June 19, 2019 - LAST CLASS 91 minutes
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. Students were also reminded to check out the eSchoolPLUS app that's available from Google Play and the iTunes Store.Â
Closure to Computer Class: Students were reminded that computers are constantly changing and that they have 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. Students were also reminded that this was their only required computer class here at Council Rock and that should they wish to learn more about computer technology they should look carefully at the High School Program Planning Guide for the many elective classes that incorporate computer skills. (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.6.8.M, 15.2.8.E)
June 17, 2019104 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 watched the very end of a physics lecture about 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. Students were also reminded if they got bored this Summer they could go to this website and take a class at M.I.T. for free.  (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)
Hour of Code:  Today our class participated in the Hour of Code. We started by viewing the source code for this webpage.  Students were told that this code, a mixture of HTML and JavaScript, was the list of specific instructions that tell your web browser how to display the webpage.  We then watched the tutorial video below to introduce the online coding activity.  Students then went to the online Blockly Moana Tutorial to write JavaScript. Â
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 everyone had a chance to get up and move around and see each other's projects.Â
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 everyone had a chance to get up and move around.Â
June 11, 201991 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) (ISTE Standards: 1c, 3c, 4a, 4c, 5c, 6c)
International Online Game: Our class played an online quiz game today. Ms. Xynta's English language class in Skydra, Greece joined us. We were also joined by Mrs. Minner and her daughter Helena from Realschule Sundern (a middle school in Germany). Mrs. Bovino's computer class here at HMS and Mrs. Gershman's 8th grade Computer Class at Newtown Middle School also joined us for the game today. The topic for today's game was Asian Geography and there was a total of 15 questions. In our game Sam at NMS came in third place, Braden came in second and first place went to Matt from HMS. Â
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 everyone had a chance to get up, move around the room.Â
Finish Full page Ad Project:  Today students had time to finish the project we started two classes ago. Each student selected a full page, full color magazine advertisement to recreate in MS Publisher. The student version of the ad must advertise something different than the original but it should look very similar to the original.   Click here to enlarge the project description. We will finish this project next class.  (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.3.8.A, 15.3.8.B, 15.3.8.E, 15.4.8.D, 15.4.8.G, 15.9.8.A)
June 7, 2019104 minutes
Exploring the CRHS-South Website: As a follow-up to the tours of the high school this morning our students were given an opportunity to explore the CRHS-South website. Students were asked to explore the Student Handbook and the Program Planning Booklet. We also looked at all the various activities that are available. Students were also shown how they can search these resources using CTRL+F. Everyone then had some time to explore the high school website on your own.
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 everyone had a chance to get up, move around the room.Â
Technology Current Event Video:  We finished class today with a TED presentation by Margaret Stewart about how copyright issues are handled by YouTube. Â
June 5, 2019
44 minutes
Internet Moment: We looked at eBay.com today and discussed buying and selling things online. Most of our students have bought things online and some of them have sold items online. Using auctions to find the true value of something was explained. Students shared the names of various e-commerce websites that they have used. We discussed the development of internet commerce and ways students can get involved with buying and selling online. We also talked about the origins of eBay and the story of Pierre Omidyar.  (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.2.8.D, 15.3.8.U, 15.4.8.A, 15.6.8.M, 15.5.8.A, 15.5.8.D, 15.5.8.F, 15.5.8.G, 15.5.8.H, 15.9.8.E, 15.9.8.G, 15.9.8.H, 15.9.8.L)
Technology Current Event Video:  We finished class today with a short video from PBS OffBook about careers in graphic design. Â
June 3, 20190 minutes*
*No class today due to the 8th grade field trip to Dorney Park
May 30, 2019
104 minutes
Internet Moment: Everyone had a chance to explore Khan Academy and look for video lessons that relate to what they are currently learning in 8th grade. Everyone had time to watch a video and explore the website. Students were reminded that this resource can help them with their homework here at the middle school and at the high school next year.  (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.6.8.M, 15.4.8.A, 15.8.8.K) (ISTE Standards: 1d, 3b, 3c)Â
