Tuesday, February 19, 2013

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. 

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