I created a curriculum web on designing web pages using Dreamweaver (link). Even though I create web pages a lot using the raw HTML code, ASP.NET, PHP to list a few, this was my first time that I used Dreamweaver as an HTML editor. I found it a little difficult to adjust how this program worked in the Code mode but eventually I figured it out. Also, locating the different toolbars was the other learning curve but once I learned all that, things went pretty well.
As I mentioned above, my curriculum web deals with basic web page design tips and how to use some of the basic elements of HTML, such as tables, links, images, and lists to name a few. In my first activity, I offered links for the students, which are school teachers and staff, to view that gave pointers on page design tips and how to use color's properly on a web page. I used a HotPotatoe Quiz on this page which can be viewed by clicking here. On the second activity, I showed users how to use Dreamweaver to insert the different tools onto a web page. In the last activity, I had uses take what they have learned from the first two activities and create a web page for their classroom.
The last activity was the item which had a rubric attached. This activity takes what they have learned from the previous activities and it makes them apply what they have learned to create their own web page for their classroom. To complete the website, I included some additional links and a contact page so users can send questions or comments to me via a form.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Teacher Websites
I am a big fan of teachers having websites and that is something that we (technology department) are working towards in our school district. Over the summer, we moved to a new website platform called DotNetNuke (www.dotnetnuke.com), which this is a free solution. With this web tool that users can be given permission to edit various pages that belong to them and it can all be done online from anywhere in the world. With this tool and others like this, it opens up a lot of doors for an non-technology savvy person to add content (assignments, files, handouts, etc) to a website without having to understand an HTML editor or even the need to purchase expensive software.
Anyways, lets get to the meat of this post. Here is the link for Ms. Kennedy's website for her 5th grade class at Bueker Middle School (http://teachers.emints.org/fy05/kennedyb/). I discovered this website via google and I jumped to Page 8 so I wouldn't (more than likely) repeat a page someone else does if they did a search as well.
With being a tech person, the thing on a website that jumps out a me is appearance. I do not like busy backgrounds and I can't stand it when people can't read the text due to the color being identical to the background if the person uses a picture and you can't read the text because the picture is too dominate. But with this site, the background isn't too horrible and the content on the page is very readable. I like how it has the school link and the district link at the top of the page so anyone can see what school and district they belong to and they are able to get to the organization's website. I like the Agenda menu at the top so you can pull up details about what was covered in class on a particular day. This is good for a parent to look at what was covered in class so yo can help your kid to succeed by helping with homework or go over the material to make sure they understand it.
She has a lot of content on this website. If you can think of it, it is probably there. She includes links for supplies needed, newsletters, classroom pictures (which has pictures of the classroom), class list (first names of students), calendar, and the list keeps going. It is very easy to navigate thru the site and to locate information.
One thing that was a little troubling, but in turn it may not be, is that she list students first names. I don't know if this is horrible or not but I do know it is better than listing their full names. My fear would be a person would come in and ask for a student by name at the classroom, which I understand that hopefully buildings are secure (doors locked) and visitors need to stop at the office before going anywhere else, and staff are required to wear ID's, but truly, how many schools are completely safe that they are secure, all staff wear proper ID's, and visitors can only stop in the office an no where else in the building? If you have a person come to the door asking for a student, would you question that person or if they look like they are official, would you release the student to them?
Overall, I don't really dislike most of what is on the site and my biggest thing is that it is readable and navigable. Those are two big things that is a MUST on any website. There is no point of a website if you can't read it or find information on this. It is great that she has an abundance of information and that it is updated regularly, which is another important point on the website. I really didn't find too much that I didn't like other than the background, but as I said above, the background isn't too bad because my focus stays on the page and it isn't super distracting.
Nicholas
Anyways, lets get to the meat of this post. Here is the link for Ms. Kennedy's website for her 5th grade class at Bueker Middle School (http://teachers.emints.org/fy05/kennedyb/). I discovered this website via google and I jumped to Page 8 so I wouldn't (more than likely) repeat a page someone else does if they did a search as well.
