Peer Review

Kate Chopin: A Re-Awakening

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Aug 8, 2018 by English

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

This site is a companion to a PBS program on the life and work of nineteenth-century Louisiana author Kate Chopin. Visitors to this site will find a clip from the documentary, the transcript, excerpts from interviews made during the production, and a chronology of Choplin's life. The site has an electronic library containing the fulltext of _The Awakening_ and twelve short stories as well as related links, bibliographies, primary sources, and an extensive list of selected criticism.

Type of Material:

Reference Material

Recommended Uses:

This material could be assigned as part of a research project. It is best suited for out of class work since it is largely text based; however, it does contain a short video clip which could be viewed in class.

Technical Requirements:

While most of the website is text-based, watching the video clips will require RealPlayer from RealNetworks. A link on the page allows users to download and restore RealPlayer.

Identify Major Learning Goals:

This website is intended to accompany the PBS documentary "Kate Chopin: A Re-Awakening." Information on the website will allow users to:

understand Kate Chopin's biography
understand major characteristics and themes in Chopin's literary works
recognize major events from Chopin's life
locate additional resources for Chopin study

Target Student Population:

College General Ed, Literature, American Literature, Women's Literature, 19th Century Literature, Creole Culture and Literature.

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

English reading skills

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:: This website contains a full transcript of the original PBS documentary which would provide users both with information regarding Chopin and her work. It also contains excerpts from interviews with literary scholars.
Concerns:: Material has little visual interest

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

The material in this website allows readers to easily access multiple literary analyses of Chopin's work. It could effectively provide an introduction to the author for students. Also contains links to full text versions of Chopin's work.

Concerns:

There are no teaching-directed resources such as lesson plans or guided readings.

no interaction

no visual appeal

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: Material is easy to access, clearly organized, and accessible to screen readers. The transcript also provides accessibility for deaf and hearing impaired.
Concerns:: Be aware that this website does not contain the full video.

Other Issues and Comments:: This material references a program that played on June 23, 1999, and the actual documentary is not available on this site. The materials are useful background and biographical context for Kate Chopin's works. There is also an excellent library of works provided.
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