December 15

Year 10, it's period 7 on the day before we break for winter holidays.  I know you are tired.  Let's take a break from our normal routine and enjoy the season.  You're never too old to play . . .


http://www.bhg.com/holidays/create-a-cookie/

http://snowflakes.barkleyus.com/

http://akidsheart.com/holidays/christms/chgames.htm

Happy Holidays Year 10

December 13

http://creativenerds.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/chrisspooner.jpg

Year 10, Please finish your Create (Criterion D)  and submit today.  Remember this includes your business card and the paragraph(s) stating how well your plan worked.

Then let's move on to the final step of the MYP Design Cycle.

Next on the list is Evaluate - Criterion E (Maximum 6)

1.  Show your business card to at least 5 people
2.  Ask them to complete the test that you created in the Investigate
3.  Analyse feedback.  Write a paragraph evaluating  the feedback you receive.  Then suggest ways that you could improve your product based on these findings.
4.  Evaluate your performance at each stage of the design cycle (Investigate, Design, Plan, Create) AND suggest ways that you could improve your performance.
5.  Write a paragraph in which you evaluate the impact of your product/solution on OIS (Did you meet your unit goal?  Relate this paragraph back to the Area of Interaction that you used in your "Identify the Problem" in the Investigation).

Remember to leave a comment on this post stating that you understand your assignment. (Thanks a bunch!)


Learning objective: carry out tests to evaluate the product/solution against the design specification; evaluate their perforance at each stage of the design cyucle and suggest ways in which their perforance could be improved; evaluate the impact of the product/solution on individuals and/or society.

December 9

Year 10, now on to the fun part - Create

1. Follow your plan to create your business card.
2. Write a well-developed paragraph saying whether your plan worked or not. (What went right? What went wrong? What steps did you leave out?  How would you perfect this plan next time? What changes did you make to the original design or plan? Why did you make them?)

Learning Objective:  The student will: use a range of appropriate techniques and equipment competently; ensure a safe working environment for themselves and others; follow the plan to produce the product/soltuion; evaluate the plan and justify any changes to the plan (when necessary); and create a product/solution of appropriate quality.

November 29

http://themarketingguy.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/business-card-stand-out-picture.jpg

Now, on to the Create, Criterion D (maximum 6 points)

The Create should take you 1 period to create.

According to the IBO: 

Students are expected to document, with a series of photographs or a video and a dated record, the process of making their product/solution, including when and how they use tools, materials and techniques.  Students are expected to follow their plan, to evaluate the plan and to justify any changes they make to the plan while they are creating the product/solution.  This means that you must have a process journal and that it is a necessary component of this criterion.

To get a 5/6:

The student competently uses appropriate techniques and equipment.

The student follows the plan and justifies any modifications made, resulting in a product/solution of appropriate quality using the resources available. This means that you must write a paragraph saying if your plan worked.

Learning Objective:  The student will: use a range of appropriate techniques and equipment competently; ensure a safe working environment for themselves and others; follow the plan to produce the product/soltuion; evaluate the plan and justify any changes to the plan (when necessary); and create a product/solution of appropriate quality.

November 24, 25

http://autonomousmind.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/happy-thanksgiving.jpg

Year 10, Happy Thanksgiving!

Today we spend 2 period together.  Let's see if we can finish up the Plan (Criterion C).

Remember:

The PLAN should include:
1. Resources

2. Step by Step plan (include time - include how many class periods this will take you.)

3. Remember to include a paragraph to evaluate your plan. Say why your plan will work. Ask someone to evaluate your plan and give you feedback. Include this information in your paragraph.

IB Learner Profile: Thinker

Learning objectives:
1. construct a plan to create the product/solution that has a series of logical steps,
2. construct a plan to create the product/solution that makes effective use of resources and time,
3. evaluate the plan and justify any modifications to the design.

November 15, 17

http://www.redcross.org/www-files/Images/Preparedness/MakeAPlan.gif

Year 10, it's time to make a plan.  Your plan must be completed by the end of class on Thursday, November 17.  If you finish early, please follow your plan to create your business card;-) The assessment rubric is here: http://www.box.net/shared/qx6thypvus

The PLAN should include:
1. Resources

2. Step by Step plan (include time - include how many class periods this will take you.)

3. Remember to include a paragraph to evaluate your plan. Say why your plan will work. Ask someone to evaluate your plan and give you feedback. Include this information in your paragraph.


