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