Make sure everyone knows about the blog assignment. Grade reflects whether or not they did the blog.
Make every student email their TA their blog and their portfolio URLs.
NB: Diana used a googledoc to link the group. She edits, and students are on read only. She puts the grades on the doc.
Rothberg Fivel
Apr 21, 2009 10:11 AM
after hearing that Diana set up a google group, i did the same thing. however, i decided not to make grades public and didn't even bring that possibility up to the class. i created the google group, added all 30-something students, and then was able to send out reminders, etc.. to the entire class. thus far we have not used any other features of the google group, just me sending out messages - such as remember such and such assignment, or look out for the upcoming midterm, and send them the midterm review sheet.
Rothberg Fivel
Apr 21, 2009 10:23 AM
okay forgot to add this: the in-class shoot went well. however a lot of time, maybe 15-20 minutes was wasted on converting the video files into .mov's from the proprietary format. then a lot of students just double clicked on the files which would immediately open quicktime - and then gave an error message. they had to open up VLC player and play them.
i found it very frustrating that the cameras create files that are incompatible with the software that we have on the lab computers. i'm surprised that this wasn't looked into prior to the cameras being purchased. i think it makes sense to NOT use tape - the memory cards are very convenient and can be overwritten and are thus economically efficient for such as large class.
the most frustrating part of the lab was that i didn't have time to look at their footage and give them feedback. and the students didn't have the opportunity to share their shots with the whole class. i think that would have given them some positive reinforcement.