Plug-n-Play Applet Integration and Design is a staff development program for teachers who have experience in creating web projects and are seeking ways to add interactive components to their projects or to student-created projects. In this 1.5 hour session, participants will

• learn about the general similarities and differences between CGI scripts, Java, Active X, JavaScript and other client-server scripting/programming languages (short PowerPoint presentation - 10 minutes).
• be provided with a variety of existing educational applets to evaluate and links to sites for more in-depth information (hands on web activities - 15 minutes / post session)
• download example Java class files and learn how to embed them within their own web documents and change relative parameters. (hands on web activities -30 minutes)
• learn about intellectual property rights involved when embedding downloaded scripts or applets. (links to web presentation - 5 minutes / post session)
• break into small groups and discuss opportunities for embedding interactive applets and scripts within projects and student projects. (small group discussion - 15 minutes)
• submit ideas and a design for an applet or script that they would like to have at their disposal. (small groups or individuals - 15 minutes / post session)
• Answer a short evaluation during small group discussions. (online evaluations)

This session will be first implemented on Tuesday, July 21st during the NCSA Summer Conference for Educators, at which time approximately 20 educators will participate in these hands-on activities.

There are several things that I will need complete prior to the July 21st session, including:

• The introductory PowerPoint presentation that will briefly and visually point out the differences between the scripting/programming languages. The purpose of this short presentation is to introduce the idea of Java technologies in a general manner. Previous conference activities will be setting the stage for this session and most of these teachers will have prior experience with Java technologies.
• creating a web site with links to approximately 10 applets and in-depth information sites for participant perusal. This will be a web site with a variety of applets pertaining to a number of subject areas and grade levels. The purpose is to provide a launching pad for ideas as well as links that may be revisited for more in-depth information that they may wish to search at a later time.
• creating a lesson that shows participants how to download 2 applets and embed them within their pages. The first will be a simple, one class file applet that is simply downloaded and added using the applet tag. The second will be a multiple class files applet that also has parameters that may be adapted through the acompanying html file. The third will be a random applet that is downloaded as a large group.
• creating a list of "do's and don'ts when downloading applets" that will help explain the need to respect intellectual property rights.
• creating a small number of questions to begin small group discussions.
• creating an online evaluation.
• providing a repository for future applet idea submissions.

The future of this session:

This session is designed specifically for teachers with a higher degree of prior knowledge in terms of using network applications and developing web-based curriculum projects. This session would be more effective as a two-hour session, giving the participants plenty of time to explore. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, only 1.5 hours is available during the NCSA Summer Conference. The district that I will be implementing this in the future (like many school districts) divides their staff development sessions in 2 hour blocks, which lends itself well to the design of this session.

As suggested applet designs are submitted, there are two options that I intend to follow:

1. Search for programming resources to develop the proposed applets and maintain a clearinghouse for the completed applets.
2. Search for funding sources to hire programmers to develop the proposed applets and maintain a clearinghouse for the completed applets.