Over the past few years, more schools and families are gaining access to the internet. Likewise, more schools are developing web sites that give information about their school and curriculum. As teachers strive to provide useful sites for students, web designers and educators have provided information about designing and evaluating school web sites. These include useful criteria for designing sites for older children. However, there has been little reference to the special considerations for designing websites for younger children (aged 3 - 7). Children at this age require a balance between information presented in text as well as graphics. Presenting age-appropriate information, while also allowing for independent usage for these young "web browsers", can be a challenge. In reviewing articles on both using computers with young children and visual literacy,several points should be considered when designing web sites for young children. They include the following:

Considerations for Designing Web Sites for Young Children: Audience - Who is the web site for and why? Children: provides age-appropriate information provides links to age-appropriate sites Teachers: provides links to curriculum related sites provides information about curriculum to outside educators Families: provides information about the school's curriculum invites participation at home   Content - What kind of information is presented? Content is of interest/ meaningful to age level Site reflects district and school curriculum Information is useful to children Site invites revisiting Text - What's best for beginning readers? Larger text Minimum number of fonts Highlight important text with colors Meaningful headings that explain page Simple precise directions for using information on the page Avoid using last names of children Images - How do you balance graphics and download time? Use realistic images and photographs Display student artwork Use common symbols for links and information Avoid busy backgrounds (white or light is best) Use the same graphics or icons for links and headers Avoid photographs of single children (face shots) Avoid overuse of animated images - children may get distracted from content Navigation - Does the site allow for independent use by children? Include template headers and use consistent design throughout the site Make both images and related text links to same pages Include link to the homepage at the bottom of each page Use the same graphics and icons for links and headers Allow a minimum number of page links to retrieve information Provide links to outside sites only on certain pages Label outside links pages clearly for teachers and families Provide a link to the actual site on other school pages

The following are links to articles and web sites:

Using Computers with Young Children: Technology and School Change: New Lamps for Old? Childhood Education; Washington; 1995; Clements, Douglas H; Swaminathan, Sudha; The use of computers in early childhood education is discussed. Computers have connected classrooms around the world and can offer unique opportunities for creative problem solving and self-guided instruction. Children's Computers Childhood Education; Washington; Spring 1996; Samaras, Anastasia P; The teacher's contribution to children's learning during computer instruction is examined, and strategies for offering problem-solving approaches are offered. Teachers can adapt and extend children's learning within the computer context. Effects of Computers on Pre-school Aged Children (http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~dabrent/380/webproj/cms.html) Christine Seniuk discusses the effectiveness of using computers with young children. Issues of scaffolding,instant gratification, and social skill problems associated with early childhood computer use. Technology in Early Childhood Programs (http://134.84.92.130/Children/naeyc9.html) This lists the NAEYC's position statement on Technology and Young Children. "Technology and Children: What Teachers Need to Know" (http://www.coe.uh.edu/insite/elec_pub/html1995/0816.htm) This paper discusses what comprises an appropriate use of computers in the early childhood curriculum and how the teacher may implement that curriculum. Four research projects are reviewed and discussed.

Visual Literacy: Using Symbolism in Web Page Design (http://www.wpdfd.com/wpdsymb.htm) This site presents the concept of graphic symbolism and reviews types of symbols. Visual Literacy and New Technology in Primary Schools (http://www.coe.uh.edu/insite/elec_pub/html1996/21youngc.htm#loveless) The changing definitions of visual and technological literacy as it relates to children and computers are discussed. A project on how children gain information through visual and technological learning was presented.   Visual aspects of media literacy Journal of Communication; New York; Winter 1998; Paul Messaris; This article examines the impact of visual literacy on viewers' cognitive growth and on their development as informed consumers of visual media.

Designing School Web Sites: Web Site Advisor's Guide (http://www.asd2.com/resources/advisor.html) Apple K-12 Education's site for creating school web sites focuses on several chapters including: What should be on your web site; How to make a great web site; and How to get your web site used.   Web Design for Information Problem-solving: Maximizing Value for Users Computers in Libraries ; Westport; May 1997; Janet Cottrell; Michael B Eisenberg   Look Sharp: Tips for Web Design and Graphics Technology & Learning; Dayton; Feb 1998; Ben Shemuel; Jamie Keller   Bright Sites (http://scrtec.org/bright_sites/characteristics/) This site gives guidelines, suggestions and examples of quality school home pages. Yale University Web Style Guide (http://info.med.yale.edu/caim/manual/contents.html) This online version of the book provides detailed information on creating general web sites.   Home Sweet Home (http://www.fromnowon.org/eval.html) Jamie McKenzie provides 3 general guidelines and numerous "tenets" for developing a school website.   School Web Page Development Guide (http://www.massnetworks.org/~nicoley/schools/) This page contains some general guidelines for creating school home pages as well as a list of content ideas to help you select appropriate material for your own school's home page.

Evaluating School Web Sites: Haugland/Gerzog Developmental Scale (http://cstl.semo.edu/kidscomp/Webscale.htm) The authors of Young Children and Computers: A World of Discovery list an evaluation scale for evaluating web sites for young children. Age Appropriateness; Clear Instructions; Process Orientation; Real World Model; and Independence are some criteria.   Children's Internet Site Evaluation Instrument (http://www2.childrenssoftware.com/childrenssoftware/articles.qry?function=detail&Layout1_uid1=8) This rating system was developed by the publishers of Children's Software Review. It features a 1-5 rating system which includes factors (Ease of Use; Educational; Design; Safety and Responsibility) important in the design of a high quality children's website. Critical Evaluation of a Web Site (http://discoveryschool.com/schrockguide/evalelem.html) Kathy Schrock provides a survey for evaluating an elementary school web site. From Now On (http://www.fromnowon.org/eval.html) Shows a gridlike checklist for evaluating school websites.

created by Charlene Costello last updated 1/27/00