Monday

Web 1: Start Project 2: Creating a Web Site with Links. Often in the directions they ask you to add code on a certain line. Please note, that these line numbers may be slightly different for you. This project is LONG. Take your time. I would read the whole thing first, then do the project. Items to complete:

• Chapter summary for Project 2
• Chapter Project
• Apply Your Knowledge
• In the Lab 1
• In the Lab 2

Web 2: Start Project 2: Adding Web Pages, Links, and Images. Be sure to check Erica's blog for the changes. This project is LONG and will require a lot of work and checking. There may be many new concepts for you. I would read the whole thing first, then do the project. Items to complete:

• Chapter summary for Project 2
• Chapter Project
• Apply Your Knowledge
• In the Lab 3 (beware: the border image thing might not work quite right)

Web 3: Your five section assessment of project 1 is due today. We are going to spend a few weeks on Flash tutorials. Some of you are fairly proficient in this program, some of you have no training. To start please visit Flash Tutorials which is text based. Even if you are an "expert" I advise you review these tutorials. Some more advanced tutorials are on the Flash Video Tutorials site. Since you are all starting from a different spot I will grade you based on the amount of work you get done each day.

Technorati Tags: k12 education Flash Seymour

Survey Results

Here are the results of the survey of Web 1 and Web 2 students:


1. What is your favorite teaching style?

Teacher Directed (lecture, oral directions, etc..) 12%
Class projects (multi-day assignments, integrated learning) 24%
Independent Learning (student/task centered, learn at own pace, etc..) 24%
Group Work (projects, collaborative learning, etc..) 41%

2. Are you comfortable with the instructors teaching style?

Very comfortable 21%
Pretty comfortable 54%
Kind of comfortable 24%
Not at all 1%

3. Did you have enough time to finish all the assignments?

I had time to spare 13%
Just right 31%
I had to work fast to finish 54%
Well, I would have finished if I stopped talking... 1%

4. Do you feel comfortable analyzing your new websites for bias, usability, and accessability?

Very comfortable 15%
Pretty comfortable 56%
Kind of comfortable 29%
Not at all 0%

5. The Yankees will win the World Series

Of course 46%
No way 46%
Who are the Yankees? 9%

6. Do you feel comfortable creating and editing a basic web page?

Very comfortable 31%
Pretty comfortable 46%
Kind of comfortable 22%
Not at all 1%

End of Project 1

Today Web 1 and Web 2 students will have completed Project 1. I am happy with our progress. Almost all of you get the basic idea of the class and about fifty percent of you are absolutely nailing it.

Please complete this survey (only for Web 1 and Web 2) for me so I can get some feedback. I will post results by the end of the day.

Assignments for today:

Web 1 and Web 2: Take survey. Turn in work for project 1. Work on blogs: add clustrmap, picture, edit posts. On Monday we will start Project 2. You can get a head start on the reading if you want.

Web 3: We will assess your project today. By Monday please self-assess your work on your blog. Please review the rubric for the assignment. Write an evaluation in your blog. There are five sections of the rubric (each worth 20 pts). Divide your blog entry into 5 paragraphs or bullets. The format of each section should be criteria-opinion-evidence-score.

For example:

• The criteria for assessment is "pride". In this project I made connections with my classmates, sought guidance from the instructor, and refined my drafts several times. I worked hard to create a project that I am proud of. I had an idea on how to include Flash in the instructions that I think I will use in future projects. I would score this section 20/20.

Wednesday

Today is the tenth day of class. I hope that I have given you something of value over these days and that we can only add to the fun over the next months. I wanted to take a moment and review my expectations.

1. Make connections every day. The power to make connections in this global, digital, networked world is essential. Instead of having one teacher, have many. For example, on blogmeister there are thousands of teachers and students from around the world. Write to them, read their stories, and then write about the experience on your blog. Take a moment today and read some of the blogs from K-2 grade classrooms. They are fun to read. There is a saying that "isolation is the enemy of improvement". Make connections, collaborate, and improve.

2. Always do your best. You never know who is watching your work or reading your blog. Often people do not realize the power they have until it is lost. You are in a time unique to human history. You can read everything ever written at anytime. You can contact almost anyone at anytime. You can publish your ideas and thoughts instantly. That translates to huge gains in productivity. If the world is moving faster then you must as well. There is no substitute for hard work.

3. Add something to the conversation. Have a story to tell. This could be about how to make a game in Flash, issues you have in learning math, or how you are trying to work together with your classmates. Learn how to get your point across. Spend some time today looking at the read counts on your blog. How can you increase them? If you have a story to tell people from all over the world will read what you have to say. If we all add some thing of value to the conversation everyday (remember R1-R4?) there will be an incredible amount of learning going on in this classroom.

OK. Enough reading. Notice that you read (and I wrote) the above in 3D (links, etc...). Start writing that way!

Today (Web1-2): Project work. If you are done then help others, read blogs, edit your writing. Web 3 will be revising your work as I test your plans.

Tomorrow (Web1-2): Turn in work, start quiz.

Technorati Tags: k12education leadership Lulu blogmeister Seymour

Book Error

Web 1 students doing the Phi Kappa Phi page for project 1 should realize that the picture and the directions do not match. The directions say "left-align", while the picture is centered. Also, the colors will not quite match.

Patriot Day

Take a moment today in class to read through parts of the 9/11 Legacy website. This is a very well designed website. Think about some of the decisions that the web designers made to increase the usability of this site.

By clicking on the links at the top of the page you can read through some of the profiles. I am sure we have classmates who were personally affected by the tragedy and lets be sure to have them in our thoughts today.

Here we go...

Please be patient with me today. Each class will be doing different things.

All classes should save their work in their WDrive. The resources you have to complete this project include the teacher, Powerpoint lessons in UDrive, the book, and each other. Help each other through this first project!

Web 1: You will start the HTML book. You will complete the following:

• Chapter summary for Project 1
• Project
• Apply Your Knowledge
• In The Lab 2

Notes for Web 1: page 1.17--save to WDrive (not floppy disk). Skip 1.20-1.22. Don't print page (1.31)

Web 2: You will start the Dreamweaver book. You will complete the following:

• Chapter summary for Project 1.
• Project
• Apply Your Knowledge
• In the Lab 3

Notes for Web2: pages 1.12 through page 1.20 will require some network navigation. Create your "parks" folder in WDrive-Dreamweaver-folder. Read carefully and ask if you are not sure. Skip the step on 1.65--select browsers. Click f12 to preview web page.

Web 3: You will start your first teaching project.

Dear Grandma,

Well, this morning we didn't have internet access at school and it might go out at anytime (server issues) so I have had to adapt the Introductory Quiz a bit.

I ask that you write to your Grandma. This could be your real Grandma or a figurative Grandma. Write them a letter about the state of the internet in 2007. You should use the terms that we have covered in the introductory unit (bias, usability, ethics, accessibility, etc...).

This essay must be between 200-250 words. Do it in MS Word then post it to your blog.

