The Bubonic Plague Webquest

I have successfully created my Webquest. It is called The Bubonic Plague Webquest. Below, I have answered the questions concerning the project itself. I rather enjoyed this activity. I was proud of the outcome of my Webquest. Here is the link to my Webquest: http://sites.google.com/site/thebubonicplaguewebquest/

Best of Everything,
Ashley

What is the context and how do we represent it.
~ The context is Medieval History in a World History course.

What are the guiding question (s)?
~ The guiding question is: What caused the Bubonic Plague?

What are the roles?
~ The roles of group members are the note taker, writer, presenter, and defender.

What essential activities or processes are being conducted by each role?
~ The note taker is responsible for taking notes while students read through the role play. The writer writes up the official hypothesis. The presenter presents the hypothesis to the other groups. The defender defends the hypothesis to all other groups.

What artifacts come from each group member?
~ Group members are required to read the role play, have notes, and the hypothesis worksheet.

Are our instructions for each process detailed enough for the user to conduct the processes?
~ Yes

Do we supply any completed examples of artifacts? How will these artifacts be assessed?
~ No detailed examples are provided because that would take away from the group's actually determining a hypothesis of their own, without influence from examples. An example blank worksheet and rubric are provided on Google Docs.

Are our resources well investigated and support the mission of Webquest in answering the guiding questions (s)?
~ Yes

How do these activities contribute to answering the guiding question (s)?
~ The group's access a mock role play that gives them clues into what caused the spread of the Bubonic Plague. From there, students have to develop a hypothesis of their own.

What is the group artifact? How will it be delivered and assessed? (rubric) viewable and downloadable from the web.
~ The artifacts include Role Play Handout, the Bubonic Plague Hypothesis Worksheet, and the Bubonic Plague Rubric. All are downloadable from Google Docs.

What is the HEAT level?
~ Level 5

Fun With Data Formatting

Fun with Data was an interesting assignment. I had some trouble with the assignment because I have very little experience with Microsoft Excel. The formulas are especially frustrating. Initially, I finished the first part of the assignment. I was not sure if it was correct. After reading and re-reading the information about manipulating data and the narrative, I had no idea where to go. Out of frustration, I posted to Webct. Debbie responded almost immediately. I was so happy to hear that she finished the assignment and was willing to offer her help. After reading her post, I was a little better familiar with the expectations of the assignment; however, I was still lost. I contacted Debbie, again, and asked if we could SKYPE about the assignment. She had initially offered to use SKYPE, so I decided it was time to take advantage of the online phone system. Debbie and I SKYPED for over an hour. She basically walked me through how to do every part of the assignment. I started from scratch, which was much easier. Her son was even a big help. I finished the entire project in an hour. I was amazed at how easy it really was once you knew what to do. Bless Debbie for being such a trooper and helping me out. She even explained to me an example of how we might use this in the future. I did not realize that Excel could be used to incorporate online quiz scores. It would be beneficial to break down test and quizzes in this format. This assignment covered all technology aspects of ISTE. I have provided Dr. Pierce with my assignment, which was uploaded to Google Docs.

Best of Everything,
Ashley

Windows Movie Maker

My Chapter 14 PowerPoint was used to create a movie. I already had Windows Movie Maker on my computer. I edited my PowerPoint to include the West Virginia Content Standard, ISTE Standards, and 21st Century Learning Skills. All appear on slides within my movie. Technology was the main factor in all the standards. As well, I included a title and credit slide. I provided the websites where I found the correct standards implemented. After editing my PowerPoint, I saved it as JPEG images. Then, I opened Windows Movie Maker and created my movie. I then saved my project and also published it to my computer. After publishing my movie, I uploaded it to YouTube and embedded it into my blog. A link is also included in My Links.

Best of Everything,
Ashley

Online Middle Ages Quiz

Using Google Docs, I was able to create an online quiz on the middle ages. I found Google Docs very simple and user friendly. This would provide to be very beneficial. Students could be asked to work in the computer lab. Quizzes could be accessed in the computer lab. Students could answer and submit quizzes and test through Google Docs. This would be beneficial because it would cut down on the usage of paper. As well, students who were absent could make up the quiz from home. This would cut back on the teacher's time input into make-up assignments. Also, the variety of types of questions provides to be beneficial. Below, you will find my Google Docs Quiz. You can submit the quiz through this blog. Also, I have provided a link to my quiz in the My Links section.

Best of Everything,
Ashley

Coat of Arms Project

I have created a rubric for a Coat of Arms Project. As you can see most of the projects I have created in this class, follow along with the Middle Ages. I decided to try to keep assignments in the same time frame. I have used a Coat of Arms project before in my classes; however, I decided to actually create a rubric for students to follow. This rubric was published to Google Docs. I had difficulty doing this because of Microsoft Office 2007. I had to save the Excel Spreadsheet a few different way before I finally could open it. In the end, I saved it in a folder, and accessed only the spreadsheet itself. I published to Coat of Arms Rubric to Google Docs. As well, I attempted to publish it directly to my blog. The rubric did not automatically re-size, so I am publishing a link to my Coat of Arms Rubric.

Best of Everything,
Ashley

Link is located under My Links

PDF Power Point Presentation

I have successfully uploaded my Power Point Presentation to Google Docs as a PDF. In Google Docs, I had uploaded my Power Point Presentation and then they had the capabilities of changing the ppt to a PDF. It was very simple. Creating a PDF from a presentation allows for students to access the Power Point presenation in an environment where they cannot manipulate the information. As well, they can access it from computers that do not have Microsoft Office. The PDF type allows you to easily access and navigate the Power Point presenation. The PDF opens in Google Docs with Adobe Acrobat Reader. As well, with Google Docs you can choose people with whom to share your presentation via email. I have provided a link below as in My Links to My Power Point PDF.

Best of Everything,
Ashley

Embedded Power Point

Finally, I was able to embed my Power Point Presentation into my blog. I have to thank Debbie for her help. Her new found techiness, has helped me a lot.

The odd thing was that I was doing exactly the same thing two days ago; however, it was not working. Then, this morning it worked perfectly. This is another example of how technology is not always consistent.

Embedding Power Point Presentations will be very beneficial. It can be used for students to re-examine the presentation for homework assignments, make-up work, and even studying for tests.

I am thrilled to finally get this part of the assignment completed. It was quite frustrating.

Best of everything,
Ashley