Remember, I am directly discussing students ages 4 - 11 years old...
Sites which students will use directly MUST be:
- useful - give students opportunities to learn and do important things
- effective - do something at least as well and as effectively as a teacher
- efficient - have a learning curve appropriate for the benefits
- clean and clear - offer few distractions, no inappropriate images, text or links
- manageable - can be used in an educational, not just learning, setting
Some additional features I look for and value:
- productive in nature, not just consumptive
- limited or no advertising
- sense of fun and/or humor
- allow for or encourage "double-dipping" meeting multiple objectives or standards at once