Too frequently, technology has served to separate family members rather than unite them. In the spirit of December, the “Giving Month,” seventh grade technology students decided to design Web sites and give them as a gift to their families or close friends. In that way, technology would serve to strengthen the family bond and bring cheer to others.
The project dovetails with the unit on learning Web site design. In addition to learning and applying the basic tenets of Web site design, students decided who would be the recipient of their gifts, gathered all the facts that needed to be included, and wrote a letter to the recipient, explaining the process. Most students made Web sites for their families and included information about their heritage, a family tree, photos and stories.
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Technology; Language Arts; Consumer, Family & Life Skills; Intergenerational
Gift Web Sites
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By:
Lisa de Ravel, Rutgers Intern Teacher:
Violet Markmann, Computer Technology School:
Montgomery UMS Grade Levels: 7th Grade Web Design
Academic Focus/ Language Arts Literacy 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4.
Technology 8.1A, 8.1B
Consumer, Family & Life Skills 9.1 A,, B ; 9.2 A, B, C, D Core Ethical Values:
Citizenship, caring and respect |
Project Description:
Too frequently, technology has served to separate family members rather than unite them. In the spirit of December, the “Giving Month,” seventh grade technology students decided to design Web sites and give them as a gift to their families or close friends. In that way, technology would serve to strengthen the family bond and bring cheer to others. The project dovetails with the unit on learning Web site design. In addition to learning and applying the basic tenets of Web site design, students decided who would be the recipient of their gifts, gathered all the facts that needed to be included, and wrote a letter to the recipient, explaining the process. Most students made Web sites for their families and included information about their heritage, a family tree, photos and stories. Target Audience: The families of Montgomery UMS. Timeline:
6 weeks
Project Scheduling: The project took place during technology class Equipment Needed:
Computer, appropriate software, information on family tree Academic Focus:
Language Arts Literacy: Letter writing lesson to the recipient. Items included: why it was made and how, the effort it took, directions on how to open the site and proper letter writing format. Students submitted a reflection paper about the project. Technology: Students were taught the following skills: using a 5 page Web site template, background images, interactive buttons, links to relevant sites and adding a Power Point family tree.
Consumer, Family & Life Skills: Students were involved in the real application of technology. They demonstrated employability skills, critical thinking, decision-making and follow through on a project. Also, the project served to be character-building as the students manifested responsibility, teamwork, good citizenship and caring. |
Hurdles Encountered: Hurdles: Finding the time to do the parent/grandparent interviews/ teaching the format of the letter. Solution: Set deadlines for each stage; brainstorming list of possible interview questions to aid students; Xeroxing model letters. Performance-based Education; Students worked to the attainment of a measurable goal and designed their site to fulfill it. Cooperative Learning; Students helped one another in performing unfamiliar tasks. Interdisciplinary Approach: Language arts also involved, particularly in letter writing to recipient, Caring, sense of community and respect for one’s heritage. Celebration: Class celebration at the conclusion of the project when students shared with each other what they had done. Feedback from the recipients. Students also shared this with each other; media coverage Key Findings: Students enthusiastically embraced this project; Web design became more meaningful when it was connected to their lives. Family interviews and fact gathering Parents helped supply content; food for holiday celebration Students wrote a reflection paper answering various questions regarding their experience including the reaction of the recipient and how that made them feel, learning style and future applications. Computer technology rubric, work ethic, mechanics and creativity.