15/5 April 19th-25th

15/5’s April 19th-25

This week we prepared for the presentation of our project showcase. We created a Google Slide presentation and met Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to prepare. I also created a screencast to present the unique features of the website since Google+ can be unpredictable and can loose connection and audio.  So to avoid any issues and ease some concerns we created the Screencast.

I also created a digital poster using Glogster, which is one of the free web 2.0 Ed Tech Tools showcased in the presentation.  The reasons for this was to present our group’s Lesson Learned.

Our meetings lasted about an hour and half. We discussed the necessary changes provided from  feedback from teachers and Dr. Mims.  We also discussed the  the edits we needed to make to the Making Thinking Visible with Technology site.

After meeting with Dr. Mims on Tuesday we discussed some changes and additional things he wanted us to focus on for the site:

1.     Teacher & Student testimonials.

2.     Remove the name from the image icons on the Ed Tech Tools.

Dr. Mims was disappointed we did not have teacher and student testimonials.  Our goal is to embedded at least ten of these testimonials  into the site by finding teacher’s videos and students’ audio clips to contribute.  We will also have to provide our own testimonials.  Since I am in the middle of common core state testing I am going to try pull students at the end of the day next week to give an audio testimonials, as well as some teachers.  I assisted a fellow co-worker, Frank, in writing his technology Motorcycle lesson plan.  So I am confident he will provide me with a testimonial about using his thinking routine compass points.  I also have a resource room where I can reflect on my ZOOM in thinking routine.  

I removed all the title to the EdTech Tool kit.  There are other edits and changes we will make along the way.  Our main focus is obtaining testimonials of thinking routines.  

After seeing all of the showcase presentations I was extremely impressed. I really enjoyed Taylor, Taylor, and Wolf’s video presentations, I especially liked how they added humor. Unfortunately, I missed a majority of Claire’s, Jennifer’s and Tod’s presentation since we lost connection.  I had a difficult time hearing the audience when they were speaking and asking questions.  One of my big take a ways is best captured in this quote: “Many instructional designers, in an attempt to make content simple, takeout information.  The solution isn’t to take away content, but to present it in a simpler way.”

I do agree that seeing exemplar examples of final projects is a great idea to show future students.  It is extremely helpful to have a reference point such as previous groups website of their project documentation.  Having their end product to see would be beneficial even though each project is unique.

This next week we will be working on making the necessary changes suggested as well as playing with the formatting.  We will also be making changes to the site to make it more visually appealing.  This class was intense and the end is closely approaching.