Hi fellow teachers!
This assignment was a first try so I thought I would add a few tips, second thoughts, better next time ideas here for those who would like to try it.1. I would make sure ALL my students had the ability to add their own blog posts. I would spend some time teaching them how to format, add links, pictures, etc. I had a small class this time so it was not terrible for me to add them but 5 posts times 25 students would have taken too much of my precious time!
2. I would do a little "scaffolding" first on how to make a good blog post with maybe a form with what to include (or a reminder of the PEEL or Hamburger paragraph or whatever English dept uses in your school) and time for EDITING! (as you'll see I did NOT edit their posts... sheesh!)
3. Rather than giving them 7 straight lab days to work on this I would alternate Lab day with learning the calculations required in my course (simple interest, compound interest, TVM solver, etc). Too many lab days makes them lazy....
4. I would give a couple of pure research days and then make one post due at the end of each lab period rather than all at once.
5. With a bigger class I would make every student critique at least one blog and/or one podcast.
6. I think i would make investigating a bank account mandatory (or if they have one already, a credit card).
Please feel free to use/adapt this for your own class!
Ms. D.
PS I don't think I can post files on this blog but J. Money has posted the assignment in word and pdf on his website http://www.budgetsaresexy.com/best-personal-finance-school-project/. I give him TOTAL CREDIT for the inspiration!!
