Wow - I have graded all the classroom websites and this group have outdone themselves! The websites were amazing and so very professional. No wonder they are hating the HTML task as their pages are difficult for the new comer to html to replicate.
Students - if you haven't looked at each other's sites, I strongly recommend you do!
I have also responded to blogs about the Instructional project. Some of you have not yet posted your initial thoughts for the WQ. Please make sure you do that as it was part of your Week 7 task.
From the posts who did most of you are on target - the Instructional project for this class is a BIG project. It is worth 40% of your grade so that is why we are taking most of the remainder of the semester to work on it. You should plan on working on it each week.
Once you have worked on the WQ evaluation assignment for weeks 8 and 9, you will have a better sense of what makes a good WQ and what makes an okay WQ. To me, the biggest thing is the level of thinking that the students are required to do. You should aim high!
I will continue to check blogs.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Week eight
First and foremost I have to thank the students for their patience with and compassion for me during this time in my life. Thank YOU students!
I have begun grading websites - very impressive!! I will continue and hopefully have them all finished soon.
I have also looked at the web pages created with HTML. HTML is something that anyone who wants to create a web site should have a 'working knowledge of, especially in these times where it is easy to create a website using sites such as google sites, yahoo, freewebs and so forth that provide a template that we just add content to. Knowing the basics of HTML allows for us to use these tools but also individualize our sites.
Now that we have looked at the different features important to a website, and have actually created a classroom website we are moving into instructional sites. In week seven, students previewed the assignment that is 'the big project' for the course. I haven't checked blogs but will do that on Sunday to clear up misconceptions and answer questions before they begin to actually plan their project this week.
So - this week, it's time to start thinking about your Instructional Project for the course. My recommendation to you is to begin the WebQuest evaluation assignment BEFORE you start to 'make plans' for your own project. That said, if you are working with a partner for the Instructional Project, then you can talk about roles, interests, content areas,... but wait until you've looked at a few different examples and the rubric before actually thinking about activities and websites that will be part of your own project.
The weekly expectations outlines ALL the tasks for this week. You need to first off get started on the WQ evaluation assignment (check Assignment Dropbox) for due date. Once you have started that you will be in a better position to think about your own and add to your blog. If you are working with a partner, each of you needs to post to your own blog. You also need to submit your Research Paper/Lit Review by Saturday.
I have begun grading websites - very impressive!! I will continue and hopefully have them all finished soon.
I have also looked at the web pages created with HTML. HTML is something that anyone who wants to create a web site should have a 'working knowledge of, especially in these times where it is easy to create a website using sites such as google sites, yahoo, freewebs and so forth that provide a template that we just add content to. Knowing the basics of HTML allows for us to use these tools but also individualize our sites.
Now that we have looked at the different features important to a website, and have actually created a classroom website we are moving into instructional sites. In week seven, students previewed the assignment that is 'the big project' for the course. I haven't checked blogs but will do that on Sunday to clear up misconceptions and answer questions before they begin to actually plan their project this week.
So - this week, it's time to start thinking about your Instructional Project for the course. My recommendation to you is to begin the WebQuest evaluation assignment BEFORE you start to 'make plans' for your own project. That said, if you are working with a partner for the Instructional Project, then you can talk about roles, interests, content areas,... but wait until you've looked at a few different examples and the rubric before actually thinking about activities and websites that will be part of your own project.
The weekly expectations outlines ALL the tasks for this week. You need to first off get started on the WQ evaluation assignment (check Assignment Dropbox) for due date. Once you have started that you will be in a better position to think about your own and add to your blog. If you are working with a partner, each of you needs to post to your own blog. You also need to submit your Research Paper/Lit Review by Saturday.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Week seven
I am looking forward to seeing student's web pages. Many of them had grand ideas and it will be great to see how they manifested into an actual website. I am definitely going to be looking to see if they took into consideration the design features we as a class feel are important (e.g. clear purpose, appropriate content for purpose,...).I wonder if they linked to their blog? Considered privacy and safety issues and I'm really hoping they did not break copyright law or plagiarize!!
This week students will be doing two new things. In addition to reading from our textbook and working on their research paper, students will be trying to program a computer to make a web page. This sounds like a VERY daunting task, but it is actually a lot easier than one might think- as long as one is procedural and has a clear vision of what they want the computer to do for them ;-) I'm sure some of them will get frustrated - and I usually have to step in and have them explain what the actual problem is and once they stop and have to think about things, they aren't as overwhelmed. It's the same as when they took EDEL515 and had to be able to clearly explain the problem they were having. Students please read the weekly expectations for the html task carefully.
The other new task this week is to actually start using their blog. (students if your name is not on the list to the right of this post, you need to create your blog and share it with me- asap) The first official blog post will be having students reflect/journal about what they understand about the major project for this course - the instructional web page. They have created an 'informational' web page and now will create an instructional one. Students - please visit the Assignment Dropbox for the assignment description and the weekly expectations to see exactly what I am looking for as your blog post.
Personally - I really like this assignment and I find that many students find it helpful. In week eight we look more at the concept that is behind this assignment, but I want students to get a sense of what their next few weeks will look like.
A final reminder for students -
This week students will be doing two new things. In addition to reading from our textbook and working on their research paper, students will be trying to program a computer to make a web page. This sounds like a VERY daunting task, but it is actually a lot easier than one might think- as long as one is procedural and has a clear vision of what they want the computer to do for them ;-) I'm sure some of them will get frustrated - and I usually have to step in and have them explain what the actual problem is and once they stop and have to think about things, they aren't as overwhelmed. It's the same as when they took EDEL515 and had to be able to clearly explain the problem they were having. Students please read the weekly expectations for the html task carefully.
