Excel Pie Chart Project:  Students created a data table of the different elementary schools we all went to and the number of students that attended each school.  Then each student created a pie chart of the data and formatted it for printing in black and white.  Click here to enlarge the project description.

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December 4, 2012
104 minutes

Internet Moment:  Today we experimented with Virtual Keyboard as an example of a free online music resource.  Students had an opportunity to explore their musical talent.

Finish History of Computers Slide Shows:  Each team had some time to complete their slide shows using Google Presentation.  We then downloaded the slideshows 

as a PowerPoint.  Each group then had 10 minutes to make any final adjustments to their shows and to practice their presentations.

History of Computers Presentations:  After practicing we started the student presentations.  All 5 groups did their presentations today.  You can see images of some of the groups presenting to the right.  During the presentations the rest of the class completed an online peer evaluation survey to give feedback to the presenters. The student presentations were also broadcast over the internet using Ustream.tv so other teachers elsewhere in the world and in our school could view the presentations.  The groups received good feedback from Mrs. Troxel in our building and from teachers in Lithuania and Germany who were invited to watch the presentations.  Mr. Marx, a math teacher from the Realschule in Sundern, Germany, took some time to skype with our class to give our students some specific ideas to help them improve their presentations.  Students were reminded that this would probably not be the last time they participate in a presentation that was broadcast through the internet.

Technology Current Event Video:  We watched a short video from the Corning Company that highlights what computer interfaces might look like in the future.  The video depicted a collection of technologies that already existed or were under development.

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November 30, 2012
44 minutes

Typing Practice:  Students were given some time today to retest their typing speed at typingtest.com.  Most students showed some improvement since the first class.

Start History of Computers Slide Show - Students started their final PowerPoint project which is a 6-8 slide show that they will present to the class.  Students work in groups of 4-5 and used the internet for research, easybib.com for their works cited, and a blank Google Presentations that was provided by the teacher to collaborate on their finished show.  Students were shown how to collaborate and use the chat feature in Google Presentation to communicate and they were challenged to think about how they could use online presentation software like this to collaborate on future projects at home.

Technology Current Event Video:  We finished class with a video about how simple robots are being used in England to help educate autistic children.  Unfortunately the sound didn't work today.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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November 28, 2012
94 minutes

Internet Moment:  Our students watched a presentation about how VOIP and webcams are combined to make video chatting possible.  Streaming video from the internet was demonstrated and we watched live video from Cocoa Beach in Florida.  The increased use of security cameras was discussed and we also discussed privacy rights and exactly where people should not be video recorded.  We also visited EarthCam.com to view some online webcams from all around the world.

Formal Interviewing Using Skype:  Our students practiced formal interviewing techniques by Skyping with Mr. McCutcheon, a teacher at Archie Stouffer Elementary School in Minden, Ontario, Canada.  We learned about their weather, his school, and  his students.  Mr. McCutcheon's students then asked us some questions about our community.  Before the interview we talked about the differences between web chatting with friends and participating in a formal video conference.  As a group we prepared a list of things to do and not to do in a formal interview.  We also prepared our questions in advance so we could learn more about Mr. McCutcheon and his school.  After the interview we reviewed what went well and what we could improve next time.

Finish PowerPoint Projects:  Students completed their Day at School PowerPoint presentations.  We did a final evaluation rubric and activity and then the projects were turned in using our network.

Technology Current Event Video:  At the end of class we watched a short video about job interview techniques using webcams.

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November 26, 2012
104 minutes

Internet Moment:  Today students were introduced to the idea of online education by exploring the Open Course Ware that is available from the Massachusetts Institute of Tech- nology.  Students were shown a presentation about college that included vocabulary terms such as major, syllabus, and different higher education degrees (associates, bachelors, masters and doctorate).  We then went to ocw.mit.edu and students selected a program to explore from the courses by department.  As an example of a college level lecture we visited Physics I:  Classical Mechanics by Professor Walter Lewin.  We tried a sample exam and watched part of Lecture 11:  Work, Energy, and Gravitation.  You can view the last segment of the lecture that we watched in the video above.  Each student then had some time to explore the website on their own and they were encouraged to check it out at home also.

Continue PowerPoint Project:  Students worked on their 6-9 slide show for the 6th graders.   Students added narration to their slide shows today.  We also did a peer evaluation activity so students could share ideas about how to improve each  shows.

Technology Current Events Video:  As a follow-up to our Internet Moment about online education at the college level we watched a video from 60 Minutes about KhanAcademy.org which offers free 10 minute video lectures in mathematics and many other academic subjects.

