Website: Learn About Congress
Website Address: http://www.centeroncongress.org/
Copyright date and/or Last Update: ©2000-2008, Center on Congress. The website does not list its most recent update, but the page does appear to be well maintained with all links working.
Author/Organization Credentials: Center on Congress is published by The Center on Congress at Indiana University. Center on Congress was established by Lee Hamilton, a former Indiana congressman and vice chairman of the 9/11 commission. The Websites mission statement states that, "The Center is non-partisan and its goal is purely educational — to explain the work and role of Congress. Information on Congress is presented in a variety of ways, including newspaper op-eds, radio commentaries, website articles and brochures, teaching materials, conferences, books, television spots, and videos and interactive learning programs for students."
Web Site Design and Ease of Navigation: The website is very user-friendly and easy to navigate. The center of the main page contains links to the two main parts of the page as well as to four other featured projects. There are also four links in the upper left which take you to an informational section as well as a kid's version of the page and a Spanish translation. Also featured on the main page are links to several commentaries on current events by Lee Hamilton. The bottom of the main page has a really neat information box that contains such tidbits as Congressional Quotes and This month in History. There are also links to buy books by Lee Hamilton at the very bottom of the page.
The learning module page is very minimalistic with links to several different learning modules displayed prominently as you scroll down the page. This makes for extremely easy navigation and leaves little room to get lost. The learning module links are quite large and easily discernable. Each link contains a picture and a brief description of the module contained therein. Most of the lettering on the main page is in white set against a black or grey background. This allows for easy reading. Each of the nine major links on the main page connects you to a learning module. The modules listed are; E-Learning Activities for Students, How a Member Decides to Vote, Public Criticisms of Congress, The Impact of Congress, The Importance of Civic Participation, The Dynamic Legislative Process, The Many Roles of a Member of Congress, Notable Members of Congress, and Federal Budget Allocation. All but one of these links contains a smaller link within them that has lesson plans and state standards. The only problem I found on the entire site was the use of some duplicate links, although this seems rather minor when navigating the site.
Response and Recommendation for Use: This website would be extremely useful for any unit that covers the U.S. legislature. The informative and user friendly nature of the website lends itself towards in or out of classroom use by students. The amount of information and continual updates on the website insures that you will always be able to find additional and up to date facts on the legislature. This website is a one stop shop for any and all information regarding congress. It would be an excellent reference for research papers or could be used in conjecture with in class lessons.
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