2014-15 7-A.4

March 12, 2015 - LAST CLASS

79 minutes*

Student Presentations: Students were shown a presentation about time management, group projects and the business concept of "Man Hours". After the presentation students had about 20 minutes to prepare and practice their slide shows. The presentations were broadcast live through the internet using Ustream.com so other teachers elsewhere in the world 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)

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 it is a legitimate website (according to snopes.com). Students were reminded that they have to be very skeptical of what they find online and to always independently verify the facts themselves.

Make-up Time & Checking Grades: Since this is our last full 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. All students were asked to log into the HAC and check their grades for this class.

Technology Current Event Video: We finished class with a short video from Fox 5 News in Washington DC about a school district in Maryland that's monitoring everything their students do online. Unfortunately we ran out of time to watch the whole video.

* Class time today was shorter due to the World Languages Assembly

March 10, 2015
104 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. (PA BCIT Standards: 15.6.8.M)

Day at School PowerPoint Shows: We continued to add features to our shows to make them "the greatest slides shows" our student have ever made. Students added voice narrationusing the record audio option in PowerPoint, a free program called Audacity and the sound recorder in Windows 7. Everyone finished their recordings today and then everyone will submit their finished shows. 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)

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 back.

Blog Posting Activity:  Today our students visited the blog for the 5B class at Iona Presentation College in Perth, Western Australia. Our students were asked to read their first three posts and leave a comment for them in which they described our school. Before writing blog posts we reviewed the Blogging Guidelines.  Students were asked to demonstrate their best communication skills by preparing what they were going to say in MS Word and to stick to the paragraph structure they have been taught in their English classes. After corrected them for spelling and grammar they submitted their comments to the students in Australia. Students were reminded that the things they do online, like posting to blogs, can be viewed by anyone online and would always be there so they should be careful about what they write. (PA BCIT Standards: 15.2.8.L, 15.2.8.M, 15.3.8.A, 15.3.8.D, 15.3.8.X)

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. Students were challenged to think about how they could use online presentation software like this to collaborate on future projects at home or with partners elsewhere in the world. Students will have more time to work on these shows next class before they present. 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 by watching a short tutorial video about how to collaborate on a slide show using Google Drive. (PA BCIT Standards: 15.6.8.M)

March 6, 2014

0 minutes*

*No class today due to a Snow Day

March 4, 2015
61 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 will be 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)

Day at School PowerPoint Shows: We continued to add features to our shows to make them "the greatest slides shows" our student have ever made. Students added voice narrationusing the record audio option in PowerPoint, a free program called Audacity and the sound recorder in Windows 7. Everyone finished their recordings today. We started the final evaluation activity and next class we will finish it and then everyone will submit their finished shows. 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: As a followup to our internet moment about Sketchup we finished class today with a short video about Computer Aided Design (CAD). (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.6.8.M, 15.8.8.K, 15.8.8.S, 15.9.8.F)

* Class time was shorter today due to the 2 hour delay schedule

March 2, 2015
92 minutes*

Internet Moment: Students had a chance to explore Plane Finder 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)

Day at School PowerPoint Shows: We continued to add features to our shows to make them "the greatest slides shows" our student have ever made. Adding a video to a slideshow was also demonstrated. Students were then shown how to remove the background from a picture and we made an interactive quiz question at the end of the slideshow. Everyone had time to finish the script for voice narration. Everyone was shown how to set-up their shows in a kiosk format. Students then added voice narration using the record audio option in PowerPoint, a free program called Audacity and the sound recorder in Windows 7. Almost everyone finished their recordings today. 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)

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 back.

Technology Current Event Video: We finished class today with a video from Source Fed Nerd that highlighted the Top 10 gadgets at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show that was held in Las Vegas in January. (PA BCIT Standards: 15.4.5.A)

* Class time was shorter today due to the 2 hour delay schedule

February 26, 2015

44 minutes

Think Before You Post Slide Show:  Students were reminded that all the images and videos in the show were publicly available online and available for the whole world to see. The show was created using Google Image searches and some other websites that compile photos and videos. It was explained to the class that last year 29% of college admissions officers reported using online searches when reviewing applicants and 39% of hiring managers reported researching job candidates online. All students who have posted anything online were reminded to spend some time reviewing their privacy settings and t o always "THINK before you POST." Students then had some time to search for themselves online. (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.2.8.H, 15.2.8.L, 15.6.8.M, 15.3.8.T, 15.3.8.T, 15.3.5.V, 15.3.8.Q, 15.5.8.J, 15.6.8.M, 15.8.8.J)

