Tech Directions - May 2008 - (Page 24)

School Web Site of the Month T O close the school year on a high note, we feature this month another great Web site produced by technology education students: http://satellite.stcharles. k12.la.us. The online presence of the Satellite Center of St. Charles Parish Public Schools, Luling, LA, the site was built and is maintained by students of Brian Gough (bgough@ satellite.k12.la.us), who serves as facilitator of the center’s Online Learning Work Centers. prepares students for the real world. The Satellite Center offers either morning or afternoon sessions to qualifying students from area high schools. While attending the Satellite Center, students learn to use tools vital to workplace productivity and have access to state-of-the art labs and equipment. The Web Site To create the site, seven of Gough’s students in his WebQuil course—Mathew Finstad, Megan Cortez, Ka-Yu, Edward Winn, Matt Folse, Craig Stewart, and Jake Wilkerson—researched current exemplary Web sites, then held focus groups with information tech- Satellite Center Background The Satellite Center focuses on the career paths projected to expand the most over the next decade. “I love seeing that spark in the team member’s eye when they realize they can do more than they thought they could; when they “get it.” The other moment I live for is to see my team members in front of an audience, sharing their experiences with others and showcasing their talents in a presentation or meeting. When they can do this on their own, with confidence and pride, then I know my role in their growth as been accomplished.”—Brian Gough, facilitator of the Online Learning Work Centers, Satellite Center, St. Charles Parish Public Schools, from his school’s Web site The concept for the center arose from numerous meetings, focus groups, and site visits to progressive school districts around the nation. Local business leaders, community leaders, educators, representatives from Fortune 500 companies, and expert advisors focused on the goal of building a learning center that nology professionals, students, faculty, and administration. From there, students constructed four concept designs, then held a meeting to select one. They ended up deciding to take the best parts of each of the four to combine into one look. They worked with Dreamweaver, Flash, and 3D vista (for 360° tour area) to create the site. Students determined site content through interviews with staff, faculty, center administration, and central office administration. Course calendars and frequent updates from staff and students keep news and upcoming events constantly updated. Gough’s students try to update the site at least two to three times a week, depending on how many news and event items they receive from the faculty and students. When asked what problem-solving strategies students used in designing and maintaining the site, Gough explains that the site is completely based on the problem-based learning (PBL) and New Tech models, so the entire project is done in PBL fashion. Students had to find out what they needed to know to finish the site, research models, determine what the entire faculty and student body wanted on the site, research what the public wanted, and research what the center wanted the public to know from a PR perspective, in addition to many other related topics. Then, students had to learn how to use CSS, learn some HTML code, find out how to do a 360°-view tour (what software to buy, the best way to implement the tour), learn Flash, and determine how best to organize the information. From there, they had to learn design skills and how to best design for the desired content. From this point, they broke into their individual roles and got started. As his senior project, Mathew 24 techdirections ◆ MAY 2008 http://satellite.stcharles.k12.la.us http://satellite.stcharles.k12.la.us

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Tech Directions - May 2008

Tech Directions - May 2008 Contents Technically Speaking Direct from Washington The News Report Mastering Computers Technology's Past Technology Today Road to Success - Service Learning Enhances Tech Ed Experience Balsa Tower Walls Brave 'Big Buster' These Kids Are Really on the Ball - Inventors Competition Winners School Web Site of the Month Animator Career Exploration Tools Guide Index to Volume 67 More than Fun

Tech Directions - May 2008

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