Roboprince

Hello colleagues,



I have been working on a new curriculum web site for my class, and would really appreciate it if you could look it over and provide me some feedback. My web was designed for high school robotics students. It introduces students to robotics and has them build a simple robot for presentation. My goals include descriptions of the course and students, as well as objectives, prerequisites and rationale. I included a number of different activities, including weekly pictures, videos, and assignment.I included assessment rubrics and a self-assessment mechanism. There is also feedback included and finally other resources for further information on robotics. Let me know what you think; any feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Victor

I read the Mcloughlin/Oliver piece twice as I was not sure I agreed with what they had to say the first time through. After re-thinking, I probably agree more than I disagree and can support their findings. While I agree that current ID models do not fully contextualize the learning experience and are themselves product of particular cultures (read biased); I'm not sure they make the case for inclusionary learning models at the cultural level. The America I live in probably contains more cultures under one roof than any other country in history and would be hard-pressed to write a model or come up with a system that fits all.

I think the way to go is pretty much the way we have been doing it. The success model is built on assimilation and that's the way it goes. My own philosophy fits with situated cognition and I have no quams with:

Learning is situated and contextualised in action and everyday situations;
Knowledge is acquired through active participation;
Learning is a process of social action and engagement involving ways of thinking, doing and communicating;
Learning can be assisted by experts or supportive others and through apprenticeship;
Learning is a form of participation in social environments.

Because my students can easily be characterized as visual, I am adding video, pictures, and quizzes to my web.

Victor

My experience with Dreamweaver has been good so far. I have been able to pick up new techniques for web design, and I find it relatively easy to use concepts learned from previous web packages like Frontpage and Sitebuilder. Like any new "language" the syntax is different and so there is the initial confusion; but a little bit of experimentation quickly dispels any nervousness I have had. In many ways I find Dreamweaver to be more versatle and powerful than Sitebuilder. I like having more options to get things done although more options does require more thought upfront. I'm presently ahead in my two other classes so I am able to put in more time on this assignment; this is not an assignment to attempt at the last minute. I'm sure I'll have more to say as I complete more of the required modules.

Victor