Usability

Today we will finish our introductory unit (test to come shortly).

1. Read the following article. Save it in your favorites. Web Usability Guidelines.

2. Skim this basic article about usability and cellphones. Cell Phone usage

3. Start a MS Word Document. Using your google skills please find definitions for the following words or concepts. Cite your source!

bandwidth
web usability
search engine

4. Using google to search for information please summarize the following issues in terms of both usability and bandwidth. (cite your sources)

Describe the web usability issues if you were working at a science station in Antartica. (try this site) . This question involves bandwidth usability.
Describe the web usability issues with a PDA device or phone. This question involves bandwidth and design usability.
Describe the competitive advantage of having broadband access. Check this graph out.

5. Which of the following websites has a higher usability for teenagers. Why??

Newsmap
Connecticut Post

Please post your answers on your blog.

Technorati Tags: k12education webusability

Accessibility

I think everyone got off to a good start on their blogs. I have graded most of Period 2 and 3 and will grade the rest once the freshman have UDrive access. A few notes:

1. Many of you wrote well thought out responses that show evidence of reading and discussion. Some of you didn't. I won't be accepting sloppy work.
2. Don't sign your work as your name is already on your blog.
3. Put a line break between paragraphs.
4. When you comment be sure to leave your URL (not your email).

There are four main categories we are covering in this unit; bias, accessibility, usability, and ethics. Today we will focus on accessibility.

Read this article. Introduction to Web Accessability. We will watch this CBS News Video together in class.

Create an MS Word document.

Answer the following questions:

• List and summarize the major categories of disabilities. Find the link on the AIM site that describe each of the four disabilities.
• Go back to the article. Read it without using your mouse. How did that change the experience?
• Now turn your screen off. How would that change the experience?
• What is our obligation to serve those with disabilities?
  

Copy file to your blog and submit.

Technorati Tags: accessibility webdesign k12 education

Blogging

Over the next few days all students will be getting their blogmeisters started. The questions for the first bias assignment are on my blogmeister page.

Remember:
1. Do your typing in MS Word or notepad. Check spelling before you send.
2. Click request publishing.
3. When leaving comments leave first initial and last name (Bschneider) and your web address so people can respond.

Friday

Today we will complete the bias assignment. Please save to the Udrive-WebSchneider-Web1(2 or 3) when done. Web 2 and 3 must remember to put entire folder in UDrive so images/video will work. Label as first initial-last name-bias (bschneiderbias).

We will also begin exploring flickr and have some fun with retrievr. Of course, this means a little bit of discussion about ethics and appropriate use. I think it is very important we establish some ground rules. We will be writing a lot about this next week in your blogs.

Bias, Usability, Accessibility, Ethics

There are four main criteria that we use to assess the validity of a website; bias, usability, accessibility, and ethics. Today we will focus on bias.

This is also an exercise in communication skills and page design. Can you get your point across effectively? Do you know your audience?

1. Class Discussion about bias (Barbie Doll website, GI Joe website)

2. Read the following articles:
Gender Bias
Journalism Bias this is a longer article. Skim the whole thing (except the studies and theories of media bias section). Click on links that interest you.
More on gender bias. Skim the comments--this is how a blog is different, there is a conversation/debate happening.

3. Create a one page flyer (Web1: MS Word, Web 2: notepad, Web 3: Dreamweaver) that contains bias.

Girls: Boys are silly. Why can't they act right so I can get my work done? They should treat women with respect and not be so clueless.
Boys: Girls are silly. Why can't they act right so I can get my work done? They should treat men with respect and not be so clueless.

Think about your audience. Who are you writing it for? I am looking for two things. First, do you have good ideas and understand bias? Second, can you format the flyer well so you communicate these ideas? This is your first task in design.

This flyer must include the following:

• A clip art or free-non-copyrighted image. Using copyrighted images is illegal. I can google it to check, so be careful. You could make your own image if you want using Paint or Fireworks. Check the links on the right for clip-art images or go here.
• At least three quotes (from real or imaginary people)
• Web 2 and Web 3 must contain at least one link in their flyer. Choose the BEST link for your page and be able to support WHY you choose it.
• Have fun with this, stay respectful and appropriate.

4. Save in My Documents-Class Projects. (bschneiderbias). Check the Rubric for the assessment.

Technorati Tags: genderbias webdesign k12 education

Day 1

Well, we are off! First day was a half day and I did an introduction with all the classes. The classes listened well, seemed receptive my digital literacy rant, and I think they have some basics down. Asking "How many of you made a video for school in the past year?" and seeing no hands go up was a bit disheartening. Square one again....

I am still working through the set-up of our communication. I am not sure if I should stay with the blog or if I should be more wiki based.

Get to work

Here is a blog link to another class. that I am looking at. Right now I am stockpiling a ton of resources to throw at you over the next couple weeks. How has the world changed since we departed SHS on June 20? Are you tuned in?

I am debating how to set up our communications. I like using this blog as the primary vehicle but I am starting to think I should seriously reorganize the wiki.

Anyway, I eagerly await getting my classlists. Be ready....

Here it comes...

The beginning of school is about 10 days away. I know I will be teaching Web 1, Web 2, and Web 3 this semester. Last year I taught 5 sections of the same class so this will require some organization. I am debating how to use this blog now that there are three different classes. Perhaps my Web 3 veterans can chime in with ideas on how to best utilize these tools.

I do know that SHS is using a new grading software so we will convert from teacherease. I haven't seen the new system yet.

If you are new to the class please feel free to look back at the old posts to get an idea for what you are in for. I will be adding many pages to the wiki over the next week as I load up on assignments.

Enjoy your last week of vacation.

Rounding the Turn

I am beginning to formulate ideas for 2007-08 school year. Last year was my first year in the system and overall I think it went very well. I am thinking of four major strategies as we approach the year:

1. Publish. Lots of blog work, weebly work and I hope to publish either one really good book or a series of shorter ones using Lulu.
2. Lots of interaction between the levels. Our program has doubled in size and we are expanding the offerings for 2008-09. Creating the scope and sequence for this will involve lots of students. Students will work hard on wiki and other tools to help create connections between the different web classes.
3. Be ready for new stuff. I really think we can do a lot more with mobile and video. Lets see how much we can convince the powers that be.
4. Interaction with the community. Teachers, students, parents, senior citizens can benefit from our students knowledge and we hope to create regular opportunities for this interaction.

Ideas? Please email me or comment.

Technorati Tags: lulu weebly webdesign Seymour k12 education

Final Exam

Web 2 Final Exam is below. Choose the assignment appropriate for your topic.

Be sure to save final copy properly in UDrive before the bell rings for your exam. TEST IT!!!

You are the editor of the Missouri Times. It is November 7, 2006. Your state is the only state that the Northern Democrats won. Your state has played a strong role in the slavery debate through the Missouri compromise and that information is important to your readers (and is perhaps why they voted for Douglas).
Prepare a breaking news website that reflects the results of the election.

