1. Home
  2. Peer Review: Overview of the Kibbutz Movement

Peer Review

Overview of the Kibbutz Movement

Reviewed:
May 21, 2020 by Sociology
Bookmark

Ratings

Overall Rating: 4.2 stars
Content Quality: 4.5 stars
Effectiveness: 4.2 stars
Ease of Use: 4.2 stars
Overview:

The kibbutz (Hebrew word for “communal settlement”) is a unique rural community; a society dedicated to mutual aid and social justice; a socioeconomic system based on the principle of joint ownership of property, equality and cooperation of production, consumption and education; the fulfillment of the idea “from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs”; a home for those who have chosen it. The Jewish Virtual Library provides a history and overview of this communal social structure.

Type of Material:
  • Case study
  • Collection of reference material
  • Learning object repository
  • Reference material
Recommended Uses:
  • In-class
  • Homework
  • Individual assignment
  • Team assignment
  • Lecture
Technical Requirements:

Internet browser

Identify Major Learning Goals:
  • The learner will be able to define the Kibbutz and their contributions to society
  • The learner will be able to recognize the historical impact of the Kibbutz
  • The learner will be able to identify cultural elements and festivals of the Kibbutz
Target Student Population:

Middle School, High School, College General Ed, College Lower Division, College Upper Division, Graduate School, Professional

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
  • Fundamentals of  sociology (i.e., culture, socialization, identify, groups and organizations)
  • Some understanding of early 20th century history would be helpful for context

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:

This is part of the larger site Jewish Virtual Library.  Sometimes it is difficult to review all the content.  By connecting directly to the Kibbitz page, it offers students the ability to quickly understand Kibbutz structure.  The information provided is concise and provides insights into Jewish culture, including descriptions of a variety of Kibbutz organizations.  It also provides students the opportunity to explore Jewish culture.  The material is well-organized and concise.

Concerns:

The site offers a basic framework of study; however, incorporating additional sources from other researchers and studies on related topics will offer a comprehensive, balanced learning experience.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:
  • The site provides an overview with a glossary of terms to build knowledge and comprehension
  • Other information from the Jewish Virtual Library is accessible on each webpage to access other related information
  • The areas covered on the history and overview makes it very easy to compare cultures.  The Then and Now features help students to see how societies can change
Concerns:
  • The site does not function as a stand-alone resource for use in sociology courses
  • Instructors and students will need to use supplemental learning materials and/or other external resources to re-enforce content with real world application
  • Information is presented in an encyclopedia-type format, not as a teaching or learning tool for easy adoption or integration into lesson plans

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:

The site is easily navigatable.  The information is concise and clear making it easy for students to explore the information on the site.  It also offers opportunities for further explorations.  It works well; the website isn't cluttered.

Concerns:
  • There are limited number of images, charts, or data tables
  • The site has limited interactions or methods of discovery for learners
  • There are no learning assessments embedded to measure comprehension
Other Issues and Comments:

This site is recommended as a supplemental resource for topic or seminar courses with an emphasis in culture, race and ethnicity, and/or religion.

Creative Commons:
creative-commonscreative-commons by