Learning objectives:
1. construct a plan to create the product/solution that has a series of logical steps,
2. construct a plan to create the product/solution that makes effective use of resources and time,
3. evaluate the plan and justify any modifications to the design.

November 11

Year 10 - It's 11.11.11


Make a wish

November 10

http://heymonicab.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/make_a_plan2.jpg

Good Morning Year 10 and welcome back. I hope you had a great half-term break.

Now, it's on to PLAN - Criterion C (maximum 6)
According to MYP Technology, "Students are expected to construct a plan to create their chosen product/solution that has a serios of logicl steps, and that makes effective use of resources and time.

Students are expected to evaluate the plan and justify any modifications to the design."

To get a 5/6: The student produces a plan that contains a number of detailed, logical steps that describe the use of resources and time. The student critically evaluates the plan and justifies any modifications to the design.

Ideas: Make use of Gantt charts, consider appropriate resources, consider problem areas that make any necessary adjustments.

Please look at the examples for ideas;-)


The PLAN should include:
1.  Resources

2. Step by Step plan (include time)

3. Remember to include a paragraph to evaluate your plan.  Say why your plan will work.  Ask someone to evaluate your plan and give you feedback.  Include this information in your paragraph.


Learning objectives:
1. construct a plan to create the product/solution that has a series of logical steps,
2. construct a plan to create the product/solution that makes effective use of resources and time,
3. evaluate the plan and justify any modifications to the design.

October 20, 21, 25, 27

http://www.36point.com/articles/bestbizcard%5B2%5D.jpg

Next is the DESIGN (Criterion B) stage of the Design Cycle.

• Students are expected to generate several feasible designs that meet the design specification and to evaluate these against the design specification.

• Students are then expected to select one design, justify their choice and evaluate this in detail against the design specification.

To get a 5/6: The student generates a range of feasible designs, each evaluated against the design specification. The student justifies the chosen design and evaluates it fully and critically against the design specification.


IB Learner Profile Focus - Thinker


Learning Objective: generate several feasible designs that meet the design specification; evaluate the designs against the specification; select one design andjustify its choice.

Check this out!

Excellence  - something to strive for.

Ohio University rocks this half-time. . .

October 7, 11

3.  Formulate a Design Specification      (Create a Design Specification and Tests to Evaluate your product)

"A design specification is a series of statements that describe the possibilities and restrictions of the product."  They are important for determining the quality of the product.  Every item included in your design specification provides a test point.


Some language that might be helpful at this stage of the project is:
My design will need to . . .
The requirements of the people who will use it are . . . 
It will also need to do the following . . . 


We brainstormed possible design specifications for this project.  This is what we came up with.


Design Specification Ideas:
1.  Error Free
2.  Professional (attractive/eye-catching/appropriate)
3.  Relevant/complete
4.  Accurate (for the character)
5.  Materials
6.  Geared toward target audience.

Tests to evaluate your product -


Introduce this with a sentence such as:  


To evaluate my product I will create a questionnaire.  On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = awful and 5 = awesome) I will ask the following questions.  Then create a questionnaire.  You will create at least 1 question for each design specification.

Learning Objective: produce a listing of detailed specifications, identify ways of testing a solution on a specific audience or the intended user.

October 6

Year 10, Hope you enjoyed our mid-week break!

Let's finish the Design Brief today.

Learning objectives: independently identify meaningful questions, carrry out web search, select and organize appropriate sources and evaluate them.

September 27, 29

Project Investigation:  You will need to find out as much as you can about the people and situation you are designing for.  To do this, you will need to identify a number of different sources of information to research into.

Starting Questions:  Make a list of questions you will have to find answers to.  You should find the following prompts useful:  Why. . .?  When . . .?  Where . . .?  What . . .?  How many. . .?  How often . . .?  How much . . .?  Keep your questions relevant so you don't waste time;-)

Sources of Information:  Carefully consider the sources of information that you use.  Use experts in the field.

don't forget . . .
     1.  Make sure your research is pertinent
     2.  Make sure your research is complete - it's your responsibility to be clear and concise
     3.  You need to use a range of sources of information
     4.  Make sure your research work is cearly and attractively presented

  possible language to use in your written work . . .
     From my research I found out . . .
     I have discovered that . . .
     My conclusions are that . . .
     I have kept my research relevant by . . .
    
