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Peer Review

Backyard Nature

Reviewed:

Mar 31, 2016 by Biology
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Ratings

Overall Rating: 3.8 stars
Content Quality: 4.2 stars
Effectiveness: 3.8 stars
Ease of Use: 3.8 stars
Overview:

This Website contains information about ecology, plants, geology, animals, and more. It gives examples that you can find in your own backyard to become a "backyard naturalist". Pictures, diagrams, and ideas for projects make this an educational and fun Website.
Type of Material:

Reference Material
Recommended Uses:

This material can be used by anyone who is interested in organisms that can be found outside.
Technical Requirements:

This site requires a computer and access to the Internet.
Identify Major Learning Goals:

  • The user will appreciate flora, fauna and rocks found in nature, in many cases literally in their own backyard
  • This site promotes naturalism
Target Student Population:

  • General Public
  • Beginning Naturalists
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

There are no pre-requisites for this website.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:

  • Good pictures
  • Good descriptions
  • Provides lots of useful information for all age groups
  • Accurate and detailed information
  • Provides many alternative resources for learning more on the subject
Concerns:

  • Not enough pictures
  • relies too much on outside links
  • Can not read the converting lawn to garden page
  • Needs to be updated

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:

  • Lots of detailed information for all seasons
  • Provides weekly newsletters for backyard enthusiasts
  • Provides lots of pictures for identification of flora and fauna, as well geological structures
  • Gives information for future outdoor projects and things for children to do outside
Concerns:

  • It would be hard to design coursework for
  • It is geared for the general public, so it only gives basic information

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:

  • The site is very easy to maneuver around
  • The layout is simple and effective
  • Items are appropriately labeled
Concerns:

  • Often sends the user to outside links
  • It is not very appealing.
Other Issues and Comments:

I think the site starts with a good idea, to promote naturalism. The information is fairly general and so I think it is better for someone who wants to be a backyard naturalist rather than a professional. I was turned off by the many ads. I understand that the author needs to pay for it, but I felt the purpose was more to sell me something. No information is provided concerning copyright status of the site.
Creative Commons:
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