The other new task this week is to actually start using their blog. (students if your name is not on the list to the right of this post, you need to create your blog and share it with me- asap) The first official blog post will be having students reflect/journal about what they understand about the major project for this course - the instructional web page. They have created an 'informational' web page and now will create an instructional one. Students - please visit the Assignment Dropbox for the assignment description and the weekly expectations to see exactly what I am looking for as your blog post.
Personally - I really like this assignment and I find that many students find it helpful. In week eight we look more at the concept that is behind this assignment, but I want students to get a sense of what their next few weeks will look like.
A final reminder for students -
- an upcoming due date: March 18- Research paper
- no BlackBoard access March 4 from 5-10 pm
Friday, February 25, 2011
Week six is right around the corner.
In week five the students worked on their research papers and classroom web pages and set up blogs. How cool is it for me that I was able to be the one to guide them/require them ;-) to try this new technology. Blogs are actually not a new technology - having being around for close to 15 years, but in education I can remember going to conferences during my PhD where the buzz word was BLOG. It is also interesting for me to see the results of the poll. Although only a handful say they blog regularly, I'm sure if I also asked how often they post on FaceBook or My Space the results would be regularly. Facebook is in fact a form of blogging. Web logging is journalling - so when people share their thoughts and actions on FB, they are in fact Blogging ;-).
I am guessing that given that several of the blogs for 'me' really have a more personal purpose, students will quickly be creating their second blog ;-)
Students - remember that web based communication tools, such as your classroom website must have a clear purpose and be appropriate for the target audience.
This week it is time for students to share their classroom web sites. I am very much looking forward to seeing them. Students - make sure you share on the discussion board as well as submit the mockup and a narrative to the Assignment Dropbox. The weekly expectations give you due dates.
Their other tasks this week are to work on the research paper - Most of these students are at the end of their program and are therefore 'old hat' at writing papers. I have high expectations for the quality of these. Students - make sure you look at the rubric and examples.
Finally - we will be working on looking at copyright and the Internet. The students will be reading some literature on this and then adding to a shared document/presentation on this issue. We have already looked at plagiarism - to make sure students don't breach it on their research papers, so now is time to make sure we are familiar with copyright to ensure it is adhered to during the web development assignments for the course. Students - I have shared with you a google presentation - please check your gmail documents. I did not send an invitation, but you should see it on your documents list.
I will be completely unavailable on Tuesday and Wednesday as I am spending those two days reviewing CTAP grants. I will be able to check email and the course in the evenings only.
It is going to be a rainy weekend. I plan on spending it working on my writing and hopefully doing some grading. I'm sad I won't be outside running or biking, but oh well - everything in moderation.
I am guessing that given that several of the blogs for 'me' really have a more personal purpose, students will quickly be creating their second blog ;-)
Students - remember that web based communication tools, such as your classroom website must have a clear purpose and be appropriate for the target audience.
This week it is time for students to share their classroom web sites. I am very much looking forward to seeing them. Students - make sure you share on the discussion board as well as submit the mockup and a narrative to the Assignment Dropbox. The weekly expectations give you due dates.
Their other tasks this week are to work on the research paper - Most of these students are at the end of their program and are therefore 'old hat' at writing papers. I have high expectations for the quality of these. Students - make sure you look at the rubric and examples.
Finally - we will be working on looking at copyright and the Internet. The students will be reading some literature on this and then adding to a shared document/presentation on this issue. We have already looked at plagiarism - to make sure students don't breach it on their research papers, so now is time to make sure we are familiar with copyright to ensure it is adhered to during the web development assignments for the course. Students - I have shared with you a google presentation - please check your gmail documents. I did not send an invitation, but you should see it on your documents list.
I will be completely unavailable on Tuesday and Wednesday as I am spending those two days reviewing CTAP grants. I will be able to check email and the course in the evenings only.
It is going to be a rainy weekend. I plan on spending it working on my writing and hopefully doing some grading. I'm sad I won't be outside running or biking, but oh well - everything in moderation.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Research topics and blogs
Well I have just finished reading student's research paper proposals. I am very impressed that as a group, the students really have a good sense of how tech something we use to teach and not something we teach! Their topics are good examples of ways tech can be used for parent communication, literacy instruction, meeting the needs of all learners, enhancing the core curriculum and so on.
I have also spent time looking at student blogs. So far so good! Looking like this is going to be a fun task!
I have also spent time looking at student blogs. So far so good! Looking like this is going to be a fun task!
Friday, February 18, 2011
Welcome!
Welcome to my blog as I teach EDEL 522 in Spring 2011.
The purpose of this blog is for me to reflect on my teaching and more importantly student learning as we work on our EDEL 522 course.
So far we have looked at some of the issues of web design and have come up with a good list of things that we feel should be included in a classroom web site. These include:
The purpose of this blog is for me to reflect on my teaching and more importantly student learning as we work on our EDEL 522 course.
So far we have looked at some of the issues of web design and have come up with a good list of things that we feel should be included in a classroom web site. These include:
- easy navigation
- clearly identifiable sections - parents and students
- information about the teacher
- information about classroom events and curriculum (spelling lists,...)
- student showcase (but remembering safety of students)
- images
- links to homework help, learning units,..
Of course the most important consideration is a clear purpose and a layout that is appropriate for the intended target audience.
I am looking forward to seeing how the students do at creating their own web sites. They definitely had some grand plans in their mock-ups!
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