March 27, 2014 104 minutes Student Presentations: Students were given about 10 minutes to organize themselves before we started the presentations.  The presentations were then broadcast live through the internet using Usteam.com so other teachers elsewhere in the world and our building could watch.   During the presentations our students in the classroom audience completed an online survey to give the presenters immediate feedback about their performance. Feedback appeared as bar charts at the bottom of this webpage.  In the images below you can see screen shots of the groups as they presented online.  Notice the difference that high contrast and a large font makes for an online audience. (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.3.8.B, 15.3.8.E, 15.3.8.G, 15.3.8.H, 15.3.8.S, 15.3.8.U, 15.3.12.W, 15.3.8.X, 15.4.8.A, 15.4.8.D, 15.4.8.G, 15.4.8.K)  Make-up Time: Since this is our last class all students had 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. 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.  Students were reminded that they have to be very skeptical of what they find online and to always independently verify the facts themselves. 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.  They we would meet again next year for their second and final required computer class here at Council Rock. March 24, 2014 44 minutes  Student Presentations: Students had time today to finish and practice their presentations. Students were also shown  a presentation about time management, group projects and the business concept of "Man Hours".  All shows were downloaded as PowerPoint presentations and each group had some time to practice presenting.  Next class we will do the actual presentations and they will be broadcast online using Ustream.com.  Click here to enlarge the project description.  (PA-BCIT Standards:  15.3.8.E, 15.3.8.G, 15.3.8.H, 15.3.8.M, 15.4.8.G, 15.4.8.K, 15.4.5.A, 15.4.8.D, 15.4.8.F, 15.3.8.S, 15.3.8.U, 15.3.12.W) Technology Current Event Video: We finished by watching part of Don McMillan's famous presentation: Life after Death by PowerPoint. This was the video we would have watched at the end of last class. (PA-BCIT Standard:  15.3.8.D) March 21, 2014 64 minutes* Internet Moments:  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.  Students were also shown what a book scanner looks like.  (PA-BCIT Standards:  15.5.8.K, 15.7.8.K, 15.9.8.M, 15.8.8.C) Turn in the Day At School Slideshows:  Students were shown how to turn in their slideshow using our network drives.  All students dragged and dropped their completed PowerPoint shows into the appropriate network folder.  Click here to enlarge the project description.  (PA-BCIT Standards:  15.2.5.M, 15.2.5.L, 15.3.8.A, 15.3.8.E, 15.3.8.G, 15.3.8.H, 15.4.8.G, 15.4.8.K, 15.3.8.X, 15.3.8.S, 15.3.8.U)  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.   In this project students were introduced to online collaboration using Google Drive.  Students were shown how to create and share a Google Presentation and how to collaborate and use the chat feature in Google Presentation to communicate.  Students were shown the 12-12-12 Project that was created by over 30 teachers from all over the world using Google Drive and they were challenged to think about how they could use online collaboration tools like this to work with other students from all over the world in the future.  Unfortunately we had some difficulties with using Google Drive in Firefox today and students only had a few minutes to get started with the project.  Click here to enlarge the project description.  (PA-BCIT Standards:  15.3.8.E, 15.3.8.G, 15.3.8.H, 15.3.8.M, 15.4.8.G, 15.4.8.K, 15.4.5.A, 15.4.8.D, 15.4.8.F, 15.3.8.S, 15.3.8.U, 15.3.12.W) Technology Current Event Video:  We finished class today with a short tutorial video from GCFLearnFree.org in North Carolina about getting started with Google Drive and Docs.  (PA-BCIT Standards:  15.3.8.E, 15.4.8.D, 15.4.8.G) * Class time was shorter today due to the PSSA testing schedule March 19, 2014 64 minutes* Internet Moment:  Students were shown GeoGuessr.com today and allowed to spend 5 minutes playing the game at the beginning class.  10,892 was the highest score in our class today.  Technology Current Event Video:  Unfortunately we ran out of time for a video today. * Class time was shorter today due to the PSSA testing schedule March 17, 2014 94 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 the games were:  Phishing Scams,Invasion of the Wireless Hackers, Cyber Criminal & Invest Quest. Office Yoga Break:  For our break today everyone had a chance to get up and move around the room and review each other's work.  