, at the age you specify, and try to make these two points alone of PRIMARY importance in the websites you want to make. For instance–”theories and primary research with ”kids”…the correct terminology in this sentence is–”theories and primary research with CHILDREN…and not ”kids” as you say, because ”kids” are so obviously baby goat’s, and NOT children. Also, in the ‘grammatical’–you say; ”i done research on…..”, when the correct terminology for the begining of that sentence is; ”i HAVE researched upon…” Please do not think that i am criticising your website, nor your work-(nor your own spelling and grammar!!)-as i do believe you have all the children’s best interest’s at heart–but spelling and grammar-ALONG with MATHEMATICAL acumen, MUST be foremost in your mind when considering this website.
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October 29, 2009
1:18 pm
First, it is critical that you sort out your content before starting to design the website. Once you have your specific topic, subject, lesson or set of tasks, you should write a detailed ‘storyboard’ (including all text, images, sounds, etc) so that you will know exactly what will go on each page.
You also need to work out precisely how the site will be navigated and have that detailed. In fact, you need to have the whole website planned in detail, before you start designing and building the site.
As you build the website, some of the things you have detailed will work, and some won’t, so it will very likely evolve, to some extent, as you progress. The storyboard and script will help you to stay focused and prevent you losing your way.
Most importantly, make it simple to use – easy to navigate, if the children will have to make choices. Or, navigation can be automatic – based on which answers a child gives.
Make it bright, attractive and exciting, but not busy. A few, relevant animations would be good for a children’s website, especially if they are humorous and memorable – they will aid retention of learning. Appropriate sounds can also be used, sparingly. Remember, less is more!
Use fonts carefully – Arial is good as the main one, but use fancier ones very sparsely – they are usually very distracting. You might stick to a basic font, but use different colours for specific tasks – don’t use more than 3 colours on a page and be aware that some children will be colourblind, which affects their interpretation/recognition of certain colours.
Make sure font size for basic text is the same throughout.
Titles may vary in size, according to their use, but make sure that they are consistent within each type of use.
Make sure the website has continuity and cohesion. Create a basic layout, to be used on every page. Choose one colour that will be carried throughout the website.
Make sure the tasks or problems are interesting and that the average child can identify with them.
It is also very important that you check that any educational principles, concepts etc that you use, are proven, age appropriate, accurately reproduced and universally acceptable.
Google: "website design" educational
"website design" children
for selective advice on design.
You could also check out some educational websites, and note their good points and bad points, from a child’s point of view.
Hope this is some help.
References :
Teacher of ICT
October 29, 2009
2:00 pm
i think there are lots of things you could do. first, do you know any children of that age? if you do then it is probably best to ask them what they would find helpful. you could also look at other revision sites to see what they use (bbc bitesize is good) and use similar designs. you can also link to other web pages that might be useful. one other thing you could do is buy a few of the letts revision guides for that age and look at the things they need to know, then use the information on your site. also create and add some worksheets to the site using word, maybe a few PowerPoint presentations as well. good luck with the site, could you send me the address of it when you are done as i know someone in that age group who is struggling to find good sites. Hope this helps
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years of revising using the internet and books!
October 29, 2009
2:32 pm
Yeah I have some tips.
Do it for older kids too, just because we arn’t as young doesn’t mean we don’t need the help. That’s why most of us that are like 12 or 13 are dumb is because everyone is too busy doing everything with the younger kids! We are stil kids you know! Oh & just search sites, put all that stuff together & it will be the best site ever!
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October 29, 2009
2:52 pm
hi
i’ve built a site recently for parents – not intended for kids to use really.
definitely look at how much stuff you will be putting on there and how you will categorise them and think about the structure/navigation of the site.
let me know how you get on – I’d be happy to work together in some way that will be mutually beneficial.
My users are predominantly Reception, Year 1 and Year 2.
Hope this is of interest!
References :
http://www.KeyStagePlus.co.uk