Artifact 2

12.3: "Use computers and other technologies effectively and appropriately to communicate information in a variety of formats on student learning to colleagues, parents, and others"

12.4: "Physical settings that support active student involvement, inquiry and collaboration"

12.7: "Select and create learning experiences that are appropriate for curriculum goals, relevant to learners, based upon principles of effective teaching and learning, incorporate the use of media and technology for teaching where appropriate, and support learner expression in a variety of media using a variety of media communication tools"

14.1: "Establish classroom policies and procedures that ensure compliance with copyright law, fair-use guidelines, security, and child protection"

14.3: "Social, legal, and ethical issues related to technology use"

Context:
This artifact incorporated both my creative writing skills with the use of my technological skill. I was placed into a group with two other students. Our task was to select an object from a pile of random objects. Once we selected our object we were to come up with a use for the object, however the use that we created could not be the actual use of the product.
After selecting the object and its function, we needed to take pictures of the object at work. Our group checked out a digital camera and took several pictures of the product in action.
The third step of this artifact was for each group member to write a story about the product in use. The theme for the story was an infomercial or some type of advertisement that promotes and describes the use of the product. The groups came up with the function and took pictures of the product together, but there was a different story written by each person.
The final step of this artifact was to create a web page to display the project. We used Netscape Composer to create our web pages. The web pages had several different pages contained in them. There was a master page, a student’s page, a teacher’s page and an example page. The master page gave a short introduction about the project and has a link to e-mail the creator of the page. The student’s page displayed the assignment and the directions for the students to follow and it provided links to help sites. The student's page also has a grading rubric that allows the students to see how they will be graded. The teacher’s page showed the teacher what competencies the project meets and provides the teacher with hints about potential problems with the assignment. The example page contained the story that I created and the digital pictures. This page is a reference for the students to compare their work.

Impact:

Due to the large amount of content I am required to teach I will have to be able to create assignments that incorporate several different subject areas. This one assignment can cover close to half of the technology competencies required in NC. The assignment also covers competencies for English and it provides the students with both group work and individual work time.
Creating web pages, using computers and digital cameras is necessary knowledge in order to be successful in today’s society. This assignment is a fun way to teach these much needed skills to your students.

Alignment:

This artifact aligns with numerous technological competencies. This artifact aligns with competencies 10.4, 11.1, 11.2, 11.4, 12.3, 12.4, 12.7, 14.1 and 14.3. The artifact aligns with 10.4, since this project meets several of the goals required in the NC curriculum.
The project meets 11.1, because technology is used in the discipline of learning. Competency 11.2 is met since the project is presented to the students from the internet. Since technology is used to teach creative writing competency 11.4 is met. Competency 12.3 is met by having an e-mail link connected to my address.
Competency 12.4 is met, because the teacher will have to find ways to provide the equipment needed for the project. Tips for the teacher to get the equipment are located on the project. This project meets competency 12.7, because the project covers numerous goals in a project that students will enjoy doing.
Finally, 14.1 and 14.3 are met, because procedures will have to be established and the teacher will have to inform the students of ethical and copyright issues before the start of the project.

This artifact aligns with Intasc Principles 4,5,6 and 8. This project allows students to create a web page that displays their creative writing. Allowing students to use computers to write and publish their creative writings will encourage them to create their best possible works (Principle 4). The students will work extremely hard on their writings once they know that anyone with an internet connection can view their work.
This project provides both group and individual work (Principle 5). Natural competition will motivate the groups to develop a unique use for their product. The individual students will also want to write a creative advertisement for their product.
   The students will receive directions for this project from the teacher and from the directions on the internet (Principle 6). The teacher's e-mail address is linked to this project. The students can use the e-mail to ask the teacher any pressing questions that they may have about the project (Principle 6).
   This project has a grading rubric on the student's page. The students can see exactly what and how the teacher will grade their work. The students will be graded on things such as how they helped the group with the project and their final product (Principle 8).