This document discusses using blogfolios and interactive media to assess student progress. It proposes using tools like Classroom Blogmeister, TeacherTube, and Flickr to create blogfolios containing videos, photos, and student work samples. Blogfolios allow students to access their work from any location and use interactive media, meeting industry goals. Potential problems around student security and access are addressed by providing Internet safety lessons, strict privacy controls, and ensuring access is available through labs and libraries. An example blogfolio is provided to demonstrate the concept.

1. Blogfolios Using Web 2.0 & interactive media to assess student progress

2. Definitions Web 2.0: The idea that the Internet, and the World Wide Web (WWW) have become a community where sharing and collaboration among users is encouraged. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_2 Interactive Media: Using media that allows for user participation. Some examples of interactive media are email, the world wide web, & video games. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interactive_media#Examples_of_interactive_media

3. Concept: We Know… … students often learn better through project-based learning. … students enjoy using technology, and this can be used as a ‘hook’ to get their attention. … employers are looking for students who can communicate orally and in writing. … employers are looking for students who can work in teams. … No Child Left Behind requires that we show concrete evidence when students master material.

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10. Tools for Blogfolios Classroom Blogmeister: http://www.classblogmeister.com/index.php TeacherTube: http:// www.teachertube.com/index.php Flickr: http:// www.flickr.com /

11. Why these tools? Classroom Blogmeister: http://www.classblogmeister.com/index.php Classroom Blogmeister has been described by other teacher users as a ‘walled garden’. People can search and find the blog, but the searcher must be really intent on looking… All posts by students must be approved by teachers, and this includes the inclusion of interactive media. The teacher sets up student accounts, and students can use pseudonyms and avatars to prevent actual identification. In fact, these ideas are encouraged by the creator of Classroom Blogmeister. Classroom Blogmeister does not have storage space, and so students will be very limited in what they can post on-line.

12. Why these tools? TeacherTube http://www.teachertube.com/index.php TeacherTube is similar to YouTube, except that it is monitored by the sponsors of the site as well as the teachers & students who use it. It does require the creation of a username and password in order to upload videos. A user can easily upload videos, and set them so that people cannot see them, and cannot embed them in external websites. Users are also able to restrict viewing and use of videos to people that are on a created email list. For the purposes of a blogfolio, the teacher will retain control over videos uploaded and used, because students will not be given their own accounts to use in school.

13. Why these tools? Flickr: http:// www.flickr.com / Flickr is the most popular of many on-line photo sharing sites. It can be used as photo storage, which works well since Blogmeister does not have space. By using Flickr as photo storage space, the teacher retains control over pictures that are posted & used. Flickr also allows student to combine pictures to make slideshows or other items that can be posted in their blogs.

14. What will a blogfolio have? Videos of students working in the classroom & community. Photos of students working in the classroom & community. Student work as screenshots, digital images, videos or photographs.

15. Why a blogfolio? The format allows students to access their work from any location that has Internet access. This allows students to create using interactive media which directly touches on industry goals from the SCANS report. This gives teachers a way to comment on, and assist students with work without the potential for identifying students who receive special education services. Using a computer allows students to access assistive technology to help with writing and communication skills. Using Web 2.0 reduces the amount of software that needs to be installed on a school network. The tools are already there and available!

16. Potential Problems & Solu tions Student security issue problems: Even though staff would retain control of things that the students upload and post, there is the potential that people would be able to identify students from their blog sites. Student security issue solutions: Provide a lesson and a pictorial cue so that students understand Internet safety. Include a section within the rubrics for the blogfolios that covers security. Ensure that all students have photo permission on file, and avoid identification of classes as ‘special education’.

17. Potential Problems & Solu tions Access issue problems: Despite Internet access available in the public libraries, and also at Park View after school, there is the potential that some students would not have equal access to the medium. Access issue solutions: Ensure students understand that there is access in labs after school, and at the library. Provide an additional time after school with the teacher as necessary for students to work.

18. A Sample Blogfolio http://www.classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blogger_id=98297 This is the current version of the teacher’s blogfolio.