Peer Review

The Webby Awards

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Jun 1, 2009 by Business

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: The Webby Awards is the premier honor for Web sites,interactive advertising, online film and video, and mobile. The awards are presently annually by The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. The IADAS is dedicated to testing the intersection of culture and technology and finding the best works in emerging technologies. There are 25 categories, ranging from Activism and Community to Education and Fashion to Science and Spirituality.
Type of Material:: Collection
Recommended Uses:: Uses could include homework, individual or team projects, or serve as a basis for a class lecture.
Technical Requirements:: Browser
Identify Major Learning Goals:: The purpose of the site is to honor recipients in 25 categories who have done the best work in presenting information in four categories: websites; interactive advertising; online film and video; and mobile. The users of the information could have sources which are regarded as preeminent in their particular fields. This site is designed strictly as a clearinghouse for current nominees and past winners of the Webby Awards, as well as information on submitting entries and the contest in general. Its learning value is dependent upon the user.
Target Student Population:: Anyone interested in web-based communication efforts, particularly the best of the best. The module is particularly appropriate for Marketing, Communications or Computer Information Systems courses, at all levels of instruction.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: No specific skills are required, though an understanding of marketing communications may be helpful in appreciating why the winners were chosen.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:: The diversity of subject material is a positive for this collection of data. The entities represented are very broad-based, including the B.B.C., National Georgraphic, Martha Steward Living and Wikipedia. For what the site is designed to be, it does a very good job. Housed at this location is information on what the Webby Awards are, how to enter, past winners and also speeches (which interestingly enough can only be 5 words long). Award winners from 1997-present can be found on the site, along with contest sponsors and some description of the International Academy for Digital Arts & Sciences, as well as the voting membership.
Concerns:: It would be a plus to know how the judges are selected, and what the specific rules and criteria for winning entailed. Also, an important factor that would add credibility to the site would be an explanation of whether or not sponsors of the The Webby Awards are allowed to be entered into the competition that particular year. This would avoid any conflict of interest and ensure a lack of bias on the judges' participation and decision making. Although winners and nominees are listed, along with corresponding links to each submission, there is no obvious discussion regarding what made the winners submission better than the rest. For the novice observer, this may diminish the educational value.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:: To be fair, the module was not designed to be a teaching tool as much as it was designed to simply provide examples/information. The value in the site is the one-stop shop for links to some of the best Internet sites/applications, which can then be easily incorporated into class lectures or assignments. The Webby Awards give a strong overview of what technology can provide in the way of information in a variety of interest areas.
Concerns:: Since the site was not created with any embedded assignment, instructors wishing to utilize the links would need to develop an associated exercise. Instructors may also wish to highlight/discuss with students why the winners were likely chosen to increase educational value.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: The modules website is easy to understand and to navigate. Focal areas are clearly marked, and all embedded links appear to be functional. Search options, an email sign-up sheet, and sponsors are all provided, which increases the usability of the site.
Concerns:: None.

Other Issues and Comments:: The only issue of concern is the judges' selection process, length of service on the winners' committee, and the criteria applied to the winning selections in the four categories.
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