Course Evaluation

(B) Critical Essay:

I am sending you to the Valley of the Shadows website at the University of Virginia. This site concerns the Civil War's impact on two communities, one North and one South. You'll notice that there are six links having to do with Student's Projects: Augusta Home front,  77th Pennsylvania Infantry, U.S. Colored Troops, Freedmen's Bureau in Augusta, Franklin Home Front, and Letters & Diaries.

Here is your assignment:  Choosing one of these student-produced sites listed above, I want
students to critique the site, then create exercises based on the information in this site. First, look over the site carefully. What information does it contain? What is worthwhile about this site? What do YOU think the site could add to make it better? (Information, links, graphics, etc.) Sum your ideas up in a brief, one-page essay.

Next, create essay questions based on information in the site. You can create a matching sequence, multiple choice questions, map questions, etc. You can ask questions based on the graphics. Get as creative as you want to...

Then, I want you to do some research on the web. Find Five web sites that deal with the topic you are researching. Not generic Civil War sites, but more specific to your topic. Annotate the list, that is, tell me about them. What is good about these web pages? Why should future students go there, etc.

Finally, critique this exercise. What was good about them? What could be done to improve this exercise? As far as "length" is concerned, I really can't say. Some of you will do a better job than others in putting together exercises for future students. The old rule of thumb is, "assume I think you know nothing, then prove me wrong." Rude, perhaps, but try not to take anything for granted...