Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Week 1

I will take your picture and post the pictures on the internet so that you can use them in your blog.

I will review the Syllabus. A link to the Syllabus is posted on the right. I am trying to go "green" this year and not print class materiasl. If you want to print them you may do so. But if you process them on your computer you can save a tree or two.

I will record what I say and what happens on the computer screen as I review the Syllabus. In fact, I will record everything I do. This is a demonstration of the new set of tools that you will be using when you teach. My goal is, by the start of next semester, to have instructional videos completed for the entire course. Classroom time will then become lab, discussion, help times. This semester we will be working toward that goal.
I will pay special attention to these parts of the Syllabus:
ATQS Standards and Foliotek
My views on teaching, learning, grades, etc.
The course objectives, especially 1 and 2
The necessity for PRACTICE and Keeping Current With Your Blog Posts!
The Google Class Calendar
Projects Required for This Course
Required Equipment
ALL Projects Must Be Completed


If you have not yet created a Google account, you will do that. There is a video available to assist you in that process as well as printed instructions.

Once you have created a Google account, you will create your blog and begin posting. Again, links to printed instructions as well as video instructions are available on this blog.

I will discuss grades. I hate grades! In 1970 I started the College of Public and Community Service at the University of Massachusetts at Boston. It was a competency based program. There were no grades. This course is close to that - close to Pass/Fail. I will explain why I am so passionate on this subject.

I will review the Blog Assignments. In doing so I will emphasize this point: You cannot afford to get behind in your blog posts!

I will ask you to complete a Google Documents Form for this course. This will provide me with information to help me determine whether I need to modify the course. It is also an example of one of the Projects that you will do in this class.

1 comment:

  1. I love your idea of recording everything so that you can use class time for facilitation instead of go over the material. I too plan to begin doing that this year. I will be creating screen captures of how to set up blogs and use other more difficult 2.0 tools so that others can follow along. That way, they can work at their own pace and I will be much more available to answer the inevitable questions.

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