Placement Wrap Up (Also found on class blog)

Teacher: Ms. Mancini
Subject: Media Studies
Technology Used: WordPress, Windows Movie Maker

Description: What Ms. Mancini requested was to have an online forum where students could showcase their works. She wanted a place where everyone could upload their assignments, whether that includes video projects,  music files, or general assignments. The key thing that she wanted was a place for her student’s works to be showcased. Originally we suggested a simple YouTube account with a privacy setting limiting the videos uploaded only viewable to her Media Studies class. We all decided to go with a blog idea because it would provide more opportunity to upload and chat about a wider variety of things. Not only does a blog serve as a host to a video uploads, but class discussions and just fun things like a new song that someone likes can be shared on this blog. There is just simply a wider array of material that can be showcased on a blog. Thus, we created a simple, but sleek blog for her class to not only showcase the students work but allow for an extension on their class material. The blog created also allows students to comment on their peers work and critique them. It essentially provides personal learning environment outside of the classroom. If one kid know a certain trick on Windows Movie Maker he/she can share that with the rest of the class, through uploading a tutorial or example on the blog.

Possible uses in other classes/subject areas: The idea of a blog can be applied in virtually all of the social sciences courses or art courses. Our version of the blog is mostly about continuing class discussions, and showcasing the works of students online for the rest of the kids to examine, critique and learn from. Specifically, courses like Philosophy can be paired with a blog to create online discussions that can go on for pages. Similarly, courses like photography can be used in partnership with a blog to have an online art gallery where students can showcase their work as well as provide input on their peer’s projects. The idea of having a blog domain where students can discuss their problems can also be used for such courses like biology or mathematics. Oftentimes students will do last minute prep work for a test or assignment. A blog where students can discuss strategies and methods could prove very useful. Essentially the idea of a blog for a class is limitless, the aforementioned topics are just a few ways it could be used.

Links: Jing Video of Ms. Mancini's Blog