ESUSD ePortfolios

Search this site

Recent site activity

Server Instructions

All students have been provided a User Volume on the server which they can access with their username and password. That Volume can be found under Users. Teachers cannot see those student files through the Finder.

Another folder has been set up on the server called PortfolioWork. Students can open only their own folders, but Teachers can open all folders.

To Log into the xServe through the Finder

  • In the Finder, select the Go Menu
  • Select Connect to Server (using the appropriate link below) and click Connect
  • Select the specific volume that you want to appear in the Finder.
    • The Users volume contains the student's own files, not accessible by the teacher.
    • The PortfolioWork volume contains a folder that both the students and teachers have read/write privileges.
  • Files can be dragged and dropped into the appropriate folders on the server from the computer desktop.
  • Teachers can open student files and provide feedback, either using Comments in a Word or Powerpoint file, or as a separate file saved in the folder. These comments may only be read by the student.

Publishing Student Portfolios through their Sites Folders

Students may use a web editing tool (iWeb or Dreamweaver) to create a website and save it to a folder. The student can then upload those files to the Sites Folder in their User Volume.

To access student web pages, access the following address using your web browser:

http://x#.esusd.org/~username/
(use # for school server--see above - use tilde key before student's user name)

Your browser will open whatever file is in the Sites folder with the name index.html.

NOTE: these web pages may only be viewed from inside the school network. They are not accessible on the public Internet.

Creating a Group Wiki and Blog on the xServe using Leopard Server

Each group can have their own group wiki and blog on the xServe. What are the differences between wikis and blogs?

A blog is like a diary or journal, with entries that are arranged in the order in which they were created. A wiki, on the other hand, contains shared content that doesn't appear in chronological order. The type of information you want to put on your site will help determine whether it appears in a wiki or in a blog.

Blogs are best for news or for a reflective journal. Entries appear in the order in which they were created, with the most recent entry appearing first. Only the most current entries appear on the main page of the blog. Older entries are still available, and can be found and viewed by searching or navigating using the date controls.

Wikis are best for group collaboration and research. Wiki pages can easily link to each other. When you create new wiki pages, they are instantly available for searching and for other pages to link to.

Mac OS X Server includes both a group wiki and a group blog. Users can also publish their own personal blog using web services associated with their server account (see the next set of instructions below).
- from the Wiki Help files
  • With your web browser, browse to your http:// xServe web address (noted above)
  • Select your Group as listed on the screen (you will need to log in with your username and password)
  • Select wiki or blog
    NOTE: these are shared spaces within each group.
    The wiki can be used to construct shared web pages.
    The blog can be used to construct a group blog (for individual blogs, see below)
    • The Pencil button means "Edit this page"
    • The + button means "Create a new page"
    • The - button means "Delete this page" (which can be reversed!)

Creating Individual Blogs on the xServe using Leopard Server

Each individual can have their own private blog on the xServe. For the purpose of ePortfolios, these individual blogs would be used as a reflective journal, which can be shared with other students and teachers. Feedback can be given on each blog entry. This feedback (in the form of Comments) is public (to all users of the ESUSD school site only).
  • With your web browser, browse to your http:// xServe web address (noted above)
  • Select Users  (you will need to log in with your username and password)
  • Select Create Your Weblog
  • The same buttons work in the blog, but only the blog owner can edit the blog entries. Anyone may read and comment on a blog entry. The blog owner can decide whether to keep or delete the comments.
    • The Pencil button means "Edit this page"
    • The + button means "Create a new page"
    • The - button means "Delete this page" (which can be reversed!)
  • Commands in a blog entry screen: