TA2+My+Project

Back to TA2 page.

I will make the following wish – not purpose – of this overview:


 * The student will make some discovery about what he/she wants to study in college, the field in which he/she wants to work, and the type of life he/she wants to pursue.

Where are your passions? Within the field of art, science, music, journalism, sports, religion, culture, the environment, photography, current events, education, politics, energy? Don’t follow money or society; follow your own heart.

If your head is already spinning with ideas and you feel energized, these are good signs. Pay attention to these feelings. These are the feelings you should get when you are working on something that is in alignment with your true vocation and you are following your passions. If this is your case, I will allow you to propose your own project. It is my hope you can create something unique that you can put on your resume, show to faculty and board members, and brag about to college admissions officers.

I also hope you realize I, as a teacher and by taking this approach, am going out on a limb and am subjecting myself to potential censure. Also the success of this first course will determine my and the school’s willingness to do something like this in the future. So make no mistake: if I even think you are slacking your grade will reflect it. And this is the semester college admissions officers will be checking.

For those of you who don’t find any exciting ideas coming to you, this is a sign you are spinning your wheels or have been apathetic in your high school career. That may not be totally your fault, and you could be forgiven for feeling that you haven’t been inspired enough. For you this project could be just the opportunity you need to kick off your game. Failing that too, there are some projects I would like to have done, and I may assign you one.

Here are some aspects of the project that may be new to you. Be aware:
 * You will teach others students and in some cases the faculty in a Professional Development Session.
 * You may initially know more about a particular topic than your instructor.
 * You may use your cell phone, during class time, as a tool for your project, not for personal reasons.
 * **Video may be used only with approval**. Simply taking a video of whatever you do does not add enough value.

The first step will be to brainstorm on a Moodle forum. Try to include as many of the course purposes (see TA2 page) as possible.

Once you have a good idea for your project you will create a contract. Your project contract should identify:
 * What you intend to do and to what detail
 * What technologies you intend to use/need
 * What your final product will be (e.g., a report, presentation, podcast, video, etc.)
 * How you intend to collaborate and with who
 * Any cultural aspects you plan on including
 * Schedule of major milestones and completion

Once you submit your contract you will receive feedback from me, and you will need to take my feedback and modify your contract accordingly. We will repeat this (iterative) process until you have my approval. I will keep your signed contract on file.

__Example Project Topics__ (do these spark any ideas?)
 * Debunk some bogus information on the Internet
 * Internet dangers
 * Phishing
 * Identity Theft
 * What is Skype?
 * Google Tools
 * Google Maps/Earth (e.g., away games, middle schools, Subways)
 * Further Adventures in Alice
 * Scratch Programming Tool
 * How to Make a Home Wireless Network
 * Synergistic with something the school needs (e.g., dev office, yearbook,…)
 * "A Day in My Life" Video
 * How Delicious Can Be Useful
 * How to Increase Teacher-Student Connectivity
 * Report on Global Women's Issues
 * A Young Investor's Guide to Financial Planning
 * How Twitter Can Be Useful
 * Can a Post Make You Libel?
 * Download Legality
 * Internet Addiction
 * Firewalls and Antivirus Software 101
 * Internet Ethics (Ethical Online Behavior)
 * How We Use Our Cell Phones Survey (e.g., for entertainment, socializing, work)
 * Cell Phone Trends
 * Technology Literacy Trends: What Employers Want
 * Web 2.0 Tool Training (you train us)
 * Bus Safety Video (for faculty)
 * What is Cyberbullying?
 * Google Earth (or Equivalent) Map of Campus AC Units

There are some inspirational videos from Honda [|here].