March 15, 2013 - LAST CLASS 44 minutes Internet Moment: Students had a chance to explore FreeRice.com today. This website, created by John Breen who also created Poverty.com, gives students and others a chance to practice their vocabulary skills while helping to support the United Nations World Food Programme.  After having time to use the site students were asked to prove whether or not this website was bogus or real. After doing some research we learned that though it is a legitimate website (according to snopes.com) another website called the Daily Cow claimed that FreeRice.com does not donate exactly 10 grains of rice for every correct answer. We then looked at a website about the 1993 Velcro Crop Failure in California. This bogus website and others like it serve as a good reminder to students that they have to be very skeptical of what they find online and to always independently verify the facts themselves. Make-up Time: Since this is our last class all students have time to make up any work they may have missed. All projects were handed back and students could submit anything they missed or re-submit a project that they hadn't finished for full credit.  Closure to Computer Class: Students were reminded that computers are constantly changing and that they had to learn to adjust to new programs, new hardware and new ways of using technology all the time. We are all constantly learning to adapt to new technology. March 13, 2013 104 minutes Internet Moment: Today we explored Google Sketchup which is a great example of a free CAD program.  CAD, or computer aided design/drafting, has become very common across many fields and students should have some knowledge of what 3D designing looks and feels like on a computer. Though it is available at school, Google Sketchup is a free download that students can download at home so they can continue to learn more about this important skill on their own. Editing With Microsoft Expression:  Today we opened the index pages in Microsoft's HTML editing program called Expression.  Previously we edited the HTML code in notepad.  Students were shown how to insert and modify a table, add hyperlinks and insert images.  Once finished the index page became the homepage for the "computer class portfolio" which included single file webpage versions of their various projects.  They then turned in their finished website by dragging and dropping their folder into the S: drive, hand-in folder. Website Editing Demonstration:  Mr. McNulty demonstrated how he updates the website for the Warminster Symphony Orchestra by editing the code in MS Expression.  He also demonstrated how he accesses the webserver in Utah and uploads the new index page.  Students were then able to see the change.  Mr. McNulty also demonstrated how he edits this TodayInComputerClass.com website using the Google Sites editor. Technology Current Event Video:  We finished class with a video about the development of the internet. March 11, 2013 44 minutes Student Presentations:  Each group presented their slide show to the class and several other teachers elsewhere in the world using ustream.tv.  We were fortunate to get some feedback from Tatyana Chernaya, a Special Education Teacher in Moscow, Russia who said that: "All the presentations were very interesting and looked nice on the screen."  You can view her English students' blogs here.  In the images below you can see a screen shot of each group.  Notice the difference that high contrast and a large font makes for an online audience.       Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy March 7, 2013 91 minutes  Technology Current Event Video: We ran out of time to complete this video about Google Apps and online collaboration. We will watch the rest of the video next class. March 5, 2013 104 minutes  Finish First Aid Posters:  All students had time to finish their First Aid Poster.  There was also a demonstration on how to use easybib.com.  Finished posters were printed in full color and turned in.  Click here to enlarge the project description. Office Yoga Stretch:  For our break today we practiced a Flexible Shoulder Stretch Exercise and then everyone had an opportunity to get up and move around.  Students are always reminded to take breaks and avoid spending too much time in front of a computer. Finish Basic HTML Project:  To finish the webpage we had started several classes ago we added some JavScript.  Students were shown how to access and copy script from DynamicDrive.com and insert it into their HTML code. Technology Current Event Video:  We watched a video from OnGuardOnline.gov about simple ways you can protect yourself online. March 1, 2013 94 minutes Internet Moment: Today our students were introduced to the "joy of statistics" by viewing GapMinder.org which is a free online resource where statistics from all around the world are presented in an easy to understand visual format. We looked at the "Wealth & Health of Nations" chart. As a demonstration of how the website works we tracked the life expectancy and income changes in the USA and China over the last 200 years.  We also looked at how 8th grade math scores and changing in Japan, Singapore, Columbia and the United States.  Students then had time to explore the website on their own.    Student Technology Use Survey:  This class was selected to participate in the 2013 Student Technology Use Survey.  This survey has been used to collect data from Newtown Middle School students since 2006 and after the survey we reviewed the Top 10 Trends in Student Technology Use. Technology Current Event Video: As a follow-up to the internet moment we watched a segment of video from the BBC about GapMinder.org. In the video Hans Rosling, the creator of Gap Minder demonstrated how you can use the resource to learn about important trends in 200 years of history in just 4 minutes. February 27, 2013 91 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. Time to finish the Full Page Ad Project:  Students had some time to finish and turn in the Publisher project we had started last class.  The World Wide Web in Plain English:  To wrap up the HTML activity today we watched a short video about how the world wide web works: February 25, 2013 104 minutes Internet Moment: As a follow-up to the video about PhotoSynth that we watched last class our students viewed 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 and a deep zoom image of Yosemite National Park in California. Time to finish the Brochure Project:  Some students needed a little extra time to finish and print the brochure project.  