Peer Review

Poverty Education Center: Adult Education Focus: Work and Economic Security

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Jun 16, 2019 by Sociology

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

The Poverty USA website contains national statistics and educational materials to assist adult learners in understanding and creating awareness about the poverty line and living wage. The site provides four lessons or activities about living in poverty with a self-directed quiz examining factual data versus myths, an interactive map generator with poverty-related data searchable by state, stories of hope, and videos on social justice, empowerment, and community action. Users are able to access the website, activities, and resources on multiple devices and platforms.

Type of Material:

Assignment
Learning object repository
Reference material
Quiz
Workshop and training material

Recommended Uses:

In-class
Homework
Individual assignment
Team assignment
Lecture or facilitated lesson

Technical Requirements:

High Speed internet and ideally a means to share data between group members such as Google Communities.

Identify Major Learning Goals:

The learner will be able to explain how the poverty line is calculated.
The learner will be able to evaluate the poverty line as a measure to secure basic needs.
The learner will be able to analyze and compare poverty data and related demographics across the United States and by state.
The learner will be able to identify common myths and facts about poverty and a living wage.

Target Student Population:

High School, College General Ed, College Lower Division, College Upper Division.

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

It is not essential but would be helpful to have the basic course in the social sciences or applied social work. If used for distance learning, a Learning Mangement System would be necessary for group activities.

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

Presents relevant data on the issue
Provides factual evidence using quantitative data and qualitative stories
Includes activities to learn and reinforce terms and concepts

Concerns:

The sources of facts presented on Maps & Data page are not identified
There is a limited amount of sources and research included in the presentation of material
Information on prerequisite knowledge (calculating the poverty line and need or reading charts, tables, and graphs) and a glossery of terms pertaining to the issue will enhance learning
Could use more commentary and data on poverty trends over the last several years

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

Basic data on poverty is displayed using simple language and visuals including tables and videos
The data is simply presented to enhance awareness and to stimulate conversation
There is also the possibility of student sharing of their personal experiences and group dialogue to exchange points of view
There are well labeled activities which challenge learning on this subject

Concerns:

There are no learning objectives or identification of what learners will achieve by using the site or completing the activities
The website does not function as a stand-alone learning tool with relevant peer-reviewed research
Instructors and students will need to use supplemental learning materials and/or other external resources to develop prerequisite knowledge and re-enforce content for real world applications

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:

Strengths:

The website is well organized, easy to use, and accessible on multiple devices
The lessons or activities are engaging and effective in teaching the concepts of poverty, basic needs, and living wage
The interactive map provides poverty data and is searchable by state
The videos offer supplemental information regarding personal journeys and methods for collective action
All hyperlinks to external sources and site are functional

Concerns:

There is source and citation information missing from the Maps & Data section to validate the data provided
Some sections have limited resources for further inquiry or knowledge development (i.e., employment, food insecurity, education center page, etc.)
The methods to take action are limited to CCCHD missing the spirit of collective action as a social responsibility regardless of group identity or affiliation
There is source and citation information missing from the Maps & Data section to validate the data provided

Other Issues and Comments:: This website serves an important function for a diversity of people. It is important that this webpage be built into a course rather than simply an additional resource offered in a course because the webpage assumes students will do group assignments. This website may be considered as a supplemental resource or teaching tool for special topics or courses in introduction to sociology, social problems, or marriage and family.
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