Ms. Cavender's objective is to: "My plan is to replace a traditional research paper assignment with a class project that will involve constructing a website using Word Press. Students will decide together what the specific content will be (the general content will be “interesting and/or important figures in American political thought”), and how they want to design the site to best present that content. Collectively, they’ll decide who’ll do what piece (with each student taking primary responsibility for one figure). Since the class is small (thirteen students, at last count), we can have one project for the entire class".
I think she has a great idea. She just posted an update to the project. In her October 31 blog in the Chronicle she is frank about some of the unanticipated roadblocks. The comments are helpful too: drburlbawl says
" I find many ugrads very good at receiving technology but pretty poor at using technology for generation of academic knowledge or seeking academic knowledge. I fully understand mrsalander's dilemma/problem of having to introduce and teach new skills/knowledge to do basic academic skills.
I think I'm going to try to talk this kind of project up with the history faculty. I'm excited.