You are the editor of the Capulet Times. You have just heard that Juliet may have died and Romeo is missing. Your newspaper is owned by the Capulet family.
Prepare a breaking news website that reflects this news.

You are the webmaster for the Madrid Times. It is July 2, 1898. You have to be as objective as possible, but you know the King of Spain reads your paper and has huge influence.
Prepare a breaking news website that reflects the events of July 1.

You are the editor for the Chicago Tribune. It is August 27, 1968 and the Democratic Convention is experiencing more and more protests. Many of your reporters sympathize with the protesters and you support the free speech of the protesters. However, many of your readers think the police are correct to “restore order”.
Prepare a breaking news website that reports the growing protests at the convention.

Final

Many of you are creating extensive pages and Flash as you prepare for the exam.

I want to be clear. I have an expectation that your work will display four full class periods plus the exam. I feel that some of you think you can play games for a few days and pass. I promise you that is not the case.

On Monday I expect to spend most of the day working on the Appeals Jury for those who have attendance issues. If there are any exam issues while I am gone please leave them on your blog and I will get to them Monday afternoon.

Exempt Seniors

By my calculations the following eleven seniors are exempt from exams:
GI, MF, DJ, CF, JL, CT, BR, ES, MD, CC, KM.

Final Exam

Here is the exam. We will discuss it in class.

After the discussion please see me at my desk if there are any errors on teacherease. I am grading projects as fast as I can.

Test

Your project evaluations are due by the end of class today. If you are doing any edits to entries please do that by the end of the period as well.

I have started to post grades on teacherease. The track meet has been rescheduled for today so I will miss more class time today. I am grading as fast as I can.

I will try to post senior exemptions by the end of the day Thursday.

I am almost done with the final exam. We will discuss it in class tomorrow.

End of The Year

You never know what a year will bring. At this time last year I was preparing my students for their honors recitals, collecting uniforms, and preparing for the summer music program.

One year later I am completing my first year at Seymour High School. It has been an interesting year. Many of you have been with me since that first day in September, some joined us in January. I want to thank you for all your hard work along the way.

I have tried hard to teach you in a modern way. I learn alongside you. I teach with you, not TO you. This is the school 2.0 we have talked about. Many of you resisted this. I know it would be more comfortable for some of you for me to read the directions out of the book. On the flip side, many of you would have gone off the deep end if I did that.

My goal was to make you independent learners. Yes, that meant sometimes I didn't answer your question. Sorry.

So, what's next? I hope you stay on top of technology. Be the "tuned in" person. That will give you a HUGE advantage in interviews for schools or jobs. If you are the person people depend on for the latest information you are invaluable to a company.

Remember that an impression is lasting. So many of you made a lasting impression on me with your work. Having people advocate for you is incredibly powerful. You want people on your team that sing your praises. A bad impression spreads like wildfire.

Don't submit work you aren't proud of. If it has your name it that should stand for something. No matter what line of work you go into, showing pride in your workmanship is essential. You don't want your plumber saying "Yeah, what do I have to do to pass?". You don't want your doctor saying "I didn't really pay attention in that class".

Most of all, work on your collaboration skills. Isolation is the enemy of improvement.

Today: Evaluations of projects, comments on blogs, and final exam suggestions.

Tech Fair Day

All work for the final project must be submitted by the end of your class period on Monday. Double check your work in the Udrive!

Please begin the evaluation. The evaluation is a test grade and is designed for you to show evidence that you understand the objectives of the class. Be sure to answer the questions correctly!

The Tech Fair is Monday from 6-8pm. I hope you will come to show off your work. Those of you presenting should be completely ready for questions, comments, etc... Set-up by 5:45pm. I will be here all afternoon.

Important

So this is what will happen:
1. I need your complete website structure (all pages, images, citations, movies, etc..) done on Friday. We must error check the index.
2. I will allow you to do any details and final touch-ups on Monday, however,---YOU CAN'T CHANGE ANY PAGE NAMES OR PATHS OR ADD OR SUBTRACT PAGES.

I will come to school on Saturday to do preliminary grading of the websites. Be sure to read the checklist that follows this entry....

Checklist

Final projects are due Friday, June 1. I hope you will all attend the SHS tech Fair on June 4 from 6-8pm to show off your work. Bring friends and family.

If you are a presenter I ask that you be here by 5:45pm.

Some items to think about as you finish:

1. Check the rubric. Have you done everything?
2. Citations!! Correct format!!
3. Does your page look like a final project for Web2 or Web1? Are you using modern design? Is it visual and interactive?
4. Please be sure there are NO typos or links errors. Double and triple check.
5. Have you shown evidence of engagement and collaboration? The next few days are an excellent opportunity for this.
6. Do you have a "future" section where you outline what EXPERTS think will be happening in your area (laws, trends, etc...).

And most important: Did you actually answer the question????

This has been a three week project. Plan accordingly to finish on time and demonstrate your best work.

Cool site

This Bobby McFerrin site is real cool. Have fun with making the music. Interactive/visual/informative. You might not have the skills to pull something like that together, but you can make your project interactive/visual/informative. The usability rating for this site is very, very high.

When you are home watch this youtube video. He is an absolute freak of nature. When he sings harmony (2 pitches at once) with himself I get a bit freaked out. He gave the absolute best concert I ever saw.

Technorati Tags: BobbyMcFerrin usability web_design k12 education Seymour

VOKI

This is a test of voki.com. I hope it works at school.



Get a Voki now!

Check out the best Flash Websites. Get some ideas?

We will start forming the index today. Please go to UDrive on network (WebSchneider-Web2-Final Projects). Create a folder with your first and last name in the appropriate subject. Save your "index" file in this folder. It doesn't matter if it is done, we just need a correctly named file to start the index and make the links.

If you made a movie in Windows Movie Maker you need to convert it using Flash. Go to Flash and use "Import to Library". Bring file in. Then open it from your library and save it as a Flash file. Then you can bring it into Dreamweaver. Of course, it might be easier to make the movie in Flash to begin with....

The New Yorker has an interesting article about Gordon Bell, the famous computer scientist, and his vision of the future. Its long, but a good read.

The blogmeister had an interesting post about the Arts and Sciences. The 2nd half of the entry is the relevant part. Are you quoting experts in your project (and citing them correctly)? I hope so....

If you haven't checked out the completed horizon project that we reviewed a few weeks ago I urge you to do so. Those students did an excellent job.

Technorati Tags: Warlick k12 hz07 GordonBell NewYorker

Charts

Somebody check this out. Let me now if it works. Flash Charts.

Update 5/25/07 OK. Steven A. got it to work fairly easily and is giving us instructions on his blog. It is a cool way to present data. Put it in your favorites and possibly use it for your project.

Technorati Tags: amcharts

Tuesday

I have received a few notes that people are watching how our weebly site develops. Work hard!

