Good websites are not always easy to locate. Too often I look for specific, detailed information and become extremely frustrated by finding websites that are totally irrelevant or have little information to offer. Whenever I do find valuable websites, I try to add them to my favorites list for future use. One of this URL’s I added is,” www.tcet.unt.edu/start/”. I came across it by goggling for professional development in the four TA TEKS strands. The title of the website is “Technology Applications Center for Educator Development”.
As soon as the site opened I liked the overall design. The overview is easy to see and understand. Six areas are targeted with clearly labeled colorful titles navigating to more information. Each title is explained and described and enhanced with an additional icon. Also, what I really appreciated were the four big links at the bottom of the page referring to other important agencies relevant to education. The page also includes an email address for contact, copy write information, date of creation and credit information; therefore authenticity can be easily proven.
The information I found on the website was very helpful and resourceful to what I was looking for. Each key area has many additional resource links to much additional information. The titles are labeled properly and the content of the sites relates to the main ideas stated. What I really liked is that at the bottom of the links were the original six key icons, allowing easy access back to each of their main links. I found what I was looking for in regards to technology professional development and was furthermore able to research a variety of additional information, including technology assessment tools and clarifying activities. With the demands to bring all Texas learners into the 21st century by the year 2020, this website provides adequate information to supply educators and administration with data needed. I was nice to have all this information available through the use of only one website, which without a doubt is valuable to all educators.
However, there are also some minor down sides to this website. Looking throughout the design I did not see any question capabilities. In addition, I noticed that some of the links no longer exist, and can not be accessed. Also some links can not be reached, since URL formats have changed and I was prompted to change to a new format. In conclusion, these negative are extreme minor to the knowledge and benefits this website offers.
