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!