With being a tech person, the thing on a website that jumps out a me is appearance. I do not like busy backgrounds and I can't stand it when people can't read the text due to the color being identical to the background if the person uses a picture and you can't read the text because the picture is too dominate. But with this site, the background isn't too horrible and the content on the page is very readable. I like how it has the school link and the district link at the top of the page so anyone can see what school and district they belong to and they are able to get to the organization's website. I like the Agenda menu at the top so you can pull up details about what was covered in class on a particular day. This is good for a parent to look at what was covered in class so yo can help your kid to succeed by helping with homework or go over the material to make sure they understand it.
She has a lot of content on this website. If you can think of it, it is probably there. She includes links for supplies needed, newsletters, classroom pictures (which has pictures of the classroom), class list (first names of students), calendar, and the list keeps going. It is very easy to navigate thru the site and to locate information.
One thing that was a little troubling, but in turn it may not be, is that she list students first names. I don't know if this is horrible or not but I do know it is better than listing their full names. My fear would be a person would come in and ask for a student by name at the classroom, which I understand that hopefully buildings are secure (doors locked) and visitors need to stop at the office before going anywhere else, and staff are required to wear ID's, but truly, how many schools are completely safe that they are secure, all staff wear proper ID's, and visitors can only stop in the office an no where else in the building? If you have a person come to the door asking for a student, would you question that person or if they look like they are official, would you release the student to them?
Overall, I don't really dislike most of what is on the site and my biggest thing is that it is readable and navigable. Those are two big things that is a MUST on any website. There is no point of a website if you can't read it or find information on this. It is great that she has an abundance of information and that it is updated regularly, which is another important point on the website. I really didn't find too much that I didn't like other than the background, but as I said above, the background isn't too bad because my focus stays on the page and it isn't super distracting.
Nicholas
Monday, October 22, 2007
Games in the Classroom
How many more game entries are we going to have? LOL. Anyways, I think that video games can be helpful for some, if not all students when it comes to curriculum. If you can get students to take what you are teaching them and relate it to their experience,which in this case, it would be a video game, it could help to reinforce what is being learned in the classroom as long as the teacher explains the link(s).
I am reminded of the article we read earlier in the semester that talks about teachers needing to change to reach the new students since they process things differently and to get their attention, we need to do different things. I think there are quite a bit of truths in this article and we should be looking for more ways that students can take what they learn and see how it fits in their daily lives and what they do, like play video games.
I am reminded of the article we read earlier in the semester that talks about teachers needing to change to reach the new students since they process things differently and to get their attention, we need to do different things. I think there are quite a bit of truths in this article and we should be looking for more ways that students can take what they learn and see how it fits in their daily lives and what they do, like play video games.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Games in Schools
My experience in the past with games in schools have been mixed. When I went to school, which I am currently 25, we played games on the Apple IIe's. Most of the games really didn't offer much learning or application, but there were a few, such as number munchers that I can recall. Currently, in the school district I am working at, we have been having a battle with the lab teachers about the software / 'games' we have in our district. Our curriculum person wants them all gone, mainly due to a bad teacher in the past that just had students play games to pass the time and the person never really tracked progress and the games didn't really encourage any learning. I don't know what these games were since this happened before me, but I can see why this is a heated issue.
But personally, I was on the fence on this issue and I can see both sides of this argument. Recently, after talking to a lab teacher, I saw the value these games have IF you understand what areas, or objectives, these games can fulfill. I think games can help students learn and practice the materials they learn in their classes. It is very important for lab teachers to create lesson plans and list objectives they like the students to fulfill and they need to explain how a game might reach some or all of these objectives. I think this area is where most lab teachers in schools lack and districts don't require this. I could be off basis on this but from my experience in 2 school districts,this is what I have observed.
Well, that's my thoughts on games. I think they can have real value for students in schools to help learn and practice what they are learning. It is also good to get games that are network versions, so you can track students progress and see if they are meeting/reaching the various objectives or improving in the areas they are struggling. This is something our district is doing so we can track students progress and make sure they are actually doing what they should be doing.
But personally, I was on the fence on this issue and I can see both sides of this argument. Recently, after talking to a lab teacher, I saw the value these games have IF you understand what areas, or objectives, these games can fulfill. I think games can help students learn and practice the materials they learn in their classes. It is very important for lab teachers to create lesson plans and list objectives they like the students to fulfill and they need to explain how a game might reach some or all of these objectives. I think this area is where most lab teachers in schools lack and districts don't require this. I could be off basis on this but from my experience in 2 school districts,this is what I have observed.
