Peer Technqiues

1. Sign up for a Date
First, choose a date from the list of "Peer Technique Days" discussions in Webx. There's a separate discussion for each day on the schedule where you can put your name. No more than 3 people can sign up for any single date. Sign up for a date by

• checking that no more than two names are already posted into that day
• posting your name to that discussion
• checking back after a few minutes to make sure that no one posted at the same time as you and got in before you (if so, you'll need to choose another day)
• If already you know the topic of your technique demonstration, check the discussion "Peer Techniques Topics" to be sure it hasn't already been reserved. If not, post your idea right away. If there is duplication, the earliest message in the discussion will get that topic and anyone posting after will have to choose another.

2. Decide on a Technique
Check the discussion "Peer Techniques Topics" to see what topics have and haven't already been reserved. Decide on a technique to teach us using Photoshop, ImageReady, Dreamweaver, Illustrator or other software available to us in the classroom and relevant to the work of the class. A "technique" should not just demonstrate a tool but actually shows us how to do something useful or cool. Small and practical is as good as big and splashy. Ideally, this would be a technique you've already used in your work for this class. Plan on about 5 minutes of demonstration and perhaps a couple more minutes of quesitons or helping individuals who had trouble completing the technique.

3. Name and Reserve Your Technique
Post your topic for the Peer Technique Demonstration to the Webx discussion is titled "Peer Techniques Topics" along with the date you scheduled in step 1 above. Again, if there is duplication, the earliest message in the discussion will get that topic and anyone posting after will have to choose another.

4. Type Up Your Technique Handout
Break down your technique into a logical, explainable steps and type them into the techniques template.

5. Prepare a Sample
It's very helpful for the class to see an example of a finished product before they start trying to create their own. Prepare a sample page or image so we know what we're shooting for.

5. Provide an Image?
Decide if you want to provide the class an image file to work on, or if everyone will be able to do your technique with an image file of their own. If you have an image file to distribute, post the image to your folder www/5230/exercises as if it were a Web page, check to see that you can view the image with your Web browser, then e-mail me the URL of that image file in a message titled "peer technique image": for example, <http://www.d.umn.edu/~youruserid/5230/exercises/imagefilename.jpg>. Please do not e-mail me image files as attachments! I will put the URL of the image on the course home page on the day of your peer technique presentation.

6. Make Copies of Your Handout
Before your scheduled day, printout the techniques template and make 24 copies to distibute to the class so everyone can try your technique as you demonstrate it.

7. Post Your Handout
Post the Word file of your handout to your folder "www/5230/exercises" saved as yourlastname.doc. Using Netscape, try to visit the URL <http://www.d.umn.edu/~youruserid/5230/exercises/yourlastname.doc> and see if it gives you the option to download/view. E-mail me that URL in a message titled "peer technique handout." This will enable me to make the directions available via the Techniques Site.

8. Practice!
You will want to practice your technique demonstration, ideally using the instructor's station in the classroom when the room is available as a lab. See the schedule for times with SCC 42 is not reserved.