Blog Reflection Week Eight (Web Projects)

The following is an account of the projects that I created this week, as well as a link to each of the web sites.

1. The rubric was fairly easy to create. I was unaware of such a helpful rubric creator site on the Internet. I love doing class projects, so I will use the Rubistar site again in the future! I have learned that using a rubric to assess students' work is both easy and fair. I have decided that in the future, I will use a rubric for most class project. Students will then know exactly why they received the score they earned.

Rubric

2. The APTE Puzzle creator presented more of a challenge to me. I chose to create a simple wordsearch puzzle, but I did not have the proper plug-ins to view it. My machine had trouble downloading the necessary plug-ins. However, once downloaded properly, I was able to create a wordsearch with ease. One thing I learned was to be patient with technology when "it" is not cooperating like you think it should. I already use a puzzle creator to make educational games out of spelling and vocabulary words for my students, and now I have yet another resource with which to do more.

Puzzle

3. I have used EasyTestMaker before, and have found that it is a great place to quickly make up a test. It is user friendly and even creates an answer key. I don't plan to use it often, because I already use software in my classroom that pairs with clicker devices.

Test

4. The Website Evaluation was a great way for me to reflect about an Internet site that I already use in the class. I chose the Harcourt School Publisher’s website, since I use it weekly to supplement my lessons. On the evaluation, instead of circling the appropriate answer, I highlighted my choices. One problem I ran into was answering questions about the author, since the site is done by a publishing company, so I substituted “publisher” in place of “author.” I did not experience any other problems. Actually, in completing the evaluations, I discovered a few features of the site of which I was formerly unaware; for example, a link to science and social studies videos. I could see how evaluations like these would be important to parents, and I plan to utilize these more in the future.

Web Evaluations

5. The Trackstar assignment presented a new discovery for me that I am excited to use in my classroom. It seems easy to use and helpful when assigning research assignments. My only problem is that many URL links that I found while searching at home are blocked by the school’s filter. Therefore, I will have to create my tracks at school to ensure that the sites are accessible. I will use this in the classroom when we do class research projects.

Trackstar