PLN8+Feedback


 * Main Page **


 * Positive Feedback:**
 * Layout/Design – consistent use of fonts, colors, and type faces.
 * Graphics – you successfully added two to this page, and thank you for choosing to make one static (image) and one interactive (video).
 * Intro paragraphs – both are well-written, clear, and accurately explain what and why to readers. Nicely done!
 * Navigation – nice job including links to your blogs as well as to the other wiki pages.


 * Suggested Improvements:**
 * Resources list – some links are annotated, some not. Annotations are important and here’s why – you have a link to a water purification site, but without an annotation, I don’t understand why it appears in the list (I assume it is a sample of a PBL lesson, but you need to tell your readers that).
 * Graphics – reposition both so they flow better on the page. The video player could be smaller and the PBL image should be incorporated into a paragraph so it’s not just floating in space by itself.
 * Planning list – the bullets look odd…the indents might have gotten skewed when you copied and pasted…to avoid this, remove all formatting, then start adding bullets again.
 * Navigation – at the bottom of the page you reference a “More Information” page, but don’t provide a link anywhere to that page. Does it exist? Where is it?


 * Brainstorming **


 * Positive Feedback:**
 * “Stream of Consciousness” text – you came up with lots of great ideas here…I’d love to see it in action!
 * Thank you for sharing the “roles” assignments on this page – I was interested to see who was responsible for what.
 * Mind map – your map clearly shows the process you went through to come up with the project. I like that you started from a “shared interests” place.


 * Suggested Improvements:**
 * Title – where is it?
 * Add subheadings so it’s clear the text under the first video is a result of a brainstorming activity.
 * Mind map – make it smaller so it fits on the page without scrolling, then hyperlink the small image to your PDF file.
 * Graphics – I know you were trying to meet the 2-graphic criteria, but the videos don’t really have anything to do with the brainstorming process you went through. Rather, your mind map counts as 1 graphic, and a clip art image or photo showing people collaborating would have been better.
 * Navigation – be sure to include links to all your wiki pages on ALL pages (this one doesn’t have any).


 * Discovering the Alamo **


 * NOTE:** Because of the way you divided the work, I must assess you collaboratively on this page. If you have concerns or questions, please ask me to explain further.


 * Description –** You are one of the only groups who provided information about prior knowledge (begin this project after completing a unit of study) in your description. Well done! Stating the specific criteria the students will be required to submit is excellent. Although you will explain it in greater detail in the next paragraph, you should include some mention of the outcome in the overall description. You allude to it (presentation skills), but it should be explicitly stated that the kids are creating slideshows. Nice caption under the photo.


 * Product –** I like how you created opportunities for differentiation by allowing students to choose some of the modes for the product. Consider allowing students to create their dioramas electronically (using Google Sketch or a drawing program, for example). I did not realize they would be doing slideshows AND something else until I read this paragraph. Be sure to include that information in the project description as well. Also, if you are going to have them all present to each other, you need to add some sort of reflection/assessment activity…otherwise, why are they listening to all those presentations? They need to be accountable for the information or they won’t listen, apply, or retain it.


 * Curriculum –** You identified many of the social sciences standards met, but what about all the others? Your project easily satisfies Language Arts (script and slide writing), Art (building 3D models), Technology (tools and skills used), and perhaps more. Be sure to find ALL the connections…remember, PBL takes too much time to only satisfy one standard.


 * DQ –** We worked on this one together, so of course I like it! J Seriously, it’s a great question, but you don’t provide a way for them to ANSWER it through the slideshow, diorama, or skit. You need to incorporate another activity – at the conclusion of the unit (see my comment above about a reflection activity) – that gets them to answer your question. As it stands now, you need to craft a different question that better aligns to your product.


 * Tech Integration –** This information is excellent. You provide enough background information so people reading your idea can understand what technology is needed. If you were actually implementing this PBL, you would have to get more specific, but for this assignment, you covered all the bases.


 * NOTE:** Great use of wikilinks throughout this page!


 * Summary **

Your wiki is a success! You clearly explained both the topic of PBL and your original project idea. The pages are consistent in design and layout, and all information is easy to read. Your wikilinks on the project page are terrific. Consider adding a reflection activity to the end of the project to tie it all together for your students and to bring closure to what is potentially months of instruction. I have a feeling your students will “Remember the Alamo!”

Mrs. Langston