March 12, 2015 - LAST CLASS 38 minutes* Student Presentations: Students had about 10 minutes to prepare and practice their slide shows before presenting.  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.  We were fortunate to have Mrs. Kemper, a Media Specialist from Anderson High School near Cincinnati, Ohio and Mr. Karnoscak, a 5th Grade Teacher at Willowbrook Elementary School in Glenview, Illinois in our online audience today.  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:  Unfortunately we ran out of time for a video today. * Class time was shorter today due to the World Languages Assembly March 10, 2015 91 minutes Review Blog Posts:  We started class today by visiting the blog for the 5B class at Iona Presentation College in Perth, Western Australia to see if they had posted our comments on their blog.  We also reviewed the Blogging Guidelines that they were using and discussed the importance of managing your online presence and keeping it looking good. (PA BCIT Standards:  15.2.8.L, 15.2.8.M, 15.3.8.A, 15.3.8.D, 15.3.8.X) 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   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 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 30 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) 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. 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.  Once they had prepared their responses, corrected them for spelling and grammar they submitted them 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. 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) March 2, 2015 61 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 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 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 94 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. Block Format Business Letter Quiz:  All students participated in a test run of a new online quiz that will be used to check knowledge of the block format that we used in the business letter projects. (PA BCIT Standard:  15.3.8.A, 15.3.8.B) 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.  (PA BCIT Standards:  15.2.8.E, 15.2.8.J, February 20, 2015 86 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.  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 shown how to collect old yearbook photos from the S: drive for their shows and 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:  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 104 minutes Internet Moment: Today students were introduced to the idea of online education by exploring the Open Course Ware that is available from the  Massachusetts Institute of 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) Finish the Final Word Project:  All students had  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. PowerPoint Introduction: Almost all students identified that they had suffered through some bad PowerPoint presentations in the past. As a catharsis activity we made a list of all the bad & ugly things our students have seen in PowerPoint. We then prepared a short list of good things to do in PowerPoint. View a sample T-chart here.    A Day At School PowerPoint Presentation: Students started a 6-9 slide show about a topic that they are all experts at, being 7th graders at Newtown Middle School. These shows are made for 6th graders who will be transitioning to our school next September.  Students were shown how to access the background templates in MS PowerPoint 2013 and how to find additional backgrounds on the internet.  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:  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 44 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 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:  We finished class with a video about how Google Street View technology was used to create a virtual version of the White House. February 10, 2015 42 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) 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.  We also discussed the use of cell phones and other electronic devices at school. Technology Current Event Video:  As a follow-up to today's internet moment about OnGuardOnline.gov we watched the first part of a TED presentation by David Birch about a new way to prevent identity theft.  In the video he mentioned some of the mistaken ways we think about identity today.  February 6, 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 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 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. 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) Technology Current Event Video:  Unfortunately we ran out of time for a video today. February 2, 2015 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 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 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 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)  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.  Everyone was asked to get up and find the other person in the room who shares their birthday.  You you can read more about this probability experiment here. Setting up Student Passwords: All students were given some suggestions to help them develop good passwords.  Some suggested good password practices were:  Come 
 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. |
