Continuing WebQuests and Work on Websites

In our last session students split back into their WebQuest groups and presented their collaborative efforts to the class. We each got to view what other groups accomplished within their page design, idea, and execution of their WebQuest. It was fun and informative to see what other groups had come up with and how creative they had been. Once we all viewed the WebQuests and discussed ways in which they could all be improved, we went back into our individual website pages and linked our homepage to our personal wiki and WebQuest. We were assigned the task of writing an introduction to each before the class next meets. Next, we split into groups of two and completed another type of WebQuest called a curriculum connection. In this task the groups completed a simulation project in order to participate and see exactly what we would all be creating next. We each had to pick and research a rock or mineral and answer a series of questions about it. The questions we each had to answer were the same and we were all given the same list of websites to visit in order to find the needed research to complete the task. Once this was completed, the class was once again assigned to groups of two and given intructions to come up with their very own curriculum connection before the next class session. Because there are an odd number of students within the class and I am the only art major, I was assigned to work solo. While this will be a little extra challenging, I look forward to the experience and hope I can one day use my curriculum connection with my own students.

WebQuests

Tonight our class was introduced to the WebQuest experience. We first watched an introduction video informing us about WebQuests and what they are used for. WebQuests are the newest form of classroom research designed to keep students more active, independent as well as cooperative in their efforts to move forward in research based assignments. Next, we split into groups and all took on a different role in examining 5 existing WebQuests to evaluate and decide on which was the best and which was the worst. Once we finished examining and evaluating each site independently we regrouped and came up with a consensus. Each group chose one person to report to the class on the individual group findings. I believe this was a helpful exercise because it allowed us each to get a more in depth idea of what a WebQuest is and what is required in designing a successful one. Next we watched another video illustrating how to get started in the process of making our own WebQuests. We were then split up into groups assigned by the professor according to what subjects and grades we teach. My group is unique in that we each have different areas of specification. We spent the rest of the class period in our groups working to come up with ideas for our WebQuest. My group has decided upon a 4th grade butterfly magazine. This will be very different for me because I am usually in a high school environment and must remember to word things appropriately for the 4th grade readers it is intended for. I am a little nervous because these are due next week and we only got about an hour with our groups and I am not totally comfortable within the Wiki environment just yet. But I am excited to see where our WebQuest goes and how successful it hopefully is. Until next time...

Getting Started With Wiki

In this class session we continued work on our personal teaching websites and then were introduced to our individual wiki communities. We updated our websites by adding our contact address and a link as well as labeling where our future links would be. We also added our picture and when the site was created and last updated. Last, we gave a short introduction about our site informing future visitors of what to expect to find. After we updated everything we were introduced to the process of connecting it all through our index page to the net so that our new information would show up when visiting the site. This led to a lot of confusion around the room because some people had their pictures or their index page stored in the wrong place within their files. We took quite a bit of classtime trying to get everyone back on track and where they were supposed to be and then we all breathed a sigh of relief once everyone was caught up and ready to move on. Our professor had us go through the uploading process once again just to make sure everyone knew where their files were and how to get connected once all was well. When done with the work on our websites we moved on and spent the last half of the evening working on opening our account to our wiki communities. We watched a short, funny film introducing us to the idea of a wiki community and what it's purpose is. I was very scared before class that the wiki's would be difficult and confusing just because of the name. Wiki sounds a lot like wicked. But instead and to my surprise, wiki's are actually quite the opposite. They help to simplify the process of groups gathering information because everyone is able to add any new ideas or sources at anytime as well as correct places where others might have mistakenly put down something wrong or misguided. The added bonus is how easy the wiki is to navigate. It was designed very simply so that almost anyone can do it. The most important buttons to remember are edit, save, and add link. If you can find these buttons then you're on your way to posting multitudes of useful information for a team of members all on the same quest.

Taking The First Steps

My initial feelings toward technology were negative. My students are so far ahead of myself in their knowledge of computers that I often feel intimidated at the thought of even trying to understand how to navigate a screen. But on the first day of my 486 class at UTK Dr. Obannon helped me to feel welcome and tried to calm mine and others fears by showing us we weren't alone. We watched some very funny videos about others who've felt confused and lost in understanding the new language of technology. With each new tool that we are introduced to we are shown some variation of a video, either for instruction or just comedic relief. We are then taken step by step through different processes in navigation. I've been quite surprised and pleased at how the different levels of understanding within the class dynamic have helped tramendously. Students that already understand a current procedure we happen to be working on such as changing a pictures size and resolution volunteer and help others around them get where they need to be quicker. The chapters we've read so far have helped me to understand a lot more of the computer language than i did previously. They've discussed the differences in real time communication which is instant messaging vs. non real time communication such as e-mail, blogs, etc. They've also talked about the different types of internet providers there are and the advantages and disadvantages of both. One very important topic the chapters also brought up is the subject of digital portfolios. I already relate to this topic because in the teacher program at UTK each step a student/teacher makes is recorded within their digital portfolio so that when we finish our teaching program we will have an online record of all the valuable work we've done. I am very confident that this class will teach me skills that I will use in my classroom and will need for future growth. I suggest this class for anyone that might be doubting their ability to advance in computer skills or that just needs a refresher course.

File Organization

Ever been asked by a superior to find and print out a second copy of a document you made for them over a month ago, or even a year? For a lot of people this might cause instant panic when trying to recall which computer you stored it on, which disc, which flashdrive, not to mention trying to remember what you titled it. This is why file organization is a very important tool in keeping blood pressure steady and superiors happy. Whenever you create a new document it is important to remember that how and where you save and store it is just as important as the work that went into making it. To begin, name your flashdrive. This helps others recognize who it belongs to in the unfortunate event that you forget to remove it from the computer when leaving. Next creat a folder for every broad subject you might be storing things under within the flashdrive. For example, you might have one folder that's labeled work and another that's labeled personal affairs. This way you can locate what you're looking for with relative ease. Next create folders within your main folders for a more specific search such as pictures or bills. By taking these short and easy steps to keeping your files organized you save yourself the trouble of wading through hundreds of documents each time you need to locate something. Also you have the added bonus of looking good when your boss sees how time friendly your management skills are. Have fun!