     Learning objectives: independently identify meaningful questions, carrry out web search, select and organize appropriate sources and evaluate them.

September 23

Year 10, good job.  Now let's move on to the 2nd task in the Investigate -

 2. Develop a Design Brief

Follow these learning objectives to success,

-formulate and discuss appropriate questions (4 or 5) that guide the investigation -this means that you should create questions and then do research that will help you solve the problem

- identify and acknowledge a range of appropriate sources of information - use in-text referencing and create a bibliography

-collect, analyse, select, organize and evaluate information - this deeper analysis of your research will lead to higher marks

-evaluate your sources of information- who are your sources? are they appropriate? are they experts in the field? 

Develop 4-5 pertinent questions to help drive your Investigation, then conduct research to answer each question. A good place to begin is by researching business cards and advertising.

Let's brainstorm other possible questions that would help you solve your unit problem.

Also, begin to think about Design Specifications;-)


Learning objectives: independently identify meaningful questions, carrry out web search, select and organize appropriate sources and evaluate them.

September 22

Year 10, 1. Identify the problem is the introduction to your project. According to the IBO to get full marks you must explain the problem and discuss its relevance. Therefore, the introduction must include: stating the problem, discussing the relevance of this project, the solution and who your client is. You must also connect your project to an area of interaction.

This should be finished today by the end of period 7.  I will collect the work on a pen drive.

Learning objective: The student will: Differentiate action verbs, begin writing project intro (Identify the problem).

September 13, 15

Task - Create a business card for a literary or historical figure.  Business cards are a relatively modern invention designed to introduce a person and provide at least a minimum amount of information about themselves or their business. This form of advertising is cheap and effective. 



Unit question:  How can I extend an introduction?


Remember there are 3 tasks in the Investigation. The first task is IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM.


The best way to begin your Investigation is by writing a paragraph that explains the problem as you understand it.
      A basic template to get you started: 
         Paragraph One
           - Lead-in sentence(s)
           - State the problem
           - Discuss Relevance (Say why we are doing this project)
           -State the solution
           -Include client/customer
         Paragraph Two
           -Connect your project to Human Ingenuity


Remember;-)
According to the Assessment Rubric. . .
To get a 1/2: The student states the problem.
To get a 3/4: The student describes the problem, mentioning its relevance.
To get a 5/6: The student explains the problem, discussing its relevance.


Look at these words: states, describes, explains. How are they different?
Look at these words: mentioning, discussing. How are they different?
          
Learning objective: The student will: Differentiate action verbs, begin writing project intro (Identify the problem).

September 8

Good Morning Year 10.

We have an interesting day together.  We have 2 periods together.  Let's organize our work by periods.  If there are not enough computers, we will share;-)

Period 2:  (1)Google Docs Accounts.  Each student must have a Google Docs account by the end of class. http://docs.google.com

                (2)Summary Writing exercise.

Period 7:  (1)Explore Unit of Work,
                (2)Begin Investigation.

September 1

http://www.desigraphics.com/d/back_to_school/back_to_school_045.gif

Welcome back!  Hope you had a great summer!

Please be patient while we get the internet up and running.

Wishing each of you the best year ever!

June28, 30, July 1

Have a great summer Year 11! But before we go let's take a look at stop motion animation.

What is it? Stop motion (also known as stop action) is an animation technique to make a physically manipulated object appear to move on its own. The object is moved in small increments between individually photographed frames, creating the illusion of movement when the series of frames is played as a continuous sequence. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stop_motion 

Where can I find some examples to gather information, inspiration, and ideas?    Smash!ng Apps http://www.smashingapps.com/2009/06/15/21-stunning-examples-of-creatively-done-stop-motion-animations.html

Can I see another example?  Sure http://mildlymelancholy.blogspot.com/search/label/video

How can I do it?  Wiki How  http://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-Stop-Motion-Animation

When does it need to be finished?  Thursday end of class.

Let's see if we can get one or two of these in the end of year assembly!

