Using the Web to Teach & Learn the Web Dr. David C. Gibbs Department of Mathematics and Computing University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Stevens Point, WI 54481 dgibbs@uwsp.edu Conference Presentation Web Based Education Conference WBE – 2004 Innsbruck, Austria February 16-18 Introduction UW-Stevens Point, Department of Mathematics and Computing A new major: Web and Digital Media Development (WDMD) “… to combine the aesthetic side of web design with an understanding of hardware/software and business awareness.” WBE 2004 3 Content of the Major Core Courses include: Appreciation of the creative role in art and music Survey of Issues involving the Internet Introduction to Web Programming WDMD 170 Internet Languages Use of Tools for Developing Web Applications Business Writing Principles of Marketing and Management WBE 2004 4 Two Concentrations of the Major Design Focus Computer graphics Digital audio/video development Professional caliber development tools Technical Focus Client-server Web applications programming Data communications Network management WBE 2004 5 WDMD 170 as a Key Foundation Intro programming course important for both concentrations Prepares technically focused students for further coursework Provides the only “under the hood” examination for design focused students WBE 2004 6 Content of the Course HTML/XHTML JavaScript Cascading Style Sheets (eventually) XML WBE 2004 7 The Course and its Activities Students will complete eLessons eQuizzes eDiscussions eReview of Peer Coding eFolio Creation and Organization Course Project WBE 2004 8 1. eLessons Voice over PowerPoint, converted to HTML; served over the web Development Strategy Identify course objectives Formulate programming tasks Divide into subtasks Content, example, subtask, repeatedly Integration of subtasks in whole task WBE 2004 9 1. eLessons example Use Tutorial 03B – Expressions and Operators Audio Version Introductory page Page 10 – Arithmetic Operators WBE 2004 10 2. eQuizzes Online quizzes administered by the courseware system Taken as many times as desired System records highest score GOAL: increase time on task; motivation to study provided by midterm and final examinations WBE 2004 11 2. eQuizzes example Visit the D2L site. 1. Login 2. WDMD 170, 3. Quizzes 4. Current Quizzes: Tutorial 06 WBE 2004 12 3. eDiscussions Topics of relevance examined bi-weekly Examples: Course project proposal Features of freeware editor HTML-Kit Establish rubrics for eFolio, Course Project evaluation Finding and sharing reference materials WBE 2004 13 3. eDiscussions example D2L, Login, WDMD 170, Discussions, Assignment Forums Reasons NOT to use Frames WBE 2004 14 4. eReview of Peer Coding “Peer editing” (English class) Online groups of three or four Each student posts code solution (HTML, JS) with notes Groupmates critique, evaluate, discuss WBE 2004 15 4. eReview of Peer Coding example D2L, Login, WDMD 170, Discussions, eReview Group Forum WBE 2004 16 5. eFolio Creation “Electronic Portfolio” Requires organizational structure (directories, hierarchy) Evaluated by peer eReview Evaluation rubric created by class WBE 2004 17 6. Course Project Ideally a “real” site Immediately implement the coding skills Presented “virtually” at the conclusion of the course WBE 2004 18 Text Reading Old fashioned book-learning!! (integrated with executing code samples provided by the author) Current Text: JavaScript 2e by Gosselin WBE 2004 19 Courseware for Utilities Desire to Learn (D2L) Facilitates: Announcements Quizzes Discussion forums Gradebook WBE 2004 20 Web-based Innovations New Wrinkles Unique Aspects of this Course Peer review – emphasis upon learning (as opposed to correctness) Turning anti-plagiarism on its head Essentially sharing code and commentary Unique aspects eLessons a work in progress WBE 2004 21 New wrinkles Peer review – emphasis upon learning (as opposed to correctness) Turning anti-plagiarism on its head Essentially sharing code and commentary WBE 2004 22 Unique Aspects eLessons are a work in progress… Content piece -> eTask Content piece -> eTask Content piece -> eTask Content piece -> eTask Integrating exercise(s) Example: return to Tutorial 03B and successive eTasks. WBE 2004 23 Conclusion An online course in “programming the web” uses 6 activities: Web slides with audio presentation Online quizzing Discussion Review of programming code Creation and organization of an electronic portfolio Integration of knowledge in an authentic project WBE 2004 24 Questions? / Comments? This presentation and paper http://www.uwsp.edu/cis/dgibbs/WBE2004/ e-Mail dgibbs@uwsp.edu WBE 2004 25