IDCICT PLACEMENT PORTFOLIO
Teacher: Ms. Mancini
Subject Area: English, Literature, Media Studies, Library
Technology Used: Weebly, Twitter, Photoshop
Teacher: Ms. Mancini
Subject Area: English, Literature, Media Studies, Library
Technology Used: Weebly, Twitter, Photoshop
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
After a couple meetings with our placement teacher, it was concluded that a library/English/pop culture website would be ideal, purposeful & more effective in aiding students.
The idea of having a website for the school's library was unique and unprecedented. We were determined to complete this challenge successfully! The goal for the website was simple: have a user-friendly interface for students, and teachers, to use to get to know the school's library better and feature content that would have otherwise gone unknown. The library is such a useful and easily-accessible resource in our school for students, especially English for choosing books for ISPs. The featured books page on the website includes all the new and popular books Mackenzie's library has to offer, and will be updated whenever new books come in.
We focused on making the website user-friendly. We ensured that it was organized and inviting for students. Everything is colour coordinated red and black, to create a simple yet fun, modern design. The menu side bar provided easy navigation. The menu can be expanded in the top left corner, revealing a drop down menu of all pages. Overall, the project was successful in achieving the goal of having user-friendly website including everything students and teachers need to know about our school's library, popular culture and current events.
After a couple meetings with our placement teacher, it was concluded that a library/English/pop culture website would be ideal, purposeful & more effective in aiding students.
The idea of having a website for the school's library was unique and unprecedented. We were determined to complete this challenge successfully! The goal for the website was simple: have a user-friendly interface for students, and teachers, to use to get to know the school's library better and feature content that would have otherwise gone unknown. The library is such a useful and easily-accessible resource in our school for students, especially English for choosing books for ISPs. The featured books page on the website includes all the new and popular books Mackenzie's library has to offer, and will be updated whenever new books come in.
We focused on making the website user-friendly. We ensured that it was organized and inviting for students. Everything is colour coordinated red and black, to create a simple yet fun, modern design. The menu side bar provided easy navigation. The menu can be expanded in the top left corner, revealing a drop down menu of all pages. Overall, the project was successful in achieving the goal of having user-friendly website including everything students and teachers need to know about our school's library, popular culture and current events.
We, along with Ms. Mancini, did not want the website to be completely English based. Rather, we wanted to incorporate media studies material and pop-culture content so it is more engaging for the students. The website focuses on many aspects besides the library, such as "Narnia", a page in which resembles Tumblr; including GIFs, quotes, trailers, videos trending currently.
In addition, we wanted to include a page where we could check out what our peers are reading. It features photos of Mackenzie students and teachers immersed in a variety of literary content. Students visiting the website can get a chuckle while being persuaded to visit the library and have their picture taken so they can be the next to be feature in the page, "Caught Read-Handed".
In addition, we wanted to include a page where we could check out what our peers are reading. It features photos of Mackenzie students and teachers immersed in a variety of literary content. Students visiting the website can get a chuckle while being persuaded to visit the library and have their picture taken so they can be the next to be feature in the page, "Caught Read-Handed".
Ms. Mancini is adamant about students being up-to-date on current events on a local, national, and global level. Through trials and tribulations, we finally found out how to successfully add Twitter feeds into the website. Twitter feeds were added for CTV Toronto (local news), CBC Canada (national news), and finally, CNN (global news). These three Twitter feeds are updated by the second. They keep the students and teachers of MAC aware of what's going on in our world today.
The final component of the project was the blog page. Ms.Mancini was very excited on trying out the idea of a class blog to encourage student and teacher interaction. A blog is a great medium for students to express their opinions on certain books. Already in use, the first blog page Ms. Mancini made was for her grade twelve English class for the book 1984. After being given two prompts, students wrote their opinions on the book. The website is functional as it allows students a different form of communication rather than through traditional assignments and class discussions.
USES IN OTHER CLASSES & SUBJECT AREAS
While the website is tailored for the use of the library, there are a couple elements in which could be used for other purposes.
TWITTER FEEDS - Twitter feeds provide up to the moment updates about any given topic. It is a great way to keep informed of new, relevant information pertaining to a certain topic. Twitter has numerous accounts to cover a variety of different subject areas.
Ex. NASA's Twitter account could be used by the science department during the space unit. Students can receive the most recent NASA discoveries with a few clicks through the Twitter feeds.
BLOGS - Blogs provide an alternate method of communication for students on a given topic. It is an ideal method, as today's students are comfortable with being online, and sharing their opinions in an online forum. Blogs also allow for more easily accessible teach-student communication through the comment section. Blogs are also time efficient and technologically engaging.
A blog is universal; it could be used in any subject area. Teachers would provide the prompts and have students respond.
Ex. Blogs could be used in the Phys. Ed department. A gym teacher could prompt the class with "What Healthy Snacks Do You Like to Eat?", and students could respond with their ideas. In addition, the ability to see others' answers allows for idea sharing, creating a community-like setting.
While the website is tailored for the use of the library, there are a couple elements in which could be used for other purposes.
TWITTER FEEDS - Twitter feeds provide up to the moment updates about any given topic. It is a great way to keep informed of new, relevant information pertaining to a certain topic. Twitter has numerous accounts to cover a variety of different subject areas.
Ex. NASA's Twitter account could be used by the science department during the space unit. Students can receive the most recent NASA discoveries with a few clicks through the Twitter feeds.
BLOGS - Blogs provide an alternate method of communication for students on a given topic. It is an ideal method, as today's students are comfortable with being online, and sharing their opinions in an online forum. Blogs also allow for more easily accessible teach-student communication through the comment section. Blogs are also time efficient and technologically engaging.
A blog is universal; it could be used in any subject area. Teachers would provide the prompts and have students respond.
Ex. Blogs could be used in the Phys. Ed department. A gym teacher could prompt the class with "What Healthy Snacks Do You Like to Eat?", and students could respond with their ideas. In addition, the ability to see others' answers allows for idea sharing, creating a community-like setting.
Vanessa's Teacher Placement Blog Post:
http://vanesscastiglione.wordpress.com/2014/10/25/lyons-library-lounge-teacher-placement-blog/
Nilasha's Teacher Placement Blog Post:
http://nilashaidc.weebly.com/blog/blog-prompt-4
http://vanesscastiglione.wordpress.com/2014/10/25/lyons-library-lounge-teacher-placement-blog/
Nilasha's Teacher Placement Blog Post:
http://nilashaidc.weebly.com/blog/blog-prompt-4