Interviews are not an optional part of the project. You do your interviews and research before you begin your design. Remember I am evaluating your work each day as you work with your classmates and your engagement in the project. The final product is only 10% of your score. Check the rubric!

Monday

The second blog question is due on 5/22. I would also like you to check the rubric. Score your project at this point. What do you need to work on the most?

I added Mr. Sirowich to the faculty list for the Zero-Impact House question. Mr. Sirowich used to be an environmental engineer and might make an excellent interview.

Timing is everything. The NY Times Magazine has several articles on "Eco-Tecture" or green building. I include the link but I also have the hard copy on my desk if some of you need to get some good research. It has some amazing information.

Mrs. Deming has answered several questions on students blogs. Be sure to check them out. If Mrs. Deming answered a question on your blog please leave a link on the blogmeister so it can be shared and you can show evidence of collaboration.

You probably want to make your movies in Flash instead of Movie Maker. Its much more powerful. I am not sure how well movie maker files will integrate into Dreamweaver.

If you are a tech fair presenter and you haven't created your weebly site please do so today. I would like you to add a blog so we can leave comments on your site. Be sure to leave links back to your blogs, the SHS Blogspot, and the class assignment.

Finally, don't get slammed because you didn't use citations properly. No, you can't just take pictures off google. I will check your sources!! Everything must be cited.

I will be out the second half of the day for the NVL track meet. I think I will be doing curriculum work on Wednesday.

Thursday

The weeks are going by real fast.....

The next few days will be crazy. Many of you have prom obligations, we have 8th grade orientation, track meets, and I have curriculum work on Wednesday. I won't see some of you for one week.

But the deadline still looms. Having other obligations is not a reason to produce shoddy work. I expect your best work.

I hope this is not blocked: weebly.com. Making a professional website is getting incredibly easy and free. Of course this impacts this class. If software is becoming online, free, and incredibly easy we may value the coding aspect of design less. The value of being a good writer and visual communicator will become more and more important. The value of being able to write in three dimensions is definitely becoming more important.

OK>>>>We have been playing with weebly all day. Our presenting group (web 2.0, video, etc..) will definitely use this. See me for questions.

Now a lot of programmers hate programs like this. It doesn't code completely correctly. There are trade-offs as the software becomes more user-friendly. Will this become the industry standard? I doubt it. Something even easier will debut before we teach this class again next September.

Don't fall behind. The world is moving VERY fast.

I did a quick flash thing from the VA tech victims and put it in UDrive. Use it if you want.

And finally, here is the link to Mrs. Deming's page about her breast cancer walk. Read this before you write up her questions. In addition she has been answering questions on students blogs (Christina, Jackie, etc..).

Technorati Tags: weebly k12 education

Speed

Where have all the phone booths gone? I bet some of you have never seen one outside of a movie.

We talk often about how fast technology is changing society. Only a few years ago what an iPod could do was shocking. Now you watch movies on it and its no big deal.

And now you can watch TV on your cell phone. What's next?

Here is a reminder about flash and what it can do and its effect on education. What type of flash component will you be adding to your website? Be sure to look at the flash templates and dreamweaver templates we have shown you. Don't make your website look like it was made in 2001.

One note about Project 9--we can't get the ActiveX to play correctly. So after you finish making the globe turn you can stop, don't worry about the state park page.

Links

A few links that were posted yesterday and might apply to your projects:

From the Blogmeister:
New Schools in the UK: Britain is committed to rebuilding all schools in their country by 2020.

From Will Richardson:
Summary of our new technology: Very similar to our "write to your grandma" assignment.

From NBC News:
2017: NBC Nightly News did a series this week on how life will be like in ten years. Great timing!

If you find links people might use please post them on your blog and comment on the people doing that assignment.

As we start the project a few reminders. First, try to follow the steps in order. Do your research first and THEN interview your expert. It will make you look much smarter. Use the interview to clarify some of your research. Because you spend the time to research first the interviewee will be much more likely to enjoy the interview. Doing research will allow you to be much more specific and thought provoking in your questions.

Second, use the time to collaborate with all other people doing your question. Together work on questions that will be probing and interesting. Lets not have fifteen people ask Mrs. Deming the same question. That's boring for her. What questions will add the most value to your website? You can only know after you do some research and you know what holes you need to fill.

Good luck!

Technorati Tags: Warlick WillRichardson future education k12

Monday

Today will be the final day in the Flash sandbox. Use the time to try something new in the tutorials (try zoom in if you haven't yet). I also want you to spend time reading Project 9 in the textbook as you will need to add Flash movies to your websites during your final project. Please take the time to view some of the examples of Flash Websites that are on the tutorial pages (there are links in the bottom right).

If you made a cool movie in Flash, save it to the UDrive so everyone can see it. I had Courtney P save her car movie there. Its pretty cool.

We will begin the final project tomorrow. You can read about it today, but be warned I have a few more items to add to the page. This will be a three week assignment and will require you to show competencies from Web1 and Web2. All of these projects will be displayed at the SHS Tech Fair on June 4.

We will split into two groups for the project. I will ask several of you to present at the Tech Fair on subjects such as Web 2.0, video, blogging, and such. The rest of you will work on one of the assigned tasks for the project.

Wednesday Assignment

In order to complete Wednesday's assignment you must complete the first two tutorials on shape and motion tween. You must complete this assignment and show the teacher by the end of the period. Work together so everyone gets it done.

Motion Tween:
Move a blue circle from the bottom left corner to the top right.

Shape Tween:
Convert a small blue circle to a large red square. Have the object move from the bottom left corner to the top right corner.

Save each file in WDrive.

If you finish the first two tutorials please try to move through the rest of the tutorials. I would like you to have a very basic idea of the available tools by the end of the week.

Flash

Here is the link to the Flash tutorial that I would like you to start when your quiz is done. These are some simple directions for learning the basics of Flash. You will notice some similarities to the project that we just completed (timeline, layers, etc...). Start with the top tutorial (motion tween) and go through the rest.

I am new to Flash as well. We will learn this together. I think you will pick it up very fast. I got most of the things to work very easily. But some things held me up. I am sure they are obvious things. A few things to note about Flash. First, you can do some cool stuff with it. Second, because you can do some cool stuff designers often load their pages with stuff that adds no value to the page, causing it to take forever to load. Worse in my eyes are those "flash intros" to pages that almost nobody likes to use.

So, as you use the Flash tutorials think about how you could use Flash to add value or increase usability on a page.

Please try to put your Yankees quiz in the UDrive today. Important notes about the quiz....please follow the directions!!! Some of you have turned in a quiz that does not include the correct link or explanation text. Please don't turn in a webpage that is titled "Untitled Document".

I hope to have the final project assignment ready by Thursday or Friday. Keep sending me your ideas.

Technorati Tags: Flash

Cool links

My mom sent me this link. Be sure to include sound. I really hope it plays for you.

Mobile phones in concept link.

June 4 is the SHS Tech Fair. Everyone of you will have your final projects displayed. I have asked several of you to present to the Board of Education. Keep sending my ideas for final projects.

