Accessibility

I think everyone got off to a good start on their blogs. A few notes:

1. Many of you wrote well thought out responses that show evidence of reading and discussion. Some of you didn't. I won't be accepting sloppy work.
2. Be sure to save your work in the correct folder on the UDrive---not just in the UDrive.
3. Put a line break between paragraphs.
4. When you comment be sure to leave your URL (not your email).

There are four main categories we are covering in this unit; bias, accessibility, usability, and ethics. Today we will focus on accessibility.

Read this article. Introduction to Web Accessibility. And this post from David Pogue. We will watch this CBS News Video together in class.

Create an MS Word document.

Answer the following questions:

• List and summarize the major categories of disabilities (visual, hearing, motor, cognitive). Find the link on the AIM site that describe each of the four disabilities.
• Try using the computer without using the keyboard. How would this change this experience?
• Briefly write about the challenges and opportunities for disabled people as computers become more mobile and cheap.
• What is our obligation to serve those with disabilities?

Copy file to your blog and submit.

Bias

Today Web 1 and Web 2 students will finish their Bias assignments and save them to the Udrive. Please ask your partners or me if you need help saving the files.

By the end of today please complete your evaluation of the project by answering the following questions on your blog:

1. Briefly describe the two types of bias (content, design).
2. Provide a link to additional reading about bias (see below).
3. How does your assignment display design bias?
4. Whose assignment in the Udrive is the best? Why?

If you finish early I would like you to take the opportunity to visit another class blog. This teacher wrote to me looking for students to communicate with his students. Visit their blogs. Maybe you can find an entry from a student to comment on. Be sure to follow the protocal for leaving your URL correctly in the comment boxes so they can find YOUR blog (first name-last initial, leave email blank). Remember to follow our code of conduct and always be productive, responsible, and appropriate.

Bias, Usability, Accessibility, Ethics

There are four main criteria that we use to assess the validity of a website; bias, usability, accessibility, and ethics. Today we will focus on bias.

This is also an exercise in communication skills and page design. Can you get your point across effectively? Do you know your audience?

1. Class Discussion about bias (Barbie Doll website, GI Joe website)

2. Read the following articles:
Gender Bias
Journalism Bias this is a longer article. Skim the whole thing (except the studies and theories of media bias section). Click on links that interest you.
More on gender bias. Skim the comments--this is how a blog is different, there is a conversation/debate happening.

3. Create a one page flyer (Web1: MS Word, Web 2: notepad) that contains bias.

Girls: Boys are silly. Why can't they act right so I can get my work done? They should treat women with respect and not be so clueless.
Boys: Girls are silly. Why can't they act right so I can get my work done? They should treat men with respect and not be so clueless.

Think about your audience. Who are you writing it for? I am looking for two things. First, do you have good ideas and understand bias? Second, can you format the flyer well so you communicate these ideas? This is your first task in design.

This flyer must include the following:

• A clip art or free-non-copyrighted image. Using copyrighted images is illegal. I can google it to check, so be careful. You could make your own image if you want using Paint or Fireworks. Check the links on the right for clip-art images or go here or to Flickr and use creative commons search.
• At least three quotes (from real or imaginary people)
• Web 2 must contain at least one link in their flyer. Choose the BEST link for your page and be able to support WHY you choose it.
• Have fun with this, stay respectful and appropriate.

4. Save in WDrive first (Classwork). Then save in UDrive-WebSchneider-Web1-Period-Silly. (bschneiderbias). Check the Rubric for the assessment.

Technorati Tags: genderbias webdesign k12 education

Monday

Todays assignments:

Web 1 and Web 2:

First you will complete the typing test. Put your score in your blog (be honest!) and see if it improves later. Don't say "I took a typing test". Say "I took a typing test". Demonstrate that you know how to code a link (look on the board).

You will then learn how to put a clustrmap on your blog.

• Go to the Get One page.
• Complete the form. Be sure to use the correct address for your blog. If you do not have an email to submit this will not work.
• The password will come to your email.
• Submit password on clustrmap page. They will then give you a long code that you copy.
• Go to your blog, log-in and open the control panel. Paste the long code in the About Me section.
• Submit new code. Wait for me to approve it.

You can also check out meez if you want to add an avatar to your site (which seems to be blocked at school right now...). You could also try voki.com. What image do you want to portray to the world?

Friday

Web 4: Complete your Flash revision. We will do some CSS and Javascript work starting on Monday.

Web 2: Complete your pizza site revision.

Web 1: I will be giving you your blogs today and reviewing the protocal for making entries and comments. We will also review the bloggers code of conduct.

• This is a school site.
• Treat this site as a place for learning, a place to learn from each other and a place to have conversations.
• Would you be happy to have your mother, grandmother or favorite teacher read this comment, (view this Internet page, listen to this podcast?)

Your assignment is to make one entry and one comment today. Please copy and paste your MSWord document from Day1 as your first entry.

New Semester

Well, its the first day of school all over again. I am pretty excited to start the new term and hope I don't screw anything up for you. Bear with me these first few days as we get started. I ask you to recognize this is your chance to make a lasting first impression. Make it a good one.

All should read this article.

Assignments for today:

1. Welcome discussion. Review plans and rules.
2. Organize W:Drive.
3. First assignment.

Old and New

What's old is new again. Today we complete a semester. Tomorrow a new group arrives. I think this semester went very well overall. The quality of exams overall is certainly higher than last year. Some exams were professional quality.

This new semester will have some changes. We will be adding the Web IV class for the first time. I will try to incorporate more video and Flash into our Web 1 work and I hope to publish at least one more Lulu book.

Good luck!