training for website judges
Website judges will receive web addresses at least one week before the contest in order to preview websites. Judges should take notes as you preview the websites, and should bring these notes to the contest.
Please complete the following to be ready to judge websites:
1. Click on Intro for All on the menu above, and read through this information.
2. Click here to understand the 2017 theme: Taking a Stand in History. “Relation to theme” represents 20% of a project's evaluation. Students must clearly connect their topic to the theme, and show both short-term and long-term consequences.
Keep in mind, the project should not be a biography of someone who took a stand; it should be about the stand itself.
3. Click here for detailed website judging instructions which include rules for all categories and specific website rules. Please read these rules very carefully. Please note:
--The instructions suggest that fellow judges meet prior to the contest to discuss the entries. We don’t expect you to do that; instead, there is sufficient time at the contest to discuss the websites with your judging team.
--Most regions will provide you with access to the websites you will be judging about a week before the contest. Please take some time to evaluate the websites prior to the day of the contest. Keep notes. This will make your work with the other judge(s) much easier.
--While the rules indicate that all equipment be student run, in some cases, it may be appropriate for an adult (teacher, parent, judge or fellow-student) to assist with technical difficulties.
4. Note takers will be provided for you to take notes as you view websites. After judging, you and your team will adjourn for lunch, review your notes, come to a consensus on the project, and fill out one Judging Evaluation form for each project. Click here to review the Judging Evaluation form. Click on the Introductory Info for all Judges tab for evaluation tips. When evaluating, remember:
5. Click on the links below to view sample websites. We encourage you to visit the website
of your assigned division, as age may play a factor in quality. Both websites went to the national contest and placed in the top two. You will see a wide range of quality and ability-- these examples are on the higher end of the judging spectrum.
Junior Group Website: "The Emancipation Proclamation for the Disabled" (Note: the theme was "Turning Points in History")
Senior Group Website: "Solving the Enigma: Legacies of a Secret World War II Code" (Note: the theme was "Turning Points in History")
6. One of the pleasures of judging is to meet the students. They are nervous, excited and proud to explain their work. The interviews are informal and brief, only 10 minutes. Be friendly and positive, and remember that you are talking to middle and high school students.
7. Click here to take the online judge's quiz. The quiz reinforces the most important points of judging that you will want to remember during your time at the contest.
Judging procedures will be reviewed the morning of the contest. If you have questions, please contact your regional coordinator. If you have any questions about judging at the state contest, please contact: [email protected] or Kory Franken, or call 303-315-1789.
Thank you so much for your attention to this training!
Please complete the following to be ready to judge websites:
1. Click on Intro for All on the menu above, and read through this information.
2. Click here to understand the 2017 theme: Taking a Stand in History. “Relation to theme” represents 20% of a project's evaluation. Students must clearly connect their topic to the theme, and show both short-term and long-term consequences.
Keep in mind, the project should not be a biography of someone who took a stand; it should be about the stand itself.
3. Click here for detailed website judging instructions which include rules for all categories and specific website rules. Please read these rules very carefully. Please note:
--The instructions suggest that fellow judges meet prior to the contest to discuss the entries. We don’t expect you to do that; instead, there is sufficient time at the contest to discuss the websites with your judging team.
--Most regions will provide you with access to the websites you will be judging about a week before the contest. Please take some time to evaluate the websites prior to the day of the contest. Keep notes. This will make your work with the other judge(s) much easier.
--While the rules indicate that all equipment be student run, in some cases, it may be appropriate for an adult (teacher, parent, judge or fellow-student) to assist with technical difficulties.
4. Note takers will be provided for you to take notes as you view websites. After judging, you and your team will adjourn for lunch, review your notes, come to a consensus on the project, and fill out one Judging Evaluation form for each project. Click here to review the Judging Evaluation form. Click on the Introductory Info for all Judges tab for evaluation tips. When evaluating, remember:
- Students will read your evaluations!
- You are evaluating the work of young students. Expect quality, but do not hold them to college or graduate student standards.
- Students come from all walks of life, including English Language Learners.
- Your comments should be constructive and positive.
- Do not make negative comments (i.e. "Why did you even enter this contest?" "Your project was the worst one that I saw all day!"), and be careful how you phrase your comments.
- Don't be overly optimistic or positive either. (i.e. "Your project is definitely going to nationals.")
- It’s your job to inform them – in a constructive and positive manner – how they can improve so they can be more successful next time.
- Your goal is for the students to understand why you evaluated their work the way you did.
5. Click on the links below to view sample websites. We encourage you to visit the website
of your assigned division, as age may play a factor in quality. Both websites went to the national contest and placed in the top two. You will see a wide range of quality and ability-- these examples are on the higher end of the judging spectrum.
Junior Group Website: "The Emancipation Proclamation for the Disabled" (Note: the theme was "Turning Points in History")
Senior Group Website: "Solving the Enigma: Legacies of a Secret World War II Code" (Note: the theme was "Turning Points in History")
6. One of the pleasures of judging is to meet the students. They are nervous, excited and proud to explain their work. The interviews are informal and brief, only 10 minutes. Be friendly and positive, and remember that you are talking to middle and high school students.
7. Click here to take the online judge's quiz. The quiz reinforces the most important points of judging that you will want to remember during your time at the contest.
Judging procedures will be reviewed the morning of the contest. If you have questions, please contact your regional coordinator. If you have any questions about judging at the state contest, please contact: [email protected] or Kory Franken, or call 303-315-1789.
Thank you so much for your attention to this training!