June 20

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-jB1oY5O8gclWyU9WRwNZQkG3b0v_Qoh3EBNa6RYBs4UlWslYAf_PqDoRqKd1V5Xc1tHURG7S4c-OKXab_Qn5r_nfPk1k5k-h2nD4HdpQZvwhD3c3N7Ia0j8944WZYrQkWj9qhcDBaZg/s1600/phelps.jpg

This is it Year 10 - please submit all last minute work by the end of class today.

We have come to the end of the course. Thursday is a national holiday and many of you will be travelling on Friday to London for the Globe Theatre trip. Have a good time.

June 14, 16, 17

http://dcunnane.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/exams2.jpg

No classes this week.

Good luck on your exams.

June 6, (June 10 Holiday - no class)

http://creativenerds.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/chrisspooner.jpg

Next on the list is Evaluate - Criterion E (Maximum 6)

1.  Show your business card to at least 5 people
2.  Ask them to complete the test that you created in the Investigate
3.  Analyse feedback.  Write a paragraph evaluating  the feedback you receive.  Then suggest ways that you could improve your product based on these findings.
4.  Evaluate your performance at each stage of the design cycle (Investigate, Design, Plan, Create) AND suggest ways that you could improve your performance.
5.  Write a paragraph in which you evaluate the impact of your product/solution on OIS (Did you meet your unit goal?  Relate this paragraph back to the Area of Interaction that you used in your "Identify the Problem" in the Investigation).

Learning objective: carry out tests to evaluate the product/solution against the design specification; evaluate their perforance at each stage of the design cyucle and suggest ways in which their perforance could be improved; evaluate the impact of the product/solution on individuals and/or society.

May 31, June 2, 3

http://themarketingguy.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/business-card-stand-out-picture.jpg

Finish you plans and move on to Create - Criterion D (maximum 6)

According to the IBO: 

Students are expected to document, with a series of photographs or a video and a dated record, the process of making their product/solution, including when and how they use tools, materials and techniques.  Students are expected to follow their plan, to evaluate the plan and to justify any changes they make to the plan while they are creating the product/solution.  This means that you must have a process journal and that it is a necessary component of this criterion.

To get a 5/6:

The student competently uses appropriate techniques and equipment.

The student follows the plan and justifies any modifications made, resulting in a product/solution of appropriate quality using the resources available.

Learning Objective:  The student will: use a range of appropriate techniques and equipment competently; ensure a safe working environment for themselves and others; follow the plan to produce the product/soltuion; evaluate the plan and justify any changes to the plan (when necessary); and create a product/solution of appropriate quality.

May 23, 27

http://www.advantageinternational.com/files/uploadsb/Cartoon%20-%20This%20is%20our%20plan%20for%20the%20next%201000%20years.jpg

Year 10 you are doing great.

Now, on to the Plan -
he PLAN should include:
1. Resources

2. Step by Step plan (include time)

3. Remember to include a paragraph to evaluate your plan. Say why your plan will work. Ask someone to evaluate your plan and give you feedback. Include this information in your paragraph.


Learning objectives:
1. construct a plan to create the product/solution that has a series of logical steps,
2. construct a plan to create the product/solution that makes effective use of resources and time,
3. evaluate the plan and justify any modifications to the design.

May 17, 19, 20

May 9

Whether you like Coca Cola or not, you have to applaud their 125th anniversary.

Please continue with 2. Develop A Design Brief - Remember to follow along with the Business Card Unit of Work to help guide you through the Investigation. 11 Parts of a Business Card can be found here:-)

We would like to finish the questions today so we can move along quickly to the Design stage.

Learning objectives: independently identify meaningful questions, carry out web search, select and organize appropriate sources and evaluate them.

http://blog.clarknielsen.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/chalkboard.jpg

Year 10, I'm sorry but I won't be able to be with you today as I am under the weather. . .

Please continue with 2. Develop A Design Brief - Remember to follow along with the Business Card Unit of Work  to help guide you through the Investigation.  11 Parts of a Business Card can be found here:-)

We would like to finish the questions today so we can move along quickly to the Design stage.

Let me thank you for your co-operation.  You guys Rock!

English B - Nico and Lovisa, you will be joining Ms. Eaton for English B today.  If you need an assignment:  Please think of a movie you have recently watched and based on our lesson of yesterday write a Movie Review.  This is good practice for writing for the school's newspaper;-)

Learning objectives: independently identify meaningful questions, carry out web search, select and organize appropriate sources and evaluate them.

