INCORPORATION OF TECHNOLOGY
CLASSROOM WEBSITE
One of the best things I’ve done as an educator is create a classroom website to disseminate information to parents, students, and other teachers. On my website I include weekly lesson plans, course documents, links to assignments, assignment models, study guides, and class notes. I also provide background on my educational philosophies, personal information, and favorite books. Using the site has made me more efficient, better organized, and more collaborative than ever before. The site continues to evolve to fit the needs of my classes and the improvements in technology of our district.
Artifact: Mr. Dykstra's Website
Artifact: Mr. Dykstra's Website
AFRICAN-AMERICAN LITERATURE UNIT WEBSITE
This assignment is one example of how I attempt to meet students in their technological world and improve their skills inside that world. After reading several texts from the Harlem Renaissance and Alice Walker, students are asked to create a website explaining the main themes present across the literature, an evaluation of the most essential literature, and including links to sites with more information regarding the topics of our unit. Students are evaluated both on their knowledge and analysis of the literature and the effectiveness of their site to communicate that analysis to an internet audience.
Artifact: African-American Unit Assignment
Student Example (Included with permission)
Artifact: African-American Unit Assignment
Student Example (Included with permission)
BOOK RESPONSE MODEL
I created this website as a model for students to use for a book response project assignment that I give them during for an independent reading unit. I also like the site because the book I used to complete it was a piece of graphic journalism, a genre with which most students are entirely unfamiliar. The site serves a dual purpose of introducing them to new reading material and providing tangible expectations for their work that is easily accessible.
Artifact: Book Website Model
Artifact: Book Website Model