Day at School PowerPoint Shows: We continued to add features to our shows to make them "the greatest slides shows" our student have ever made. Students finished adding action buttons and a table of contents to their shows. The were also shown how to make a custom start button on the first slide using the edit points feature. Next class we will be Adding a video to a slideshow, students will be shown how to remove the background from a picture and we made an interactive quiz question at the end of the slideshow.  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 Audio-Technica about doing voice recordings. Students were reminded that getting professional level voice recordings does involve considerable technical knowledge, skill and practice. (PA BCIT Standards: 15.3.8.E, 15.3.8.H, 15.3.8.K, 15.8.8.M, 15.4.8.G, 15.4.8.K)

February 24, 2015
91 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 financial concepts and vocabulary. Students experimented with the simple savings 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 the 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)

Day at School PowerPoint Shows: We continued to add additional features to make this the "greatest PowerPoint" our students have ever made. Students were introduced to using action settings and internal hyperlinks by taking a survey that was made in PowerPoint. The computer term "infinite loop" was also introduced as part of this demonstration. We then added action buttons and a table of contents to their shows so they could be set-up in a kiosk format. Next class students will make a custom start button on the first slide using the edit points feature.  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)

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 arm.

Technology Current Event Video:  We finished class today with a TED presentation by Tanvee Patankar, a student at Stevenson High School in Illinois. In the video she described the importance of teaching financial literacy at the high school level.

February 20, 2015
104 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. After the presentation students visited EarthCam.com to view some online webcams from all around the world. (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.3.8.U)

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) into today's worldwide internet was also described. We also discussed how webpages like this one are sent through the internet. We also discussed how webcams work the same way by sending 30 pictures per second through the internet.

A Day At School PowerPoint Presentation: Students worked on their 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. Today students were reminded to use old yearbook photos from the S: drive for their shows and to only free images from the internet that were not copyright protected. Students were also shown how to drag and drop a slide from one PowerPoint show to another. We finished class by adding notes to each slide that we will use to add narration to the shows in a later 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)

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 thigh.

Video Conference: During class our students interviewed Mrs. Barnstable, a retired teacher from Julian Middle School in Oak Park, Illinois. She explained to us that she had been a technology and web design teacher but now is the managing director of the Global Virtual Classroom. This organization brings teachers and students together from all around the world to collaborate on projects and participate in website competitions. Our students asked a bunch of questions about school in Illinois and learned that it was about the same there as it is here. We were surprised to learn about some of the activities and clubs that Julian Middle School had like C.A.S.T. which stands for Communications Art Speech and Theater. We also meet her cat Catherine who was hiding nearby. Before the interview we prepared a list of things to do and not to do in a formal video interview. We also prepared our questions in advance so we could learn more about school in Illinois. (PA-BCIT: 15.2.8.H, 15.3.8.K, 15.3.8.M, 15.7.8.I, 15.7.8.J, 15.3.8.X, 15.4.8.A, 15.4.8.B) (ISTE Standards: 1d, 2b, 2c, 5a, 5b, 5c)

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)

February 18, 2015

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 Technology. 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 watched part of Lecture 11: Work, Energy, and Gravitation. You can view the segment of the lecture that we watched 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)

Day at School PowerPoint Shows: We continued to add additional features to make this the "greatest PowerPoint" our students have ever made. Students were shown how to find license free images from the internet using advance searches in Google and Bing. All students had 6-9 slides done by the end of class today. 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: 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) Khan Academy: The future of education?

February 12, 2015
91 minutes

Google Gadget - "Include gadget (iframe)"

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. Students found direction by car, bike and walking from school to their house. We also used the street views and how the Google Maps cars work was explained. We then went to Munich, Germany and used the street view feature to explore the city. It was explained to students that in Germany people can ask to have their residences removed from Google Maps. We also traveled to Tokyo, Japan and students were shown how to check live traffic data. Students then had some time to explore the world on their own. (PA-BCIT: 15.6.8.M, 15.4.8.A)

Finish the Final Word Project: All students had

http://www.todayincomputerclass.com/7th/Gettysburg.JPG

time to finish the Gettysburg Address project that we started last class. Students were supplied with a specifically laid out version of the Gettysburg Address and they had to make one that looks just like it. They also had to select a specific network printer to print a rough and final draft. Everyone 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)

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.

