Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Robert W - Culminating Project

http://acesartanddesign.blogspot.com/

For my culminating project I've created a blog for my web design class. Not only are there weekly homework assignments that students need to write in the blog, but also the blog provides group feedback for each web project they complete. This way the kids learn not only from me, but from each other. There were a couple of glitches, one where a students wrote "WTF" in a post, in which I used it as a teaching example of what is not acceptable blog journaling. Another example was a student told a dirty joke in her profile. I had to make sure all students realize that they had to be personally responsible for anything they wrote connected to the class blog, including their profiles and student created blogs. The blog is really working well so far. Since I am deaf, it has allowed better communication between students and me, and parents as well. Some of the posts have been outstanding and thoughtful. I can see that most are taking it seriously, because it sheds light on their intelligence and thoughts. No one (for the most part) wants to appear stupid. So it creates peer pressure (rather than teacher pressure) to think and do well. I also think they enjoy having a blog because no other class incorporates "their technology" to this extent. I encourage them to upload any photos from their cellphones they want to share. They really like "cross dressing" technologies and seeing them work with each other. I must say using the class blog has been a shot in the arm for my web classes, which were already doing well enough. We also have a class wiki, http://acesart.wikispaces.com/ which relays important information. Kind of being used as a source board since the whiteboard in the classroom has to be shared and frequently changed.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Gary S. - Culminating Project

http://uncleshelly.blogspot.com/

Gary's project is actually a wiki, but he's having some technical issues with accessing it outside the district. The link above takes you to a blog he set up in which he shares screen of and commentary about the wiki.

On the off-chance that you can access his wiki from your computer, here is the original link with instructions on how to log on:

Website: http://wiki.bethel.k12.oh.us

First page does not look like a wiki. It will be my forms page for people to create an account to enter and edit the wiki. Not done yet.

Logon info: Upper right corner is a link for logging on.

Sign in with thisUserID: Bethel\shellhammerc

Password: creation

Once you sign in, a tab will be available that says BethelWiki. In the wiki, go to the district, then follow the links to Bethel History. I think from there you will get my idea of what I am trying to do.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Lasure J. - Culminating Project

http://msjohnsonsenglish.wetpaint.com/

Rachel B. - Culminating Project

http://whatsthebuzz3.blogspot.com/

Rachel
chose to make a blog as a means to communicate with parents and students. It's called "What's the Buzz" because her married name will be Buzzard. She will use it to post links, give general updates, and give awards to spotlight some of my students. It is all generic right now as she is a tutor without her own classroom, but she plans to utilize it as soon as she receives an opportunity to have her own group of students.