We have a lot of students and teachers who produce multimedia projects.  From powerpoints to videos to audio files, they are creating digital media.  Currently there is no easy way to share these on a district level.  Over the next few months I will be working on a video sharing website much like “YouTube” where teachers and students can upload video files.  I think this will be a great way for students and teachers to share videos.

There is also a need with the WDHS Video program to share their videos.  I think they would find this interesting as well.

You will be able to upload QuickTime and Windows Media files and the website will automatically convert these to Flash Video and place them on the website.  It will also generate podcasts as well.

This should be a real challenge to create.

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I am working on a social learning website for DPS. This will involve students being able to create digital portfolios, learning communities, share files/transfer files to home, store website bookmarks, create a blog, and much more.

The software is called ELGG (http://elgg.org). It is kinda like myspace with a focus on education. It has all the great features of social networking, but in a controlled environment: only Dearborn Public School Students and Staff can create learning spaces/profiles.

Here is a list of Universities using it:

North America

Universities and schools

• Athabasca University
• University of British Columbia
• Royal Roads University
• Red River College
• Duke Corporate Education
• University of Southern California
• Saugus Union School District in Santa Clarita, CA
• Simon Fraser University
• Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES, NY
• University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana, IL
• MIT
• School District No.78 (Fraser-Cascade), Hope, British Columbia
• Children’s Ministries University Online / Valley Forge Christian College, Phoenixville, PA
• SFU Orientation Leader Online Community
• The Neighborhood Elgg
• Claremont Graduate University

I am hopeful that students, if nothing else, can use it to transfer work to their home.  Currently if a student is writing a paper at school, they have to email the file to themselves to get it from home.  With the new website, they can upload it and then download it at home in a secure environment.  Not to mention they can store it in their profile so they can start creating e-portfolios of their work.

Look for more developments closer to the start of school as we select a few pilot classes to use the new website.

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