WEB Quest

With the help of my EME 2040 class I have created a new web site. http://pilchweb.webs.com/index.htm

I currently pay for web site hosting on a site that does not offer nearly as much flexibility or functionality. I can see how I might be able to create a site that will be specific to my business at a price that is equal to or less than what I am currently paying and that will off far superior performance. This is very cool.

On the "test" web site I have created content that will actually be useful for my middle school classes. We have just completed a competition in school that emphasized military drill and physical training. The WEB Quest that I created for the EME 2040 class assignment is specific to the history of military drill. At this time my students will be very interested in learning more about the background and benefits of drill. There are hundreds of web videos about military drill from military units all over the world. There are almost too many to choose from. Our recent competition was between 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th class periods. Each class is set up as a company with platoons and squads. All four classes make up a regiment. The competition was so close that the difference in score between 1st and second place in the Color Guard element was only 1/2 of a point, 245.5 to 245. There were 3 judges. The difference in score for the Rifle Team element was only one point between 1st and 2nd place. This was a well contested event! The web site videos will provide some samples of additional drill moves and routines that may inspire my students. They are already doing things this year that my students have never attempted over the past 7 or 8 years. It is quite rewarding to see 7th and 8th graders develop the work ethic and commitment to make challenging routines. I will try to get some photos of the event to post to the blog and to the web site.

The physical fitness competition was just as competitive. 4 teams fielded 10 contestants each. Each person can obtain a maximum score of 300 points. This is very difficult. This semester so far I have had only a half dozen out of more than 130 students earn a score of 300. The average scores of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams were less than 10 points different. The 1st place team had an avereage score of approximately 231.

It will be fun to create a web site detailing the progress of my classes!