1. Home
  2. Peer Review: Citation Machine

Peer Review

Citation Machine

Reviewed:

Oct 21, 2004 by Teacher Education
Bookmark

Ratings

Overall Rating: 4.0 stars
Content Quality: 4.5 stars
Effectiveness: 4.5 stars
Ease of Use: 5.0 stars
Overview:

The Citation Machine is designed to help students learn to create correct
reference citations. It provides models in both MLA and APA format for new
users. These created citations can be copied and pasted into word processing
documents and further formatted. There are also references to web pages that
give more detail on these formats. It helps students to understand the
importance of crediting those who write and those who create documents on the
web when writing reports or class projects.
Type of Material:

Web resource tool
Recommended Uses:

Use in classrooms where students are required to provide proper references for
materials used to support class work. This is useful to get students in the
habit of proper reference format and making them responsible for checking their
own references.
Technical Requirements:

Computers with web access and print capabilities.
Identify Major Learning Goals:

Students can learn to accurately cite resrouces in either APA or MLA formats in
their work.
Target Student Population:

Community college, undergraduate and graduate college students--any student or
faculty member who is creating a reference can use this site. Any student just
beginning to be responsible for providing references and citing materials used
will find this helpful.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

Some knowledge of the style is required. If a student is typing in a book title
in MLA style, they must capitalize words in the title. Publishing companies,
cities and states must be inputted properly with correct capitalization in order
for the citation to be accurate. Users should be able to use a web browser;
have some search skills; using the citations in a paper requires the ability to
copy and paste in a word processing program

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:

Each of the forms has been carefully designed. As students use them they will
become familiar with the types of information they need to note in each print
and electronic area. The directions on the opening page and clear and explicit
for what teachers and students can expect when using the tool.
Concerns:

Both APA and MLA have been known to make changes in their formats so ongoing
checking of the recent versions is needed to insure accuracy. While this is a
concern Mr. Warlick asks users for their input and regularly
checks the site. In order to have an accurate citation, users must have at
least minimal knowledge about conventions within the style (i.e. use of capital
letters).

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:

This easy to use resource provides access to the proper forms for both print and
electronic resources. Once introduced to the tool students can access easily
when on any computer with internet access. The forms are clearly laid out and
copy and pasting makes it easy to put the finished citations into a research
paper. Once introduced there is no reason for the student NOT to complete tasks
as assigned.
Concerns:

Students might assume that they can type in data in any form and get a correct
citation.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:

. Once introduced to the tool students can access easily when on any computer
with internet access. The forms identify all needed information and can easily
be filled out. Once created all the student must do is copy and paste into any
available word processing document.

There is at least one other site on the web that provides help to teachers using
this application for the first time. How to Use the Citation Machine is a page
created by Cherie Dargan and can be found at
http://www.hawkeye.cc.ia.us/faculty/cpost/Citation%20Machine04.htm.
Concerns:

Teachers must model for students how to make the spacing changes for the final
formatting of the required style. Students will have to be made to understand
their responsibility for this final step.
Other Issues and Comments:

This and other parts of the Landmark site are regularly updated. The site is
recommended for teachers and students at all levels.
Creative Commons:
creative-commonscreative-commons by