December 1, 2014 - LAST CLASS
94 minutes

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. The few students who could not log in to check their grades were reminded one more time that they have to talk to their parents about getting their email address registered in the system.

Office Yoga Break:  Students are always reminded to not spend too much time sitting in front of computers.  Breaks should be taken at least every 30-40 minutes.  For our break today we practiced a simple yoga stretch for your ankles and then everyone had a chance to get up and move around the room some. 

Excel Multiplication Table Project: We started making a multiplication table in Excel using relative and absolute formulas. After an introduction to columns, rows and cells we started making a multiplication table. Students were also shown how to create addition formulas and to copy/ paste formulas across a cells in a sheet. We completed this project today. Click here to enlarge the project description. (PA-BCIT Standard: 15.1.8.E)

Excel Pie Chart Project:  Students created a data table of the different elementary schools we all went to and the number of students that attended each school.  Then each student created a pie chart of the data and formatted it for printing in black and white.  Click here to enlarge the project description.  (PA-BCIT Standards:  15.1.8.E, 15.3.8.B, 15.3.8.X, 15.4.8.D)

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 were also reminded that we would meet again next year for their second and final required computer class here at Council Rock.

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November 24, 2014
44 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.  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)

After the presentations we talked about being on camera and the possibility that many current students will be presenting to online audiences in the future.

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

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November 20, 2014

104 minutes

Mr. McNulty was Absent Today:  Students were directed to do the following activities:

Internet Moment:  Students were shown GeoGuessr.com today and allowed to spend 5 minutes playing the game at the beginning class.   The highest score in our class today was Ms. Brascella with 8,183 points.

Student Technology Use Survey:  All students in this class participated in the annual NMS Student Technology Use Survey.  After the survey students had an opportunity to view the results from previous years.  All results going back to 2006 can be viewed here.

History of Computers Slide Show - Students continued working on their final PowerPoint project which is a 6-8 slide show that they will present to the class.  Students worked in groups of 4-5 and used the internet for research.   In this project students were introduced to online collaboration using Google Drive. Students should think about how they could use online collaboration tools like this to work with other students from all over the world in the future.  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)

SLIDE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Introduction/Title Slide/Your Names (first names only)

2. COMPUTER ANCESTORS: early mechanical calculators, Pascal’s Pascaline Calculator, Babbage’s Difference Engine.

3. EARLY ELECTRONIC COMPUTERS: the COLOSSUS (in England), and the ENIAC (in Philadelphia, PA)

4. THE FIRST HOBBY/HOME COMPUTERS: Altair, Lear-Siegler ADM3-A, and the Xerox Alto Computer

5. TWO GUYS IN A GARAGE: Steve Wozniak & Steve Jobs create the first Apple Home Computer: Apple I, Apple IIe, Macintosh

6. COMPUTERS TODAY: What do you use your computer for? Commonly used programs, Common uses, favorite programs

7. WORKS CITED: For this project you should copy and paste the web address of any resources on the last page and make it an actual hyperlink. Follow the CRSD format for your Words Consulted. 

 

Open Document

To Be Completed Today:  All groups should do the following today:

1. Finish all slides
2. At the bottom of the screen, "click to add notes" to add a script to each slide.
3. Download the finished show as a PowerPoint
4. Practice the slide show:  run it and everyone should practice reading their part.

Presentations:  All groups will be presenting in class next Monday.  

The Creation of Computers Video:  Since all students are working on a PowerPoint presentation about the history of computers everyone will watch:  "The Creation of the Computer".  During the video students had to answer these online questions.  Answer as many questions as there is time for and submit your answers at the end of class.

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November 18, 2014
44 minutes

Day at School PowerPoint Shows: Students had one last chance to make any final adjustments to their shows. Navigation buttons, hyperlinks, and sound quality was checked. 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)

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:  Unfortunately we ran out of time for a video today.

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November 14 , 2014
73 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. 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 Singapore 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)

Day at School PowerPoint Shows: Students made some final adjustments to their shows. We set everyone's show in kiosk format so it can only be navigated by using the action buttons and hyperlinks only. Students then added voice narration to their slides. We used the record audio option in PowerPoint, a free program called Audacity and the sound recorder in Windows 7 to make the audio files. Navigation buttons, hyperlinks, and sound quality was checked.    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 Google about the newest features that have been added to Google Maps.

* Class time was shorter today due to the Veterans Day Assembly

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November 12, 2014
104 minutes

Technology Current Event Video:  As a follow-up to the formal video interview we did last class we watched 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)

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. We started by adding video to the end of our show. All students also participated in a peer evaluation activity so they could practice giving each other meaningful feedback. 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. Next class we will be adding voice narration to our shows so student's added speaker notes to each slide. We will be adding voice narration to at least three of their slides. We will be using the record audio option in PowerPoint, a free program called Audacity and the sound recorder in Windows 7 to make the audio files. 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 stretch for your neck.  After the break everyone had a chance to get up and walk around.

Technology Current Event Video:  We finished class today with a short video from OnGuardOnline.gov about being careful about what you share online.

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November 10, 2014
44 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 network was also described and 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.

Formal Interviewing Using Skype:  Our students practiced formal interviewing techniques by Skyping with Mrs. Chernaya, an English language teacher at the City of Moscow Secondary School with Advanced Study of Foreign Languages, Number 1302.  Our students asked many questions to learn about school in Russia.  Mrs. Chernaya told us it was about 5 degrees Celsius (41 degrees Fahrenheit) today and that Winter was just getting started there.  She explained to us that her students were all learning English.  We also talked about favorite sports and Mrs. Chernaya shared some pictures of her school, students and places in Moscow.  Before the interview we talked about the differences between web chatting with friends and participating in a formal video conference.  As a group we prepared a list of things to do and not to do in a formal interview.  We also prepared our questions in advance so we could learn more about Mrs. Chernaya and her country. 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:  Unfortunately we ran out of time for a video today.

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November 5, 2014
91 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 reminded to finish making hyperlinks to the internet and introduced to using action settings and internal hyperlinks. We then added action buttons  and a table of contents to their shows so they could be set-up in a kiosk format.  We also accessed and used the Slide Master.   Students also made 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:  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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November 3, 2014 
104 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)

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October 30, 2014
44 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)

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 and how to find additional backgrounds on the internet.  Most students have made 6-9 slides with titles and text on each slide. Today students were shown how to use Google Images to find free images that they could even use for commercial purposes.  Students were also shown how to drag and drop a slide from one PowerPoint show to another.  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:  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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October 28, 2014
91 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)

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)

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.     

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)

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October 24, 2014
104 minutes

Pennsylvania Apple Crunch:  All Arts teachers at Newtown Middle School encourage healthy living habits as part of our curriculum.  Today we focused on good eating habits by participating in the Pennsylvania Apple Crunch.  We ate apples and all students took a quiz about apples.  All students were reminded that apples are a great example of a healthy snack food and that making good food choices is always important.

Internet Moment: Students looked at a website from Microsoft today called PhotoSynth.net. They were able to view 360 degree, high resolution images, from all around the world.

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 back.  After the break everyone had a chance to get up and walk around.

Technology Current Event Video:   To wrap-up the earlier presentation about Photosynth we watch parts of a TED presentations by Blaise Aguera y Arcas who is the Microsoft Engineer in charge of developing Photosynth.net.

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October 22, 2014
94 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.  Everyone had time to print and turn in 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.  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 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:  We finished class today with a short video about a new flexible TV screen.

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October 20, 2014
October 16, 2014
104 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)