Lena's Journal

12.3.07:

  At school, Rachel and I used her computer to create the website. Then we had to both use our own computers to get on the website at the same time. Then we created a name for the wiki and set up the title page. We both realized how interesting this project will be and how neither of us have ever made a website before, which will probably be rather challenging. Just before class was over we decided to call each other tonight to talk about the website and finish tonights biology homework.

    Today was the first day of the assignment and Rachel and I talked over the phone as we set up our wikipage. I added the links as she set up the timeline. Together we learned to navigate the site. The links were difficult at first to add because it required visiting different parts of the site, but one i got the hang of the wiki page it became rather simple.  Then I had to adjust the font and color of the title page to make it easier to read with alll the bright colors.

12.4.07:

    Today during class Rachel and I discussed how we would reseach. We decided that each of us would look at different databases to pick out the best sites. We also edited our timeline. Now we both know exactly what we need to be contributing to the website each night and what specific information is needed. Then i began to look at several databases and even read a little on wikipedia to get some background information but there was only one sentence listed. The data bases did not provide to much material to use as background material to intoduce me to the bacteria, but seem like they will be very useful once I aquire some information to use a key words and once I know what exact facts I am searching for.

     At home, I found the answers to the first three bullets of content we must have on the free web. I do not know how to use to site the websites yet, because we are going to learn how to do that at school tomorrow, so i just saved the websites. I decided to type my notes in pink to be able to tell the difference between the content list I added to my notes and my actual notes. The pink writing also makes my notes more exciting to me and stand out. I think I got a good start on this project, and have not talked to Rachel tonight, however I am very confident she did her homework too.

12.5.07:

    Ms. Janson came to class today and taugh us how to evaluate the free web websites we will use during our research. This seems to be a very complicated process that will take some time, but hopefull help me to choose beneficial and truthful websites for my project. I learned how to tell if a website is used by an idividual, has a sponser, or has a company run it. Rachel and I also talked about what research we did last night and she found of couple of helpful websites as well. Then we disscussed what was scheduled on the time line for each of us to research tonight.

     Tonight I was in charge of researching the habitat of the bacteria. This proved to be very diffucult because there are many varities of bacillus bacterium. First I looked at several databases and then the free web to find a general idea of the habitat. I only found out that it lives in insects, plants, and soil. Tomorrow during class I plan to talk to Rachel to see if she has come across any more in-depth habitat descriptions.

12.6.07:

    In class today we had a chance to work on our websites. I found a few new sources and evaluated a website. I added also my sources so far into citation builder. Then, I talked to Rachel  about what to research tonight, and what sources she is using and which sources I am using. I will research the class of the bacillus lentimorbus.

    When I got home, I discovered my internet was not working. It is still barely wokring so I was not able to add to much to the site besides one picture. I also fixed the format on the website and added a bamboo skin. I will call rachel next to tell her about the internet problem and assure her that i will make up for my lack of work over the weekend. I will add to the website tomorrow during study  hall as much as I can and then make up for my lack of work over the weekend, even though Rachel and I are already ahead of schedule.

12.7.07:

    In class we started a new lab. We swabbed different types of bacteria and will see how they have grown over the weekend on Monday. Then, I answered the prelab questions that are homework over the weekend. Now all I have to do this weekend is continue to work on my wiki. Hopefully I can finish my basic research this weekend.

    After school, I worked on my project for a short amount of time because it is the start of the weekend. I found a new source and looked for pictures but I could not find any. I sited my new source and will email rachel about the source later. Tommorrow, I will work on my project for longer and then I can finish my research. On Sunday I plan to add a wordsearch as an extra item for my wiki.

12.8.07:

    Today I decided I would finish my research. Unfortunetly, I had a very hard time finding the problems associated with the loss of bacteria in the environment, and the history. I did, however, find the nutricional requirements and some history. I also added onto the habitat.

    I found several new websites. They did not help too much with the specific facts I needed to research today, however they will provide some interesting extra facts for me to add to the wiki later. Next week, after I have found all the information from these new websites I will site them, and evaluate them. I have also found many words to add to my word search that I will make tomorrow. I also need to call Rachel tomorrow, or just talk to her on Monday to see what progress she has made and see where our project stands.

12.9.07:

    Today I spent a while just reading more facts about my bacteria to recap some facts. I am beginning to understand my bacteria better. I also have a better clue about what I am researching. This makes my project more interesting and less confusing. I also looked for some more pictures to add later.

