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DHS Technology Challenge
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the DHS Technology Challenge
How can students access the DHS Technology Challenge?
All parts of the DHS Tech Challenge for students is built in Canvas and can be accessed from www.canvas.instruture.com. Students have a self created username and password. At this time we are using the Free for Teachers Canvas account.
Can students complete challenges at lower levels after unlocking high levels?
Students may complete the modules in any order. They can pick and chose the challenges that are personally meaningful to them. Students can always go back to lower levels of the tech challenge to complete challenges, even if they have moved up to higher levels.
Who monitors the DHS Tech Challenge?
Mrs. Huff (myself) monitors all the activity on the challenge. I grade the assessments and award the points. Individual teachers can also monitor the activity of the students in their SLC (homeroom).
Who builds the challenge modules?
Mrs. Huff (myself) builds all the challenge modules. The listing of courses is a collaborative effort with the faculty but I include the necessary instructional components needed to teach students the technology skill. I also create the assessment piece for each module.
How long does it take to earn points?
Mrs. Huff (myself) tries to grade all the challenges as soon as they are completed. Depending on if the Bears are playing or something good is on TV, it might take me about 2 days to keep everthing up to date. Students can earn points as fast as they want to.
What is the limit to the number of points that can be earned?
Right now the only limit the DHS Tech Challenge is that it isn't all built yet. For example, nothing in Level 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 has been built because no one is yet close to unlocking those levels. Once students get close to unlocking the level, I start building it. So there is no limit to what students can do, as long as I have it built and ready to go.
What are the requirements for the 2013-2014 school year?
During the 2013-2014 school year, all students must accumulate 30 points in the DHS Tech Challenge.
Can students choose not to participate?
No, participation in the DHS Tech Challenge is not optional. All DHS students need to attempt to complete challenges.
When do students work on the DHS Tech Challenge?
Because the challenge is web-based, students can work on the challenge anywhere there is Internet access.
Denver High School also has a daily block of time called SLC (or Student Learning Communities). This SLC time is used for enrichment and intervention, anti-bulling education, reading time and also the Tech Challenge. For 20 minutes once a week, every student in grades 9-11 is required to work on the Tech Challenge during SLC time. SLC teachers monitor the activity of their SLC students to make sure that they are working on the challenge.
Can students work together on the challenges?
Each student needs to submit their own challenge assessment but students are able to work collaboratively with one another. This is especially encouraged when struggling students need help and other experienced students can help them with the material.
We do not, however, encourage students to copy from each other or to complete challenges under other accounts.
How does a student unlock higher levels of the Tech Challenge?
Once a student has accumulated a set number of points in the Tech Challenge, Mrs. Huff will send them an invitation code through email to the next Level.
What is the penalty for not completing challenges or reaching 30 points by the end of the year?
It has yet to be defined what the consequences are for this.
When are seniors supposed to work on the Tech Challenge?
Seniors do not have SLC time this year, which means they are not given a set block of time each week to work on the challenge. They also don't have guidance or any teacher monitoring their progress. Therefore it is completely within the responsibility of the students to complete the challenges. This has not proven to be overly effective at this time.
What if a student forgets the Canvas username or password?
Because we are using the Free for Teachers Canvas, Mrs. Huff can only look at a student's username - - - as long as that student has enrolled in the Tech Challenge. If a student doesn't remember their password and if they did not set-up their account with an email address (which 98% did not) they will not be able to access their old account. Students will need to create a new account and start from scratch.
Students were able to create their own usernames and passwords and the first month of the implementation this year was plagued with username and password forgetfulness issues. It was a major headache for Mrs. Huff.
What kind of rewards are involved in the DHS Tech Challenge?
Students can unlock badges on Canvas for completion of difference achievements and module strands.
Ideally there would be a lot of little rewards throughout the way. At this time I have no working budget so I'm buying the rewards out of pocket and we're limited on my own willingness to shell out a lot of money. At the end of Quarter 1, I bought cupcakes for the Top 10 students in the challenge and also gave the leaders of each SLC homeroom a candy treat for Halloween. For the end of Semester 1, I'd like to give a pizza party for the winning SLC classroom. This is an issue I'd like to figure out for the future, as the rewards is a major part of gamification platform.