Low-Tech

ASSESSMENT #2

How do you feel concerning the pace of the course so far? Was the pacing of the research paper adequate for you to complete the entire assignment on time?

I felt tha, for the most part, while we might move very quickly, and do a heck of allot of work, this course has not been overwhelming. (Extremely annoying at times, especially when doing those vocab. but not overwhelming.) It would be overwhelming if I hated all the work we do, but some of it I actually like, and most of it I can atleast deal with, or see it's usefullness in one way or another. As for the research paper, overall, even though it seemed extremely fast, and horrible etc. while looking ahead, it wasn't actually that bad, and looking back at it, I've had more stressfull projects in my life. So pretty much, the reasearch paper was fine time-wise although I wouldn't want to do another one for awhile yet. One note however: If we had stayed with the original schedule, it would have been to stressfull, everything was too compact, as far as time. It wouldv'e been ugly.

Did the structure of the research assignments help you? Why or why not? How did you feel about the way classroom, library, and lab time was organized?

Although I was extremely confused at first, once I figured out what the heck was going on, yes, the structure helped me. Usually I find Library time a waste, but on this particular project I found it usefull pretty much because you told us where everything was, and were there to help us. If I had been forced to "just go do the research" in say, the town library, I wouldve fared much worse. (Actually, the Newtown library kind of scares me.) I'm not quite sure what you mean by class time. If you mean things like student critical analysis of each others paper, then, to be honest; I don't find that much help. The comments are allways too diplomatic cause students don't want to hurt each others feelings, etc. and in the end, I end up changing my paper based on what yousay to change. Other than that however, I found the "structure" usefull, helpfull, workable, etc.

What did you think of the books we selected for the research paper reading list?

I have nothing to complain about on this question. I found the books well balanced in terms of content etc, and based on what I saw/read the books in each category seemed to work well together. I was glad it wasn't all Catcher in the Rye type stuff. It gave the students a wide choice of material to read. I liked it, didn't see anything to change, atleast nothing that I can remember.

Do you feel competent in the research process? Did you have difficulties which were/were not addressed?

Yes I feel "competent" in the research process, atleast assuming I have Galnet or something simular available to me, as I found that my greatest asset. Even without though I could survive, but it would be tough. The only think I'm still not "confident" on is "works cited" or whatever one wishes to call them. In all the years I've been doing those things I've never had a teacher that does it the same way as the last one. Some teachers want a period here. Others want it there. Others want a comma instead. In addition, theyve never been my strong point, I don't like them, and find them extremely tedious. But, I have a feeling thats just too bad for me. Anyway, yeah, I feel I know how to do a research paper now, without the same level as help as you gave us on our first one.

How do you feel about the digital portfolios now? Has your opinion changed/ stayed the same?

My opinion is very much the same. So if you wanna see it go look at my first Assessment!!! He he. Actually, no I'll give my opinion again. I like these digital portfolio's. HTML is in my view, easy to use, the internet in general is easy to use, it's actually fun, and without it Lobster Universe would have never come into existence. In addition, I like it when you tell us to post stuff up here (the internet) rather than bring it to class. Makes my binder less messy.

If you were given the opportunity to work with your teacher on updating and revising this project, what would you change? Why?

I'm not sure whether this question refers to the class in general or the digital portfolio. I am under the impression it means the portfolio since it was asked right after the portfolio question, and thus, I'm going to answer it that way. First off, it seems rather ironic to be talking about "updating" a state-of-the-art digital portfolio program. But what would I change? I seriously, on this part of the class would not really want to change anything. Oh wait, I just thought of something. I never really found those web-charts or web-planners or whatever very usefull. I made them every time, after I made the part of my site first, and the only reason I did them was to not get a zero on them. And my site is still not falling apart so I don't see those as all that usefull.

What would you have done differently if you did something simular in the future?

In terms of the digital portfolio, up to this point, nothing really. Everything has gone as smooth as I could have hoped. As for the class in general, there were a few little projects in the past I would do earlier now, and not wait till the last second. I quite honsetly don't have much to say on this one.

What Piece of your digital portfolio are you most proud of for having the public see/read and why?

Well, this is kindoff a general idea, more than a specific piece of work, but I like my site's Attitude, or tone, or feel, or whatever. I'm glad my site isn't just a stale, emotionless, place where I post my work. (Although the English section is a bit more dry than the Lobster World section) My site has it's own look, it is pretty much completly from scratch, not 70% other people's pictures etc. I like stuff I make to actually be stuff that I make. In terms of specific pieces of work, visually I like my Lobster Movie trailer, which took me forever, and in English work, my Crtical Analysis shall be rather impreesive looking once I post the entire thing. Not as much attitute there though.

If a neutral person asked you about this unit, and you weren't in a good mood but not in a bad mood either what would you say? What criteria would you use to make this statement?

I would say to this neutral person that "This unit is good." Other than the fact that I think HTML is fun, here is my criteria. 1-It's something we could actually use in the future. It (HTML) is real world stuff, more so than many other things taught. (Not to say ofcourse, that the rest of school is useless.) Second, it is a good way to have our work assessable around the world. No longer shall our accomplishments be limited to the eyes of the teacher. That is the main things I would say.

Tell us anthing else

I hate vocab. There. I had to get that out of my system. Anyway, I'm glad you toned down the "if you weren't in a good mood, but not in a bad mood.." question. It's a welcome step away from the incredibly obnoxious: If you were asked by a neutral person about this unit, and you weren't in a good mood but not in a bad one either, and the weather outside was fair and partly cloudy, what would you say? What criteria would you use to make this statement? I have a feeling it is supposed to be on the annoying side, but geeez. To end on a positive note, I like HTML. and of course.....

YOUR WELCOME!