Analysis of the websites

1- www.childrenslibrary.org

Accuracy:

International Children‘s digital library is a site where students can choose the book they want to read. The books are read online. The page content is reliable. The mission of the International Children's Digital Library Foundation is to support the world's children in becoming effective members of the global community - who exhibit tolerance and respect for diverse cultures, languages and ideas -- by making the best in children's literature available online free of charge. The Foundation pursues its vision by building a digital library of outstanding children's books from around the world and supporting communities of children and adults in exploring and using this literature through innovative technology designed in close partnership with children for children.

Currency:

The books are constantly updated because there is an option that says “Recently added” and there you can find some books.

Content:

The page is appropriate for children and teenagers. It very easy to navigate as the site is easy. You don’t need to go somewhere else to read a book. Everything is there and you can also read the book online. The site is very attractive as regards colours, pictures and drawings. Especially when the book is being uploaded there is a caterpillar walking telling you that you have to wait.

Functionality:

All options work well, there are no problems. You don’t need to install any special program to read the books.

2- www.englishforum.com

Accuracy:

English forum is a site where you can find different sections. These are: students; good school guide; interactive exercises; ELT books; messages; teachers; dictionaries and reference; tell a friend and visitor survey. You can also find the latest news of the day and specials. Activities are done online and you can also check the answers and receive feedback on them. The page content is reliable.

Currency:

The content of the page is updated. I can see that there are today’s news. It is very easy to navigate.

Content:

There are different kind of things here. You can find news, specials and interactive activities that can be done online. You can also post a message by clicking on the “message” option.

Functionality:

This site works very well. Links are not broken and it is easy to navigate. You don’t need to have a special programm to do the activities online.

3- www.spellingcity.com

Accuracy:

Spelling city. Com is a site where there are efficient games- based studies of literacy skills using any word list. This site can be visited and navigated by everyone because the level is very broad.

Currency:

In this site I couldn’t find a place that talks about the last entries made but the material is updated, it isn’t old fashioned.

Content:

In this site you can find spelling tests, vocabulary tests, flashcards, games and printable worksheets. At the very end of the page you can find some links for more writing, vocabulary activities online and games.

Functionality:

The site works well. There are no broken links but in this case you have PDF material to download, so you need a special program to download them. 4- www.voanews.com

Accuracy:

Voa news is a site where you can find news from all around the world. This site is appropriate for intermediate and advanced levels, not elementary or pre- intermediate levels. The page is reliable and factually correct.

Currency:

This site is updated because I found news from 5’ ago. I could also find news about the Olympic Games in London. The information presented is real and is set in time and place.

Content:

In this site you will basically find news and some articles on a specific topic, for example: food vs. fuel. You can find news from different countries such as: USA, Africa, Asia, Mideast and Europe. There are different sections as well, where you can find news and articles about science and technology, entertainment, economy, blogs and programs. There is a “highlight” section where you can find the top news from around the world.

Functionality:

The site works well. There are no broken links and you don’t need a special program to read the news online.

5- www. buenosairesherald .com

Accuracy:

The Buenos aires herald site is a place where you can find all kinds of news from all around the world. This site is appropriate for advanced levels. The page is reliable and factually correct.

Currency:

The site is updated because I see today’s date and weather. The news from all around the world are updated because I see comments from minutes ago.

Content:

In this newspaper you can find different sections such as: Argentina, world, Latin America, entertainment, sports, multimedia and classifieds. You can also consult the date and the weather. This site allows the reader to post a comment on a specific piece of new.

Functionality:

The site works well. There are no broken links and you don’t need any special program to read the news or watch the multimedia videos.

6- www.colorincolorado.com

Accuracy:

This updated section features a number of new articles and resources about implementing the new Common Core State Standards with English language learners, including articles, presentations, video interviews, and bilingual parent information.

Currency:

The site is updated because the last entry was on the 14th August 2012. In this site, you can also see a section called “New on colorin Colorado”, where you find material resented added.

Content:

In this site you can find different sections such as: For educators, for administrators, for librarians, for families, books and authors, glossary, webcasts, multimedia, etc. In this site, the user hasn’t the possibility of posting anything.

Functionality:

The site works well and there are no broken links. You don’t need any special program to read and to the activities online.

7- www.bbc.co.uk

Accuracy:

This site is place where you can find news from all around the world. It is recommendable for advanced levels rather than lower levels. The page is reliable and factually correct.

Currency:

The site is updated because I found the weather in London for the following day. The news and information presented there are also up- to- date.

Content:

The site is divided in different sections such as: News, sport, weather, travel, future, TV, radio and more. You can access each of the sections and read what is in there.

Functionality:

The site works well and there are no broken links. You don’t need any special program to access and read the different parts of the website.

8- www.englishpage.com

Accuracy:

This site is a place where you can find tutorials for advanced learners on different topics. You also have at your disposal a variety of dictionaries online.

Currency:

Although I couldn’t find a place that says the last entry, the material seemed updated and interactive.

Content:

As I said before, you can find tutorials such as: Weekly lesson, vocabulary, verb tenses, conditionals, modals, gerunds, prepositions, mini- tutorials, irregular verbs, reading room, listening lounge, games, student forums and English schools. In the dictionary section you can find different dictionaries such as: English- foreign, English- English, irregular verbs, phrasal verbs and verb + preposition. On the right, you have some links to access for more materials and exam practice.

Functionality:

The site works well and the links are not broken. You don’t need any special program to visit the tutorials online.

9- www.englishforbabies.com

Accuracy:

English for babies is an exclusive English teaching program which takes advantage of the unique chance that your baby has to learn most of the structures of the English language, acquire native- like pronunciation and fluency and forever optimise his or her intellectual capacity in different areas.

Currency:

The page is updated because I could find a section that talked about teacher meetings in 2011.

Content:

The site is divided in four main sections. The first one is called material, the second one is FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions), the third one is educational institutions and the last one is called events for teachers.

Functionality:

The site works well and there are no broken links. You don’t need any special program to do the activities online and the source is confident and reliable.

10- www.oup.com/elt/englishfile

Accuracy:

This site offers a great deal of activities about all English skills. It has online activities and you check them online as well by clicking the “Check answers” option.

Currency:

The site is updated because the book is relatively new. The activities are interactive and students receive feedback each time they do an activity of any kind.

Content:

This site is divided in different sections which I am going to enumerate and explain briefly what they consist about.

a-Grammar: Students can practice their grammar with exercises from each unit of the book.

b-Vocabulary: Students can practise their vocabulary with exercises from each unit of the book.

c- Pronunciation: Students can practice the sounds of English, and play sounds and word stress games.

d-Practical English: Students can listen and learn phrases, and do “Spot the mistake” activities.

e-Audio words: Students can listen to the words, learn them and add their translation to their own native language.

f- Leaning record: Students can download the study link learning record which is in PDF.

g-Text builder: Students can read and complete texts from the student’s book.

h-Links: These are links to websites for learning more about the topics in New English File Elementary.

i- Games: Students can have some fun with the New English File Elementary games and learn English at the same time.

j- Mini phrase book: This is for downloading two pages of practical English for travelling. You can get these pages in colour or black and white. These pages are in PDF.

Functionality:

The site works well although I cannot access with the link. The site is reliable and in this case you need Flash Player to do some of the activities online.