Guestbook
Q: Why doesn't my entry show up in the Guestbook right away?
A: Sometimes the MY HERO "Swearing Screener" software will pick up on words with double meanings and send entries to a holding folder for staff to review. The staff reviews entries several times everyday and activates all appropriate entries.
Q: How are inappropriate Guestbook entries screened and prevented from being launched live?
A: MY HERO uses very sophisticated and sensitive "Swearing Screener" software to screen entries to the Guestbook.
Q: What kinds of entries are deleted from the Guestbook?
A: Entries that contain swearing, and promote violence and hatred. Sometimes the staff will delete personal information such as last names and birthdates to protect someone's identity.
Q: Will you activate Guestbook entries written in a language other than English?
A: Unfortunately at this time, due to limited translation support, we are unable to publish Guestbook entries written in languages other than English or Spanish. For Spanish entries, use MI HEROE, the Spanish version of the Web site.
Q: What is the purpose of the Guestbook?
A: The Guestbook is an interactive journal designed for students to post brief entries to honor their hero.
Q: What is the difference between the Guestbook and the Create Program?
A: The Guestbook gives students the opportunity to write brief comments about their hero while the Create Program gives students the opportunity to build a Web page about their hero with text, images and links.
Create
Q: What is the timeline for activating stories once they have been submitted to MY HERO?
A: Due to the high volume of stories being submitted to MY HERO, please allow approximately two weeks for stories to be activated and launched live on the site.
Q: Is there ever an occasion when a student's essay would not be published?
A: MY HERO will not knowingly publish any essay that has been plagiarized or that promotes hatred, prejudice, or violence.
Q: What if I get stuck uploading images to my Web page and my account freezes or refuses to work?
A: Send an email to support@myheroproject.org describing the problem. Attach your images as JPEGs or snail mail them to MY HERO and we will upload them for you. Our mailing address is:
The MY HERO Project
1278 Glenneyre #286
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Be sure to include the name of your hero in your email.
Q: How do you determine who wins a T-shirt Prize?
A: The MY HERO staff reviews every story submitted to the site and selects stories that are not only well-written, but also speak to the heart of both the writer and the reader.
Q: How do you notify students that their stories have been chosen to be featured on the Web site?
A: Usually students use their teacher's email address, so we will notify teachers when their students' stories are going to be featured on the Web site.
Q: Should I submit a Spanish-language story to MY HERO or MI HEROE?
A: Submit Spanish-language stories to MI HEROE, the Spanish version of the Web site.
Q: Can I use html code to embed links in my paragraphs and to format my Web page?
A: Yes, but keep in mind that MY HERO will not link to any commercial Web sites that have pop-up windows or that are not appropriate for all ages.
Q: Why do the hero categories repeat when I do a hero search on the homepage?
A: The hero categories repeat because they are divided into "featured" stories and "stories from our guests." The list of featured stories always appears first.
Q: What is the difference between a "featured" story and "stories from our guests?"
A: Stories are "featured" when they are exceptionally well-written, inspiring, accurate, have an original voice, and exemplify the mission of MY HERO. Students whose stories are featured receive a t-shirt prize.
Q: How do you check a student's story for plagiarism?
A: We simply copy/paste a sentence or two of the student's essay into the Google search engine and see what comes up.
Q: When do you check a student`s story for plagiarism?
A: We generally check for plagiarism if the student`s writing seems a little "different" than his/her personal style of writing, which is usually found in the introductory and concluding paragraphs. We are happy to accept published sentences, or even a small paragraph, if the work is properly credited to its original source and if the majority of the story is in the student`s own words. What we at MY HERO like best is to hear how a hero inspires the student personally.
Q: What do I do if I run into technical problems using the Create Program with my students?
A: We are here to support teachers who use this free, collaborative project in their classroom. Please email us at myhero@myheroproject.org about technical problems you encounter using MY HERO. Be as specific as possible and include URLs.
Q: Do you suggest using the Create template to draft an essay or do you recommend writing an essay and saving it as a Word doc first?
A: We encourage students to keep a record of their work by drafting their essays and saving them in a Word doc, and then to copy and paste them into the Create template.
Gallery
Q: Can I create my original art directly on the MY HERO Gallery Create template?
A: At this time, you will need to upload a JPEG or a TIFF or a GIF to add your original art to the Gallery. There is no program to actually compose art on the MY HERO Web site at this time. Use your digital camera or scanner or Adobe Photoshop program to add your art to the Gallery.
Q: How do I access the database of MY HERO Virtual Gallery art?
A: Click on SEARCH GALLERY at the top of the Gallery page to see a menu by medium, artist, etc.
Q: How can registered guests add text to their original artwork?
A: Once you have uploaded your original image, you will see a space provided for a title, caption and description. Please utilize these areas when writing text to accompany your original art.
