Peer Review

ArtLex Art Dictionary

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Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: ArtLex is an online dictionary of art-related terms for artists, collectors,
students, and educators in art production, criticism, history, aesthetics, and
education. Certain terminology within each definition is linked to that word's
definition. Many visual examples of art genres are also linked to the
definitions. Users search by clicking on the beginning letter of the word. An
linked alphabetical listing of some of the longer articles is also provided.
Type of Material:: Resource/reference material.
Recommended Uses:: In teacher education this would be a good site for an arts methods class, an
educational foundations class, and, and/or graduate resources in arts education.
Technical Requirements:: The webnsite is designed for a browser that supports frames.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: Users will be able to search the online dictionary for any art-related term and
find definitions, supporting images, and related links for further information.
Target Student Population:: Educators, students, collectors, and artists of all ages.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: Basic web site operation skills . A basic understanding of art terminology
would also be helpful, as users must know the word for which they are searching.

Rating:
Strengths:: This site is a tremendous repository of art-related terminology. Numerous links
are provided for further investigation. Researching terms and definitions is
extremely rewarding at this site because within the definitions are imbedded
links to other definitions and examples--all cross-curricular in nature. The
many visual examples that support the art definitions are strong content in
themselves. Teachers can make good and creative use of them in their lessons.
Concerns:: None.

Rating:
Strengths:: This site could be used for independent study, review, research, and
investigation due to the many, many imbedded links found in the text. The
online accessibility coupled with the interactive text and rich set of images
makes it useful to anyone interested in learning about art. Teachers could
easily adapt or design small group investigations or presentation assignments on
one or more of the concepts or articles found within this site.
Concerns:: None.

Rating:
Strengths:: The site is extremely easy to use. The page layouts are consistent, easy to
read, and attractive to the eye. The information and links for using the online
art dictionary are all found on the opening page. The alphabetical index and
shortcuts are always visible in a separate frame on the left while viewing any
selected word within the dictionary. This online dictionary has words listed by
alphabetical grouping. There is no search engine, but the words can be found
easily. The images used in this dictionary are large enough to view, but not so
large that they take any time to load. No technical support should be needed.
Concerns:: This site has not been Bobby Approved.

Other Issues and Comments:: As in any art education setting online or otherwise, teachers should be aware
that nude is a word that is used in teaching art and the definition of it in
this online dictionary does include some famous art images. The author, Michael
Delahunt, actively maintains the site for currency and openly seeks critiques
and improvement for the site. He asks users to please send questions / comments
/ suggestions for additions, changes, deletions, etc. to delahunt@artlex.com
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