Well, that's my thoughts on games. I think they can have real value for students in schools to help learn and practice what they are learning. It is also good to get games that are network versions, so you can track students progress and see if they are meeting/reaching the various objectives or improving in the areas they are struggling. This is something our district is doing so we can track students progress and make sure they are actually doing what they should be doing.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
The New Generation
I don't have any students to relate this to but I will do my best to best relate this to my field. First of all, I was born in 1982 and I am considered part of this generation. For me, I don't really consider myself wholly in this generation. I feel personally I am 50/50 with this generation and with that of the Generation X. I remembered using the Apple IIe's in 3rd grade but it wasn't until 7-8th grade until I really fully using technology in school and it wasn't till I was in 11th or 12th grade before technology was integrated in my daily life: i.e. cell phones, instant messaging, blogs, PDA's, etc.
I thought the Howe and Strauss was a bit optimistic with this current generation. I am a realist personally but it is good that they are trying to be optimistic in their approach, but I feel they are not quite getting it correct with their generalizations. I don't think this current generation is much different with working in teams. The one thing that comes to my mind lately was the ad's the army was using a few years back: an army of one. Another thing in their article was that they described this current generation as being doers and not just talkers. I really don't see very much with this generation. With as much as been happening in this country, with the Iraq war, immigration reform, legislation such as wiretapping and No Child Left Behind, what is this generation doing to be heard on issues that affect each of us in this country? For me, I feel this generation is sitting back and just going with the flow rather than questioning and being heard and just focusing on themselves.
I liked the section in Reeves and Oh talking about students entering college not being ready for college. Students these days are feeling that it is require that they go right to college when they are finished with high school, but I don't feel that everyone needs to enter college. When I entered college in 2000, I was surprised to see how many students had undecided majors and were still undecided after two years in college. I also saw many others in preparatory classes the first year of college just getting ready to pursue a degree in college. Also, it is surprising to see how few college graduates actually get a job relating to their degrees. Most of my friends have jobs outside of their degrees but I do feel that college does help people with professional skills.
I really liked the Marc Prensky article. This was really the first time I have read something quite like this. It really got me thinking that we need to really get our school teachers and staff on board with technology and different approaches to reach students. Just look at the commercials dealing with text (txt) messaging (msgs) where a grandmother is using abbreviations bff (best friend forever) Jill or whatever name. Times are changing and we need to work with this change. The one thing that has really bugged me the past few years are the technology standards Michigan has for students and I know that quite a few of our staff wouldn't be proficient in K-8 technology standards. How is it that we expect students to be proficient with technology when our staff isn't? If we don't start bridging the gap, as this book refers to as the digital natives and the digital immigrants, than how will things look in 10 - 15 years out from now? Will we slow students down by not adapting or will students not be as creative due to a language and learning gap?
In the end, I hope Reeves and Oh has it correct. It will be great to see a generation that does rather then talks and a generation we can really look to for advancing society and also learn from the previous generations about being better examples and role models. No matter what way we look at this, Digital Natives are the future generation that is slowly replacing the previous generations in this country and it should be interesting to see what happens in the upcoming years.
I thought the Howe and Strauss was a bit optimistic with this current generation. I am a realist personally but it is good that they are trying to be optimistic in their approach, but I feel they are not quite getting it correct with their generalizations. I don't think this current generation is much different with working in teams. The one thing that comes to my mind lately was the ad's the army was using a few years back: an army of one. Another thing in their article was that they described this current generation as being doers and not just talkers. I really don't see very much with this generation. With as much as been happening in this country, with the Iraq war, immigration reform, legislation such as wiretapping and No Child Left Behind, what is this generation doing to be heard on issues that affect each of us in this country? For me, I feel this generation is sitting back and just going with the flow rather than questioning and being heard and just focusing on themselves.
I liked the section in Reeves and Oh talking about students entering college not being ready for college. Students these days are feeling that it is require that they go right to college when they are finished with high school, but I don't feel that everyone needs to enter college. When I entered college in 2000, I was surprised to see how many students had undecided majors and were still undecided after two years in college. I also saw many others in preparatory classes the first year of college just getting ready to pursue a degree in college. Also, it is surprising to see how few college graduates actually get a job relating to their degrees. Most of my friends have jobs outside of their degrees but I do feel that college does help people with professional skills.
