May 7, 2014 - LAST CLASS 73 minutes* Student Presentations: Students had about 10 minutes to practice their presentations at the beginning of class today.  The presentations were then broadcast live through the internet using Ustream.com so other teachers elsewhere in the world could watch. We were fortunate to have Mr. Sebastian Panakal of the GeoGebra Institute in Kerala, India and Mrs. Allen the computer technology teacher at the Cathedral of St. Raymond's Catholic School in Joliet, Illinois watch our presentations and give our students some feedback.  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. 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. May 5, 2014 104 minutes * Mr. McNulty was absent today.  The class did the following activities: Internet Moment:  All students went to http://geoguessr.com/ which is a geography game that used Google Street View pictures.  The highest score in this class was 10,349. Student Technology Use Survey:  All students in this class participated in the annual NMS Student Technology Use Survey.  The results from previous years can be viewed here: Student Technology Use Surveys 2006-2012. The Creation of Computers Video:  Since all students were working on a PowerPoint presentation about the history of computers everyone watched:  "The Creation of the Computer".  During the video students had to answer online questions. Finish the History of Computers Slide Shows:  After the video all students had the rest of the class time to work in their groups and finish their presentations.  Groups were reminded to prepare a written script that details who will say and do what and when.  The finished slide shows will be presented next class. May 1, 2014 44 minutes Turn in the Day At School Slideshows: We completed a final peer evaluation activity and next class all students will be shown how to turn in their slideshow using our network drives.  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 about the history of computers that they will present to the class. Students work in groups of 4-5 and used the internet for research.  Next class students will combine their slides and practice their presentations. 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: Unfortunately we ran out of time for a video today. April 29, 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 directions feature to get directions to Zion National Park. We also traveled to Singapore and students were shown how to check live traffic data.  Viewing live weather data was also demonstrated and then all students 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. April 25, 2014 104 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 Events Video:  As a follow-up to the activities we did last class in Sketch-up we watched a short video today about using 3D printers to make human body parts.  We also watched a video from OnGuardOnline.gov about protecting your personal information online. April 23, 2014 44 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) Technology Current Event Video:  We finished class today with two short videos about 3D printing technology.  In the first video the reproduction of a tool was demonstrated.  The second video explained how 3D printers can be used to reproduce living body parts.  (PA-BCIT Standards:  15.6.8.M, 15.4.8.A) April 21, 2014 91 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)  Technology Current Event Video:  As a followup to today's internet moment about online education and Open Course Ware from M.I.T. we watched a 60 Minutes video about Salman Khan and his creation, Khan Academy.  Students were also reminded that while they are making their slide shows about their day at school for the 6th graders they are participating in online education as an instructor.  (PA-BCIT Standards:  15.6.8.M, 15.4.8.A, 15.8.8.K) April 17, 2014 22 minutes* Internet Moment:  Students had time to visit several websites about the Cheey School in Kenya so they could learn more about Mr. Livingstone's school and the Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya.  We also watched a YouTube video of Mr. Livingstone's English class practicing the Hokey Pokey song. 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.  We ran out of time for this video last class.  (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.2.8.H, 15.3.8.M, 15.6.8.M, 15.4.8.A, 15.8.8.M) * Class time was shorter today due to the half day schedule April 16, 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 and how webpages like this one are sent through the internet.  We also discussed how webcams work by sending 30 pictures per second through the internet.   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 ran out of time for a video today. April 14, 2014 22 minutes*  * Class time was shorter today due to the half-day schedule April 10, 2014 104 minutes    Break:  Students are always reminded to not spend too much time sitting in front of computers.  Breaks should be taken every 30-40 minutes.  For our break today we did a gallery walk to share project ideas.  We then practiced a simple yoga stretch for your sides.  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.  April 8, 2014 38 minutes*  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 April 4, 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.  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 video from Boston Dynamics that shows their most recent creation.  As part of a government funded DARPA project they created a robot called Wildcat that runs like a cat.  (PA-BCIT Standard: 15.4.8.A, 15.5.8.J) April 2, 2014 109 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)  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)  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:  33.1 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:  Today we finished class with a video from a TED Conference. The concept of TED (Technology Entertainment Design) was introduced to the class and the background of the presenter, Pattie Maes (an instructor at the MIT Media Lab), was also discussed.  In the video the work of an MIT graduate student, Pranav Mistry, to create a wearable computer was explained. * Class time was adjusted today due to the PSSA schedule. March 31, 2014 94 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: Â
 Introduction to Computer Class Presentation: Â This presentation was a follow up to the survey and covered basic computer concepts everyone should be familiar with such as:
|
