March 12, 2015 - LAST CLASS 101 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)  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 was shorter today due to the World Languages Assembly March 10, 2015 44 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)  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 101 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) 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 30 minutes*  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 104 minutes   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 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  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 94 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) 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.  Formal Interviewing Using Skype: Our students practiced formal interviewing techniques by Skyping with Mr. McCutcheon and his 2nd grade class at Archie Stouffer Elementary School in Minden, Ontario, Canada.  Our students asked many questions to learn about what school is like in Canada.  We were surprised to hear that is was -37 degrees Celsius there and that they had over 2 feet of snow on the ground.  He told us that snow days were rare where he teaches and that they usually open school but cancel bus service when the snow gets too deep.  We were also surprised to learn about their Balanced Day Lunches program which gave them two short lunch breaks during the school day instead of one lunch break like we have.   Mr. McCutcheon's students then asked us some questions about our school and what our schedule was like.  They told us that Thanksgiving was celebrated in Canada during the first week of October whereas we celebrate it in November.  Before the interview we talked about the differences between web chatting with friends and participating in a formal video conference. As a group we also prepared our questions in advance so we could learn more about Mr. McCutcheon and his school. After the interview we reviewed what went well and what we could improve next time.  (PA-BCIT: 15.2.8.H, 15.3.8.K, 15.3.8.M, 15.7.8.I, 15.7.8.J) 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. 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) (ISTE Standards: 1a, 2b, 3b, 3c, 4b)Online Quiz Experiment: At the end of class today we experimented with using an online PSSA review quiz that was created using Kahoot.  The quiz featured questions about 7th grade reading skills. February 18, 2015 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)  (ISTE Standards: 1d, 3a, 3b, 3c) Log on and Check Grades:  All students were asked to log into the Home Access Center and check their grades.  Since January 1st, 2015 all HAC accounts have been updated so that students can accessed their grades using their regular district log in and password.  All students should be able to log in and check their grades routinely. 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. 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)  (ISTE Standards: 1d, 3a, 3b, 3c)  Khan Academy: The future of education? February 12, 2015 104 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 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)  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 finished this project. 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) 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)  (ISTE Standards: 1a, 2b, 3b, 3c, 4b)Technology Current Event Video:  We finished class today with a video from GeoBeats about the interior views that Google did of the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. February 10, 2015 26 minutes*   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) 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) * Class time was shorter today due to the 2 hour delay schedule February 6, 2015 91 minutes  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 104 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. Online Streaming Interview:  Our class participated in a live streaming interview today using a Google Hangout.  Mr. Steve Sherman of LivingMaths.com in Capetown, South Africa organized the interview of Major Luca Parmitano, an Astronaut with the European Space Agency.  In the interview he talked about his training and life on the International Space Station.  This was a great example of how this technology can be used to create live interview opportunities.  The entire interview can be viewed here.   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)  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) 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.  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.   91 minutes Mr. McNulty was out today. The class did the following activities.  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.   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 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:  32.1 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.  January 29, 2015 91 minutes Introduction to Basic Computer Skills Class: Basic rules and classroom procedures were explained. Students were specifically reminded that because technology is constantly changing they should get into the habit of helping each other out and demonstrating the ability to learn new computer skills through experimentation. All students reported that they had helped an adult with computer skills. They were reminded that they also need to get used to helping each other with technology. (PA-BCIT Standard 15.2.5.L, 15.3.8.C, 15.3.8.D, 15.3.5.M, 15.8.5.C) Log On & Explore: All students were given time to explore the start menu and the various programs available to them at 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)  Brief Video Conference: Our class briefly met Mr. Karnoscak via Skype.  He's a 3rd grade teacher and he was demonstrating the use of the software for a librarian at his school who was preparing to do a Skype interview of children's author Jonathan Emmett in England.  They work at Willowbrook Elementary School in Glenview, Illinois and we were happy to help them out with a test call. Setting up Student Passwords: All students were given some suggestions to help them develop good passwords.  Some suggested good password practices were:  Come 
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 will be conducting a probability experiment about matching birthdays that you can read about here.  Everyone will be asked to get up and find the other person in the room who shares their birthday.  Introduction to Computer Class Presentation: This presentation was a follow up to the survey and covered basic computer concepts everyone should be familiar with such as:
Technology Current Event Video:  We finished this presentation with a short CBS News video about the growth of identity theft among children. |
