AES: ESL 382: Computer Applications

Please visit Culture Capsules: People, Places, and Processes

Project Description:

Students will work in pairs (different native languages if possible). Each pair will jointly produce a Web page which describes either a famous person, place or process from each student's country. In addition to a description of the two people, places, or processes, each Web page will contain a short audio message, photos of the student authors, links to graphics and Websites providing additional information about the topic. Finally, each pair of students will collaborate to write a single essay comparing and contrasting the two people, places or processes described on their Web page. All of the Web pages will be combined and published as one class page entitled, "Culture Capsules: People, Places, and Processes".

Project Objectives:

In the process of completing this project, students will utilize all four English skills in a group setting, and will also attain the skills of browsing, researching and creating documents for publication on the World Wide Web. In addition, students will have the opportunity to learn about people, places and processes in other cultures and, by publishing work on the Web, will make that information available to others.

Project Steps:

1. Choose a partner who does not speak your native language. If this is not possible, choose a partner who does not come from your home country.
   
2. Browse former students' Culture Capsules. Students will have the opportunity to see projects that have been produced by other non-native English speakers around the world.
   
3. Brainstorm the topic. Each student must choose a person, place, process, celebration, etc. from his/her country. (one cannot do a person and the other a place). Choose a topic that is well known enough so that you will be able to find information about it when you search on the Web. Examples of processes could include: how to celebrate a famous holiday, how to play a particular game, how to perform an important ceremony, etc. NOTE: Choose a topic that you know something about already. You can add to your knowledge after searching for more information on the Web.
   
4. Take a class photo. Take photos of each pair of students using a digital camera. Your teacher will show you how to size and edit the photo using PhotoShop or other image editing software.
   
5. Search the World Wide Web on your topic. Find and make "Favorites" for at least three Websites you can "link" to your essay. Take notes from your sources that you can use when you write your essay. Don't cut and paste pieces of text from the web page. You must paraphrase or summarize what you find. Find and download to your disk (or link to) at least five graphic images you can link to your essay. Write permission letters and footnote the source of the images. Search two Watzek online databases on your topic. Take notes on articles you find. You may also find a graphic you want to use.
   
6. Use MS Word to type the first draft of your essay (minimum 400 words).
   
7. Teacher and peer review of first draft. Revise first draft. Repeat the process with draft 2.
   
8. Collaborate with partner, then use MS Word to type the first draft of your comparison/contrast essay (minimum 400 words).
   
9. Teacher and peer review of first draft. Revise first draft. Repeat the process with draft 2.
   
10. Refer to a tutorial with Dreamweaver to learn the basic techniques of Web page creation and editing.
    
11. Create your Web page (HTML document) in Dreamweaver. You will be given a template with the basic form of the page. You will also be given a sample page to see what the finished product will look like. You will copy and paste your essays from MS Word to Dreamweaver. You will insert a photo of you and your partner. You will create links to the Web resources and graphics that you found when you searched the Internet. You will modify text to produce headings and titles, and you will add a link to your Email account.
    
12. Teacher and peer review of first draft of Web page. Revise first draft.
    
13. Teacher and peer review of second draft. Revise second draft.
    
14. Make final editing changes to your Web page. When approved, turn the appropriate files in to your instructor.
    
15. Your teacher publish the Culture Capsules on the World Wide Web. They will become part of the Culture Capsules Master Page, which is viewed by many people on the Internet.
    
16. Students will give oral reports, using their Culture Capsules as visual aids.

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Created by: krauss@lclark.edu
Updated: 10/15/06