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November 19, 2012
44 minutes*

Internet Moment:  Today we explored Google Earth and discussed how a 3 dimensional virtual environment can be used to augment human memory.  We started by discussing how people had to memorize much more before technology gave us so may ways to store information (books, calendars, pictures, the internet...).  Students were introduced to the memory palace or method of loci as an effective way to use 3 dimensional visual imagery to help you remember large amounts of information.  We then talked about how the most popular video games that students play are so engaging because of the 3 dimensional visual imagery that is used in them.  Students then opened Google Earth and we began a tour of the earth and the moon.  The whole class followed a specific list of locations.  Afterwards students were challenged to list everywhere they had gone and what they had seen on their tour of the 3 dimensional visual imagery in Google Earth.  This activity helped to demonstrate the effectiveness of using 3D spatial references, such as the virtual environment of Google Earth, to augment memory.  

During the Holiday Break:  Students were encouraged to download Google Earth at home over the Thanksgiving break and spend some time learning some geography.

* class time was shorter today due to the half-day conference schedule

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November 15, 2012
94 minutes

Internet Moment:  Students explored Google Books as a resource for free ebooks and they were shown how to search the text of a book.  The legal controversy surrounding the Google Books Project and copyright laws as well as the settlement to date was also discussed.  Downloading ebooks from Google Books to various devices such as ebook readers, tablets, computers and smart phones was also discussed.

Continue PowerPoint Project:  Students had some time to complete their 6-9 slide show.  Students then were introduced to using action settings and internal hyperlinks by taking a survey that was made in PowerPoint.  The computer term "infinite loop" was also introduced as part of this demonstration.  For our break today we did a gallery walk which gave students an opportunity to share their shows with one another.  Students also added the following to their shows today: a Table of Contents, action buttons, a video, and a custom shaped start button using edit points.

Technology Current Event Video:  We watched two videos today from NBC News about ebook readers and tablet computers.  The first video was about the drop off in sales of ereaders and the second video was about the use of tablet computers to make reading easier for people with vision impairments.  

Google Gadget - "Embed gadget"

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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November 13, 2012
104 minutes

Internet Moment:  Today we explored Google Maps.  We started by finding our school on the map and experimenting with getting directions.  Next we headed to Las Vegas, NV to check the traffic and weather.  We then used the 3D directions to see what a trip to Bryce Canyon in Utah would look like.  We then went to Singapore to see street views of the city and explore it in 3D.  Finally, students had some time to explore the world on their own.

PowerPoint Introduction: Almost all students identified that they had suffered through some bad PowerPoint presentations in the past.  As a catharsis activity we made a list of all the bad & ugly things our students have seen in PowerPoint. We then prepared a short list of good things to do in PowerPoint. View a sample T-chart here. 

A Day At School PowerPoint Presentation:  Students started a 6-9 slide show about a topic that they are all experts at, being 7th graders at Newtown Middle School.  These shows are made for 6th graders who will be transitioning to our school next September.  After making the first 6 slides students were shown how to make adjustments to their entire show using the slide master.  Click here to enlarge the project description.  

Office Yoga Break:  Students are always reminded to not spend too much time in front of computers and to take breaks every 30-40 minutes.  Today we practiced a simple yoga stretch for your neck.

Technology Current Event Video:  To finish class today we watched a TED presentation by Blaise Aguera y Arcas, a software engineer at Microsoft, about creating augmented reality maps.

Google Gadget - "Include gadget (iframe)"

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November 9, 2012
24 minutes*

Internet Moment:  In continuing with the theme of protecting yourself online students were shown the website OnGuardOnline.gov and given an opportunity to try some of the games in the Video & Media section.  Some of games were:  Phishing Scams, Invasion of the Wireless Hackers, Cyber Criminal & Invest Quest.

Finish Internet Treasure Hunt:  We finished this project today by editing all the hyperlinks so they would appear as words in a sentence.  Students then saved their Word document as a single file webpage.

Technology Current Event Video:  To finish class today we watched a video from the Today Show about protecting yourself from online hackers.  This was a follow-up to OnGuardOnline.gov which we had started class with.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

* Class time was shorter today due to a fire drill

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November 7, 2012
91 minutes

Internet Moment:  Today our students had an opportunity to view zoom.it which demonstrates Windows Azure and Microsoft Silverlight to create very large images that you can easily pan and zoom through.  As an example of a zoom.it project students checked out the NMS Mosaic Project.

Finish Gettysburg Address Project:  All students finished, printed and turned in this project today.  

Office Yoga Break:  During long classes like this one students are always reminded to take breaks and get exercise.  Students shouldn't spend more than 30-40 minutes in front of a computer without taking a break.  For our break today we practiced a simple office yoga stretch.

Internet Treasure Hunt:  Students began using Word to make a simple webpage that is made up of hyperlinks to the internet.  Working with a partner in the class, students found the answers to 6 questions and then shared the web addresses using either the X: drive, email or an etherpad website.  Students were shown how to use piratepad.net as an example of an etherpad.  This project checks for internet searching skills, inserting and editing hyperlinks and introduces web based collaboration.  Click here to enlarge the project description.

Technology Current Event Video:  Today we watched a Wall Street Journal review of the new Google Chrome Netbook computer.

