Update on Projects

Your networking project will be due on 11/4. ECT 501 in previous quarters met F2F and online, and students submitted the networking project in a binder with tabs/labels. Since we are completely online now, then you can submit the networking project electronically. You can place all the narrative components in ONE Word document. Please be sure to clearly label and mark each required element of the project:

1. Summary
2. Graphic Design of Lab
3. Hardware
4. Software
5. Furniture

You can submit the budget information in ONE EXCEL spreadsheet. This allows me to easily check formulas used to total the information. As a sidenote about the budget, the most common mistake made with this element is that the formula does not include all the cells that should be totaled. You can click in the cell that contains the formula, and it will tell you that the information from cell number to cell number is being totaled (ex. =sum(B3:B10).

I know that many of you are moving forward with your virtual field trip project as well. The EJ assignment this weeks gives you the opportunity to explore the idea of a virtual field trip. The rest of your assignment asks you to give me your inital plan sheet. The actual VFT is not due until 11/4 as well. You are not tied to that plan sheet--you can make changes to your VFT as develop it in more depth.

A major reason why I have these two projects due next week is to give me an opportunity to review them immediately. I am then able to touch base with you if I find any required elements that are missing. You will then be given the opportunity to add those missing elements back in for partial credit.

VERY IMPORTANT!!!!

1) Check the rubric for each project BEFORE turning it in to me. Review the rubric to be sure you have not omitted anything.

2) Check your email frequently next week in case I am trying to get in touch with you about either of these projects.

Lastly, as you finish your FEs, then you can go ahead and submit those as well. The final date to turn in FEs is 11/11. Remember that one component of the FEs was to actually do the PD you designed using our course Wiki. I will be evaluating that project this week and getting back to you with feedback. Overall, I was very pleased with the collaboration between members of each group. You all now have acccess to three different PD sessions that were designed by classmates-one on Blogs, one on Wikis, and one on podcasting/vodcasting.

Professional Development Project

You will use our ECT 501 Wiki pages as a way for you and your group to meet and plan together online. Directions for how to use a Wiki will be sent to your email address via BlackBoard. These directions will also be added to the Project Descriptions page where the PD project is discussed.

You should work with your group to design a professional development session that focuses on a more specific aspect or component of effective teaching with technology.

Group One: Topic: Blogs--Team Leader: Irene Meade; Members: Beth Ferguson, Lindsey Keith-Vincent, Victoria Taylor, and Lasonia Manning

Group Two: Topic: Wikis--Team Leader: Skye Maxwell; Members: Phyllisa Mason-Hollins, Kylie Williams, Cynthia Huckaby, and Elizabeth Ferrington

Group Three: Topic: Podcasts/Vodcasts--Team Leader: Katie Douglas; Members: Gloria German, Amy Palmer, Beverly Bennett

You should think of this presentation as targeting other teachers through a professional development format. In general, the actual PD session should allow for 1) the presentation of material, 2) your "sell job" on why this is important to learn how to do, 3) modeling by you that shows how to do it, 4) time for your participants to explore what you have shared, and 5) sharing of what the participants learned, and 6) questions and wrap-up. Specific elements that should be included are:

* Summary and Rationale
* PowerPoint SlideShow
* Interactive Activity
* Handout
* Evaluation

The rubric used to evaluate this project also identifies the point values for each section.

I have read some similar questions that are being asked, so I wanted to address those here:

1) Remember--anytime you need to meet F2F, then let me know.

2) For Part Three of the first assignment, the general idea is for you to review web sites that have been created by other teachers. This will help you to get some ideas about what to include in your own web site. You can use the CyberGuide to help guide you through this process. You are to post a response in BlackBoard using the discussion board for this part of the assignment. I had not intended for you to turn in the CyberGuides to me. However, that is okay if you did. I will add in bonus points for going above and beyond!

3) For next week's assignment, you will need to create an electronic storyboard that gives me an idea of what you will be doing for your web page project. I have included an example graphic along with this post. There are many ways to set the storyboard up, too. You could do it as simply as having the subtopics be Page One, Page Two, etc. If you go that route, then also add information that give a general overview of what will be found on that page (ex. information, links, pictures, etc.).



3) I am also going to form the groups for the Wiki PD project. I will send those out by email as soon as I have completed that process.