Peer Review

Ryan Sallans

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Feb 15, 2016 by Psychology

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

This website chronicles the personal narrative about one person's journey through sexuality and gender identity. The site overviews the psychological, social and biological processes of a sex change and highlights the transition process of a transgender individual.

Type of Material:

Case Study (with video and social networking features)

Recommended Uses:

• This website could be used as a case study for an assignment about transgender people and issues. There are several videos, blog posts and even a digital timeline by the author that details his experiences. • This website would inform class discussion of transgender issues. • Finally, the site also could prove useful as an example of how a website may be built out and used to track progression in major life transitions.

Technical Requirements:

Two reviewers successfully accessed and surfed the website using Google Chrome.

Identify Major Learning Goals:

The purpose of this website is to share the story of Ryan Sallans, a transgender person. It also serves as a promotional site for his work as an author and speaker. After reviewing this website, students will be able to:

1. Identify the psychological, social and biological processes of a sex change based on one person’s story.

2. Describe the examples of oppression and discrimination experienced by transgender people.

Target Student Population:

• The content of this site would be useful in both undergraduate and graduate level coursework in psychology, biology, social work, or sociology. • Undergraduates or graduates studying human sexuality, gender identity and transgenderism will find the site particularly beneficial.

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

• Only basic computer navigation skills would be needed to successfully use this site. • Some knowledge of gender identity and gender theory--and a basic of understanding of transgenderism--would be useful.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:: • This website offers a comprehensive look at one person’s transition from female to male. The topic is valuable in its attention to the needs and issues of transgender individuals. Additionally, the website provides educational materials for people who want to learn more about what it is like to be transgender and also provides resources for individuals who are transitioning. • The content explains the topic in a way that is easily understandable and yet enlightening.
Concerns:: • The content on the website’s blog has not been updated since May 2015.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:: • The effective, visual nature in which the content is delivered is the most outstanding feature of this site. Its succinct deliverance would not turn students away from participating outside of class, and would enable faculty to use in-classroom assignments, as well, in short amounts of time to present useful information.
Concerns:: • The site is not specifically designed for academic purposes. There are no learning outcomes associated with this website, and there are no resources for educators that include different types of assignments that could be used with the material. Instructors will need to develop their own learning outcomes and related activities.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: • Overall the site is visually appealing and easy to navigate. Content is readily accessed from multiple locations. • Contact information for the site’s author is made available. • The site also allows for multiple social sharing/liking options, which gives it a contemporary flavor.
Concerns:: • The content appears professionally developed and presented but is not specifically developed for use in the classroom. Instructors will want to develop assignments (e.g., discussion protocols) and provide supporting references that explore and augment the presented website content.

Other Issues and Comments:: This website offers a brave story about one person’s experience as a transgender adult. The author has several social media accounts associated with the website and includes contact information, which may be of benefit to transgender students, instructors looking for a book or guest speaker for class, or institutions wanting bring the author to their campus.
Creative Commons: