June 16, 2015 - LAST CLASS 104 minutes   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. 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:  In this TED presentation Jane McGonigal shared her ideas about Online Computer Gaming and the importance of online collaboration skills.  (PA-BCIT Standards:  15.4.8.A) June 12, 2015 94 minutes    Office Yoga Break:  For our  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)  (ISTE Standards: 1c, 3c, 3d, 4c, 6a, 6b) Technology Current Event Video: We finished class today with a short video from SafeInternetBanking.be about an amazing mind reader and how he knows so much about his clients.  (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)  (ISTE Standards: 1d, 2c, 3c, 4a, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 6b) June 10, 2015 91 minutes      Technology Current Event Video: To finish our PowerPoint presentation activity we watched part of Don McMillan's famous presentation: Life after Death by PowerPoint.  (PA-BCIT Standard:  15.3.8.D) June 8, 2015 104 minutes   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 with a short video from Google about using the collaboration tools in Google Drive. June 4, 2015 44 minutes Internet Moment:  All students went to http://geoguessr.com/ which is a geography game that uses Google Street View pictures.  Students had 5 minutes to get the highest score possible. The Creation of Computers Video:  In preparation for a future project about the history of computers everyone watched:  "The Creation of the Computer".  During the video students answered  online questions. Day at School PowerPoint Shows:  We prepared to do a peer evaluation activity next class.  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, 6d) Technology Current Event Video:  We finished class today with a short video about the Google Self Driving Car prototype.  June 2, 2015 91 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) Block Format Business Letter Quiz:  All students took an online quiz to check for retention of knowledge from the block formatted business letter projects that we did several weeks ago. (PA BCIT Standard:  15.3.8.A, 15.3.8.B) 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) May 29, 2015 104 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. Students were shown how to add action buttons and a table of contents to their shows so they could be set-up in a kiosk format. Students will also make a custom start button on the first slide using the edit points feature. Next class we will be adding voice narration to our shows so student's added speaker notes to each slide. We will be using the record audio option in Power Point, 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) (ISTE Standards: 1a, 2b, 3b, 3c, 4b, 6d) Technology Current Event Video:  We finished class today with a short video about the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (PA-BCIT Standard: 15.4.8.A, 15.5.8.J)  (ISTE Standards: 1d, 6d) May 27, 2015 44 minutes    Mrs. Kyrikakis also showed us a special flag that her students made for an Antarctica project.  Technology Current Event Video:  Unfortunately we ran out of time for a video today. May 22, 2015 91 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 had some time to work on their shows today. Students were shown how to drag and drop slides from another show and how to access and use the Slide Master feature. Images and words were turned into hyperlinks to the internet so 6th graders could find more information on their own. Students were introduced to using action settings and internal hyperlinks by taking a survey that was made in Power Point. The computer term "infinite loop" was also introduced as part of this demonstration.  Next class we will add action buttons and a table of contents to the shows so they could be set-up in a kiosk format.  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, 6d)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 video from Boston Dynamics that shows one of their most recent creations. 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) (ISTE Standards: 1d, 3b, 3c) May 20, 2015 106 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) 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.  Students were shown how to find license free images from the internet using advance searches in Google and Bing. Accessing old yearbook photos on our school network was also demonstrated. All students will have 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, 6d)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: 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, 3b, 3c)  Khan Academy: The future of education? May 18, 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)  (ISTE Standards:  1a, 1c, 1d, 2c, 3b, 4c, 5a, 5b, 5c, 6a, 6b) 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 login and password.  All students should be able to login and check their grades routinely.  (PA-BCIT Standards:  15.4.5.A, 15.4.8.F) (ISTE Standards:  5a, 5c, 4c, 6a) Technology Current Event Video:  In this TED presentation by Blaise Aguera y Arcas about the potential integration of augmented reality into services like Bing Maps. May 14, 2015 91 minutes  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. 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) 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:  We finished class today with a short video that was prepared by students at the Nexus International School in Singapore about the recent earthquakes in Nepal. May 12, 2015 104 minutes   Office Yoga Break:  For our break today everyone had a chance to get up and move around the room and review each other's work.  Then, before getting back to work, we practiced a simple yoga stretch for your neck. Technology Current 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)  (ISTE Standards:  1d, 5b) May 8, 2015 104 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. How to Set up a table, merge cells and copy/paste text was demonstrated. Everyone had time to finish and print this project today.  Students were also reminded that they need 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.  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. Online Typing Activities: As a follow up to the typing test students were given some time to find some online typing activities (tutorials or games) that they enjoyed. They were to then add these typing activities to their favorites or bookmarks list so they could go back and practice their typing skills in class when they finish projects.  Technology Current Event Video: To finish class today we watched a short video from PBS Off Book about the process professional go through to design logos.  May 6, 2015 91 minutes Internet Moment: Google News - Students were shown how to use this popular news aggregator to find current event stories and how to search the news for topics that interest them or might be required for another subject area. Students were also shown how they can change the top news stories to other countries. (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.3.8.G, 15.6.5.L)  (ISTE Standards:  3b, 3c, 4c, 5c, 5b, 6a) Student Technology Use Survey: Students participated in the annual NMS Student Technology use survey. After the survey everyone had a chance to review the results from previous years.  (ISTE Standards:  1d, 3d)  Business Letter #1: Students practiced their typing and formatting skills in Word by typing a block format business letter. This project required students to demonstrate a list of basic word processing skills that included: changing fonts, changing the size of letters, line spacing and making a bullet list. This project also introduced students to formal business communications as it is a block formatted business letter and it provided 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, which was something we previously discussed in class. All students finished this project in class today. Students were shown how to make a new folder in their H: drive, name the folder and save their Word document into that folder. Click here to enlarge the project description. (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.3.8.A, 15.3.8.B)  (ISTE Standards:  1a, 1c, 5a, 5c, 6b)  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)  (ISTE Standards:  5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 6c) 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 sides.  Typing Test:  All students took 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:  29.3 WPM  Click here for more information about typing speeds at Newtown Middle School.    Technology Current Event Video:  We finished class today with a short video demonstrating smart phone keyboard technology. May 4, 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)   Setting up Student Passwords:  All students were given some suggestions to help them develop good passwords. Some suggested good password practices were: Come up with a collection of passwords to rotate through instead of just one, make a pass phrase instead of a password, mix numbers, letters and symbols together. Student passwords must fit the following parameters: (PA-BCIT Standard: 15.4.8.F) (ISTE Standards: 5a, 6a)
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.  (PA BCIT Standards:  15.6.8.M) |