Then, before getting back to work, we practiced a simple yoga stretch for your neck.  Technology Current Event Video:  We finished class today with a short video about the top 10 technology gadgets for 2014. March 13, 2014 91 minutes Internet Moment:  Today we explored some of the features in Google Maps.  Students were shown how to find our school and view satellite and aerial photos of their neighborhoods.  We also used the street views and students were shown a short video about the Google Maps cars that take the street view photos.  We then went to Las Vegas, Nevada and use the Google Earth feature to explore the city in 3D. Students were also shown how to get directions.  The class then had some time to explore the world on their own.   (PA-BCIT: 15.6.8.M, 15.4.8.A)  Technology Current Event Video:  We finished class today with a short video from Google about the newest features that have been added to Google Maps. March 11, 2014 104 minutes  Description of How the Internet Works: The example of phone conversations using VOIP was used to describe the differences between the old dedicated line communication systems (circuit switching) and the internet system (packet switches) that has replaced it.  The development of an emergency communication system within the United States (ARPANET) to today's worldwide internet network was also described.  We also discussed how webcams work by sending 30 pictures per second through the internet.  Technology Current Event Video:  We finished class today with a short video from RBB Public Relations that features 3 tips for successfully participating in a Skype interview. (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.2.8.H, 15.3.8.M, 15.6.8.M, 15.4.8.A, 15.8.8.M) March 7, 2014 44 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.  (PA-BCIT Standards:  15.2.5.B, 15.2.5.J, 15.2.5.L, 15.2.8.E, 15.2.8.F, 15.8.8.K) Work on Day at School PowerPoint Shows:  All students had some time to work on the slideshows that we started last class.  Click here to enlarge the project description.  (PA-BCIT Standards:  15.2.5.M, 15.2.5.L, 15.3.8.A, 15.3.8.E, 15.3.8.G, 15.3.8.H, 15.4.8.G, 15.4.8.K, 15.3.8.X, 15.3.8.S, 15.3.8.U) Technology Current Event Video:  We finished class today with a short video created by Hussain Shafei from Bahrain about good and bad PowerPoints.  March 5, 2014 91 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.  We also discussed how this program was used by students in their 7th Grade Technology Education Manufacturing Unit to develop and market a product for mass production. 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.  (PA-BCIT Standards:  15.6.8.M, 15.8.8.K, 15.8.8.S, 15.9.8.F) Finish Gettysburg Address Project:  All students had time to finish, print and turn in the project we started last class.  Click here to enlarge project description. (PA-BCIT Standards:  15.3.8.A, 15.3.8.B, 15.3.8.E, 15.4.5.G, 15.9.8.M)  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.  Students were shown how to access the background templates in MS PowerPoint 2010, how to find backgrounds at office.com and how to find additional backgrounds on the internet. Students were also told they could use pictures from old yearbooks that were stored on our school network.  Click here to enlarge the project description.  (PA-BCIT Standards:  15.2.5.M, 15.2.5.L, 15.3.8.A, 15.3.8.E, 15.3.8.G, 15.3.8.H, 15.4.8.G, 15.4.8.K, 15.3.8.X, 15.3.8.S, 15.3.8.U)Technology Current Event Video: Unfortunately we ran out of time for a video today. March 3, 2014 89 minutes*   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.  As part of our break today we practiced a simple office yoga stretch for your shoulders and back.  After the break everyone had a chance to get up and walk around.  Technology Current Event Video:  We finished class today with short a video about copyright, fair use and public domain.  (PA-BCIT Standards:  15.3.8.E, 15.8.5.C) * Class time was shorter today due to the 2 hour delay schedule February 27, 2014 44 minutes Internet Moment:  Students explored PhotoSynth.net today which is an online service from Microsoft that allows you to "knit" digital photos together to make large 360 degree images that you can pan and zoom into.  