Robert Runté Robert Runté University of Lethbridge Developing and Assessing Web Page Assignments...

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Robert RuntéUniversity of Lethbridge

Developing and Assessing

Web Page Assignmentsin regular classes

Web page assignments...

in regular courses (not computer class)

to replace term paper as a more authentic assessment

Advantages

technology advocates emphasize new technical skills graphic design skills marketability of graduates

Advantages

educators emphasize “going public” real audience

students see point of spelling and grammar

greater student ownershipcan’t just “write what the instructor wants”

Advantages

learning styles current “literary bias” current linear bias divergent thinkers, synthesis over

analysis, etc.

Advantages

flexibility of division of labour individual assignment, or group

collaboration can be student optionpotential for collaboration across

disciplinescan produce cumulative class

project/course site

Disadvantages

workload steep learning curve

increasingly becoming less of a problem

change in attitudeDale Burnett says “throw out word

processor”think of web development software as

“Word 8”

Disadvantages

Demand on resources be wary of bandwagon growth

“not another web page!”

Disadvantages

requires students to have or acquire web skills okay for computer course, but is it fair

to grade on web skills in Social Studies? where in our programs do we teach

about typography, graphic design, visual literacy?

Disadvantages

requires students to have or acquire web skills alternative is to provide a prefabricated

template for students to follow

Templates

Let students do their own thing they just email you the ULR code napster

Templates

Provide explicit style guide Kid Culture

Provide actual template and manual Issues in organizational behaviour

Disadvantages

Instructors may lack knowledge & skills again, throw out your word processor

Practical difficulties in grading can’t circle errors easily send email memo

Disadvantages

Students focus on either content or process, but not both

Substance often sacrificed for form inherent in medium

Disadvantages

differential accesscopyright violations

plagiarism artwork

Disadvantages

fails to meet public expectations spelling and content up to standard?

Disadvantages

Piracy and “satire”

Practical Considerations

Provide a template?Start small

start with single course make assignment optional

post grading criteria ahead of time

Practical Considerations

instructor must screen for copyrightmust get copyright release from

student for posting on class siteon-line data collection must be

ethical, protect respondents

Practical Considerations

How is class site to be maintained? kept up to date? student holds copyright next year’s class? best before date?

Contact

Robert Runté, Associate Professor, Faculty of Education, University of Lethbridge

Runte@uleth.ca

See also: http://www.edu.uleth.ca/~runte/professional/Dalpaper2002.htm

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