Web Poster Wizard: Teacher Worksheets

WHAT IS IT?
Web Poster Wizard: Teacher Worksheets is a FREE online Web 2.0 tool that allows teachers to create online worksheets containing a photo, text, and links to related web sites to publish online.  No more need to print out worksheets and waste time telling students how to get to a web site.  The assignment/questions and links to answers are all on the same page…just a click away!  What a time-saver!

HOW TO DO IT

If you have already registered with Web Poster Wizard, then you are ready to being…just log in!  If you need to register, then follow Step 1 below.

Step 1: Register: Teachers must first register so they can manage classes and worksheets.  It is the same process as registering to use the Project Poster feature. Teachers only need to provide their name, email address, and create a password.

Step 2: Manage Classes: Once a teacher logs in, this section is pretty self-explanatory as it provides directions right on the page.  Teachers can set up classes in which students can sign in with a class code to complete assignments.  However, you don’t even have to give students class codes if you link your list of assignments on your page on the district web site!

Step 3: Create Worksheet: Beside each class name on the far right are icons. To create a new worksheet, click on the Manage icon and then click Create Worksheet.  From this page you can also edit or delete a worksheet.  After a worksheet is created, it is assigned an ID number link.  This link alone can also be linked on your page of the district web site so students can go straight to the assignment.

Step 4: There are only 4 steps to creating a worksheet and wizard walks you through each one.  1) Header and Body Layout, 2) Page Content, 3) Links and Image, and 4) Fonts and Colors.  That’s it!  Just follow the directions on each page.  (Note: when choosing background and font colors consider the readability.)

WHAT TO DO WITH IT?

Create an assignment worksheet for a project or activity with links to use for reference. 

Create a question worksheet with links to find the answers.  Students record their answers on notebook paper.  Think of the copy paper we could save by not printing worksheets!  This will create more meaningful internet researches with specific questions to answer.  It will also foster better directed online research to reliable sites you pick…a great way to avoid random Google searches, Wikipedia, blogs, etc.

Create a scavenger hunt with the links to search.  All your worksheets are permanently saved on the web and can follow you from district to district.

Create a video and post it or find a relevant video on SchoolTube or TeacherTube (or a non-blocked online video).  Link that video on the worksheet to have students watch and answer questions or post an activity for them to do after watching or have them create a Project Poster to post. 

The high school library has created research paper worksheets for each grade level 8-12.  Scroll down to Research Paper Projects and get an idea of what a worksheet will look like.  Here are some examples of other teacher worksheets:

The Nut That’s Not - PEANUTS
Abolition
Fuel for Thought

Web Poster Wizard: Project Poster

WHAT IS IT?

Web Poster Wizard: Project Poster is a FREE online Web 2.0 tool that allows K-12 students to create online project posters containing a photo, text, and links to related web sites and immediately publish it online.  No more need to buy posters and construction paper or hassle with messy glue.  

HOW TO DO IT?

Although Web Poster Wizard has other features that allow teachers to create their own web pages and worksheets, this tutorial focuses on using the student created poster feature as an assignment tool.  It’s easy…really!

Step 1: Register: Teachers must first register so they can manage classes.  Student posters are created through teacher accounts so there is no need for students to create accounts. Teachers only need to provide their name, email address, and a password.

Step 2: Manage Classes: Once teachers login, this section is pretty self-explanatory as it provides directions right on the page.  Teachers can set up classes in which students can sign in with a class code to complete assignments. The centralized login combines students and teachers in one account.  By clicking the Help tab at the top, you will find complete directions with pictures!

Step 3: Manage Posters:  Once a teacher creates a class, Web Poster Wizard creates a Class Code.  Click on the Manage button to the right of the class.  On this new page, click on the Manage Poster tab at the top to manage student created posters. Teachers, make sure you select the archive option to keep student projects live online for more than a month. Use the Teacher Feature option to create one web page of your class' archived projects. You will be able to put your created web page link on your class page on the district’s web site.

Step 4: Student Created Posters: On the Manage Poster page, teachers can click Print Class Handout that shows the class code, teacher name, and class name exactly as it should be entered to distribute to students.  Direct students to the Home page or Students tab where they click Create a New Poster under Student Login (login area is used to return to a poster to edit.)  Directions for creating a Poster Wizard are printed right on the screen in an easy step-by-step manner. Students will upload one photo, insert text written in Word first, and post up to 16 related web links for others to explore the topic.  Students can use original digital photos or web photos which must show attribution to the source.

WHAT TO DO WITH IT?

Some uses for this simple tool: book reports (take a digital photo of the book cover), biographical posters of famous people (images from the web), posters about community members such as veterans of World War II whom students interview and photograph, author or scientists posters, fictitious character studies from novels, science posters on processes or terms with accompanying digital pictures to illustrate, animal studies (even add an audio link file for an animal!), etc. To discourage web “copy and paste” plagiarism, students could research and write from library print sources and post reliable links to more information online. The possibilities are endless. Once students know the tool, they can use it over and over.