Technology Current Event Video: To wrap-up the earlier presentation about Photosynth.net we watch parts of a TED presentations by Blaise Aguera y Arcas who is the Microsoft Engineer in charge of developing Photosynth. Students were specifically challenged to think about how these technologies could eventually be used by companies like Microsoft and/or Facebook to insert their own online photos into grander online images of specific locations. February 25, 2014 91 minutes   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 for your neck. Technology Current Event Video:  We finished class today with a promotional video from the Corning Corporation about some possible uses for their products in the future.  (PA-BCIT Standard: 15.4.8.A, 15.5.8.J) February 21, 2014 104 minutes Internet Moment:  Google News - Students were shown how to use this popular news aggregater to find current event stories and how to search the news for topics that interest them or might be required for another subject area.  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.   Typing Test:  After ll students took a typing test using 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:  39.2 WPM  Click here for more information about typing speeds at Newtown Middle School.   Online Typing Activities: As a follow up to the typing test we looked at the typing speeds for the whole 7th & 8th grades in Excel.  Students were also shown the graph below so they could see how student typing speeds have been increasing over the years.  Students then were given some time to find at least 3 online typing activities (tutorials or games) that they enjoyed. They were to then add these typing activities to their favorites or bookmarks list so they could go back and practice their typing skills in class when they finish projects.  Business Letter #2: Students practiced professional communication and typing skills by making a second block format business letter. To make this letter students have to copy text from Business Letter #1. They have to set-up a table, merge cells and copy/paste text. Next class we will use the header and print the finished letter using one of the network printers in the room.  Click here to view the project description.  (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.3.8.A, 15.3.8.B) Technology Current Event Video:  To finish class today we watched a short video from CNET about the Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop Keyboard.  (PA-BCIT Standard:  15.4.8.C) February 19, 2014 44 minutes 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.  Students were also reminded to adjust the keyboard, mouse, chair and monitor to meet their ergonomic needs.  (PA-BCIT Standard:  15.4.5.D, 15.4.2.B, 15.4.8.F) Class Blog:  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 now mobile phone based apps like Instagram.  This website is the blog or web log 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. Introduction to Computer Class Presentation: This presentation covered basic computer and technology information that all students should be familiar with.  Early desktop computers, different operating systems, internet connection speeds, internet safety and protecting yourself from identity theft were all discussed.  Students were also reminded that last year 30% of college admission officers reported finding content online that caused them to reject a student's application.  Students were reminded that employers are using many of the same techniques to select candidates for job openings. We will finish this presentation next class.  (PA-BCIT Standards:  15.1.5.B, 15.3.5.V, 15.3.8.T, 15.4.5.B, 15.6.8.M, 15.5.8.J, 15.4.5.A, 15.4.5.B, 15.3.5.T) Technology Current Event Video:  We finished class today with a short video prepared by the Boulder News Team at the University of Colorado School of Journalism.  The video explained how social media can be used by identity thieves and some ways to protect yourself. February 14, 2014 - SNOW DAY - NO SCHOOL 0 minutes 0 minutes 64 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. (PA-BCIT Standard 15.2.5.L, 15.3.8.C, 15.3.8.D, 15.3.5.M, 15.8.5.C) 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. (PA BCIT Standard: 15.4.8.F) 
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.  Introduction to Computer Class Presentation:  This presentation was a follow up to the survey and covered basic computer concepts everyone should be familiar with.  We will finish this presentation next class. 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.  (PA-BCIT Standard: 15.4.8.A) * Class time was shorter today due to the PSSA testing February 7, 2014 - SNOW DAY - NO SCHOOL 0 minutes February 5, 2014 - SNOW DAY - NO SCHOOL 0 minutes February 3, 2014 - SNOW DAY - NO SCHOOL 0 minutes |
