For CEP 812, I am required to complete a TechQuest as one of the major assignments. I was excited to learn this, as I already had a great idea in mind for a project of this kind. I plan to create a website for my journalism class, as the traditional print publication will be going online next year to cut costs.
Not only is this something I will be required to do at my school, but it really is an educational opportunity. My principal approached me at the beginning of the year and asked that I take the student publication online. I had already been thinking about this, and was hoping my CEP classes would allow me the opportunity to create or learn how to create a website for the class. Although transitioning to an online publication can be chaotic and difficult, the benefits outweigh these negatives, and I plan to adapt.
There are many benefits that will come from transitioning from the traditional print publication to an online publication. My students will be able to post their articles so that they are read by not only the school, but people in the world, expanding their audience. They will also learn how to vodcast and podcast, technologies that will be important for them in their future, no matter what career path they take. We will also be able to include videos from our video production course, offering them an audience other than the students in the school as well. I plan to incorporate a blog in the website so that other students, teachers, and parents can respond to articles and create online discussions, further opening up the exchange of ideas and enhancing students' critical thinking processes. In addition, by switching to an online course, the district will save at least $1000 that usually goes toward printing costs each year.
I plan to use the website creation software Dreamweaver. Our school's business teachers use this in their classes, so I should have access to the program. I also have six computers in the room that students will be able to use to upload their articles, photos, videos, and podcasts. This will not add any additional costs. We will most likely be able to use Audacity for the podcasts and the video production cameras for the vodcasts, thereby also eliminating costs we would otherwise have.
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I like the fact that the students will have a wider audience and will be using more mediums to express themselves. This sounds very exciting. Dreamweaver seems like a high maintenance program although versatile.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful learning opportunity for both you and your students. Cutting down on paper use is one strategy most districts are putting into place to help control expenses. My elementary school has cut in half the number of newsletter we send home each month. We have started using the district web site more for parent communication. The one caveat is that some of our families do not have access to the Internet because of where they live - we are a rural farming community. I can't wait to hear about your adventures as the project unfolds.
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