I see eight presentations at the tech fair:

• Video, youtube, teachertube
• Web 2.0 and School 2.0, what can be happening NOW.
• Dreamweaver/HTML/Programming applications
• Wikis
• Blogging/Global Communications
• Educational Gaming
• Future, Web 3.0, School 3.0. What will happen in the FUTURE.
• All of your final projects

All of these topics involve information, the processing of information, and how the nature of communications is shifting (2D writing becomes 3D writing). Also, we should all speak about the importance and value of 1-to-1 computing. Imagine doing this (or any) class with 1 computer.

I'd also would like to have one movie (like the Did you Know movie we watched at the beginning of the semester) that highlights and summarizes everything.

Agree? Ideas? Suggestions?

Final Project

Teaching a class for the first time is not easy. The main issue is pacing. I don't really know how long a unit will take and how many extra items to add for understanding. I do feel that we are finishing the year much stronger than how we started. All of you have improved on our three objectives: synthesize, summarize, solve.

Almost all of you have grades above 95 now. You are doing the work and doing it well. About 10 of you are not getting your work done. This is not acceptable. You know who you are. See me today and we can try to fix this the easy way. Otherwise.....

So what do we have left to do? We need to spend some time on Flash and Fireworks. We need to do our final project (this will be fairly large). We need to review for the final and take the final.

If you have ideas for the final exam and final project please add them to your blog. I would be interested to read them. If you took Web1 with me you probably have an idea where I am heading.

Wednesday

I am in general very happy with the reviews that you did for the Horizon Project and the comments you made on the blogs. I think about 80% of you showed a real depth of understanding about design, writing, and the creative process. Many of the rest of you went through the motions. Always do your best.

Go to teachertube.com and check out the scores for the movies I posted. Kelly's movie is in the lead with over 1700 views! Related to the horizon project this is a social network and an emerging form of publication. You have a global audience! Have something to say.

Project 8 should be in progress at this point. The quiz is posted on the wiki. Have some fun with it.

Technorati Tags: hz07 teachertube

Tuesday

Things to do today:

1. Review and edit your horizon project exams.
2. Complete your Web 3.0 blog entry from before vacation.
3. Check teacherease for missing work. I have not gotten to all the P7 quizzes and some of the videos. You have not been graded if you did not turn in an evaluation.
4. Make 3-5 substantial comments on students blog entries about the horizon project.
5. Project 8 if you are ready.

Horizon Project

I spoke before break that we would be evaluating the Horizon Project. We will do this today (Monday). We will have discussion first and then you will tackle the assignment on the wiki. If you are reading this from home please get a head start on the reading.

This is an important project and many people from many different countries will be reading your work. Do your best!

Technorati Tags: hz07 wiki Seymour sounding_board

Gametime

I get the feeling over the last few weeks that most of you "get it" now. You have been working much more independently, solving your problems yourself, and producing some great work.

Lets remember the three objectives for the class: synthesize, summarize, solve. These are areas that you should focus on in all aspects of your education. I think we have gotten much better in all three over the past month or so.

So we pretty much understand the tools (HTML, Dreamweaver, blogging, etc...) and we pretty much understand the objectives (synthesize, summarize, solve). What will we do with it?

As you can tell by the clustrmap our class and the assignments are looked at by a lot of people. Many of the assignments we do are repeated in classrooms around the globe. Many of the assignments that they do I find and adapt for you. However, we have not really gone to the next level, which is truly creating connections with the global community.

I feel we can be elite. We can be a model school, with a model curriculum, examples of student work that make people go "Wow!". As we move from Web 1.0 (HTML) to Web 2.0 (blogging, collaboration, visual, etc...) we need to start planning for Web 3.0. What will it look like? Will we be ready?

I want you to find examples of schools, people, ideas that are Web 3.0. What is the "next big idea"? How are innovative schools in other countries run? I want you to collect information (synthesize), put it on your blog (summarize), and then we will figure out what to do next (solve). As you know, I believe students should take responsibility for their education. If you had a chance to design the next version of this class/school/district what would it look like?

Check some of these ideas/schools out:
Horizon Project We will be evaluating these project when we return from break. Check them out.
Shangai American School A school involved in the Horizon Project. Where are they on the technology curve?
The New MBA What do you think? Is visual communication taught enough at SHS?
Second Life This will become more and more important in your education.
TED Talks: Watch One!! Click on the technology category.

Edutopia: Lots of good ideas from the George Lucas Foundation. Lucas is the guy behind Star Wars and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (Steven A. put this link on his blog, good job Steve!)

Gates Foundation: The richest man in history is giving most of his money away to try to end many diseases and improve education. Take a moment and see where that money is going.

Technorati Tags: hz07 TED Warlick k12 education Gates Edutopia

Faces

Some of the Faces pages you did for project 7 quiz are amazing. Check them out in the UDrive.

Whose pages should I bring home to practice with Claudia?

OLPC

Great video by Brianna. I think the music really helps the video. Have you noticed on teachertube how many views your videos have gotten?

Some of you have submitted the files incorrectly. You must save the movie file (not the movie project) to the UDrive. If you go to the UDrive and you see a icon that looks like a movie reel you did it wrong.

We have read often about the one laptop per child program (OLPC). Read this post by Will Richardson and observe the photograph. Can you connect this to our readings about Darfur? If the children of Darfur all had a laptop, many would be reading your blogs and vice versa. Would there still have been genocide?

Can you see the hope in their faces?

Now, imagine if we did the same here at Bungay Elementary. Could we change the world here in Seymour as well? A science textbook costs $80. This laptop costs $100.

Technorati Tags: olpc willrichardson

Extra Credit

Want extra credit? To get extra credit you must be finished with all other assignments.

Extra credit will be making short videos. All rules about copyright apply. The movies must be 28 seconds long.

Option 1: Make a video that will make a 1st grader laugh.
Option 2: Make a video that will make Mr. Freund laugh.
Option 3: Do the opposite topic from the video assignment (i.e. if you did Darfur, now do cyberbullying).

Test

This is a test of teachertube embed video. If you see video, it worked.

Quiz, Extras, Etc...

The quiz for Project 6 is posted on the blogmeister.

The quiz for Project 7 is posted on the class wiki. Both quizzes are due by Thursday April 19.

Extra credit is also posted at the class wiki. Same due date.

I posted four videos to teachertube.com. They have over 500 hits total in one day. You have a global audience and a voice. As I said yesterday, spend your time trying to change the world. Don't just float through life talking about yourself, spending time in PAC, not remembering what you did last week.

Technorati Tags: classblogmeister stopcyberbullying k12 education

Videos, Dreamweaver, Darfur

Videos on Darfur and cyberbullying are starting to be deposited in the UDrive. Check them out. Leave comments on the directors blogs. I am posting the best videos to teachertube.com
Many of you are finishing Project 6. Check the notes from a previous blog entry. Be sure that you create TWO files: the template and the Bahia Park file.

