Step 1: Your Objective\nAsk the question, “Why are you doing this project?”\nYour objective should be content related. A concern here is that when teachers are given a technology objective to “fit in” to their curriculum, they sometimes try to do so completely independent of their subject area. Here is an example. In ELA grade 8, one of the ELA TEKS states that students must create a multimedia project with sound. If an ELA teacher then designs an entire project entirely based on this one technology TEK, they are missing a great opportunity and will likely create a project that seems unfocused and out of place for their students. Those teachers should choose another objective to go with the multimedia one. For example, ELA grade 8 students also have an objective that says they should be able to write a poem using figurative language. Any writing assignment would lend itself to a multimedia project with sound! Have students read their project aloud\n
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There are multiple timeline creator tools for example. Multiple Story book creators, and multiple presentation type tools. If what you want to see involves having the kids use images, text, and sound, there are several things that might work. Letting them choose adds to their interest and may give you better projects. \n\nExample: there are several cartoon makers out there. Some allow you to draw your own pictures or import your own pictures. Some kids would prefer that while others would rather choose from pre-made characters. By allowing them to choose, you will get the best out of all the kids because you allow them to play to their strengths. Likewise, if you offer them a chance to create a cartoon or a poster or a homemade movie, you are going to get some incredible results! \n
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Lets say I gave a multimedia project where kids had to create a poem using figurative language. They then had to illustrate the poem with images and they were asked to cite the images appropriately. I want to make sure that when I finish grading their work, that the most points will be awarded for writing the poem correctly. \n
I have in the past been disappointed when I graded a project so abysmal it made my teeth hurt from grinding them, and the child passed because I had designed such a poor rubric. Don’t let this happen to you!\n
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Grade the draft/storyboard/script!\nGrade class participation! \nOne thing kids tend to get carried away with is design. Make them put their content on the project first. Black and white, no fun fonts, images or anything until you approve it. Give a grade for that step, and a deadline. Kids do better with long projects when you vbreak it into smaller pieces anyway. \n
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Cut off as many excuses as you can. \nHow would you handle these?\nI left my flash drive at school.\nMy printer ran out of ink\nMy project got lost in cyberspace\nAddress some of these potential catastrophes ahead of time. Make sure the students know where the responsibility lies. \n\n
It is enough that you are an expert of your content.\nPart of teaching kids how to function in the technological world is giving them the skills to use a help menu and figure things out for themselves\nDon’t rely on a team mate or co-teacher to be the technology person, and think you can get by with them leading this project. \n