Technology Current Event Video:  To finish class today we watched a 2007 TED presentation by Blaise Aguera y Arcas who is one of the Microsoft project managers who involved in the technology that was demonstrated in our internet moment today.  In the video he demonstrated Photosynth. February 21, 2013 21 minutes* Internet Moment:  Today we talked about online education and students were shown two websites that were examples of free online education at the college level:  The Open Courseware Consortium and Edx.org. Technology Current Event Video:  We watched two short videos from MSNBC to finish class today.  One video was about a Google Glasses. * Class time was shorter today due to an 8th grade assembly February 19, 2013 91 minutes  Internet Moment:  Today students had an opportunity to play a financial education game from Visa called:  Financial Football. Students had 5 minutes to play the game which involved answering multiple choice questions that tested their financial literacy.  They were also reminded to check out PracticalMoneySkills.com on their own.Finish the Brochure Project:  All students had time to finish this project after a quick review about copyright laws and how to find copyright free images using Google Images advanced search.  Students were also shown how to print their brochure double sided, also know as duplex printing.  Each student also had an opportunity to review a rough draft of their work with the teacher before submitting a final copy for grading.  A few students will need to print this project next class. Office Yoga Break:  For our break today practiced a simple neck stretch and then students had some time to get up, move around, and do a gallery walk to see how other students were doing this project. Technology Current Event Video:  We watched a video from the BBC about the My Key system available on Ford vehicles to monitor young drivers. February 13, 2013 104 minutes Internet Moment:  Today we looked at two online resources for fonts.  DaFont.com offers almost 19,000 fonts that are either freeware, shareware, demo versions or public domain.  These fonts can be downloaded and installed but students were also shown how they can use the Snipping Tool to get images of the fonts they might like.  Students were also shown YourFonts.com as an example of an online font generator that they could use to create their own font.  Office Yoga Break:  Students are always reminded to not spend too much time in front of computers.  Today we practiced a simple yoga stretch for your shoulder and arm and then students had some time to get up and move around.  Technology Current Event Video:  We watched a short video from MSNBC about a new email app for iPhones. February 11, 2013 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.  Students were also shown hoe to access the Google News Archives and we did a search to find out about a major snow storm in 1964 that resulted in 250 students being snowed in at our school  overnight.Publisher Logo Project: We started with an introduction to MS Publisher 2012 and a description of why learning basic graphic design skills is important in communicating your ideas effectively. Students then became familiar with Publisher 2010 by making a simple logo. We saved this project and will share them next class.   Click here to enlarge the project description. Fonts Presentation:  Students were shown how different fonts developed, the two basic font families and the best used for different fonts. Font Conference Video:  As a follow-up to our last activity (the Font Guide Project) we watched a short video from College Humor about a fictitious "Font Conference": February 7, 2013 91 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.  This was of particular interest today as a major Nor-Easter storm might develop this weekend.  Assign Seats:  All students have an assigned seat/computer in the computer lab. 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. 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. Setting up Student Passwords: Each student was reminded about how to create a new password today and we discussed some good password practices. Student passwords must fit the following parameters:
 Technology Current Event Video:  To finish class today we watched the second half of a TED presentation by Juan Enriquez about some of the mind boggling science that is currently under development. February 5, 2013 74 minutes* Internet Moment:  Students were shown TodayInComputerClass.com and told that they can check here anytime to review what work was done in class.  We also discussed what a web log or blog was, how blogs developed into microblogs like Twitter and how this website is a blog for our class.  Students were also told that their parents will be sent an email with a link to this website so they can also review what we are doing in computer class each day.  Technology Current Event Video: Today we watched a video that was a follow-up to a TED Video shown to most 7th grade classes last year about 6th Sense Technology. In this new video the ideas of MIT Media Lab student Pranav Mistry are developed further. * Class time was shorter today due to a fire drill February 2, 2013 44 minutes 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. Pixlr.com Project: Students were shown how to use the online photo editor http://www.pixlr.com to edit a photograph. Students then shared their modified photos using various district network resources and demonstrated basic skills such as drag & drop. The best use of the H:, S: & X: drives was also explained.  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 above.  Click to enlarge.  Next class we will use this survey as the outline for a presentation about basic computer knowledge. We did not start the presentation today.  Technology Current Event Video:  At then end of most computer classes we watch a current event video about an emerging technology or trend.  Today's video was inspired by a presentation that was created by a high school teacher in Colorado, Mr. Karl Fisch. Here is a link to his blog:  THE FISCHBOWL for more information. |
