Homework+&+Assessments

= = = Homework & Assessments =


 * **Class Sessions:** ||  || CS1 ||   || CS2 ||   || CS3 ||   || CS4 ||   || CS5 ||   || CS6 ||   || CS7 ||   || CS8 ||

Discussion Rubric Chart
The following Discussion Rubric will be used for all discussion unless otherwise stated. Discussion Rubric Chart document:

**To be completed in class:**

 * 1.1 Discussion - Publishing, Societal Change, and Power //(4 points)//
 * 1.2 Discussion - Similarities/Differences Between Printing via the Web or Traditional Printing Press //(4 points)//
 * 1.3 Discussion – Experiences and Preconceptions of Creating Websites //(4 points)//
 * To be completed for homework:**
 * 1) **1.4 Poster - The Need of an Effective Web Presence** -Post your posters in the Topic_1_Student_Page. // (Due the Friday following Class Session2.) (20 points)// Discussion on this topic will occur during Class Session3.
 * 2) Be familiar with the **Required Readings for Topic_2** by the start of Class Session2.



To be completed in class:

 * 2.2 Discussion – Typical Traits or Characteristics of a CMS //(4 points)//
 * 2.4 Email Response: Looking at WordPress for Educational Uses //(25 points)//
 * 2.5 Discussion - Sidebar & Widgets //(4 points)//
 * 2.6 Sidebar and Widget Analogies //(20 points)//

To be completed for homework:

 * 1) **2.1 Virtual Field Experience – Realizing the Power of WordPress** Complete this in your field experience log. // (Suggested completion by the start of Class Session3.) ////(5 points)//
 * 2) **2.3 Create a Capstone ePortfolio using WordPress** Once the skeletal structure of the ePortfolio is established, submit your ePortfolio’s URL to the Topic_2_Student_Page.// (Due the Friday following Class Session3) ////(25 points)//
 * 3) Be familiar with the **Required Readings for Topic 3** by the start of Class Session3.
 * 4) **3.1 Field Experience – Identifying a Quality Website** Post your responses to the Topic_3_Student_Page for this activity. // (Suggested completion by the start of Class Session4.) ////(5 points)//



To be completed in class:

 * 1.4 Discussion Paper vs. Web
 * 3.2 Analyzing Web Design for Goal and Audience //(5 points)//
 * 3.3 Creating a Sitemap //(20 points)//
 * 3.4 Discussion - Designing for Ease of Use //(4 points)//
 * 3.5 Creating a Wireframe //(20 points)//

To be completed for homework:

 * **3.3 & 3.5** Complete your individual sitemaps and wireframes. Save them as jpgs and post to Topic_3_Student_Page. // (Due Friday following Class Session4.) //
 * **3.6 Sitemap and Wireframe Comparison** feedback. Submit to the discussion section of Topic_3_Student_Page. // (Due by the start of Class Session5.) (5 points) //
 * Be familiar with the **Required Readings for Topic 4** by the start of Class Session4.



To be completed in class:

 * 4.1 HTML Elements - Basic Website Tool Exploration //(25 points)//
 * 4.2 Discussion – Website Application Comparison //(4 points)//
 * 4.3 Website Elements – The Best and The Worst //(25 points)//
 * 4.4 Discussion – Design Philosophies //(4 points)//

To be completed for homework:

 * **4.5 Begin Final Project – Classroom Website** Your website URL is to be submitted to Topic_8_Student_Page. // (Due the last class – Class Session8.) //
 * Be familiar with the **Required Readings for Topic 5** by the start of Class Session5.



To be completed in class:

 * 5.1 Comparison of Graphic Tools Types //(25 points)//
 * 5.2 Discussion – Visual Literacy //(8 points)//
 * 5.4 Discussion – Graphic Tools, Resources & Uses //(4 points)//

To be completed for homework:

 * **5.3 Create Your Own Graphics** - // (Due the Friday following Class Session6.) //Post your four images and dialogue to the Topic_5_Student_Page for this activity. Read and respond to two or more of your colleagues’ postings in the Discussion Section of Topic_5_Student_Page. //(40 points)//
 * Be familiar with the **Required Readings for Topic 6** by the start of Class Session6.
 * **6.1 Research Project – Copyright vs. Copy-share** // (Due by the start of Class Session6.) // Post your paper on the Topic_6_Student_Page. //(?? points)//



To be completed in class:

 * 6.2 Discussion - Copyright vs. Copy-share //(12 points)//
 * 6.3 Image Repositories //(15 points)//
 * 6.4 Discussion – Repository Recommendations //(12 points)//

To be completed for homework:

 * **Work on your 4.5 Begin Final Project – Classroom Website** Your website URL is to be submitted to Topic_8_Student_Page. // (Due the last class – Class Session8.) //
 * Be familiar with the **Required Readings for Topic 7** by the start of Class Session7.



