Some Comments by Mentors at end of 2001

These comments were made by one or more mentors at the end of WIT 2001. Do you agree or disagree?

• Too much content in the modules (make them as "lean" as possible) yes, one page
• Organize modules by "daily lessons" so they are easier to organize for teaching in homerooms - one or two lessons per module
• Fewer modules; prioritize modules yes by consensus
• Give up idea that Basic learners will go through modules independently yes; homework idea (some online)
• Need step-by-step cheat sheets (handouts) for all step-by-step instructions (especially in Composer module); Mac and PC versions yes
• Some typos in some of the modules (especially "Searching") yes
• Need explicit process goals as well as product goals (i.e. avoid endless searching for pretty clip art) - products are practice, not final; rules about making things simple
  • working hard every day
  • tolerance for frustration and uncertainty
  • willingness to take risks
  • developing independence
  • willingness to take responsibility for own learning
• Do not stack multiple people from same school in any one section yes
• Keep out those participants who shouldn't be there (i.e. inability to learn computer procedures) yes
• Change name so the word "basic" does not appear -yes
• Bring back Vivi Lachs -yes
• Handout book needs revision and updating (improve quality and think through each page better) yes
• Keep weekly mentor meetings during WIT (Medici is good) yes
• Final plenary was way too long yes timekeeper
• Continue to use final eval as "ticket" to final lunch yes
• Make t-shirts again yes
• Keep feedback button on every web page on WIT site yes
• Keep Mitch Marks yes
• Focus WIT Basic on finding and using available activities instead of creating their own yes
• Spend more time in Basic with Communicator (not just Composer) - bridge for IE people
• Basic participants need to learn file management; especially creating new files on the server - yes
• Print out business cards for each participant with ftp address, username, passwords? yes
• Improve Composer module by adding more about page properties and table properties yes
• Spend more time talking about the creation of good activities for the Internet (inquiry-based) yes
• keep homeroom lunches
• collaboratory keynote?

OTHER COMMENTS ABOUT WIT 2001?