May 3, 5, 6

Year 10 welcome to Term 3. This term we will use our skills to learn about the importance of marketing.  We will design and create business cards . Our project my be finished on or before June 10.

Before we begin let's look at the Unit of Work.

Our unit question is:  How can I extend an introduction?

Remember there are 3 tasks in the Investigation. The first task is IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM.

The best way to begin your Investigation is by writing a paragraph that explains the problem as you understand it.
      A basic template to get you started: 
         Paragraph One
           - Lead-in sentence(s)
           - State the problem
           - Discuss Relevance (Say why we are doing this project)
           -State the solution
           -Include client/customer
         Paragraph Two
           -Connect your project to Health and Social Education

Remember;-)
According to the Assessment Rubric. . .
To get a 1/2: The student states the problem.
To get a 3/4: The student describes the problem, mentioning its relevance.
To get a 5/6: The student explains the problem, discussing its relevance.

Look at these words: states, describes, explains. How are they different?
Look at these words: mentioning, discussing. How are they different?
          
    
Learning objective: The student will: Differentiate action verbs, begin writing project intro (Identify the problem).


     

April 11

http://joinerd.wikispaces.com/file/view/evaluate.png/181939531/evaluate.png

Year 10 - 3 people in this class have not yet shared their evaluation on Google Docs with me.

 

1.Evaluate your performance at each stage of the design cycle and suggest ways that you can improve,

2. Write a paragraph in which you evaluate the impact of your product/solution (Did you meet your unit goal?  Relate this paragraph back to the Area of Interaction that you used in your "Identify the Problem" Investigate).

 

Learning objective: carry out tests to evaluate the product/solution against the design specification; evaluate their perforance at each stage of the design cyucle and suggest ways in which their perforance could be improved; evaluate the impact of the product/solution on individuals and/or society.

 

April 5, (7-World Health Day), 8

EVALUATE - Criterion E - maximum 6

According to the IBO, "Students are expected to evaluate the product/solution against the design specification in an objective manner based on testing, and to evaluate its impact on life, society and/or the environment. They are expected to explain how the product/solution could be improved as a result of these evaluations.

Students are expected to evaluate their own performance at each stage of the design cycle and to suggest ways in which their performance could be improved."

To get full marks the student:

• evaluates the success of the product/solution in an objective manner based on the results of testing, and the views of the intended users, 
• provides an evaluation of his or her own performance at each stage of the design cycle and suggests improvements,
• provides an appropriate evaluation of the impact of the product/solution on life, society and/or the environment.

Tasks for April 5, 8:

1.The first task is to receive feedback on your product. Show your game to 5 other people in the target group and ask them to complete the questionnaire that you created in the Investigation;-).
2. Write a paragraph analyzing the feedback

Please use Google Docs to house/store your Evauation and share the document with me.  My email address is:  rddietrich@gmail.com

Learning objective: carry out tests to evaluate the product/solution against the design specification

March 28, April 1

http://images.jubella.com/dream-create-give2.jpg

Year 10, this is such good advice!

On on to the CREATE, Criterion D, maximum 6

Criterion D: Create Maximum 6
According to the IBO: Students are expected to document, with a series of photographs or a video and a dated record, the process of making their product/solution, including when and how they use tools, materials and techniques. Make a process journal, include printscreens.

Students are expected to follow their plan, to evaluate the plan and to justify any changes they make to the plan while they are creating the product/solution.

To get a 6 the student: competently uses appropriate techniques and equipment. The student follows the plan and justifies any modifications made, resulting in a product/solution of appropriate quality using the resources available.

Learning objective: Use a range of appropriate techniques and equipment competently, follow the plan to produce the product/solution.

March 22, 24, 25

http://jesseportfolio.wikispaces.com/

Here is a link for a student e-portfolio. http://jesseportfolio.wikispaces.com/
You should evaluate at least 1 e-portfolio and include this in your Investigate. You would look at other student e-portfolios to gather information and ideas that you can use in your own e-portfolio.

For more examples, please check out this wiki;-) https://multimediaportfolio.wikispaces.com/Sample+e-Portfolios

March 14

http://www.funkymoose.co.uk/images/bright%20eyed.jpg

Year 10, Welcome back.  I hope that you had a nice break and that you are all rested.