Q: What kinds of hero images are appropriate for the Gallery?
A: Original portraits of personal or community heroes and/or depictions of heroic events make excellent hero art subjects. In addition, artworks that symbolize the characteristics of heroism that we all admire (i.e., extraordinary courage, responsibility for another, consideration for the planet) are also acceptable.
Q: When can I view my hero art online in the Gallery?
A: After the Gallery Curator has reviewed your art entries and approved them for online exhibition.
Q: Can I upload more than one artwork for exhibition?
A: Yes, as long as your work is original. We accept five individual works per participating artist.
Film Festival
Q: Will MY HERO accept films in a language other than English?
A: Yes, if you also submit a version with English subtitles.
Q: How do I submit a film to the Short Film Festival?
A: You must apply by following the "Short Films" link and then follow the directions under the "submit film" link. Mail your film in as a Quicktime file burned to a disc to:
The MY HERO Project
1278 Glenneyre #286
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Q: Can I send a DVD that will play when it is put in a player?
A: No. Please send data DVDs only by burning a Quicktime or Mpeg file to the disc.
Q: Does my film have to be about a hero?
A: No. You can make a film about the concept of heroism as well.
Q: Can I send you a movie longer than ten minutes?
A: Yes, you can, but please be aware that MY HERO may ask you to re-edit your project, take a smaller section of it, or split it into two parts for use on the website. We ask that submissions be ten minutes or less due to bandwidth constraints.
Q: If all of my students each want to submit a film, do I have to send in an entry fee for every one of them?
A: MY HERO is happy to waive fees for classes ~ please contact us directly at media@myheroproject.org to discuss your situation.
Teacher's Room
Q: How can MY HERO be integrated into my classroom curriculum?
A: A number of lesson plans are available in the Teacher`s Room to assist you in integrating MY HERO in your curriculum. The Organizer program is helpful in organizing content on the Web site for topic or theme-related lessons in a variety of disciplines.
Q: I have applied for an educator account so that I can use the Organizer with my class. However, I teach at two institutions and wish to use The MY HERO Project for both institutions. Do I need to get an account for each institution, or can I use one account for both?
A: We would prefer that each school be registered separately under your name so that we can establish the correct information unique to that school. However, if this causes you any difficulty, we would be glad to work around this for you.
Organizer
Q: How do I create an index page of content on MY HERO?
A: Register for an Organizer account and then use the Directory of hero stories as a springboard to build a page of stories for lesson plans in every subject area. A step-by-step online tutorial is available to guide you in building your Organizer page.
Q: Why would I want to use the Organizer program?
A: The Organizer is a tool that allows you to create a customized index page of your students` MY HERO stories, artwork and short films so students can share their work with their classmates and families. Your Organizer page can also be linked to your school Web site or classroom page.
Q: Will the Organizer program work for students` artwork submitted to the Gallery, and short films?
A: Yes, the Organizer is designed to index students` activated MY HERO artwork and short films in addition to activated stories on the site.
Q: What do I do if I forget my password?
A: Email myhero@myheroproject.org.
Q: Who do I contact if I am having difficulties using the Organizer program?
A: Email your question(s) to myhero@myheroproject.org.
Q: Why would a student`s completed hero story not come up when I do a search?
A: Completed and incomplete stories are kept in our "Unsubmitted Folder" with a pending code until students click on "Submit" to officially submit their work for review and activation by the MY HERO staff. Stories in the "Unsubmitted Folder" can only be accessed by the author with his/her username and password.
Q: Can I edit or add more stories to my Organizer page once it has been activated on the MY HERO Web site?
A: Yes. Simply go to the Teacher`s Room and log in with your username and password to update your Organizer page.
Library
Q: How do you decide which book comments to activate?
A: Typically, only comments about books, not the heroes themselves, are activated.
Q: Do you publish book comments written in another language?
A: Yes, however, we are only able to publish book comments in Spanish at the present time.
Q: Do you ever publish negative book comments?
A: Yes, if they are not mean spirited and they are thoughtfully written.
Q: Does the Library sell books from its collection?
A: No. MY HERO recommends that you visit your local library or bookstore to check-out or purchase a book.
Newswire
Q: How do you choose what news stories to feature on the homepage?
A: MY HERO chooses AP stories that feature heroes around the world, as well as stories based on heroic themes and works.
Forum
Q: Are there other Forum topics besides "How Do We Choose Our Heroes?"
A: Yes. If you scroll to the bottom of the Forum page, you will find other featured topics.
Q: Are Forum entries posted live?
A: Yes.
Q: How are inappropriate Forum entries screened and prevented from being launched live?
A: MY HERO uses very sophisticated and sensitive "Swearing Screener" software to screen entries to the Forum.
Q: What kinds of entries are screened/deleted from the Forum?
A: Entries that contain swearing, and/or promote violence and hatred.
