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Primary and Secondary Sources

by Jen Klaudinyi
 

Ratings

Overall Rating:

5 stars
Content Quality: 5 stars
Effectiveness: 5 stars
Ease of Use: 5 stars
Reviewed: Dec 04, 2011 by Library and Information Services
Overview: This tutorial works to help users understand what items would be considered Primary Sources and what items would be considered Secondary Sources. It features an interactive quiz at the end. This tutorial will be useful to students at High School, College General Ed, College Lower Division levels when completing research assignments. The tutorial offers the option of close captioning. Further, the tutorial moves at a steady, reasonable pace. A feature of the tutorial is the ability to use the keys to repeat sections or to move ahead if so desired.
Learning Goals: Students using this tutorial will be able to distinguish between primary and secondary sources. Students using this tutorial will also be able to use primary and secondary resources appropriately when conducting research.
Target Student Population: This tutorial will be useful to students at High School, College General Ed, College Lower Division levels when completing research assignments.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills: None
Type of Material: Tutorial
Recommended Uses: This tutorial could be used in class as part of an overall research skills session. It could also be used by individuals who wish to learn the skills presented.
Technical Requirements: Flash

Evaluation and Observation

Content Quality

Rating: 5 stars
Strengths: This tutorial is an excellent introduction to primary and secondary sources. It is clear and concise. The tutorial gives excellent definitions on the differences between primary and secondary sources and when they are to be used. Another strength is the section on the relative nature of both types of sources. Very well done. s very clear and easy to follow. It can be used individually or in a group. It takes the concept of primary and secondary sources and completely explains what they are in a fun and interactive way.
Concerns: None.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating: 5 stars
Strengths: This tutorial does an excellent job of scaffolding, or building on prior concepts. Relationships between concepts are clearly demonstrated. It identifies the learning objectives at the very beginning which are to understand the difference between primary and secondary sources and when and why use them.
Concerns: None

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating: 5 stars
Strengths: A particular strength of this tutorial is the clean look and feel of the material. The document is not cluttered when presenting information. The tutorial is visually appealing. It also features an interactive quiz based on the concepts presented.
Concerns: None

Other Issues and Comments: This is an excellent tutorial. Information is clearly presented in an organized fashion. As well, the information include is high quality. I would have no reservations about using this tutorial.
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