Carrye Campbell
SLM 521
Spring 2005
Article Review
Doe,
C.G. (2005). A look at: Subscription websites. MultiMedia &
Internet@Schools, 12(7). Retrieved
February 12, 2005, from http://www.infotoday.com/MMSchools/jan05/doe.shtml
Synopsis
of the Content
The author of this article
feels that subscription Web sites offer a host of administrative and
communication features for educators. To support this, Doe explains that as the
Web continues to develop and faster Internet access becomes more available, the
likelihood of Web-based programs replacing CD-ROMs is becoming increasingly
real. One of the sites examined for Doešs article points out that its content
takes the place of 20 CDs. The article continues to explain that many resources
for teachers and schools are greatly improved when offered over the Internet.
For instance, online materials can help schools avoid or reduce complicated,
lengthy, and expensive installations; For teachers, access from home as well as
school can greatly help with grading and other record-keeping processes. Access
from both home and school can be helpful for parents and students, too as homework
can be assigned or created online. With subscription Web sites, the benefits
for student research are huge, as online databases are very easy to search and
electronic resources can easily be tailored for specific ages or needs.
Thoughts
and Opinions
Throughout my own Internet
research, I have often come across sites that require a subscription fee and
thought it was absurd, as I continued to search free Web sites. To have a
viable existence, most Web sites must generate income for their developers.
Apparently, most subscription sites avoid the aggravating and sometimes
inappropriate advertisements that can be found on free Web sites. In addition
they usually have high security features. Having not considered this before, if
I found a resourceful site that I really liked, I could definitely see shelling
out a few bucks to avoid the blinking advertisements and pop ups. I agree that
these subscription websites could prove to be invaluable to schools, increasing
organization, efficiency, and productivity.
I visited some of the
subscription Web sites listed at the end of the article and think HomeworkNOW
would be a great tool for teachers
and students. HomeworkNOW can be
accessed by computer, cell phone, or PDA. The site allows teachers to post
classroom assignments and announcements and provides teachers with a free
personal URL for a direct link to homework assignments. Assignment archives,
statistical reports on visits, and teacher discussion forum are available.
Students and parents can access assignments using an assignment directory that
does not require a user name or password.