To be completed in class:

 * 7.1 Discussion – Hosting & Publishing on the Web //(15 points)//
 * 7.2 Using free/low-cost web hosting and free FTP programs //(15 points)//
 * 7.3 Discussion - Search Engine Optimization//(4 points)//
 * 7.4 Application of SEO Techniques //(15 points)//

To be completed for homework:

 * **7.4 Application of SEO Techniques** - Post your SEO techniques to the Topic_7_Student_Page. // (Due the last class – Class Session8) //
 * **7.5 Web Accessibility and Web Design** - Implement at least two techniques/methods to your Final Project – Classroom Website // (Due the last class – Class Session8) (10 points) //
 * Finish **4.5 Final Project – Classroom Website**. Your website URL is to be submitted to Topic_8_Student_Page. // (Due the last class – Class Session8) (95 points) //



To be completed in class:

 * 8.1 Evaluation of Learning and Setting Goals //(10 points)//
 * 8.2 Final Project – Classroom Website //(95 points)//
 * 8.3 Peer Evaluation of Classroom Website //(15 points)//
 * 8.4 Discussion – Ah-ha Moments – What have you learned? //(4 points)//



1.4: Poster Creation - The Need for an Effective Web Presence
//** Due the Friday following Class Session2. **// Read the article //**20 Reasons Why an Organization Needs an Effective Web Presence (2007)**//. Though the article is largely written for businesses, create a poster 8x11 or larger showing how many of these same reasons apply to education/educators. Your poster title choices are as follows (fill in the with the number of reasons illustrated on your poster):
 * //**Reasons Why a School Needs an Effective Web Presence**//
 * //**Reasons Why Individual Educators Need an Effective Web Presence**//
 * Use any graphic editing tool of your choice (Picnik.com, Photoshop, MSPaint, Gimp, etc.). Save your resulting poster as a .jpg and print a copy.
 * Post your posters in the Topic_1_Student_Page.
 * Review and critique two or more of your colleagues’ posters and provide constructive feedback in the Discussion Section of the Topic_1_Student_Page.
 * Discuss whether this paper medium (the poster) adequately demonstrates all ideas clearly. Would the content of the poster be more or less effective if it were a web page? Why or why not? - //** Discussion will occur during Class Session3. **//


 * Assessment**

2.1: Virtual Field Experience
Realizing the power of WordPress (WP) Being able to actually see a WordPress (WP) end product is often very influential on those who have never considered using this tool before. //**This assignment will be very helpful when creating your ePortfolio.**//
 * // (Suggested completion by the start of Class Session3.) //**


 * Step 1:** Visit the We Love WP-Education Gallery at @http://welovewp.com/category/education-gallery Tour several of these educational sites, each of which has been made with WordPress.


 * Step 2:** In your field experience log, respond to the following:
 * Share what your initial reactions were when looking at these sites.
 * Additionally, pay attention to specific features that catch your eye.
 * What were these features?
 * Do these sites look more or less professional and sophisticated than the typical website made by educators?

2.3: Capstone ePortfolio
Creating an authentic project is often the best way to learn a new tool and associated concepts. Using WordPress.com, students will learn how to set up the skeletal framework for their Capstone ePortfolio. Students will learn how to create a clear navigation bar, multiple pages, and subpages. Additionally, students will learn how to hyperlink pages and subpages within the ePortfolio.
 * Create a Capstone ePortfolio Using WordPress (website 1)**

Throughout your Instructional Technology (IT) master’s coursework, you have been collecting and saving artifacts, research, and reflective pieces that will be used in creation of your Capstone ePortfolio. The purpose of the ePortfolio is to demonstrate the depth and breadth of your educational growth through your Master’s program, including skills and knowledge gained along with your growth as a reflective practitioner. The ePortfolio should be considered a professional document to be shared with potential employers.

