Office Yoga & a Break:  Students are always reminded to not spend more that 30-40 minutes at a computer without taking a break.  During today's long class class we took a break and everyone had an opportunity to get up and move around.  This also gave everyone an opportunity to view each others projects and share ideas.  As part of our break today we also practiced a simple yoga stretch for your thigh.

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April 25, 2014
84 minutes*

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April 23, 2014
91 minutes

Internet Moment:  Today we explored 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 is used in the 7th Grade Technology Education Manufacturing Unit to develop and market a product for mass production. Though it is available at school, Sketchup is currently 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)

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April 21, 2014
104 minutes

Internet Moment:  Today students were introduced to the idea of online education by exploring Open Course Ware at 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 PowerPoint Shows:  All students had time to work on the slide shows that we started last class.  Students were shown how to access old yearbook photos on our network drives and how to use Google Images to find free images that they could even use for commercial purposes.  Searching for animated GIF images was also demonstrated.  After making the first 4-6 slides students were shown how to add the NMS master schedule to their show by dragging & dropping the slide from another PowerPoint.  Next class students will be shown how to access and use the Slide Master and how to turn words and images into hyperlinks to the internet so 6th graders could find more information on their own. 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)

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 that helps prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.  Before the stretch the causes and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome were explained to the class.  After the stretch all students had an opportunity to take a short break and move around.

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April 17, 2014
44 minutes*

Work on Day PowerPoint Shows:  All students had time to work on the slide shows that we started last class.  Most students have made 6-9 slides with titles and text on each slide. Some students were starting to add images today.  Next class students will be shown how to access and use the Slide Master and how to turn words and images into hyperlinks to the internet. 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)

Formal Interviewing Using Skype:  Our students practiced formal interviewing techniques by Skyping with Mr. McCutcheon and his 2nd grade class at Archie Stouffer Elementary School in Minden, Ontario, Canada.  We learned about their weather, their community and their school.  We were surprised to learn about their Balanced Day Lunches program which gave them two short lunch breaks during the school day.  We were also surprised to learn that their school only had 1 snow day in the last 12 years but they sometimes cancel bus service because of snow.  They don't have any security cameras in their school and there is about 400 students from Kindergarten to grade 6th in their building..  He also told us that the movie Camp Rock was filmed near their town. Mr. McCutcheon's students then asked us some questions about our school.  Before the interview we talked about the differences between web chatting with friends and participating in a formal video conference.  As a group 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.  (PA-BCIT: 15.2.8.H, 15.3.8.K, 15.3.8.M, 15.7.8.I, 15.7.8.J)

Technology Current Event Video:  We ran out of time for a video today.

* Class time was shorter today due to the half day schedule

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April 16, 2014
94 minutes

Internet Moment:  Today our students watched a presentation about how VOIP and webcams are combined to make video chatting possible.  Streaming video on the internet and the increased use of security cameras was discussed. Students were also reminded that we have several security cameras in our school building. 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. (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.3.8.U)

Finish the Gettysburg Address Project:  All students had some time today to finish and print this project in Word.  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.  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 from the Science Channel about how computers may become completely ubiquitous.

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April 14, 2014 
44 minutes*

Internet Moment:  As an example of how to use the the internet to learn independently we went to DrCalculator.com to learn some basic money concepts and vocabulary.  Students experimented with the compounding calculator to learn about interest rates and did an activity to see how much money they could save up for their graduation.  We also experimented with the Loan Calculator to see real costs of borrowing money for a car. The effect of a good credit score was also explained.  Finally we used the Cost of Living Calculator to experiment with the  effects of inflation over time by comparing the current cost of a school lunch to what their parents and grandparents might have paid.  Students were then given some time to explore other calculators on their own.  Students were also reminded that they will have and opportunity to learn more about money if they take the Personal Finance Class at our high school.  (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.6.8.B, 15.6.8.F, 15.6.8.G, 15.6.8.H,15.6.8.J, 15.6.8.K, 15.6.8.Q)

Gettysburg Address Project:  All students had some time today to work on the Final Word Project.  Only a few students finished this project in class today.  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)

Technology Current Event Video:  To finish class today we watched a short video that explained inflation and the importance of investing.


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

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April 10, 2014
44 minutes

Internet Moment: Students had a chance to explore PlaneFinder.net which is an online resource that displays the locations of all the commercial airliners in the world. This website is an example of what it possible when huge amounts of publicly available data is presented in an easy to understand interactive website.  We also discussed how the information about airline locations is collected by a government agency, the Federal Aviation Administration, and is therefore in the public domain.  (PA BCIT Standards:  15.3.5.V, 15.4.8.A, 15.6.5.L)

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. Everyone will have time to finish this project next 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)

Technology Current Event Video:  Since many students said they had already seen the Day Made of Glass Video from last class we watched the second part of the video today.
 

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April 8, 2014
80 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.  We also discussed how federal government publications, such as the NWS website, can not be copyrighted and are therefore in the public domain.  Students were reminded that the NWS is the original source for most of the weather information they receive on the internet, TV, and their phones. This website was also used as an example of "unbiased" information on the internet.  Students were also told how predicting the weather motivated early computer pioneers.  Finally, students were shown an old video about how early computers  were used to predict the weather.  (PA BCIT Standards: 15.3.5.V, 15.4.8.A, 15.6.5.L)

Internet Treasure Hunt:  Students used 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 online chat service such as Skype.  This project checks for internet searching skills, inserting and editing hyperlinks and introduces web based collaboration through the use of email, instant messaging and/or network resources. Students will finish this project by adding a table, inserting images, turning the images and text into hyperlinks and formatting a table.  Click here to enlarge the project description. (PA-BCIT Standards:  15.3.8.E, 15.4.5.G, 15.3.8.U, 15.4.8.D)

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 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)

* Class time was shorter today due to the March of Dimes Assembly
     Register online for the April 27th Walk at Bucks County Community College

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April 4, 2014
104 minutes

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.

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.  Adding your name to the header was also demonstrated.  Everyone had time to 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)

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.

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April 2, 2014
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.  (PA-BCIT Standards:  15.3.8.G, 15.6.5.L)

Finish 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, changing 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 and it provided everyone with some typing practice.  All students finished this project in class today. Students were shown how to make a new folder in their H: drive, name the folder and save their Word document into that folder.  Click here to enlarge the project description.  (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.3.8.A, 15.3.8.B)

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)

Technology Current Event Video:  Unfortunately we ran out of time for a video today.

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March 31, 2014
91 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.  They were reminded that they also need to get used to helping each other with technology. (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)

Break:  Students are always reminded to not spend too much time working on computers and to take breaks every 30-40 minutes.  For our break today we conducted a probability experiment about matching birthdays that you can read about here.  Everyone was as asked to get up and find the other person in the room who shared their birthday.  Unfortunately there wasn't a match in our class.

Setting up Student Passwords:  All students were given some suggestions to help them develop good passwords.  Some suggested good password practices were:  Come up with a collection of passwords to rotate through instead of just one, make a pass phrase instead of a password, mix number, letters and symbols together.   Student passwords must fit the following parameters:  

1. Include upper case letters
2. Include lower case letters
3. Include numbers
4. Include symbols/punctuation
   * Note that 3 of the 4 options are required.

(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 such as:

• Apple vs. PC formats
• Origins of Microsoft & Windows
• Internet connection speeds (dial-up, DSL, cable and fios)
• The accusations that Microsoft became a monopoly by the late 1990's
• Online safety, predators, scams & identity theft (be smart online)

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)

Did You Know 3.0 ‎(2012 Update)‎