Articles

Computer Applications Article   
[Objective]   [Materials]   Article    [Activity]

"The Characteristics of a Star Teacher." By: Mills, Huey; Journal for Christian Educators, Fall 2001, Vol. 8, No. 1, p13-15, 3p.

This article suggests that there are distinct characteristics demonstrated by exceptional, quality, effective teachers. Some characteristics included are persistence, professional versus personal orientation to students, positive views on ability versus effort, and the unique ability to motivate "at-risk" students. Students will read the article, choose a secondary teacher that had "star teacher" characteristics, and select six of the those characteristics from the article, and write paragraphs describing why their chosen teacher is a star. This collection of paragraphs will eventually be organized into a Publisher newsletter that "proclaims" their teacher to be the winner of the "star teacher" award for the year.

Computer Programming Article    
[Objective]     [Materials]    Article    [Activity]

"Teaming Foreign Language with Technology." By: Bremer, Janet; McGeehan, Lyn. Library Media Connection, Jan 2006, Vol. 24 Issue 4, p53-55, 3p.

This article is found in the EBSCO database of the University Library of the University of Phoenix. It may only be available to registered faculty and students of the university. The article discusses many ways in which the foreign language curriculum may be integrated with technology to form a cross-curricular unit. The suggestion to create useful projects, like a translation program and a quiz game like "hangman," will encourage the student to use skills in both disciplines.

Website Design Article   
[Objective]    [Materials]    Article     [Activity]

"F-Shaped Pattern for Reading Web Content ," Nielsen, Jakob. Alertbox, April 2006, Retrieved May 5, 2006, from http://www.useit.com/alertbox/reading_pattern.html.

This article reports the results of a new eyetracking study in which web surfing readers are observed. The study claims that web readers read the content of the site in an f-pattern. The implications of this study are that web designers must be aware of reading patterns when designing web pages. Reading patterns indicate that web site visitors will not necessarily read the text of the site thoroughly. RatMay 7, 2006therefore place the most important text in the top lines of the page. Sub headings and bullet points will help visitors "zero-in" on sections of text.