In this Web Development course you will create a website that will serve as your Capstone ePortfolio. You will not be completing the full Capstone ePortfolio in this course but rather will get a start on the ePortfolio. To complete the ePortfolio template you will be using WordPress.com.

The components required for the ePortfolio template and steps for creation can be found on the Capstone_Requirements page. Once the skeletal structure of the ePortfolio is established, submit your ePortfolio’s URL (Uniform Resource Locator—this is your website address that appears in your browser’s navigation bar beginning with “http:”) to the Topic_2_Student_Page.
 * Instructions:**


 * Assessment**



3.1: Field Experience - Identifying a Quality Website
//** Note: This field experience is necessary for 3.2 Analyzing Web Design for this Learning Topic. **// How are the results of your three interviews similar and/or different?
 * Step 1:** In your field experience log, respond to the following. Interview three peers and/or educators who have either created a website or who are frequent users of the Internet. Throughout the course of each interview, ask "What makes a quality website?" Additionally, ask “What makes a viewer leave or discredit a website?” Note whether any of the following factors are mentioned and which, if any, take clear priority over the others.
 * Color use
 * Clarity of site purpose
 * Quality of site content
 * Site navigation - ease of use
 * Load time of site
 * Graphic use
 * Identification of audience
 * Layout/organization of content


 * Step 2:** Post your responses to the Topic_3_Student_Page for this activity.



3.3: Sitemap Creation
//** (Due Friday following Class Session4.) **//
 * Step 1:** Design a flowchart or "sitemap" for an educational website you would like to create. This website will become your second major project to be presented and evaluated during Learning Topic 8. Examples of sitemaps can be found by using Google Images. Use the terms "web design sitemaps" for your search.


 * Step 2:** Using bubbl.us/, writemaps.comor other web 2.0 mind-mapping tools, create a skeletal structure for your site and all pages you intend to include. Save the sitemap as a .jpg. Ask if you need help.


 * Step 3:** Post your sitemap image to the Topic_3_Student_Page for this activity to share with your class.


 * Assessment**

3.5: Wireframe Creation
//** (Due Friday following Class Session4.) **//
 * Step 1:** Using information gained from your articles and chapters on content planning/website architecture/layout, create a “wireframe” for the sitemap you created in Activity 3.3. Remember that you can search for [|example web design wireframes] using Google Images. When creating your wireframe, consider placement of various web page elements - your logo, navigation bar, news, events, about, and contact information, and/or any other content integral to your website’s success. Your wireframe may be a simple hand sketch or may be created with software or webware of your choice. Remember to use simple shapes and to label each web page element. Try to design your wireframe “above the fold.” Above the fold is a graphic term that means that the most important articles and/or photos appears on the upper half of the front page of a newspaper.


 * Step 2:** Save your wireframe as a jpg. If you draw your wireframe by hand, scan it as a jgp. Submit your jpg to the Topic_3_Student_Page to share with your colleagues.


 * Assessment**



3.6: Discussion – Sitemap and Wireframe Comparison
//** (Due by the start of Class Session5.) **// Peer Analysis of Sitemap and Wireframe - After completing Projects 2 and 3, read through your colleagues’ postings. Provide feedback to two or more colleagues in the Discussion Section of Topic_3_Student_Page on element placement, ease of navigation, and prioritization of content.

Refer to the Discussion Checklist for more information on how you will be evaluated.
 * Assessment**



4.5: Classroom Website
As a final project for this course, you will develop a classroom website that incorporates all elements discussed during this course. Begin this week by choosing a website creation tool. In addition to Dreamweaver, KompoZer, and iWeb, you also can choose a webware application such as:
 * // (Due the last class – Class Session8.) //**
 * Begin Final Project -**
 * Weebly - @http://www.weebly.com/
 * Google Sites - http://sites.google.com
 * School Rack - @http://www.schoolrack.com/register/teacher/
 * Viviti - @http://viviti.com/
 * Webnode - @http://www.webnode.com/
 * Blinkweb - @http://business.blinkweb.com/
 * Doodlekit - @http://www.doodlekit.com/home
 * Yola - @http://www.yola.com/
 * Wix - @http://www.wix.com/
 * Webs - @http://www.webs.com/


 * Looking Ahead** – 4.5 Classroom Website will help you begin the design of your education-based website for the classroom due in Learning Topic 8. Choose one website format, desktop application, or webware application to use as you begin to build a final project classroom website using the concepts learned in this course, and build on the concepts you learn in each Learning Topic.