Project 7 notes: skip page 7.38. Also, when you are doing the hotspot and behaviors for the three regions of Florida do them one at a time. I couldn't get them to work all at once. This will make sense when you do the project.

Project 6, Project 7 and the movie are due by Thursday April 19.

Check out this use of technology. Learn how to use this technology! This is the expectation of the world we live in, that you can present information using these tools. Old school would have been a chart with the places that have been burned. I think this tool is more effective. I am not sure all of you have Google Earth on your machines. Period One will let me know.

This may sound a bit like a sermon but I hope some of you have been effected by the images from Darfur or the stories of cyberbullying. Making the videos and increasing awareness is a small step in solving the problem. Never waste a day. Students in Darfur would do anything to have your life for even a day. And I know some of your lives are NOT easy. There are students in this community who have incredible challenges, yet you never hear about it. And then there are students who spend the day in PAC because they did something stupid. Don't waste a day and don't let your classmates waste a day. Imagine if those in PAC or the large amount of students who are "ME" people took some energy and pored it into raising awareness about Darfur. If it saved one life or stopped the conflict one day early it would be worth it.

If it was you been chased down by the militia, your sisters killed, your mom raped and beaten could you imagine if you sent a cry for help and nobody answered? Or cared? Or even knew where Darfur was?

Technorati Tags: darfur video stopcyberbullying

Stuff

Many of you are off to a good start on your movie. Please be sure to note your subject in your blog. If you do the work at home you will need to burn the movie file on to a CD. You want the MOVIE FILE, not the project. If you think you are done please save the movie file into the Udrive. Be sure to name your file correctly.

Project 6 involves templates and some work in CSS language. This work is fairly detailed, but pretty simple. Creating templates or style sheets is a time saver. We will not spend much time on this. However, if you decide to go further into programming this would be an excellent area to focus on as it unleashes a lot of the more powerful features of Dreamweaver.

For project six you will do the project, the outline, and the quiz. No extras. Be aware that the "logo" image is actually named "title" in this project.

And check out freeplaymusic. I found this site this morning and like it a lot so far. Very easy to use. (Aargh---someone just let me know its currently blocked for students. I will work on it).

Video

We have talked often about how video is becoming more and more essential for web site design and construction. Almost every website you visit has a video component. In addition, videos are used in business, academics, sports, and other disciplines. It is an essential means of communication in todays society and I feel everyone should understand the basics of creating a video.

This weeks assignment is on the class wiki. The assignment involves creating a public service announcement for students. The assignment has some very specific instructions so I urge you to read it carefully. The most important part of the assignment is to tell a story! Can you get your point across in 28 seconds?

I encourage you to collaborate on this project, however I do require that you use mixed gender teams. You can be in teams of 1-4 people.

I want to make clear that if you are new to this type of software I do not expect anything too technically grand. You will use this assignment to experiment and play around with the software.

Good luck.

3D writing

Writing for the web is a profoundly different skill than writing for other disciplines. Composing an article in MS Word or with pencil and paper is a two-dimensional process. What you write on the paper is all there is.

Writing on the web is in three dimensions. You not only see what is on the screen but there are infinite layers behind it that you link to.

Click here: two dimensions.

Click here: three dimensions.

None of you go home and read MS Word documents. All of you go home and read documents on the web with text, images, links, animations, etc... Writing and reading in three dimensions is an essential skill now for any field you plan to pursue. That is what you must practice on your blog. Many of you have rich, multi-faceted entries with links to important information. This is writing in three dimensions. Some of you have paragraphs with no links, images, or anything that is beyond two dimension writing.

Is there a place for 2 dimensional writing? Of course. If you are writing for yourself (journal, diary, etc..) there is little need for writing in 2D. But if you are writing on the web it is inherently a conversation not a lecture/speech. You should make this as rich a conversation as possible.

Go back and look at your last few entries. Resubmit anything you feel can be improved and become more three dimensional. Don't get left behind as the world switches to 3D writing. Work on this skill!! Your blog is your website. People from around the world read it. Make it the BEST example you can of your writing, coding, and web design skills.

2D: I am Brandt Schneider. I have a daughter named Claudia and I teach Web Design at Seymour High School.

3D: I am Brandt Schneider. I have a daughter named Claudia and I teach Web Design at Seymour High School.

Darfur

For the past week we have been discussing cyberbullying and the situation with Kathy Sierra. We have discussed ways to address cyberbullying and how the actions of one can effect many.

When I was in school I studied a lot about historical revolutions. The Nazi revolution and the Holocaust were part of my studies. Often when we think about these historical events we think of them in the large scale; the millions of people dead, the large scale destruction.

However, much of my study was about how in order for the mass genocide to occur there has to be millions of individual situations. One individual making a decision to hurt someone else, and many other individuals who don't do anything to stop it. The Holocaust was built by millions of individual decisions to harm, hurt, and kill people.

I am sure many of you have studied the destruction in Darfur, a region of the Sudan. Please review some information here. This is large scale genocide. Many believe the world does not care.

We have studied how simulations can effect learning. We have played Ayiti which focusses on the plight of the poor in Haiti, and 3rd World Farmer where you try to survive on a farm in a devloping country. These games have shown us that interactive games may have a place in education. Almost all of you play some sort of game online and you need to understand how they work as a web designer.

Today we will review the game Darfur is Dying. This game is developed for children slightly younger than yourselves. However, I believe we can learn important lessons about Darfur and about how learning is occurring online.

Please learn the game, play it, and then reflect on the situation in Darfur. I would like you to then write a blog entry about the game. This blog entry will be written for a specific audience. This is part of continuing effort to summarize.

Boys:
Review the game for "Gaming Developer Magazine", a magazine that caters to the serious game developer. You write for a section "Educational Games". Your article should cater to your reading audience and should be between 200-250 words.

Girls:
Review the game for "Education Week", a magazine that caters to the teachers. You write for a section "Educational Games". Your article should cater to your reading audience and should be between 200-250 words.

Technorati Tags: DarfurisDying stopcyberbullying gaming

Kathy Sierra

We read last week about Kathy Sierra, the teacher who was beng threatened with the online posts. Through that discussion we talked about cyberbullying. It was very interesting to read your blogs.

I was a bit worried that many of you said if that one should just "brush off" bullying on the internet and just ignore it. Kathy Sierra talks about this in a recent post:

Unfortunately, I still do NOT know who made the unclebobism post; nobody has yet been able to tell me that the person who did this is not a real threat. We've become so desensitized to vile comments on the net that many people can't comprehend why I would feel threatened. But if we dismiss every cruel, vile, sexually threatening comment as simply the work of an anonymous troll, we will no longer be able to recognize a real threat. Are we willing to stake our mother/sister/daughter's life on a sexually and physically threatening photo or comment, simply because it appeared on the internet and therefore must be harmless?

What do you think?

Technorati Tags: KathySierra stopcyberbullying

End of Marking Period

OK. This is the end of the marking period. Things will move very fast today and tomorrow.

