Web Site Evaluation*
Pampers Parenting InstituteWritten by:
Ali Reed Quillen
Adult Education, Caroline/Dorchester, Maryland
ccfsc@cl.K12.md.usMay 20, 1999
Web Site Title: Pampers Parenting Institute
URL: http://www.pampers.com/en_US/general/about/aboutindex.jhtml
Purpose of using this site in your lesson: To provide a source of parenting information for students which they can access independently.
Authorship: This web site clearly is created by Proctor and Gamble, manufacturers of Pampers disposable diapers. The affiliation can be identified by advertising, and by the Proctor and Gamble copyrights. "Expert Advice for Caring Parents" is provided by experts who are named, and identified on a separate page which provides background information on each one. An e-mail link is presented on the home page for parents to ask their specific questions.
Design and Navigation: The site does download quickly, and provides a map on the home page to the contents. Each link has a brief description to identify where it will go, and a click on "Home" from any section will take you right back. The overall design is well laid out with the information categorized for easy access. A photo on the home page of the ever charming expert, Dr. T. Berry the home page of the ever charming top expert, Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, holding an infant, welcomes anxious parents to a place where they can obtain answers to their concerns. The site is easily accessible with no special hardware required.
Content/Information: Leading expert, Dr. Brazelton, is recognized by parents for his many books and television appearances, and is also world renowned for his pioneering scientific work in child development. In addition, the "About Our Experts" page shows the entire panel to be highly credentialed, outstanding individuals in the fields of child health and development. Information provided is geared to parents' concerns regarding their children, and is presented in "layman's" terms. This should be a wonderful tool for our "Early Head Start" parents to access information that is very meaningful for them. There is an opportunity for students to submit their specific questions to be answered by the panel of experts, and a newsletter is available with information appropriate to the age of the student' s child. An introductory statement about the Pampers Parenting Institute states that "the PPI is dedicated to presenting information in a way that is cross-cultural, sensitive and appropriate to the diversity of families everywhere." In reviewing a current news article entitled "Family Bed Babies Sleep As Well As Their Counter Parts", I found a follow-up editorial by PPI forum member, Dr. Suzanne Dixon which confirmed this commitment. Proctor and Gamble does, of course, provide product information on Pampers diapers, however this is provided in a separate section, and except for an advertising banner heading the home page, it does seem to be limited to this section. Although production of this web site is obviously driven by
Currency: The site shows copyright dates for 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999, and also includes a "What's New" section that provides relevant news articles that are up to date as of May 15th. Less recent articles are also supplied in "Library- Articles and Archives"
*Written using template included in Surfing for Substance by Emily Hacker with Mary Ann Capehart; (1999, LAC)
This page was published 7/23/99.
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