My first semester of this year compared to last year has been extremely different. Part of the reason is probably the projects I'm working on. I love working with the non-profit group stuff. I really think that setting up deadlines, giving the students structure, and setting up meetings with the non-profit groups has really helped. There are things that I want to change.
First, on the first day of the unit, I think I'm going to have the students "research" about the non-profit group they're going to be doing. In this research they'll make a short PowerPoint about the group, the pros about the sites and the cons about the site. Then, the students will immediately learn about that organization versus me teaching them.
Next, I think we should still have binders with paper so that the students can draw their ideas and keep their stuff organized, but it should be on the wiki. The project managers will be in charge of more tasks: keeping files organized, putting all e-mails to and from non-profits on the wiki, and making session checklists. I think the project managers this year did take on responsibility but I'm not sure if it was enough. Both Alexia and Jasmine have demonstrated leadership but not to the extent where I think they need to be. There should be more emphasis on professionalism. At the Holiday Luncheon when Terri was came, Alexia didn't even shake her hand or properly greet her. Sometimes it seems that the attitude the students give the non-profit is we don't want to help we're just forced to.
Also, on the first day, Drew or someone who is good at web design should give a brief lecture on what to think. For all groups, it was VERY hard for them to get a design. I think we can push the students even further. For the Pregnancy Helpline Group, they are still struggling with the current design. This was probably the hardest struggle for the students. We should also show more non-profit site designs by categories. Some designs are more serious while others can be fun; this all depends on the group.
When the students meet with the non-profit organizer, they should show other example non-profit websites instead of CSS Zen Garden Designs. This will give the non-profit group a better idea of what they want. The CSS Zen Garden Deisigns may be too graphicial or not apporpiate for what they want. It still can be used as a reference.
Before we meet with the non-profit group, we need to set deadlines for them as well. We need them to fill out a form of what kind of server they have, password informations, and ect. We also need to give them dates when content is due, color choice, pictures, and what not. Also it has been hard that the e-mails have not been forwarded to us so this needs to be made clear to the seniors and non-profit organizations.
That's all I can really think of that needs to be improved. Overall the students have been amazing. I'm glad that the students feel they need to meet these deadlines. They care enough to work on it at home i.e. Jae. Also, they are pushing everyone. Kalia wasn't really coming to seession and Jasmine confronted her in a professional manner. All in all I'm so excited to see how these projects will end.
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