1. Turn in your exam. Click here for directions. Leave time for this. You could do the writing at home, but I must get the exam evaluation before midnight on Tuesday. No evaluation--no grade.

2. Check teacherease for errors. I make mistakes. I will not accept late work, but I want to fix errors. Your responsibility to check.

3. Amnesty program was posted on March 15. If you are going to participate any work must be submitted by 2pm on Tuesday.

I have 100 of these exams to check so please try hard to get them submitted correctly. Since I extended the deadline because of snow I am in a bit of a time crunch. Help eachother!!!

Exam Observations

A few notes that I see about the exam:

1. Many of you should be using tables to help with your layout (review Florida Parks pages). Many of your layouts look a little sloppy. A table would help a lot. Remember, the table can have no border, but you use it just for alignment.

2. Many of you have images, but they don't have alternate text or VSpace or HSpace. This looks bad.

3. In general your backgrounds are way too prominent. They are backgrounds. You need to remove them. If you take the background out and your page suddenly looks cleaner, that should tell you something. In general your pages are way too busy. Again, it is VERY rare to find a professional website that has a dark background or one that is as flashy as some of yours are. The best looking websites I've seen for this exam are very clean, and have minimal, if any, backgrounds.

4. This is a website. Not an essay.

5. Citations must be correct. Everything must be cited and you must know who wrote your information. "Some guy" is not an acceptable answer.

6. Test your site! Have someone else try it out. Is it fun?? This is a a factor for your grade!!!! Will a 5th grader want to use your website?? I urge you to look at your classmates work for ideas.

7. You must link to a prominent blog on the subject.

Stop Cyberbullying

Be sure to do today's reading about cyberbullying on the blogmeister. Our quiz tomorrow will require you did this reading.

Technorati Tags: stopcyberbullying

Image Citations

To do your image citations go to noodletools.com and follow the directions on the exam wiki.

Your image is in the "audiovisual" category. Then use online source. Try to include as much information as you can, including the photographer.

You may not have images, text, or video that you didnt create or is under copyright. I don't care if it was on google. That gives you permission to view it, not to steal it.

No, you may not use any image of Harry Potter. The image is copyrighted. Do something else.

Exam Thoughts

As you finish the research for your exam I wanted to have some Do's and Don'ts:

DO:

1. Look at information with a critical eye. Just because it is on the internet does not mean it is correct. How did you determine that it is valuable information? Who is the author? Is their work cited in other places?

2. Remember your designated audience!! Do 5th graders want a boring site? No! Do you include interactive elements like quizzes, video, surveys?

3. Be very specific. Don't start writing about irrelevant issues. Also, be sure you define the question correctly. For example, "can dogs love humans" will require a definition of what "love" is. Dogs can be devoted, but can they love? These are tough questions.

4. Be sure to only use work that is Creative Common license or non-copywrited.

5. Collaborate with your classmates!! It would be cool to link two or three sites together, each tackling a different part of the issue. Help each other with video, cool ideas, etc... I have no problem if you barter skills ("I work on your video, you help me with the images") as long as you cite who did what. Use blogmeister to connect with anyone in the world. You must have a blog reference. Blogmeister has students all over the world who could leave you comments!!!

6. Include a professional looking page of references.

DON'T:

1. Don't use dark backgrounds unless you have a REALLY good reason. Dark backgrounds are VERY rare in the design world. Plan your website BEFORE you start on the computer. Don't just jump in.

2. Don't wait until the last minute.

3. Don't do less than your best work. These WILL be used by the 5th graders in Seymour. Show that you know what you are doing.

Quiz

Quiz is on the blogmeister. Must be completed today (3/22/07).

Step 7

First problem:

Step 7 on Page 4.52 is causing some problems. I think I have it figured out.

When you make the link on the Florida Parks index page to the new frames page use the folder icon and browse for the correct file.

It will ask you if you want to overwrite the file. CLICK NO.

It should work. If you click yes, you lose the old file. Be careful.

Second problem:
A lot of you are creating "pretzel" issues because you are not saving the frames correctly. Frame and frameset are not the same thing. Thus, the computer is looking for files that either don't exist or exist someplace else and you get error messages. GO SLOW when saving files. If you do the first few pages correctly you will be fine.

This is a hard one to fix....not sure of a solution yet (beyond start over).

Format

This weeks blog post needs to follow a specific format such as those in the flickr guidelines (Do's, Don't, etc..). Many of you submitted incorrect work. Fix it!!!

Ethics and Appropriate Use

We have talked and written many times this year about responsible use. We have reflected that many things have been restricted from you because some people have acted badly. Water bottles, phones, iPods, video on websites, etc.....

So what would an acceptable use policy look like? Check this one out that covers student publishing. Also read that flickr.com has community guidelines.

But sometimes we are searching for information, images, or ideas and we come across inappropriate content. For example, flickr.com has community guidelines, but sometimes people don't follow the rules and post objectionable photos.

We need guidelines of what to do if we come across "bad stuff". I feel strongly that the "bad stuff" should not come into the classroom and I am sure you agree. Some feel since that there is a chance this will happen we should not be able to use these tools. I feel if students behave responsibly and we have discussions about what to do and how to act that we should be able to use these tools.

Assignment:
1. What community guidelines should we use for SHS? How should we "act responsibly" in viewing, searching, and collecting information? This should be specific: "A student should use search terms responsibly, for example, don't search for "Nudes" or "If a student encounters objectionable content the student should flag the content and immediately remove themselves from the page".
2. Use the flickr.com guidelines as your template. I think it is a good format. Notice it is NOT one run-on paragraph.
3. Title your blog entry "SHS Appropriate Use Guidelines".

Technorati Tags: appropriateuse k12 education SeymourWebDesign blog flickr

Amnesty

Many of you will be adjusting your speed.

Many of you are done with project 4.

If needed, use the amnesty program. Any amnesty for marking period will close April 2.

I am happy to open lab before or after school.

Exam

Your marking period exam is posted here on the class wiki. It is due April 2, which will close the marking period.

You also have your chapters to complete. Yes, I am asking you to do two things at once. Your exam should reflect your current knowledge and you should use the tools that you have to solve the problems in the exam.

Book project 4 is about frames. This is a very quick project. Please do the following:

1. Parks
2. Student Trips
3. Outline/Summary
4. Quiz

You will do the same four categories for project 5.

Deadlines

Deadlines are moving up fast.

Period 1, 6 must take their quiz today.

Period 2, 4, 5 must take their quiz by tomorrow.

All project 3 work due by Thursday.

Last weeks blog assignment deadline has passed.

Many of you need to do homework or use study hall time. If you are behind, and not taking the CAPT test you should use the extra time and arrive to see me at 7:20am.

I will stay after:
Tuesday until 3pm
Wednesday until 3:30pm
Thursday until 3pm

Plan accordingly.

Photos

Another way to find works is to use Creative Common License.

