Lesson Plans

 

Preparations

            To have a successful and integrated electronic portfolio the educator must understand the digital environment (access) that the lessons will be completed.  It would be helpful to create templates or examples for every activity which are accessible on the web.  Rubrics could also be created for each assignment to give another opportunity for the students to really understand their goals in the lesson.  Illinois Learning Standards could be identified as well so there is transparency in the assignment and any third –party viewers (e.g. administrators, parents, colleagues) can easily acknowledge its use in the curriculum.  The amount of time which the assignments will be completed in class or out of class will need to be understood a consistent to make the electronic portfolio truly part of the curriculum, rather than an add-on.

           

Lesson 1- Computer basics and Illinois Learning Standards

            Before you start producing electronic portfolios the educator should acknowledge some basic computer vocabulary and explain the goals of the assignments.  The amount of time focusing upon this will vary depending on the technological skills of the student population.

            A writing assignment reflecting on technology, the vocabulary learned, or why they are learning this (introduce Illinois Learning Standards) would be assigned.

            Goals:

  • Understanding the role of technology in their lives
  • Develop technological vocabulary

            Skills:

  • Web browser (Internet Explorer)
  • Turning on / shutting down computer
  • Opening / closing programs

            Links:

 

Lesson 2- Microsoft Word and Expression of Being

            The most basic program for the student to get acquainted with will be a word processing program, which will most likely be Microsoft Word.  This will be the program that most of the assignments in these lesson plans will involve because it can easily double as a web page composer.  Any assignment created within this program will eventually be able to be published on the internet, which is the ultimate goal of the electronic portfolio. 

            The assignment for this lesson will be to create the beginnings of web page by introducing themselves to the world.  Their interests, goals, family life, or school life will be personified in page.  Requirements could include a quotation, a picture, a statement, and /or a goal.

            Goals:

  • Develop their voice in a community
  • Reflect and share interests
  • Descriptive Essays could be integrated in lesson

            Skills:

  • Word processor (Microsoft Word)
  • Copy/ Paste (include shortcut keys)
  • Taskbars
  • Save/Retrieve
  • Search Engine (with images)

            Links:

 

Lesson 3 - File management and Table of Contents

            Students need an understanding on how to title files, store them, and properly arrange to organize their work.  An explanation and activities regarding files, folders, domains, paths, directories, web addresses and working with these entities should be included in this lesson.  Students should be given tasks to save their work in particular spots and be able to find it again and move it to other areas.  Communicating to others where to find files and search activities would be helpful.

            The assignment for this lesson will be organizing a Table of Contents for their eventual web site which can include different subjects for the electronic portfolio, family, and interests. 

            Goals:

  • Organization of Information
  • Using Table of Contents effectively

            Skills:

  • File Folders
  • Right Click
  • Disk Drives

            Links:

·                    http://unit.caes.uga.edu/oit/support/Where_Are_My_Files_2.ppt                      PowerPoint on File Storage

Lesson 4 - Email addresses and constructive criticism

            Students will need to create email accounts to provide feedback to others about work that will be eventually posted.  Discussion questions could be generated to promote a digital community.  Using a listserv, chat rooms, or other communication devices could be a possibility as well; though basic email is a must for an electronic portfolio community to be created and fuel feedback.  The purpose of the emails could be multifaceted, but a lesson in constructive criticism should accompany it to develop understanding in how to critique a text.

            The assignment would be to email constructive critiques to other students (and the instructor) of already written work, or something posted online. 

            Goals:

  • Communicate with peers constructively about written work
  • Develop writing process

            Skills:

·        Understanding, Managing, and Writing Email

            Links:

·        http://www.learnthenet.com/english/section/email.html                                        Email Tutorial

·        http://mwp01.mwp.hawaii.edu/wm_7.pdf                                                          Peer Review & Feedback

 

Lesson 5 – Digital Images and importing files

            Students will bring in pictures to scan or take pictures with a digital camera (depending on technology) and import images.  The applicable software could vary depending on the depth of the lesson, the level of access, and availability.  Integrating artwork into this lesson would be very easy.

            The assignment will be to import (and manipulate) images into a Word document (which will become web page) and send the file as an attachment.

            Goals:

  • Develop visual expressions

            Skills:

  • Digital Imagery
  • Attaching Files

            Links:

 

Lesson 6 - Uploading to FTP

            Students will convert already created Microsoft Word documents to saved web pages.  Organizing the web site, creating hyperlinks within the site, and related skills will all depend upon the scope of the portfolio, the depth of the lesson, and the level of access.  The process of uploading to an FTP site can vary greatly depending on the technology, though making this a smooth process will be helpful for the student to upload independently.  Creating a folder in “My Network Places” that connects with the FTP site is similar to working with file folders.

            The assignment will be to upload web pages to the FTP site and develop a web site.

            Goals:

  • Develop web site

            Skills:

  • Understand how to use File Transfer Protocol
  • Saving documents as web pages
  • HTML

            Links:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Any questions, comments, or good links to include: Email brettmuchow@hotmail.com

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Last updated March 21, 2005