I really liked the Marc Prensky article. This was really the first time I have read something quite like this. It really got me thinking that we need to really get our school teachers and staff on board with technology and different approaches to reach students. Just look at the commercials dealing with text (txt) messaging (msgs) where a grandmother is using abbreviations bff (best friend forever) Jill or whatever name. Times are changing and we need to work with this change. The one thing that has really bugged me the past few years are the technology standards Michigan has for students and I know that quite a few of our staff wouldn't be proficient in K-8 technology standards. How is it that we expect students to be proficient with technology when our staff isn't? If we don't start bridging the gap, as this book refers to as the digital natives and the digital immigrants, than how will things look in 10 - 15 years out from now? Will we slow students down by not adapting or will students not be as creative due to a language and learning gap?
In the end, I hope Reeves and Oh has it correct. It will be great to see a generation that does rather then talks and a generation we can really look to for advancing society and also learn from the previous generations about being better examples and role models. No matter what way we look at this, Digital Natives are the future generation that is slowly replacing the previous generations in this country and it should be interesting to see what happens in the upcoming years.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Blogs and RSS Reflection
Hello, my name is Nicholas Hay and I am a Technology Support Specialist at Jefferson Schools in Monroe, MI. I don't have any classroom teaching experience or even a teaching degree, but I work with teachers, support staff and students daily. My actual degree is in Computer Science (Programming) with a Mathematics minor. In the technology department, my main responsibilities are to keep the server equipment going, help support the staff with their computers and technology related items, and we also support the phone equipment since that too is running on our network (VoIP {voice over IP}).
The past two weeks have been nuts for me. It seems like every year, the last month before school starts and when school starts, I work 60 to 80 hour weeks to wrap up the various technology projects we have thru summer. I know my wife can't wait for things to calm down because I leave in the morning at 6:15am and I don't get home until 8pm. In our district, there has been more changes this summer than usual and quite a few of the teachers have their feathers ruffled. We have updated computers by moving away from laptops and going to a desktop design in the classrooms, transitioned the servers roles from building servers to each server have an individual role (ie: app server, active directory server, staff server, student server, etc), and the biggest change for the staff was our student and financial management systems. Our ISD just switched this system to Pentamation and it has not been a very smooth transition with any of our staff. We have had many bugs in the system, since this is the companies first web version of this product, and the staff have to learn a new whole interface. The staff and teachers have to keep attendance and use the grade book on this program. Things will get better but until that point, I will have to keep going around and help comfort them with this system because we are going to be using it for years.
Well, if I would take what we have learned this week, I could blogs and RSS feeds in my field to help reach the teachers and staff. I know we (Technology Department) could probably create a blog to post items technology related, such as tips with using software/programs (how to's), or see what people think about a technology idea/decision we are thinking about implementing. I am sure I could set an RSS feed up in Internet Explorer via Group Policy on the server and they would be able to view this and comment/post on their computers. But that would be something more to look into once things calm down and we catch up.
The past two weeks have been nuts for me. It seems like every year, the last month before school starts and when school starts, I work 60 to 80 hour weeks to wrap up the various technology projects we have thru summer. I know my wife can't wait for things to calm down because I leave in the morning at 6:15am and I don't get home until 8pm. In our district, there has been more changes this summer than usual and quite a few of the teachers have their feathers ruffled. We have updated computers by moving away from laptops and going to a desktop design in the classrooms, transitioned the servers roles from building servers to each server have an individual role (ie: app server, active directory server, staff server, student server, etc), and the biggest change for the staff was our student and financial management systems. Our ISD just switched this system to Pentamation and it has not been a very smooth transition with any of our staff. We have had many bugs in the system, since this is the companies first web version of this product, and the staff have to learn a new whole interface. The staff and teachers have to keep attendance and use the grade book on this program. Things will get better but until that point, I will have to keep going around and help comfort them with this system because we are going to be using it for years.
Well, if I would take what we have learned this week, I could blogs and RSS feeds in my field to help reach the teachers and staff. I know we (Technology Department) could probably create a blog to post items technology related, such as tips with using software/programs (how to's), or see what people think about a technology idea/decision we are thinking about implementing. I am sure I could set an RSS feed up in Internet Explorer via Group Policy on the server and they would be able to view this and comment/post on their computers. But that would be something more to look into once things calm down and we catch up.
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