My personal interest in technology goes back to Radio Shack's TRS-80. I was 8 years old and spent hours at a time using Basic just to get the computer to say, "Hi, how are you?" to an inputed prompt. What was the catalyst for my interest? I really do not have any idea; I think I just simply liked it. And while I currently still just like technology, I do have a professional motive that trumps my personal interest: finding new ways to help students learn. I know that sounds a bit cliche but I do not know how else to put it. I believe that technology, when regulated and used correctly, can open pathways for students where no pathways were present before.
Right now, the idea for my project centers on our school's requirement that all students create a portfolio chronicling their learning with evidence. These portfolios not only contain employability documents like a cover letter and a resume, but they also have pictures, projects, certificates, awards, reflections, etc. that prove that they have achieved the standards in the program's competency and task lists. Currently, the portfolios the students create are in three ring binders. I would like to begin the process of moving the portfolio creation to a digital format. But how do I do that? My initial answer to that question is to find a platform for students that is easy to use but has the capability for individual creativity. I hear time and time again, the Weebly.com is such a platform. Hence, I think that for my project for this class, I would like to create a portfolio using Weebly.com. Not as an example, although that is a possibility, but rather as a way to become familiar with the platform. Such familiarization will be a necessity if I am to develop a plan of how to best teach students to use this platform. I have signed up with weebly.com and my currently empty portfolio can found at douglasheavisides@weebly.com.
Sorry for the length of this entry; it greatly exceeded the 5-7 sentence parameter.
Here's the Weebly URL - http://www.weebly.com/
ReplyDeleteThe four media action verbs: access, analyze, evaluate, produce.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a very ambitious project, for an ambitious dude.
ReplyDeleteYes, focus on building your own Weebly portfolio, with an eye towards how you might adapt this for students.
One BIG issue - consider FERPA, and ask yourself "how much of this student portfolio information needs to be 'protected' or is proprietary in some way"?
Try signing up for Twitter and look at this conversation:
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/#!/search/portfolios%2C%20high%20school
I used portfolio, high school for tags
Melissa
Thx for the weebly website. Looks very promising. Love your idea. I know your students will be sooooo proud of their websites/online portfolios. Kudos to your commitment to your students' learning in a Web 2.0 world!
ReplyDeleteDoug, these are my thoughts & responses to your posts for readings #1 & 2. First, I really enjoy your blog posts! There's always a positive spin, great ponderings, and good use of quotes. I also can "hear" your voice as I read your reflections. As for your initial confessions, no need - it's all about incorporating new knowledge (life long learning dude!) GREAT questions about schools, profit, and teacher response to attention span... no easy answers. Maybe by course end this will be clearer. Loved the Bush/Twain zing! But you, a Lisbeth Salander wannabe? Crazy! ;)
ReplyDelete