     Then, I also made my word search puzzle. It was difficult to make because the first time i tried, the website I was using did not let my copy and paste the word search into the wiki. The second time, however, it was much easier and i was able to make the word search very colorful. I used alot of vocabulary discribing my bacteria. Not only will this help the user who could use the word search to learn more about bacillus lentimorbus,  but it also helped me remember the facts about my bacteria.

 12.10.07:

     Today at school, Rachel and I finished our lab.  We also had to finish our post lab analysis questions. Then we began to talk about how the project is working. We agreed that she will spend friday night at my house so we can work on the project. This way we can put all the finishing touches on the website. We will alsodiscuss how to present the wiki on Monday.

     Tonight, I added two new pictures to the website. The first picture is of a bacillus cell under a microscope. It is really interesting because I can see the rod-shape. The second picture is a comparison of aerobic cells and anaerobic cells growing. My bacteria is an aerobic cell, so I could really see what this looks like.

12.11.07:

    Today in class, we had a work day for our projects. I researched more unusual and interesting facts for my wiki. I discovered how my bacteria is used for lawn care. I found several good sources on the free web to represent these facts. I also began to evaulate many of my free web websites.

    At home, I finished evaluating many websites. This took awhile because the evaluatin form is so long and in-depth. This also helped me narrow down which sites I should not use information from. Then, I added these sources into Source Aid. Now, my sources are up to date with the research I have completed.

12.12.07

    At school, Rachel and I both worked on an in-class lab and then on our website. I edited the side bar to separate the extra links from the required pages. I also added a few facts to my notes. Then, Rachel and I decided we should add a current events page. I decided that tonight I could look for current events and just put a simple summary on the page and add the link.

    At home, I found an interesting website on the free web about pesticides and our bacteria. It explained which types of bacteria are considered pesticides and which are not. Bacillus lentimorbus is not considered one, but rather a healthy option for insect control. I added this to my current events page, which I made tonight. Tomorrow, I plan to write some more free web evaluations, including one for this new website.

12.13.07:

    Today in class, Rachel and I finished the lab we started yesterday. This took the whole class period, so we did not get the chance to work on the website during class. We did, however, get the chance to brainstorm about presentation ideas and how to make our wiki seem more interesting. We have tried to add many exciting features to our website, and hopefully our classmates will enjoy it. We also talked about how to format our presentation evaluation form. We didn't really think of too many idea, and will work on that this weekend.

    In study hall, I looked up more interesting facts and learned more about the milky diseases our bacteria creates. I also added the website URLs below the photos after reading Ms. Janson's email when I got home. Next, I looked even harder for a current event of interesting fact, and found some interesting facts. Then, I filled out a website evaluation form. Tomorrow, Rachel is coming over and we will put the finishing touches on the wiki and create the evauation form for our peers to complete during the presentation.

12.14.07

    In class, Ms. Tucker explained the instructions for turning the website in over the weekend. This cleared up many unanswered questions we had for our website. WE learned of the foler we must turn in, and about the different evaulation forms. Then we finished our lab write-up, and frantically ran to the library to print it. This took up the rest of the period, and Rachel and I did not get a chance to talk about the website. However, she is at my house now to work on our website.

    Tonight, I finished up my notes, editing them for grammar and information. This required me to do a small amount of research on websites I had previously used. Then, I formatted the different pages of the website, some of which had become slightly messed up. Next, I am going to add most of my sources into source aid, and do the rest tomorrow. Our goal is to be able to turn in our wiki tomorrow afternoon, this will free up the rest of our weekend!

12.15.07

    Early this morning, I had ice skating practice, but when I returned, I got straight to work on finishing the website. First, I finished addind in all my websites to Source Aid. Then I added the bibliography into the wiki, and Rachel did the same. Next I evaluated the free web websites that I had not yet evaluated. This took a little while, but it was very relieving when I was finished. The website evaluations became very helpful to help me find useful websites!

    Later in the morning, Rachel and I both filled out out personal evaluation forms. Then we worked together to create the audience evaluation form. We picked out a really cute folder and were relieved to organize all the forms. I cannot believe this project is over, because it has been such a major priority for the past three weeks. I am actually looking forward to presenting this to my classmates because it will show that my hard work has paid off.