Next Project: A Film Evaluation

In keeping with our general focus on technology this semester, the next writing assignment will be a film evaluation of 2001: A Space Odyssey. This 1968 science fiction film was directed by Stanley Kubrick and is considered among the top films of all time. The film is noted for its high production values and scientific and technological accuracy. It is also somewhat difficult to follow at times, so you might want to check out Kubrick 2001: The Space Odyssey Explained, which is an online flash presentation. Check out the official trailer for the film and try to watch the film on your own time. I'm going to try to show at least portions of it in class, but this is the kind of film that may go over your head the first time you watch it and is worth multiple viewings.

Alexandra, Amanda, Clarissa, and Fayeann Present: Printing at Bracken LIbrary

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF_eGaEjQ00

Seeing as all our group members are freshman, we have found the printing process at Bracken Library to be somewhat confusing; so we made a video going step by step. It walks you through everything from logging on to turning your paper in. We hope this takes away any confusion you have had while trying to print in the library.

Glenda, Liz, Meg, and Stephanie Present: The Truth About Webcams

www.thetruthaboutwebcams.weebly.com

This is a website about the positives of webcams. There is information for parents, teens, and children. Fun videos and pictures are included with lots of other resources to link to as well.

Darryl, Natalie, Rebecca, and Tessa Present: MJ's Moonwalk

http://www.mjmoonwalk.weebly.com

Our website is about how Michael Jackson and his moonwalk changed the view of pop music.

Bobby, Ethan, Kaylee, and Palmer Present: Bracken Tag

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcoYz-9QG4w

We wanted to have fun, but more importantly make it look fun; and maybe start a new campus trend in the process.

Annah, Hayley, Lorna, Matthew, and Xuan Present: Facebook Tips

http://english103facebook.weebly.com/

We decided to make a website explaining more about Facebook. We provided information about how to sign up and use the site safely.

Thomas, Brooke, and Jovid Present: All About Credit Cards

http://allaboutcreditcards.weebly.com/

We picked the topic of credit cards because we did not know much about this topic before. It seemed like an interesting topic to research. It also can be very helpful to know. We chose a website because it seemed like the easier and more informative way to go.

What is a Reflective Essay?

When you turn in your Individual Reflective Essay for the Collaborative Multimodal Project, you will do so electronically by sending to my email a two-page, MLA-formatted paper in Microsoft Word. Included in your paper must be a link to your web site or video.

Many of you have been asking about this essay. It is not simply a report of facts that occurred, and it is not simply a ranting of your joys and griefs with this project. This is an essay that looks back on what happened and indicates what you have learned from your experience, using facts to back up what you say. A brief online search on this topic led me to "What is a Reflective Essay Paper?"which provides a decent explanation and also links to more information.

Web site tips

Conferences are underway and I already have some reminders and suggestions:

• Create an "about us" page to explain who you are, when and why you created this site, and what your credentials are to speak on this topic.
• Create a "works cited" page to list all the sources you quoted or linked to--and to give credit to visuals you used.
• Make sure the type size and general look of the layout is consistent from page to page. Use type that is large enough to read comfortably.
• Keep your information and your sentences concise. Link to more detailed information (either on a hidden page or to your sources).
• Arrange the items on your page so that the most important items appear as soon as it loads--in other words, don't make your reader scroll down to figure it out. They won't.
• Publish your page to make sure it looks and functions properly. Then do a Google search to see if it's showing up. This is where having a relevant web site name is important.
• Write a one-sentence description of any videos you post to allow readers to decide if they want to click or not.