Computer Studies

April 1, 2008

Project Title:

EXPO 2008 –Country Blogs and Beyond Expo Video

Enduring Understandings:

Change – Students will understand that change includes environmental, political, social, religious and economic transformations

Interdependence – Students will understand that decisions or actions can have an impact on other people or nations

Identity – Students will understand how people define themselves and their place in the world as well as how they are defined by others

Essential Questions:

Country Blogs –

How can we use Web 2.0 applications to collaborate with others?

How can we use a blog to discuss current events and convey different types of media about our assigned countries?

Beyond Expo Video –

What makes a good presentation?

How can we use programs such as Movie Maker and Photostory to create effective presentations?

Assessment Rubric:

Country Blog	S- Below Expectations	S Meets Expectations	S+ Exceeds Expectations
Design	Colors and layout are on the default setting. The blog is not displaying properly due to formatting problems.	Colors and layout have been customized. The blog is formatted to display properly.	Colors and layout have been highly customized in an original and creative way. The blog is formatted to display properly making it easier to find and read information.
Content	Posts are not organized into categories. No additional pages have been created. There are spelling and grammar errors.	Posts are organized into categories. Additional pages have been created for some topic. There are no spelling or grammar errors.	Posts are organized into categories and accessible from the side bar. Additional pages have been created to organize information. There are no spelling or grammar errors.
Communication	Bloggers are not posting regularly. No visitors are commenting on posts. Links and research resources are not posted for group members.	Bloggers are posting regularly. Visitors are commenting on posts. Links and research resources are posted for group members.	Bloggers are posting creative articles regularly. Visitors are commenting on posts and having discussions with the group. Links and research resources are posted for group members.

Beyond EXPO	S- Below Expectations	S Meets Expectations	S+ Exceeds Expectations
Editing	Transitions are rough. Sound is audible. Video follows storyboard. Final movie is still a Movie Maker file.	Transitions are smooth. Sound is audible. Video follows storyboard. Final movie is a wmv file.	Transitions and effects are used improve the video. Sound and music are audible. Video follows the storyboard. Final movie is a wmv file.
Identify Problem	The environmental problem facing your country is identified but poorly explained.	The environmental problem facing your country is identified and explained.	The environmental problem facing your country is thoroughly identified with accompanying details and facts and explained in a creative manner
Illustrate Solution	The sci-fi solution is illustrated but poorly explained.	The sci-fi solution is illustrated and explained.	The sci-fi solution is creatively illustrated and thoroughly explained with accompanying details and facts.