Tech Directions - November 2008 - (Page 23)

Reservoir High’s TE Site Wins Web Site of the Month EB Site of the Month is back with a very cool winner: www. mrrhineteched. com, “Mr. Rhine’s Technology Education Web Site,” designed by Luke Rhine (luke_rhine@ hcpss.org) of Reservoir High School (Howard Country Public Schools) in Fulton, MD. Rhine teaches Foundations of Technology, Advanced Design Applications, Engineering Design, and Principles of Technology. Rhine’s colorful web site offers course descriptions and syllabuses, class calendars, lectures and presentations, design briefs and other course information, and samples of students’ work. For related activities outside of school, he also gives students information on internship and summer job opportunities and scholarship opportunities. A safety page links to excellent general safety videos; machine safety and machine use video demonstrations (scroll saw, band saw, miter saw, drill press, disc/belt sander, jointer, and planer); safety reviews; and required safety tests. W Creating and Maintaining the Site When Tech Directions asked how he came up with the concept of his site, Rhine explained that he conceptualized it in the course of completing a master’s degree in instructional technology. Describing his motivation, he added, “The ability to create resources that are readily available when students are at school and at home allows for student ﬂexibility in completing assignments.” In terms of necessary software, Rhine used Dreamweaver to create the site and generates content with Microsoft Word products and SnagIt screen capture. He relies on an html coding course that he took as an undergraduate. He is entirely selftaught regarding Dreamweaver, which he learned through online tutorials. During the school year, he updates the site on a daily basis. His experiences with problem solving on the site have given him insight and ideas for teaching students web design. Rhine takes personal responsibility for all design, maintenance, and updating of his site, noting that “the web site is used for instructional purposes and I want to maintain the integrity of its content.” He adds that his students do record videos he uses on the site and also take some of the photos that he includes. He teaches his students web design in the initial Foundations of Technology course and again in the capstone Engineering Design course. Describing the content and bene- ﬁts of his site, Rhine comments, “Students use the site as an online learning database. Design briefs, lectures, PowerPoints, instructional videos, and exemplars are posted to help students get a better understanding of technology education. Also, videos and pictures of class projects are posted for current students to show their families.” Congratulations to Luke Rhine on a web site well done! We’re looking for hot school web sites to add to our list of winners. If you would like enter your school’s web site in the competition, send your site address to vanessa@techdirections.com. www.techdirections.com WEB SITE OF THE MONTH 23 http://www.techdirections.com

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

Tech Directions - November 2008 Technically Speaking Contents Direct fromWashington The Report Technology’s Past Technology Today Mastering Computers Exploring Engineering—Pros Can Help Make It Real Challenge Students to Design an Energy-Efficient Home CTE Teacher Succession—Insuring a Smooth Transition Reservoir High’s TE Site Wins Web Site of the Month ACTE Convention and Career Tech Expo— Racing Toward Charlotte Hands-On Activities More than Fun

Tech Directions - November 2008

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