A special THANK YOU to Sara, Leonor and Carlota for answering the question on the last post.  I had asked each of you to leave a comment on the blog to tell me what tool you will use to showcase your learning.

Before we go any further don't forget that your final product must include at least one multimedia item.  How many subjects and activities will you include?  Let's talk about this . . .

You should finish your Investigation today and start on your PLAN - Criterion C (maximum 6).

The PLAN should include:
1.  Resources

2. Step by Step plan (include time)

3. Remember to include a paragraph to evaluate your plan.  Say why your plan will work.  Ask someone to evaluate your plan and give you feedback.  Include this information in your paragraph.


Learning objectives:
1. construct a plan to create the product/solution that has a series of logical steps,
2. construct a plan to create the product/solution that makes effective use of resources and time,
3. evaluate the plan and justify any modifications to the design.

March 4

http://www.nikeblog.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Air-Max-LeBron-VII-Design-Specs.jpg

Year 10 on February 21 I asked you to leave me a comment which included your name and the tool that you intend to use to create your e-portfolio.  Not one of you has completed that assignment.  Please do so today.

You should now be on the third step of the Investigation:  3.  Formulate a Design Specification

According to the MYP Technology Glossary:  Design Specification - A detailed description of the conditions, requirements and restrictions with which a design must comply.  This is a precise and accurate list of facts, such as conditions, dimensions, materials, process and methods, that are important for the designer and for the user.  All appropriate solutions will need to comply with the design specification.

Please:
1)write a Detailed List of Design Specifications for your product/solution,
2) include detailed methods for appropriate testing of your product/solution.

Let's discuss this assignment and I will share an example with you before we begin.  Thank you.

Learning objectives - The student will: list the specific requirement that must be met by the product/solution; design tests to evaluate the product/solution against the design specification.

March 1

February 24

http://img.groundspeak.com/waymarking/display/dcca9bb4-c048-4c06-a506-14322753bd1c.jpg

Have a great day Year 10.  See you next week!

February 21

Year 10, Today we have a double.  That should be enough time to finish 2.Develop a Design Brief today.

By the end of class today, please leave me a comment on this blog which includes your name and the tool you have decided to use to house your e-portfolio.  Thanks a bunch;-)

Learning objectives: independently identify meaningful questions, carry out web search, select and organize appropriate sources and evaluate them.

February 18

Year 10 - Let's take a few minutes to learn about wikis.

*Remember that a wiki would only be 1 option for your e-portfolio. You have free reign to use the tool of your choice.

February 17

Year 10 now that you have identified the problem (1. Identify the Problem), it's time to move on to 2.Develop a Design Brief. This is the section where you will create a few questions to help you develop your project.

1. Write a sentence or two to introduce this portion of your Investigation.

2. Then follow these learning objectives to success,

-formulate and discuss appropriate questions (4 or 5) that guide the investigation - this means that you should create questions and then do research that will help you solve the problem.  Combine the logo research with the e-portfolio research.
- identify and acknowledge a range of appropriate sources of information - use in-text referencing and create a bibliography
-collect, analyse, select, organize and evaluate information - this deeper analysis of your research will lead to higher marks
-evaluate your sources of information- who are your sources? are they appropriate? are they experts in the field?
Learning objectives: independently identify meaningful questions, carry out web search, select and organize appropriate sources and evaluate them.

February 15,

Year 10, The first question you should ask yourself is, "What is an e-portfolio?"  The second should be, "What program should I use to make one?"

Dr. Helen Barrett (the e-portfolio guru!) has conducted an experiment where she has created (and re-created) an e-portfolio using many different tools. It's all basically the same information - it's just organized differently. Let's see what she has to say about creating an e-portfolio. http://newali.apple.com/ali_sites/ali/exhibits/1000156/
I'm including some of her other links that I think may be of interest to you:
http://helenbarrett.com/
http://hbarrett.pbwiki.com/
http://hbarrett.wordpress.com/how-to/ (how to create an e-portfolio with wordpress)
http://eportfolios.googlepages.com/home
http://edfolio.fdu.edu/BarrettH/ (good ideas of what to include in your e-portfolio)

This is an impressive link list that Dr. Barrett has compiled! http://electronicportfolios.com/portfolios/bookmarks.html

Check these option out too!
http://www.carbonmade.com/ Free e-portfolio site
http://www.pageflakes.com/ Page Flakes
http://protopage.com/ Protopage

February 7,11

Year 10 - Take a few minutes to take a small quiz to check your understanding;-)  
http://www.quia.com/quiz/2950603.html

Finish your designs today then begin on the investigation.

