This site is an excellent resource for persons with SCD, their families, health care professionals and anyone seeking information and resources for SCD. It provides information about sickle cell disease (SCD), a frequently asked questions section, links to other organizations, news, conferences and research. Speakers and FLASH allow the user to appreciate the benefits of all of the links. There is a link to a program geared to children with SCD with quiz questions that requires FLASH. There are no learning assignments learning goals or teacher's guide but the site is very easy to navigate.
Key words:
Anemia, Sickle Cell, hemolytic, congenital, hemotologic diseases, HEMOGLOBIN SC DISEASE, Sickle Cell Trait, Hemoglobin SC Disease
Type of Material:
This web site for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Incorporated is predominantly a collection of reference materials although it also includes some references and a link to a tutorial for children. Learning objectives are not stated.
Recommended Uses:
This is a great site for anyone newly diagnoses with SCD, their families, or persons who seek information about SCD. This information could be used for primary and secondary student reports, or fundamental information for higher levels of students or for general information for the public. It is also a site that healthcare professionals and students in the healthcare professions and school teachers should be aware of.
Technical Requirements:
None are listed. Sound and FLASH allow the user to fully appreciate all of the features and links particularly the tutorial for children. Acrobat Reader is necessary to view PDF formatted reports.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
None are specifically listed but the site is easy to navigate and seeks to provide knowledge about all facets of SCD.
Target Student Population:
This is primarily a resource site for persons with SCD and their families. It is also useful for the general public, healthcare professionals and students in the healthcare professions and primary and secondary education.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
An understanding of basic biological terminology is helpful as well as basic computer skills.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
Content is provided with clarity and accuracy in simple language Content is current and covers important aspects of sickle cell disease for public knowledge. Content is complete in covering all or most aspects of sickle cell disease and includes the basic concepts that define the trait and disease. This content would be pre-requisite to a more in depth understanding of sickle cell disease. The links are valuable and appropriate for this topic.
Potential Effectiveness: The material does enhance learning about the topic. The links are organized and well defined by specific aspect of the topic. It is effective as there are graphics and pictures which illustrate points and add interest and engage the reader.
A glossary is provided for clarification of terminology. Also, FAQ section has at least 10 links to provide viewers with more in depth information about a specific aspect of the disease.
In addition, the Sickle Cell Kids.org provides a link to a colorful site available for children with this disease to log in and participate in discussion boards with others who have this disease. There is lots of eye appeal and age-appropriate material available at this link.
Another strength is a forum for a discussion board which appears to be very active.
Concerns:
Although the home page for he web site is up-to-date, the copyright date on the "What is Sickle Cell" page is 2005. That plus older dates on some of the articles make me wonder if some of the areas require updates or if there should be statements that indicate that the articles are landmark research. As we teach consumers to look for accreditation of web sites I did not see any notation of accreditation by a group such as "Health on the Net."
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The site covers all major content areas for Sickle Cell Disease and provides links for support.
Visual appeal is high. There is a moving collage of color photos which changes frequently, depicting those who may have sickle cell disease. Also, a very brief video depicts a normal red blood cell changing to a sickle shaped.
In addition, the statement of the president of the Sickle Cell Organization is displayed. This imparts a significant impact on the importance of the ordganization and the committment of those involved to work towards a cure.
Concerns:
Readability of the learning content should be assessed and considered by the user.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
It is an extremely user-friendly website, easy to navigate and has plug-ins, definitions of terms and ran smoothly. This is a very informative, user friendly site. I got a sense of the main issues for patients as well as a feeling that viewers would feel a strong community exists around those people with this disease.
Concerns:
None.
Other Issues and Comments:
No other issues.
Creative Commons:
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