Crazy Times

So how come no one reminded me how crazy it was to take 3 classes in the summer? LOL. It's been awhile and well.. now I remember. Anyway I've been working on all kinds of things that I'm very proud of- most of which are still in progress, but please feel free to check them out.
I had to start a new blog- The Mespo Math Blog- I have designed it to be more school oriented.
Through my other class I've actually created an RSS feed of audio shows called Mespo Math Tips. I'm looking forward to continuing it as school starts.
I've also been experimenting with a program called Camtasia that allows you to make video podcasts. Here's one example I made of a web capture--> Family Reunion Page.

Relying on Technology

I was recently reminded that I CAN function without a computer, however it makes it difficult to take 2 online classes with no internet!

It seems I'm back now. I've had a steady connection for the past 24 hours. Although I'll admit I did put my no-internet time to good use - playing 54 holes of golf, running a 5k race, and running an additional 3k. (not bad for 5 days)

But now I'm back and feeling completely out of it. I'm not sure what page I'm on, or where I need to be.

I've been working on my web page design proposal. I, of course, chose a difficult topic, and I'm trying to figure out how to do this. I posted the table I have so far on googledocs. I have also been working on designing the site and have a partially working version posted online.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Back to work I go... :)

Internet Issues

My Internet has been on the fritz. The cable guy came yesterday and well.. couldn't fix it. He said it had something to do with the pole. So he's supposed to send someone out to look at that. So in the meantime my modem decides when and how long I can be online. I will be trying to get my work submitted and such when I can.
I can still get email through my phone.

Overwhelming Frustration

Once again I feel completely overwhelmed. I'm beginning to think a lot of what we are doing in this class is geared to high school if not college level classes. I seem to have a hard time getting my content and grade level to fit well within the guidelines.
For example, the examples in the paper about web design are all college level courses. I can see that math is even harder, and to try to tie it to younger kids (4th and 5th) is difficult.
As I was searching for link ideas I came across several other websites that seem to be doing exactly what I was planning on doing. I have a hard time creating something that I know already exists.
I'm also not sure how I can make interactive quizzes with immediate feedback - without being inside the setting of Moodle. In Moodle I've made quizzes, tests, assignments, journals, etc. But I'm not sure how to design/build a page on its own that has those features.
I still don't know what to podcast about, especially in conjunction with my web page. (I was hoping to design a page about area and perimeter, using both standard and nonstandard units and formulas.)
grr... I guess I'll call it a night for now. And start tomorrow with a fresh brain.

Second Life... a no go

So I tried again to login to Second Life with absolutely nothing else running. This time it crashed even sooner than the last time. I tried again. Same result. :( Which of course means realistically I can't use Second Life in my school anyway as our computers at school have much less RAM than my computer.

I have also come across a great podcast series- CSS-tips and tricks I downloaded and watched the one on Firebug. It was nice to be able to see how the features worked in action.

I still don't know what I'm going to make my podcast about. I need to sit down and plan out my entire site/cms/podcast theme.

Speaking of CMS. Through another class I'm taking (a podcasting workshop), I have used webct. I must say, after using Moodle with my students (and this class) I MUCH MUCH prefer Moodle. I like the general setup and accessibility much better. Webct feels too clunky. There is too much clicking - in the form that everything else disappears. You can only see what you are working on. Whereas in Moodle, you still have your basic information along the sides.

I did finish my webquest, but did not add more photos because of my concern for copyright protection. The graphics in my webquest were either produced by ME, or were in the original lesson detail on the NCTM website.

Glued to the Computer

I feel like I've been glued to my computer, yet have accomplished next to nothing. Ok that's not ENTIRELY true. I've made a good deal of progress on my webquest having just 2 more pages to write. My evaluation (grading) and conclusion. This Dream Clubhouse Webquest should be fun for the kids - if they like online shopping as much as I do.

In other worlds- I've been spending a lot of time on my Family Reunion site. I added a photo gallery using SimpleViewer and a Forum using a Perl based forum, YABB.

I'm going to treat myself to a nice ice cream sundae.. then finish up my webquest.

Hope you all had a great holiday weekend.

ADDENDUM
I just looked at Alex's Webquest. I think I need to add more pictures!