Future Learning Topics will discuss images and usability. These will also be incorporated into your classroom website.


 * Assessment - //This project will be assessed after Class Session 8.// **



5.3: Graphics Creation - Create Your Own Graphics
//** (Due the Friday following Class Session6.) **//
 * Step 1:** Determine which type of website graphic tool you will use based on your research in Project 5.1 and your personal learning goals. Use the course reading and tutorials from the Internet to develop a basic understanding of each graphic skill listed below.


 * Step 2:** Complete a full set of notes on each topic as you learn and experiment with these areas:
 * **Graphic formats:** .gif, .jpg and .png, and the difference between Red, Green, Blue (RGB) and Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black (CMYK); (you will be using RGB for all web graphics)
 * **Image fixing**: crop, resize, rotate, flip, rulers, units, pixels
 * Adjusting colors, contrast, levels, colorize, brightness
 * **Graphic tools:** select, rectangle, oval, lasso, magic wand, clone, stamp, burn, dodge, pen
 * **Filters and effects:** sharpen, smooth, distortions, various filters
 * Decoration and text, fills, gradients, color grabber, borders
 * **Tools:** paintbrush, pencil, line, sharpen, smooth
 * Uses of layers, opacity, and reasoning of foreground/background colors
 * Image output and optimization


 * Step 3:** After you feel more confident with the terms and tool uses, begin to use your image editor to create eight images for your website -- four photographic and four others: text, chart, illustration, timeline.

//**For four of the images**//, create a dialogue of the steps taken when processing your image, and state your reasoning for each step. Also state what you wanted to create, how well it worked, what you are learning about graphic tools, and discuss saving or exporting your graphics for web use along the way.


 * Step 4:** Post your four images and dialogue to the Topic_5_Student_Page for this activity. Read and respond to two or more of your colleagues’ postings in the Discussion Section of Topic_5_Student_Page.


 * Assessment**



6.1: Research project - Copyright vs. Copy-share
//** Due by the start of Class Session6. **//
 * Step 1:** Using the above readings, video, and your own Internet research, create a persuasive paper or presentation on the copyright-versus-copy-share debate and history.
 * Present which side you weigh in on.
 * Present both sides of the copyright issue and add in your personal opinions on this topic.
 * Predict where you see this controversy evolving in the future.
 * Support your thesis with researched evidence and provide an APA citation of your resources.
 * This project should be approximately five pages or 20 slides.


 * Step 2**: Post your paper on the Topic_6_Student_Page.


 * Step 3**: Read one or more of your colleagues’ papers.

??
 * Assessment**



7.4: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Techniques
In this activity you will work to make your web content more “searchable” by web crawlers and indexing spiders by applying a series of self-chosen SEO techniques. Referring to the second website (Final Project – Classroom Website) you created in this course, perform three to five search engine optimization techniques to make your site more searchable. Free online SEO tools may be used to help analyze or perform each technique. See SEO Tools at @http://www.seocompany.ca/tool/seo-tools.html
 * Application of SEO Techniques**


 * Step 1:** Take a “before” screenshot of your web page or site (print screen key) before using the first technique.


 * Step 2:** After the first technique is implemented, take an “after” screenshot showing SEO improvements made.


 * Step 3:** Add a brief statement of what was done and why or how this will affect SEO rankings.


 * Step 4:** Repeat Steps 1-3 for the remaining SEO techniques chosen.


 * Step 5:** Post your SEO techniques to the Topic_7_Student_Page.


 * Assessment**



7.5: Web Accessibility Methods Used
Today, our lives are becoming more and more digital. We shop, learn, play, and recreate online more and more with each passing day. Because of this, everyone – those with or without disabilities – should have equal access to web content. Acknowledging and rectifying unintentional design barriers encourages everyone to participate and contribute more fully to society.
 * Web Accessibility and Web Design**


 * Step 1:** After completing the assigned readings on web accessibility, implement at least two techniques/methods to your Final Project – Classroom Website (website 2) to make it “more accessible.” Online accessibility tools may be used, as well.


 * Step 2:** Give a brief presentation on which methods were incorporated and explain who will benefit from the changes and why.


 * Assessment**