Logo and Blogging Assignments

Now that WebCT is up and running again, I am catching up on my paper grading.  I wanted to be sure that students received some feedback on their blogging assignments, since several later assignments use the same approach.  In general, most students were clear and learner=centered in the assignment they posed for their students.  The best assignments emphasized the opportunity for students to interact with each other on the blog and thus had a clear value added for using blogging.  Similarly, the strongest assignments also encouraged student reflection on a topic.  In general, most students provided a concrete example of what an entry might look like for students.  Several of you used ePals for your blog format and several commented that some schools do not allow blogging right now.

The Logo assignments were generally strong, with clear, well-organized procedures and one calling super-procedure.  The most common error was the failure to write a super-procedure using Logo syntax.  The HOUSE example on page 116 of Mindstorms is a good example of a Logo super procedure.

I am concerned that WebCT let us down, especially since we are just beginning to establish our course procedures and routines.  I have used WebCT for several years and this is the first time I have experienced a major problem or a lengthy shutdown.  I am hopeful that we will all recover from this interruption.  I entered my Logo comments in the gradebook, rather than the assignment area, and I am not sure that students will be able to read the comments.  We will figure out this part, however, and you will get your comments!