I want to have my freshman do a digital project. Many of them are veteran computer users. However, the previous experience is not level across the board. So I am trying to figure out what I can assign that will both challenge experts and not overwhelm those less experienced.
ProfHacker suggests having the students create a WordPress blog. We’re using a class blog and I don’t really want to surf seventy-five sites, so I’m not going to do that.
One of my colleagues has students analyze websites on particular topics based on what the students are studying and then propose which ones would be useful/appropriate for middle and high school students. I’m not teaching education majors and I really don’t want to go there either.
So I’m still trying to think. What I would like to do is have the more experienced students create an iMovie or use Final Cut Pro X and the less experienced students do a podcast or video… However, I don’t think I can require the experts to do something I don’t require the others to do so I am still thinking.
Does anyone have any good ideas to suggest?
Let them decide. In one of my classes, I have a few students who know their stuff when it comes to the digital tools, while others can barely use their smart phones. But, the ones who are digitally savvy want to share their expertise a lot of the time, so let them “teach.” As for the projects being different, for the ones who are “experts,” using the software isn’t really extra work. And, they can do a podcast/video if they choose.
It doesn’t have to be either/or. Give the students some choices and some flexibility and see what happens!
Good advice.