TWWT Assignments

Goal:
	During the course of this semester, students will set up their own digital teaching (web-based) environment in order to effectively exploit presentation software, the Internet, email, discussion boards, web authoring software, blogs, and other multimedia programs.

ASSIGNMENT #1: THE HYPERTEXT PROJECT
	During the course of this first course, we will be designing, creating, and evaluating a prototype Hypertext project--a teacher webpage, a powerpoint presentation, or any hypermedia project. Although you can work alone, you will be encouraged to work in teams. You will be expected to research your project by looking at numerous hypertext created by scholars, educators and fiction writers. You must design and test a prototype hypertext. Finally, on Day #6, you will present both a prototype and a pedagogical abstract (1 or 2 typed pages) for your project.

*Your project's design will be evaluated on the following:*

	Based in Theory Interactivity Managed Complexity Consistency Modifiability Versatility Ease of Use Support and Training

*Your abstract should address:*

	Hypertextual Composition Theory Audience Subject Matter Design

ASSIGNMENT #2 - LESSON PLAN
	Write a lesson plan for your classroom that incorporates the use of the Internet in some way. You may use anything the digital environment has to offer, including presentation software, the Internet, email, discussion boards, web authoring software, blogs, and other multimedia programs, etc... The amount of usage is up to you. In your lesson plan be sure to include the following:

	· Grade level and subject matter of the lesson
	· Objectives of the lesson
	· Materials needed for the lesson, ie. type of computer and software, any handouts or other materials. If there are handouts, provide copies.
	· Procedure for the lesson--This should be step by step. Include all information a teacher would need to follow your lesson in the classroom.
	· Evaluation method--Include how you would evaluate or grade students on the lesson. Would you have a final project or written document? Would you evaluate on the basis of class participation? Provide any checklist or other evaluation form (such as a rubric) that you would use for evaluation purposes.

	In addition, write a short explanation of how you believe the Internet enhances your lesson plan. In other words, explain the benefits of having students use the Internet as opposed to having them do the same type of lesson without it.

	Be prepared to present your lesson plan to the class orally and by actually showing how to access the Internet in your lesson, if possible. Turn in a hard copy.

Visit our class lesson plan archive.

ASSIGNMENT #3 - ACTION PLAN

	Develop an action plan or proposal for using new technologies such as the ones we have discussed in class in your own educational setting. This can be a wish list, but make it a realistic one. Pretend that your audience is an administrator or someone from whom you must get approval for curriculum changes and/or technology purchases.

	In your plan or proposal, be sure to include the following: what you want (hardware, software, etc.) * why you want it (how it will improve student achievement) * the cost * where you can get it * how it will be set up * who will use it * how training will be obtained, if necessary (the training plan) * how support will be available

	Be as specific as you can. You may want to do some research in the library or on the Internet. Tailor your plan to your own setting. Write it so that it will appeal to your intended audience. Consider actually submitting it.

Web Critiques: Seven

	* These 7 critiques should be posted to our class discussion board.
Writing With Technology Short Papers
	Each Tuesday (the dates given above), before the beginning of class, submit the names of a site:
	1. Your name
	2. Title of site
	3. Address of site (URL)
	4. Short description on Content, Aesthetics, and Organization (10 words max)
	Be prepared to talk about this site for 1 minute. Each day some participants will be asked to talk about their sites.

	For example:

Daily Report Card
http://www.utopia.com/mailings/reportcard/
B+ OVERALL
A CONTENT	A summary of news in K-12 education.
B AESTHETICS	A straight column list of links, no graphics, tight spacing.
B ORGANIZATION	Each link on the home page opens either to a news article or Report Card.
REVIEW
The DAILY REPORT CARD is published by the American Political Network in order to track the media coverage of educational topics affecting education reform and to decide what isn't being written about. The basic premise behind the Report Card is that educational reform is a national issue but most of the progressive movement is happening in local areas. The Report Card believes that highlighting successes "in one community can spur action elsewhere." The website contains an index of the Report Card received since late June 1994. Although titled the Daily Report Card, it is currently published three times a week. Each article is headline with the particular goal of the National Education Goals Panel it concerns. Each issue generally contains between five and ten articles, which translates to over 20 articles a week. This provides a lot of information for review.