Artifact #1
Context
I created this project in my media and technology class at Appalachian State University in the fall of 2002. The project was composed using Netscape Composer and helps teach students how to use the internet in various different ways. To begin the project, I chose an object to create an invention for and then I wrote a news type article on Microsoft Word to go along with the invention. Next, I created a web page that demonstrated how to use the object along with several pictures of the actual object itself taken with a digital camera. I created different links to other pages within the ISTE such as the teacher page, the student page, and the main page. The teacher page includes the entire Modern Fashion and Invention lesson plan along with a rubric for grading the students. The student page offers detailed instructions for students to follow to help them move along throughout the site and how to create their own web page. The purpose of this activity is to help students learn to use technological tools such as digital cameras, word processing, and creating their own web page.
Impact
This activity provides numerous opportunities for students to use their imagination and to learn new skills. It is a good activity for writing since it asks students to write a news article or advertisement to go along with the picture of their invention on the ISTE. This activity is also an excellent introduction to making web pages for students because it is very simple and fun for students to do. Students will learn to use Netscape Composer when they do this activity as I did on my own web site. This activity also teaches students to use digital cameras and place them on a ISTE for others to view. Students are also reminded of how to cite different sources that they use on their website so that they are not using other people’s work without permission. This activity is also an excellent resource for teachers to access their students writing and computer skills. Along with the teacher page there is also suggestions of how to include children with special needs into this project by adjusting certain aspects so everyone in the classroom can participate.
Alignment
This activity meets artifact II D because it shows that I can manage
students in a computer lab. In my teacher page I include notes about
how to manage students when working with technology in the classroom. Specifically
I talk about how students might need to share computers when working on
this lesson. This activity also meets artifact II-E because it contains
ways that students can use critical thinking while writing their article
about their invention for their web page. This artifact also meets
III-A because it corresponds with the North Carolina Course of Study.
This activity also meets III-C because it shows how I can use technology
to have students begin to use critical thinking. In this project
kids have to create their own invention and write an ad or newspaper article
introducing the product. By including information about copy right
laws on the internet and how to cite different pictures on a web page this
artifact meets VI.-A. IV-C is met because in the activity I included a
grading rubric for teachers and students to use while doing the activity.
VI-D is also met here because this activity talks about how to handle the
technology equipment with care and to not drop or harm the materials.
Lastly, this artifact meets VI.-E by including ways teachers can include
students with special needs in this activity as well. The INTASC Principles
# 4 and # 8 are met also. #4 is met because this project shows me
using technology to teach critical thinking to students. #8 is met by including
assessment strategies on the teacher page.