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November 2, 2012
104 minutes

Internet Moment:  Students were shown Weather.gov (the National Weather Service) as an example of a huge online database that's full of real-time and archived information.  We checked our local weather and spent a few minutes checking the satellite images and Doppler radar for the whole United States.  Students were also shown how to access the hourly weather graphs for our area to get precipitation predictions.

Finish Business Letter:  Once we regained access to our H: drive students completed and printed the Business Letter Project that was started last class.  

Office Yoga Break:  Whenever we have a long class students are reminded that they should limit their time on computers and take breads every 30-40 minutes.  For our break today students practiced a simple yoga stretch that can help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.

Word Logo Project:  To get more familiar with the drawing and graphics tools in Word students were asked to create a unique logo as if they were starting their own business.  A slideshow of corporate, athletic and national logos was presented to help students understand what a logo was and what visual communication is all about.  We finished this activity with a gallery walk which gave students an opportunity to see each others work.  Click here to view the project description.

Final Word Project:  The overall   goal of teaching Word in computer class is to make sure that when students have an idea for a project they are able to make it in word and print it so it looks just the way they imagined it.  For the final Word project students are supplied with a specifically laid out version of the Gettysburg Address and they have to make one that looks just like it.  The concept of public domain vs. copyright protected was also discussed.  Click here to enlarge project description.

Technology Current Event Video:  We watched two short videos from NBCNEWS.com.  The first one was about the new Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and the second one was about the recently released iPad mini.

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October 29 & 31, 2012
Classes Cancelled due to storm damage in our area.

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October 25, 2012
104 minutes

Internet Moment:  Students were shown this website (TodayInComputerClass.com) and told that they can check here anytime to review what work was done in class.  Their parents will also be sent an email with a link to this website so they can also review what we are doing in computer class every day.

Business Letter #1:  Students practiced their typing and formatting skills in Word by typing a block format business letter.  This project required students to  demonstrate a list of basic word processing skills that included:  changing fonts, the size of letters, line spacing and making a bullet list.  This project also introduced students to formal business communications as it is a Block formatted business letter that they had to re-type.  Most students will finish this project next class.  Click here to enlarge the project description.

Assigned Seats:  All students have an assigned seat/computer in computer class.  Students have a responsibility to report any problems with the machine they have been assigned.  In this way we all participate in maintaining our school computers.

Typing Test:  All students took a typing test using http://www.typingtest.com.  Each student had 10 minutes to take the 1 minute test multiple times.  Their best adjusted speed was recorded and graphed in an Excel spreadsheet.  The average typing speed for this class was:  36.2 WPM  Click here for more information about typing speeds at Newtown Middle School.  

Business Letter #2:  Students practiced professional communication and typing by making a second block format business letter.  To make this letter students started by copying text from Business Letter #1.   We only started this project today and will finish it next class.  Click here to view the project description.

Technology Current Event Video:  We watched a video from CNN Money about the new Windows 8 operating system which will be released tomorrow, October 26th.

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October 23, 2012
44 minutes

Internet Moment:  Google News - Students were shown how to use this popular news aggregator to find current event stories and how to search the news for topics that interest them or might be required for another subject area.

Finished Introduction to Computer Class Presentation:  Today we finished the second part of the presentation based on the student computer knowledge survey.  This introductory lecture covers basic background information that every student should know about computers such as the development of desktop computers (Apple, IBM & Microsoft), internet connection options and speeds, and protecting yourself online.  See the video below for a summary of the entire presentation.

Introduction to Computer Class Presentation:
Technology Current Events Video:  We watched a TED presentation by Pattie Maes, from the M.I.T. Media Lab, about a possible future computer concept that was being developed by one of her graduate students, Pranav Mistery.

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October 19, 2012

Introduction to Basic Computer Skills Class: Basic rules and classroom procedures were explained.  Students were specifically reminded that because technology is constantly changing they should get into the habit of helping each other out and demonstrating the ability to learn new computer skills through experimentation.  All students reported that they had helped an adult with computer skills but they also need to get used to helping each other.

Log On & Explore:  All students were given time to explore the start menu and the various programs available to them at school. 

MS Paint Project:  Students were shown how to open and use MS paint to make a simple drawing.  Students then shared their drawings using various district network resources and basic skills such as  saving to a network drive and using drag & drop.  The best use of the H: & X: drives was also explained.

CRSD Acceptable Use Policy:  Students were shown how to access the CRSD Acceptable Use Policy and they were reminded that they are in a network environment where their actions on the computer can be easily tracked.

Middle School Technology Use Video:  Information about the Council Rock School District Acceptable Use Policy, and a quick review of the Facebook Privacy Policy.

Computer Class Survey:  All students take a computer class survey.  The results of this survey are used to guide the instruction for the class.  You can view the survey to the right.  Click to enlarge.  We then used the survey as the outline for the following presentation which we started today. 

Technology Current Event:  Most classes end with a current event video.  Today's video was inspired by an original presentation created by a high school teacher in Colorado, Karl Fisch.  Here is a link to his blog:  THE FISCHBOWL for more information.