All About My School
Project URL: http://lauraanderson.org/ALL%20ABOUT%
20MY%20SCHOOL/frontpage.htm
How it works:
Students construct a website with several links to pages they create.
The site weaves logo titles, photos, animation, and textured backgrounds
created and edited in PhotoShop into pages created using Dreamweaver
software. The project also includes a
large amount of writing integrated into the artful web pages. The first assignment is
for all of the students to create descriptions of their experiences in
the first marking period of their school year.
Standards addressed:
This project addresses many of the ISTE Technology Standards for
students, including basic operations and concepts of technology tools;
developing positive attitudes for technology uses that support
lifelong learning; using technology tools to enhance learning and
promote creativity; and using telecommunications to collaborate,
publish, and interact with peers, experts, and other audiences. English language arts standards include using
written language for communicating ideas, as well as for
self-expression and artistic creation.
Materials
used:
Required materials include a computer with Internet access and Adobe
PhotoShop and Dreamweaver (or another web authoring program) software.
The students:
All About My School is suitable for middle and high school students. It
addresses all ability levels; students with strong technical skills will
produce a more sophisticated project.
Overall value:
This project is a wonderful incentive for getting students to write,
and to enjoy writing. They create lots of pleasing designs and they are
required to add content to complete the design. Working on this project in a language arts class, the teacher
could include more writing process (grammar, peer review, revisions) in
the unit. It could also be extended to become the student's e-portfolio
over a year-long period.
Tips:
Begin by creating an attractive web page template before asking the students
to begin their write. Show their work to the class to motivate and boost
self-esteem, and then publish their writing on the Internet.
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About the teacher:
Laura Anderson has been teaching for 17 years. She currently
teaches web design and computer math in Edward A. Reynolds West Side High
School, an alternative school in New York
City.
E-mail:
LauraJaneAnders@aol.com
Subject Areas:
Language Arts
Technology
Grade Levels:
6-12
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