Student Web Pages from "The Valley of the Shadow": http://jefferson.village.virginia.edu/vshadow2/students??

    After a careful review of the student web pages from "The Valley of the Shadow" project, I conclude that the design and text portrayed is a solid effort in promoting the research and material gathered.

    With the newly formulated computer standards that have arrived on the campuses of many American colleges and universities, it can be hard for one to determine the actual worth of such innovation.  Some may argue that computers will eventually replace the importance of professors in the classroom.  Others, however, stake the claim that in the dawn of a new millennium, knowledge and superior experience with computers can promote a person's self worth and ultimate value in the vastly changing technological workforce.  As a History major graduating this spring, I am finding more and more companies who are requesting the need to hire computer literate personnel.  Therefore, I would like to stake my claim in this controversial matter.  I hold the belief that education in the changing computerized generation is a good thing.  I believe that the true value of the student/professor relationship cannot be replaced by the art of the digital world, but I think that the computer can serve as a useful educational tool to better enhance such a changing "cyber-society."  The digital history class orchestrated at the University of Virginia can be viewed as the foundation for the practice of using the computer as an educational tool.

    Through research I have been conducting in this class as well as in my seminar on The Civil War, I have found the student web pages of "The Valley Of The Shadow" project to be very informative and helpful.  Although my Civil War professor believes the "Shadow" project will take away from the class's time digging through numerous books and reviews, I believe the web page is the answer to all my research needs.  This affirms my theory that the computer and the World Wide Web is an educational tool.  The "Shadow" project is meant for just that.  It is an educational tool and its sole intention is to assist in the information and research process.  It is written on a level in which students of all ages and all walks of life can benefit.  I believe a student as young as ten can get a firm grasp on the history of the Civil War through the exploration of this web site.

    The design structure of the web site is basic and to the point.  It does not have flashy buttons to click on, nor does it contain a hint of neon advertising and propaganda.  The designs and use of pictures, maps, and letters make it all the more informative and enjoyable.  I like the conservative nature of the web page's design.  The icons are easily noticed and are not too gaudy or tacky.  I like the fact that the menu options are at the very top of the pages or to the far left.  This leaves plenty of room for composition and design use.  The subtle use of color is a good point to notice as well.  The color scheme is basic and has an element of class to it.

    As a whole the web site is very pleasing to the eye.  The use of space kept me interested in seeing what was next.  There was not too much writing and comments which allowed for brief reading and web exploration.  I intend to use this site as a model for future HTML projects.            JBW.