Day at School PowerPoint Shows:   We continued to add additional features such as animated gifs to make this the "greatest PowerPoint" our students have ever made. Images and words were turned into hyperlinks to the internet so 6th graders could find more information on their own.  Next class all students will participate in a peer evaluation activity so they can practice giving each other meaningful feedback. Click here to enlarge the project description.  (PA-BCIT Standards:  15.3.8.E, 15.2.5.L, 15.2.5.M, 15.3.5.H, 15.4.8.G, 15.3.8.S)

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)

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March 7, 2014
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.  (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)

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.  Students were then shown 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.  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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March 5, 2014
44 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)

Technology Current Event Video:  As a follow-up to Sketchup we watched a short video tribute to Computer Aided Design (CAD).

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March 3, 2014
61 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)

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:  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

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February 27, 2014

104 minutes

Virtual Visit to the I.C.E. Conference:  At the start of class today we use a Google Hangout to visit the Illinois Computing Educators Conference to watch part of a presentation about Global Connections.  During the break a break in the presentation our class also had the opportunity to meet several educators from:  Illinois, North Carolina, South Africa, Canada and Russia.

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.

Finish Internet Treasure Hunt:  Students finished using Word to make a simple webpage today. 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 finished this project by adding a table, inserting images, turning the images and text into hyperlinks and formatting a table. Students were shown the various "save as" options in Word and how to save their project as a single file webpage in word. Students then displayed their finished webpages in Internet Explorer and we did a gallery walk activity so everyone could get up, move around and share each other's work.  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.

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 and graphic arts is all about.  Students shared their completed logos with the class in a gallery walk activity.  Click here to view the project description.  (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.4.5.G, 15.9.2.I)

Technology Current Event Video:  To finish class today we watch Part 2 of the Day Made of Glass Video that we had started watching last class.

One more Virtual Visit to I.C.E.:  We watched about 8 minutes of the question and answer session.  We met some students in North Carolina and listened to Mr. Sherman from LivingMaths.com in South Africa talking to students in North Carolina about Makey Makey.

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February 25, 2014
94 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)

Finish Business Letter #2:  All students had an opportunity to finish this project today. Setting up tables, merging cells, copy/pasting text, using the header and how to print the document was all demonstrated in class today.   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.

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)

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)

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February 21, 2014
91 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.

Finish Business Letter #1:  Students practiced their typing and formatting skills in Word by finishing the block format business letter that we started last class.  All students finished this project in class today and saved it to their H: drive.  We will use this finished project in the next MS Word activity. 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)

Keyboard History:  Students were shown a short presentation about the development of typewriters and computer keyboards.  The reasons for the QWERTY layout were also explained and students were reminded that the only way to really improve their typing speeds are to use the home row and learn to touch type.

Typing Test:  After ll 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:  36.3 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.

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February 19, 2014
104 minutes

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

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.

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 be at least 8 characters long fit the following parameters: 

1. Include uppercase letters
2. Include lowercase letters
3. Include numbers
4. Include punctuation and/or symbols
   

* Note that only 3 of the 4 options above are required.  (PA-BCIT Standard:  15.4.8.F)

Council Rock Acceptable Use Policy:  All students demonstrated that they could find the "Council Rock Acceptable Use Policy" by searching for it online.  Once all students had found it they were reminded that this policy applied to all students and specifically prohibited damaging school computers or the school network.  Students were also reminded that the school district would not be liable for damages to any personal devices that they might bring into school.  The policy regarding cell phones was also reviewed. Finally students were reminded of the importance of protecting their own and other's privacy when using cell phone and other cameras.

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 will have time to finish this project next class.  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)

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.