Nvu

I find HTML challenging yet addictive. But I think my students would be better served if I used a web page software than trying to teach them HTML. Learning the basics gives them background knowledge that is very helpful, but the software will enable them to do daily maintenance on the sites I have planned for next year. I would love to have the time to sit and learn HTML in its entirety, but that is not efficient for me. Although learning Nvu has it's share of challenges as well.

I plan on playing with Nvu a lot this summer and becoming proficient enough at it that I can teach it to my Jr. high students. Web page design and maintenance are skills that need to be practiced on a regular basis. The possibilities are endless and one can only excel with lots and lots of practice. Again time is the big obstacle and I will have find even more of it to gain that desired level if I want to be able to teach it. I seem to catch on to the software well enough, it is all that posting which has me baffled. I need to post more often so I get the hang of it.

The tutorials and tag web pages are very helpful. I need to spend more time viewing those. There is so much to learn! Last night's working time was very useful. I gain so much from sessions like that. I do feel like an idiot asking so many questions, but I know if I don't ask, the frustration level will kill my desire to learn. Creating web pages has always been something I wanted to learn and now I have the opportunity. I know I will get it and by next school year I will be creating like it is second nature to me.

I think the presentation went well tonight. As well as they could considering they were all on the same topic .............. again. There must be a way that we don't have to listen to the same material reiterated over and over again. This happens in every class. As we have stated in every class thus far, it would be far more productive to have each group present the concept in a different way, view, perspective, or cover a different subject entirely. When we were each given a different article to present to the class it worked very well. Everyone hates to repeat what has already been said. There just has to be a better way. I am relieved to know that at least in this course it will not happen again.

So off to the garden I go, to get muddy, pull weeds, and create beauty. Everyone should weed. Weeding is an outlet for frustration. I find it very therapeutic to eliminate destructive growth that allows beauty to flourish. Taking care of the plants I gave a home to, and nurtured from the start is very rewarding.

HTML

I think the best way to learn HTML is to just do it. I got the most out of the 1 hour we were allowed to experiment on assignment 2. I am glad we were given time to actually play with the html in class this week. It is so helpful to have the instructor in the class when we are suppose to be learning something Many questions can be answered that way with a lot less frustration.

Learning HTML has been very interesting. I downloaded Nvu and am learning how to use it. Of course it is much easier to use than straight HTML, but learning HTML has its purpose and I would love to be able to teach it to my students in the fall. I need to learn how to set up a link on the school website to each classroom’s web page. I think for the 8th graders last day of class next week I am going to introduce them to HTML even if they can’t get it on the Internet. I think some of them would really enjoy it.


Next year I plan on having the 8th graders create web pages for each of the classrooms and then do the maintenance on them if the teacher is not willing or able to do so. Many of the rooms will be able self sufficient and update the web page by themselves, but some will not.

HTML

Class this week was very interesting. I am excited to learn web design and more useful tricks on the web. This would be so fun to teach my students. Next year I am definitely going to have my 8th graders create web pages for the teachers. What a useful tool for them to know. Seeing a web page grow from the ground up is very enlightening. There is truly a lot of work that goes into creating it. It seems to take a lot of time to do each task. But I am sure as this class moves along I will hang of it.

I played with the HTML this week and I enjoy it however I am having some trouble updating my page. I sure all will be worked out next class.

Digital Storytelling Thinking

It is my intent to use google earth and the Internet for my students to research one of several obscure counties. There are 175 countries in the world and most we are rarely even introduced to. My students will have to put together a digital story regarding the countries strengths, qualities, landscape, customs, traditions, people, and climate. They will have to describe to their audience where this country is located in regard to other landforms and countries. The presentation will take no more than 1 minute. It will include self created music from garage band representative of music of that country.

The students will need to make decisions on which information to include and how to compose their original music. The syncing of speech, sound, music, and photos will need to be arranged by the student. All information will be in their own words requiring them to rewrite and synthesis what they have read in their own words. All the information gathered will be creatively presented to their peers. The students will do peer evaluations on each presentation that will require them to analyse if the objects of the lesson were met.

SAMPLE PODCAST

Sample podcast 8th grade introduction to digital storytelling and voicethread.

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