INVESTIGATE - Criterion A  Maximum 6 points
1.  Identify the Problem
     Students identify the problem to be solved.
     - evaluate the importance of the problem for life, society and the environment
     - outline the design brief

What is a design brief? Click here

According to the assessment rubric . . .
To get a 1/2: The student states the problem.
To get a 3/4: The student describes the problem, mentioning its relevance.
To get a 5/6: The student explains the problem, discussing its relevance.

Now, look at this vocabulary: states, describes, explains. How are they different?
Look at these words: mentioning, discussing. How are they different?

MYP definitions:
Describe: To give a detailed account
Explain: To give a clear account including causes and reasons or mechanisms.
Discuss: To give an account including, where possible, a range of arguments for and against the relative importance of various factors and comparisons of alternative hypotheses.

*Note - According to the IBO:  Design Brief - The student’s response to the challenge, showing how they intend to solve the problem they have been presented with. This will guide their investigation as they work to develop a more detailed design specification.


Learning objective: The student will evaluate the importance of the problem for life, society and the environment. 

January 24, 28, February 1

Step 3 - Create 3 logo designs that meet your design specification,
Step 4 - Choose 1 and fully justify your choice against the design specification,
Step 5 - Create the logo.

Remember this is DESIGN - Criterion B

Learning Objective - The student will: generate several feasible designs that meet the design specification; evaluate the designs against the design specification; select one design and justify its choice.

January 18, 20, 21

Year 10 - Remember our first task is to create a logo which represents your learning. 

The following would be a good place to start . . .

Step 1 - Research logos:  what they are, how to make them, what to do with them,
Step 2 - Based on your research create a design specification for you logo,
Step 3 - Create 3 logo designs that meet your design specification,
Step 4 - Choose 1 and fully justify your choice against the design specification,
Step 5 - Create the logo.

Learning objective - The student will: (Criterion A) formulate and discuss appropriate questions that guide the investigation; identify and acknowledge a range of appropriate sources of information; collect, analyse, select, organize and evaluate information; evaluate the sources of information.

January 14

Year 10, New Project!!!!!

Our Term 2 project will have 2 components:  1) creating a "logo" which represents your learning and 2) creating a digital portfolio to showcase your learning achievements.

Our Unit question will be:  How can I showcase my achievements electronically? 

Let's take a look at the Unit of Work before we begin.

Now, Year 10 we are going to mix things up a bit;-)

Step 1 - Research logos:  what they are, how to make them, what to do with them,
Step 2 - Based on your research create a design specification for your logo,
Step 3 - Create 3 logo designs that meet your design specification,
Step 4 - Choose 1 and fully justify your choice against the design specification,
Step 5 - Create the logo.

Let's go!!!!!

January 4, 5, 6, 10

Year 10 - Welcome back.  I hope you had a great holiday break and you are ready to get down to work;-)

Before we can begin a new project, we need to finish our Evaluate - Criterion E.

Remember, you need to:
o get full marks the student: 

• evaluates the success of the product/solution in an objective manner based on the results of testing, and the views of the intended users, 
• provides an evaluation of his or her own performance at each stage of the design cycle and suggests improvements,
• provides an appropriate evaluation of the impact of the product/solution on life, society and/or the environment.

1.The first task is to receive feedback on your product. Show your game to 5 other people in the target group and ask them to complete the questionnaire that you created in the Investigation;-).
2. Write a paragraph analyzing the feedback,

3. Evaluate your performance at each stage of the design cycle and suggest ways that you can improve,

4. Write a paragraph in which you evaluate the impact of your product/solution on OIS (relate this paragraph back to the Area of Interaction that you used in your "Identify the Problem" Investigate).

Learning objective: carry out tests to evaluate the product/solution against the design specification; evaluate their perforance at each stage of the design cyucle and suggest ways in which their perforance could be improved; evaluate the impact of the product/solution on individuals and/or society.