'' Evaluating Websites ''

This website http://esl.about.com/b/ is about learning English as a second language. The author of this website is Kenneth Beare. Kenneth has taught general English and English for Specific Purposes in Germany, New York, and Italy. He has developed numerous multi-media ESL courses for clients in Italy, England, Canada and the USA.  he also knows what it means to learn a new language in order to adjust to a different culture.

His education: 
Kenneth obtained degrees in the USA and Germany. He also received his Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) diploma from Trinity College in London.The accuracy of this website is excellent. The Facts are correct. No spelling or grammatical errors. The objectivity of this site is very good. The author present a limited perspective on the topics. The language he used is simple and easy to understand. His arguments based on reasons not on his emotions. The links which are lead to other websites are easy to read, they work  and support the author’s claims. The graphics are good. the page and graphics load quickly. The graphics fit the theme and purpose of the page. The text size and the style  are excellent. The colors are clear and appropriate for the purpose of this website. The only negative point which we found that: the homepage has a long list and themes and so many related notes and blogs on the right side  of the page that could distract the reader and confuse him . Its really good and useful website to use it with the students. It will help them to learn or improve their English language. 

 This site http://www.anglomaniacy.pl/wordgames.htm is for kids who are learning English as a foreign or second language. its logo is “the place for fun learning “. It provide good learning on a fun way that attracts young learners and keep them interested . There is a small introduction that explain  and clarify each thing the site provides. It offers to the learners on line activities and hundreds of printable  worksheets. It also has games, quizzes, songs and resources for parents and teachers. The interface and design are wonderful for kids, it has nice images and icons that fits the themes.The text  is well organized ,clear and easy to read . The background color is light and comfortable to the sight so every thing is clear and easy to see and read . The links are well organized in the links area, easy to found  and work correctly. Based on all of the above, we think that this website will be a good use for young students that expose them to English with the help and guide of their teacher, because it seems a little difficult for children to use it by their own. 

“ Wordle in EDU 401”

The role of WeQuests in learning a foreign/second language

     A new and innovative way for activities can be done through Web-quests. Web-quests are used by educators around the world to help second and foreign language learners in their learning. They provide candidates with specific resources they can use for gathering information and for solving the assigned task. It means web-quests give students a chance to read ,think critically, summarize , rewrite, reflect and do the task by their own. So, web-quests help in providing student-oriented activities that help learners to be independent in learning the target language. There will be actual learning, actual thinking and actual work. Web-quesats are inquiry-oriented lesson format that allow students to formulate questions, find solutions, investigate, discuss and reflect. In another words,students will learn independently and think critically which lead to creativity and self improvement. Through web-quests students will use the target language indirectly , they will read more and then learn better.

     A teacher can design a web-quest for collaborative work too. A group of students can be asked to work collaboratively in solving a problem and finding solutions to complete a task. she can give them list of resources they can browse via web instead of traditional ordinary tasks which will give students a chance to use the target language in its natural context through browsing.

     Web-quests can also used for project-based learning. A teacher can create a web-quest for final project that involve the students' problem solving, decision making, investigative skills, and reflection that includes teacher facilitation, but not direction.

     In conclusion, the role of web-quest in learning a second and/or a foreign language is really effective. Web-quests can be used for individual and collaborative work that help students learn greatly and effectively.