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. Next class students will be shown shown how to collect old yearbook photos from the S: drive for their shows and how to prepare their narration for each slide by typing into the notes at the bottom of the screen. all students will need more time next class to complete their first 6 slides. 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 that suggests that bullet points aren't the most effective way to present information.

February 10, 2015
92 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. Students were encouraged to go back to this site and explore it on their own.

Finish Internet Treasure Hunt:
Students finished this project by adding a table and inserting images. 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)

CRSD Acceptable Use Policy: All students demonstrated that they could search for and access the CRSD Acceptable Use Policy online. They were reminded that they are in a network environment where their actions on the computer can be easily tracked.

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. All students will have time to finish this project next class. Click here to enlarge project description. (PA BCIT Standards: 15.3.8.B, 15.3.8.E, 15.8.8.C, 15.9.5.M)

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

* Class time was shorter today due to the 2 hour delay schedule

February 6, 2015
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)

Start Internet Treasure Hunt: Students used 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 setting-up a table, merging cells and copy/pasting text. We also inserted images from the internet. and saved the Students were shown the various "save as" options in Word and how to save their project as a single file webpage. 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)

February 4, 2015

91 minutes

Review of Last Class: We started today by reviewing everything we did last class including the seating assignments, the internet moment and the business letter project.

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. We also discussed the difference between getting your news from a "push format" and a "pull format". (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.3.8.G, 15.6.5.L)

Review of Typing Speeds: Using MS Excel we analysed the average typing speed of this class, the entire 7th grade and the 8th grade. Students also had some time to practice their typing using online typing games of their choice.

Start 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. How to Set up a table, merge cells and copy/paste text was demonstrated. Everyone had time to finish and print this project. Students were also reminded that they needed to develop a personalized signature and we discussed the use of a written signature on legal documents. 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.

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 is all about. Students shared their completed logos with the class in a gallery walk activity. Click here to view the project description.

Technology Current Event Video: Today's video was inspired by a presentation that was created by a high school teacher in Colorado, Mr. Karl Fisch. This 2014 revision of the presentation was created by Jose Esteves, a professor of Information Systems at the IE Business School in Spain.

February 2, 2015
104 minutes

Mr. McNulty was out today. The class did the following activities.

Assigned Seats: All students have an assigned seat/computer in the 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. Everyone should use the same computer every time they come to the lab. Students were also reminded to adjust the keyboard, mouse, chair and monitor to meet their ergonomic needs when they come to class. (PA-BCIT Standard: 15.4.5.D, 15.4.2.B, 15.4.8.F)

Internet Moment: To start class today all students were asked to go to TodayInComputerClass.com which is the blog for our class. Each day our activities are listed so we can easily review what we were working on last class. Any student who is absent should check this blog to see what they missed. Later this week Mr. McNulty will email the parents of all students to invite them to follow what our class does online by visiting this blog.

Business Letter #1: Students practiced their typing and formatting skills in Word by typing a block format business letter. This project requires students to demonstrate a list of basic word processing skills that include: changing fonts, changing the size of letters, line spacing and making a bullet list. This project also introduces students to formal business communications as it is a block formatted business letter and it provides everyone with some typing practice. The text of the letter was based on a sample letter from the FTC that would be used to inform a credit card company of an identity theft concern. All students finished this project in class. Students should save their finished Word document in a new "Computer Class" folder in their H: drive. Click here to enlarge the project description. (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.3.8.A, 15.3.8.B)

Typing Practice: Students searched on the internet for "free typing games" and practiced their typing skills before the typing test. To increase their speed and accuracy students should always use the home row and attempt to type using all their fingers without looking at their hands (touch typing).

Break: Students are always reminded to not spend too much time working on computers and to take breaks every 30-40 minutes.

Typing Test: Students will take a typing test using TypingTest.com. Each student will have 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 WPM. Click here for more information about typing speeds at Newtown Middle School. Next class we will review this graph and discuss additional ways students can increase their typing speed.

Biography of Bill Gates Video: Students watched a video about Bill Gates. The video talks about his parents, his childhood and his education as well as the development of the Microsoft Corporation. During the video students should answer these questions.

January 29, 2015
34 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 our 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)

Technology Current Event Video: We finished class today with a short video that was shared by a student in our class. The video by Austin Evans is about what the world would be like if computers disappeared.

* Class time was shorter today due to a scheduled drill

2011-2012

Computer Class

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2014-15 7-A.4