This is a way for people to allow use of their work. Your blogs are under a Creative Common License. There are different variations. Some allow you to copy, some allow you to copy AND modify, etc...

Go to flickr.com

Click explore Flickr

Click search. Click advanced search.

Check search only for Creative Common License Photos.

Put in your search term (Boston, baseball, etc..).

See photos.

Technorati Tags: flickr

Monday

Last week I posted the new schedule for deadlines.

You should notice that some classes don't meet everyday due to CAPT test. Be sure you meet deadline regardless of CAPT schedule. You have known the schedule for a long time and should plan accordingly.

I am slightly worried that some of you will test me on this. Get things in when they are due or before deadline. Work will not be accepted after the deadline. I have provided significant time to complete each task. Those of you who are behind must plan for extra time during study hall or before or after school. You also must start working more efficiently. I will do anything I can to help you get things done. This might include a student tutor, allowing after school time, extra hints, etc...But let me know!!

Some the resources at your disposal:
1. Powerpoint presentation in UDrive.
2. Learn it Online.
3. Your classmates! Use the blogs for help or if you find a cool hint or way to do things.
4. Me
5. The textbook.
6. The world of instructors and web resources.

Last week's blog article is due today (Monday).

School 2.0

David Warlick, the blogmeister, has been travelling the world talking about School 2.0. Take a minute and read his post. School 2.0 is a transformative experience where teachers are guiding the learning process. Education become much more reciprocal. I learn AS you learn. Not I talk and YOU learn.

I think this course, because of its nature, might be one of the more "modern" in terms of content that you have. I have also tried to be "modern" in terms of teaching technique. I have tried to adapt my style to the situation. If I am working with you in a few weeks teaching you how to throw the discus on the track team my style will be very different. If I was conducting you in my band it would be yet another style.

Why? I think it is essential that you can discover the answers yourself. When you are "on your own" there will be no teacher there for you. You will need to know how to search for information, read/write, communicate and collaborate, and to solve the "problem" quickly, efficiently and productively.

What does a 21st century school look like? Check out:

High Tech High Be sure to look at their digital portfolios. How does the use of digital portfolios increase collaboration and assessment? If you were in that school you would know exactly what excellent work looks like. Are these students prepared for the 21st century?

Take the time to read this Time magazine article (some of you may have seen it before). Note how a 21st century school approaches education. Notice how involved students are in their education.

Why do we focus on this? A web designer who does not focus on learning new technology, methods of communication, and global techniques will quickly be an irrelevant web designer.
I hope our readings have shown you that ALL of us have to be web designers/communicators now to thrive in this global, collaborative marketplace. If ALL of us have to be web designers/communicators then these skills are essential.

In your blogmeister please reflect on these readings. How can you take more control of your education? Are you demanding the opportunity to learn?

Technorati Tags: Warlick k12 hightechhigh JohnDewey 21st

Schedule

Students should be familiar with the new grading schedule and requirements.

Survey Results

1. Dreamweaver is...
Easier than HTML 71%
Same difficulty as HTML 19%
Harder than HTML 10%

2. Have you read or edited your blogmeister from home?
Yes 69%
No 31%

3. After only four weeks with Dreamweaver I would like you to respond to the sequence of Web Design. Would you prefer...
Learning HTML first and then Dreamweaver 64%
Learning by task (i.e. learning image maps in Dreamweaver and HTML at the same time) 13%
Learn Dreamweaver first then incorporate HTML knowledge 23%

4. Are you producing your best work?
Yes 71%
No 29%

5. I am familiar with and understand Seymour High School's mission statement.
Yes 67%
No 33%

6. Does using Dreamweaver help you understand HTML language better?
Yes 53%
No 47%

7. Do you feel comfortable creating and editing a basic webpage?
Yes 94%
No 5%
Whats a webpage? 1%

8. Choose all that apply. I would like to work on the following topics:
Gaming and educational simulations 62%
Creating web 2.0 applications 29%
Video/Flash and movie making 74%
Connecting with students from other countries 42%
Improving my writing/communication skills 22%
Computer programming 34%

Transparent

I have been encouraging many of you to make your background images transparent. That way we can see the text better.

This was done easily in Frontpage, but I have been showing you the wrong way to do it in Dreamweaver, thus the image isnt showing up in your browser. I made a mistake (gasp!).

Can anyone find the proper way to insert this transparent background and post a tutorial on their blog??

I can make the image transparent or less opaque very easily in Fireworks. Perhaps I edit it there and then bring it into Dreamweaver? Anyone have a better idea?

And don't forget each project has a powerpoint created that some of you might work better with. The powerpoints are in the UDrive.

Project 3

We are transitioning to Project 3 in the textbook.

Please take the survey about Project 2.

Project three is about tables and formatting pages. It is a bit awkward in that there are a lot of meticulous directions. There is debate in the software world about which is better; using tables or style sheets. Well, you get to learn both as Project 4 starts our work with style sheets.

We will eliminate the Plant City extra for this chapter. Please complete Florida parks, Lawn City, Student Government, outline, and quiz. I will be expecting your outlines to improve and employ the techniques we have talked about for summarizing. Start taking the practice quiz now so you learn the vocabulary.

Please put this free music site in your favorites. Remember, you can't use copyrighted music either. This site is connected with the $100 laptop program.

Good luck.

New Age

During Web1 I had several battles with students who felt that Web Design was only HTML based programming. Video, wikis, blogs, etc...were "extras". I think I convinced most that "web design" is a moving target. It is quickly adapting to a mobile, collaborative form.

Further evidence continues to arrive. Read this post about the growth of wikis and blogs in the workplace. Experts predict that 50% of companies will use wiki technology by the year 2009. A few notes about that:

1. If half the companies are using wiki/blogs I hypothesize that it is the better performing companies. Companies that do not use technology are probably "old school" in many other areas as well and risk falling behind in our global marketplace.
2. Our SHS freshman will graduate college no earlier than 2014. Will wikis and blogs be essential by then? The article speaks about companies replacing their traditional web sites with the wikis and blogs. Will Dreamweaver/HTML disappear by the time our freshman leave high school? I think so. But the communication skills (summarizing, analyzing, editing, etc...) will become even more important.

I think this has extreme implications for our modern student. If the workplace of 2009 will be largely wiki and blog based how should that shape your work at SHS? I think there is a lot of work to be done.

This is your future. Demand an education that prepares you for it. Find new technology and embrace it.

I will be formatting your projects very soon. But let me be clear---I will allow you to work on almost anything you want while you are in this class as long as you fulfill our objectives (see blogmeister). If you have an alternate assignment for any of our objectives please offer them. If there is something you want to pursue--do it!!

Technorati Tags: wikis webdesign Seymour Schneider k12 technology

Swing Set

This swing set site is amazing. The usability rating is off the chart. A good example of a modern use of web design.

I am designing a set for Claudia that I will make this summer. What can you come up with? Have fun with this for awhile (but don't get lost in it for days....).