Making Progress

Wow I forgot how hard it was to type up these webquests. I've spent 3 hours this morning typing it up and realize I will probably spend a good 3 more later tonight when I get home. I'm liking it- but I tend to get carried away. Hopefully in the interest of time I will make myself keep it "slim."

So much to learn.. so little time

I've been reading like a fiend trying to re-create my web pages. I have found some really great books that bring up interesting points I hadn't even considered about web pages. This reminds me - can we make "webpage" one word? I always forget the space and get those lovely red dots telling me I spelled it wrong.
I'm a bit frustrated at the moment, I have tons to do on my webquest, I have no idea what to do for my podcast, AND to top it all off, my computer does not have enough memory for Second Life and I'm pretty sure I have it maxed out. I have 448MB active (I'm pretty sure I have 512 installed, but then some is used for running the computer to begin with) Maybe I'll have luck if I try to run it with absolutely nothing else running. I'll have to try that later, as right now I'm heading up to school to see what I can make of the computer fiasco in my classroom.
There are 14 computers, 20 monitors, a few laminators, tons of mice and keyboards all pretty much in heaps around the room. Did I mention cables out the wazoo too? lol.
If I survive, I'll write more later. (I'll also list those books)

I did find (from the books I read) two great web development tools for those of you who do actual page design. I have not fully used them yet, but I can see the vast potential they hold.

Web Developer- **Note- this only work with Firefox, Flock, and SeaMonkey** According to the website "The Web Developer extension adds a menu and a toolbar to the browser with various web developer tools" It allows you to turn off your CSS to see if it's working properly, and many many other features. It also tells you whether your Java and CSS are valid or not.

Firebug - Firebug is a Firefox add-on (so it only works on Firefox) but it allows you to change your CSS style sheet right from your browser without having to go back and forth to your editing program.

I'm very excited about both of these- as I'm learning, and writing all my pages from scratch.

Ok Off I go to school.

Starting Over

So after reading some insights on my webquest idea, I started thinking. I think, given the age level of my class (4th and 5th), and the fact that they have had virtually no technology experience, a webquest about technology might be a bit over their heads. I was re-examining a webquest I had done previously for 7th and 8th graders about re-designing their bedroom, and I think a more effective webquest for me to create is a spin off of that lesson that mixes in a lesson I had done this past year involving area and perimeter of a club house.

The cover story would be:
The students are entering a contest to win their very own club house (tree house). In order to be eligible to win, students must submit a detailed floorplan, a budget plan, and a 3D model of their house and a brief statement of why they should win.

This webquest will be based off of my own "My Room" plan (not currently online) and an NCTM Illuminations Lesson: Junior Architects


I think this will lend me more to designing an instructional website on area, perimeter, and volume.

A little side-tracked

This week I have been a bit sidetracked by the development of my OTHER website, a website about my family heritage. In the process of working on the other webpage, I have learned more about web designing than I ever have before.
I've been reading some books on the side about HTML and CSS. I've done HTML before and I thought I knew the basics but something is different this time. I get it. It's all clicking. I've also begun reading up on PHP and more details about blogging. I'm trying to integrate a blog into the homepage of my Family website.
In addition to the websites being created within this course, I have 3 sites I am planning on creating or re-doing this summer.

Pages to Update:
Little Fox Photography - This page was designed by my ex-boyfriend. I love the way it looks, but as it is, I cannot update it. I would like to mimic the look in a way that I can update and maintain. I am also interested in growing this site to include a blog, image gallery, and possibly more.
Flynn Hanley Reunion - This is the page I have already begun re-doing. We have a reunion in July, so I needed to get the essential pages up and functioning. I'm working on this page in conjunction with another Summer Workshop. I have many more ideas that I want to incorporate into this site.
Mespo Elementary - My school, well, we don't have an actual "elementary page." So I will be creating it. Unfortunately, our main page needs some work, too, however I'm not sure that I would be allowed to work on that as well. I'm hoping that what they see on the "new Mespo" page will inspire a change on the main page. I'm still brainstorming on what should be on the page and what the overall look should be. Anyone who has some ideas of things you like or don't like about your school's web page I would greatly appreciate them.
What I would like to include:

• Current Events, Special Events
• Staff pages (I'm trying to find a way that teachers can edit their own pages)
• Important Documents: Handbook, registration forms, emergency medical forms
• Contact information
• Image gallery (with proper permissions from parents)
• Principal's page
• Tech page (Mine!)- with acceptable use policy, other web safety issues and sources

I'm still brainstorming. If you know of any good school websites, please send them my way!

