Create 1.1.3 Appearance

A website's appearance is the window dressing that catches the visitor's attention tempting her to stay a while and explore the site. The design and content affect her user experience and determine how long she will navigate the site and if she will return in the future.

5 websites with good design (ones that I would use for online teaching)

 Website: http://www.studyspanish.com

StudySpanish is an EXCELLENT website for students to visit for additional practice exercises.  It is organized thematically, particularly in the areas of (1) grammatical structures and (2)topical vocabulary lists.  For most effective use of this site, students should consult their course "Syllabus" in order to determine the current Unit's theme, then visit StudySpanish and select related topics. 

The website's activities include (a)an explanation of the grammar or a vocabulary list, (b)practice activities with immediate scoring options in order to correct mistakes, (c)simulated quizzes and tests and (d)a variety of games such as wordpuzzles, electronic flashcards, concentration and more!  I HIGHLY recommend that students visit this site FREQUENTLY and use it as a means of reviewing prior to a quiz or exam.

 Website: http://www.phschool.com

• Ancillary website created by textbook publisher Prentice-Hall
  

  This supplemental website created by the publisher of our textbook REALIDADES is great for additional practice for vocabulary and grammar.  I highly recommend that students do the online "Test Preparation" activities that are found at the end of each chapter (i.e. for Sp I & Sp II chapter A and chapter B of each unit that we cover in the book, Sp III does not have parts A & B to each chapter).  They are a wonderful means of review before each unit test!

Website: http://www.gavirtuallearning.org/Resources/SharedSpanish1%28WLCopy%29.aspx

• Practice, practice, practice! :-)
  

  Click on World Languages in the left of the page to find vocab lists, vocab practice with puzzles, grammar practice and MUCH MORE!

 Website: http://www.quizlet.com/user/WHSSpanishI

• Quiz Yourself on Quizlet!
  

  Explore the word of Quizlet as you practice vocabulary and grammar for each chapter via review games!

 Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/spanish/

• Teach Yourself Spanish
  

  Explore the world of Spanish at your own pace as you navigate through an intriguing interactive video series, games, online conversation activities, practice vocabulary and grammar and much more!

5 websites with poor design (ones I would not incorporate into my online teaching)

 Website: http://www.enchantedlearning.com

This is a popular site but the offerings for Spanish are not impressive.  

Website: http://www.quia.com

• Website is popular but practice vocabulary and grammar exercises frequently are with errors.

 Website: http://www.bigbadspanish.com 

• The idea behind the website is clever but the content misses the mark. Riddled with errors and inappropriate content for this age group.

 Website: http://www.vocabulary.com 

• Site is static, no engaging font nor graphics, even if the content is relatively helpful.

 Website: http://www.spanishdict.com

This site is awesome as an online dictionary but its learning component not so much due to limited activities. It is mainly informational and not interactive.