Website Evaluation

The purpose of website evaluations is to examine the reliability, usability, and credibility of various websites for student use. Evaluations seek to identify the site's author, publisher, references, modification dates, contact information, and to determine whether the site is safe to use , easy to navigate, and helpful for the target audience.

Evaluation #1: Funbrain.com - Free educational games for Pre-K through 8th Grade Students

Conclusion: Recommended site for young learners (with slight reservations)

Explanation: Funbrain is a free, interactive, educational game site designed for children Pre-K to 8th grade. It is meant to provide a plethora of enjoyable games, books, comics, and videos that aid in the development of reading/literacy, problem-solving, and math skills for young learners. I recommend this site with reservations due to the lack of information posted - including modification dates and credible references. However, the publishers mention having a positive, long-standing reputation (since 1997) with the education community. This claim, with further research, appears to be true. The original Funbrain website was published by the Family Education Network, a part of Pearson - a highly credible association. It appears that Pearson sold the Family Education Network to Sandbox Partners, who were listed as the publisher on a previous version of the website. Yet, on the newest Funbrain website, which is the focus of this evaluation, the publisher is now listed as Funbrain Holdings LLC. Though this may be a credible source, I was unable to find information about this publisher outside of the website itself, and no credible references are mentioned. In addition, a user may experience difficulty with videos unless using a Firefox browser. Nonetheless, the content of the website seems unchanged from previously appraised versions and remains clear, comprehensible, safe, and free to use - making it a viable resource for young learners.