Professional Portfolio- I would also like to develop a professional online portfolio for myself. I have read up on them and believe they will soon be required for most new job positions.

So today, my goal is to get back on track and figure out what I need to do for this course. Come up with a design for my webquest as well as figure out what my main site will be all about.

Webquest Topic

I think I finally found a topic for my webquest. I wanted to find something that I know I could have the kids do next year, that would benefit them in the long term but still had to do with technology. I will have them explain proper internet/email etiquette and safety rules.
As previously mentioned our school is rather lacking in technology experiences in the lower grades and this would help teach students the important skills they need.
A much more indepth explanation of my webquest can be found on our Instructional Design site.

It's late on a Friday night and I'm exhausted. I'll write more tomorrow ;-)

Standards

I just found a great website by Geneva Schools. They list all the ODE Content Standards by Subject and Grade, already broke down!! It's great.
http://www.genevaschools.org/standards/

A little research of my own

I have decided that I want to learn Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) for webpages this summer. Tonight I began reading my book, which I checked out of the library - a much cheaper route. I came across an interesting article that I thought was interesting that might be good information for any web page creators out there.

Don't use CLICK HERE for your links, here is an entire article about Why "Click Here" is Bad Linking Practice it also includes other link "etiquette."

There are several other articles that are of great interest to read that are linked to that main article. Most of the points made, I admit, I'm guilty of, but having read his reasoning- mainly accessibility issues, I stand corrected and will forever let my links be blue and underlined.

Other Worthwhile articles:
Links Want to Be Links
Accessible Design for Users With Disabilities
Nielsen Norman Group Report- Beyond ALT Text:Making the Web Easy to Use for Users With Disabilities

**Notice I'm trying to practice good linking etiquette in this blog!**

Tech Standards

A link to the tech standards appropriate for grades 3-5.
STANDARDS

Overwhelmed

So today I began reading about the NEW webquests. I've made three webquests in the past. One was a very simple one that encouraged the students to explore cloning. It was mainly one of those "here, go to this site, answer this question" type. The two major webquests I made were about the Olympics and Redesigning a Room. In each of these webquests there were choices that the students could make but both were designed for a math class, one 7th or 8th grade level the other 5th or 6th grade level. I was quite proud with both of them. (None of them are currently online)
However, now that I've read the new direction that webquests need to go I'm at a bit of a loss. As I was reading I find that webquests tend to lend themselves more to the upper levels - 7th grade and up. The highest age level I work with at this time is 5th grade. It also seems that webquests are better aimed at Social Studies or cultural issues, possibly some science. I however, teach math and hopefully technology. I don't know how to have such an open ended discussion about Math.
The MyPlace project is great, but doesn't seem to fit into anything I could do with my kids. How do I create a webquest that will be appropriate for my 4th and 5th graders, that incorporates Math (and some Reading) or technology? Given my current position, I would most like to focus on the 4th grade level as I work well together with the 4th grade teacher and feel my project will actually be able to be utilized.
At this point, I'm flabbergasted, but I will read on.. the following articles and see if they help clear things up. The new webquest will definitely be a worthwhile challenge.

One last concern... how do I create a webquest that has not already been created? It seems like there are 1000s of them out there, how can I create a unique one?

First Day

Well, today is the first day of class. I'm excited to use Moodle as a student. I had learned about Moodle at the 2007 eTech conference and had created one for my 4th and 5th graders. I'm excited to see how it can be used in it's full usefulness. I know my students love logging in and chatting and completing assignments through it.
I hope we get a lot more SPECIFIC details about the assignments, I'm excited to get started.
I do hope we try Second Life, I had heard about that briefly at the eTech Conference but haven't had a chance to explore them.
Well, I guess that's it for now.