Student Blogging Activity: Our students prepared a one paragraph blog comment for students at the Darbari Lal DAV Model School in New Delhi, India.  Our students were asked to choose one of the following blog entries to comment on:  Our students were asked to demonstrate appropriate internet communication skills and paragraph writing skills. Students were reminded to use the spelling and grammar checking features in Google Docs to help them. Our students also demonstrated using the MLA format in Google Docs as part of this project.  Everyone was also reminded that whenever they post anything online they should make an effort to make sure it will reflect positively on them.  Everyone had a opportunity to share their Google Doc with another student and have it proofread before we posted the comments online.  This activity gave us an opportunity to  talk about the differences and similarities between cultures and schools around the world.  (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.3.8.G, 15.3.8.M, 15.4.5.A, 15.4.8.B) Video:  We watched a short video from Pond5 about how public domain works. In the video the three ways content enters the public domain is explained ( through government, through dedication and time). We also discussed how students could use websites like Pond 5 to learn about internet commerce by selling photos, video and audio files online.  (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.2.8.D, 15.3.8.U, 15.4.8.A, 15.6.8.M, 15.5.8.A, 15.5.8.D, 15.5.8.F, 15.5.8.G, 15.5.8.H, 15.9.8.E, 15.9.8.G, 15.9.8.H, 15.9.8.L)
May 28, 201944 minutes
Video Conference:  We had an opportunity to visit the parent orientation night at the Stadtischen Realschule Sundern (a middle school in Germany) in Sundern, Westfalia, Germany.  We could see Mr. Marx and the parents who were visiting his classroom. Afterwards we searched for their school on Google Maps and checked out their school webpage.  We also talked about the differences in the middle school to high school transition that our students are experiencing right now. Below you can see a picture of his classroom.
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. Students were also reminded to check out the free eSchoolPLUS Family app that's available from Google Play and the iTunes Store.
Language Differences Video: As a follow-up to the dialect activity we watched a short video from The Atlantic about the various dialects in the United States.
May 23, 201991 minutes
International Online Game: Our class played an online quiz game today. Ms. Xynta's English language class in Skydra, Greece joined us. We were also joined by Mrs. Minner and her daughter Helenas from Realschule Sundern in Germany. The topic for today's game was weather vocabulary and there was a total of 15 questions. In our game Matt from our school came in third place, Owen came in second and first place went to Derek. After the game we experimented with playing Pictionary with the students in Greece.
Basic Email Etiquette: All students logged into their Google accounts and accessed their school email. We discussed the importance of being able to use email for formal communication. Students were also reminded that the emails they send using their school account are not private in any way. We also discussed what CC: means ( carbon copy), what should go in the Subject line of an email and how to start writing a formal email. Each student then practiced good email etiquette by sending a formal thank you email to a Council Rock faculty member of their choice. The directions for this project can be viewed here. (PA-BCIT Standards 15.3.8.E, 15.3.8.M, 15.3.8.O, 15.3.8.Q, 15.3.8.R, 15.3.8.S, 15.3.8.U, 15.3.8.X, 15.4.8.D, 15.4.8.G)
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 everyone had a chance to get up, move around the room.Â
Library Database Project: Students worked in a small group to create a shared Google Doc with the username and password information for 9 Library Databases that our students have access to. To do this project students had to access their CRSD Google Accounts, create and share a Google Doc and then search online for the URL's for the various databases. Next class we will finish this project. Â
Technology Current Event Video:Â We finished class today with a short video about sharing and collaborating on a Google Doc.
May 20, 2019104 minutes
Internet Moment: Today we looked at three online resources for free ebooks and audio books. We started with the Gutenberg Project (Gutenberg.org) which offers free access to 54,000 ebooks and over 100,000 additional free ebooks from other resources. We then looked at Lit2Go which is a free online collection of audio books in MP3 format that is available from the University of South Florida. Finally we visited Google Books (books.google.com) and discussed how to access and search the text of the free ebooks available there. We also discussed copyright laws and how these books came to be available online or in the public domain. Students were also reminded to search for free ebook reader apps for their phone and tablet devices. (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.1.5.B, 15.2.5.L, 15.3.8.E, 15.4.8.B)
Finish Logo Project: Everyone had a chance to finish the logo project that we had started last class. Students were also shown the Friends Interpreting Services logo as a sample of a small business logo.  We saved this project and shared them with the class during a gallery walk activity.  Click here to enlarge the project description. (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.3.8.S, 15.4.5.G, 15.6.5.M, 15.3.8.X, 15.9.8.A, 15.9.5.L)
Logo Design Video:Â We finished this activity with a video about logo design from Vox.
Font Presentation:Â In this presentation the development of the two basic font families (serif & sans serif) as well as the best uses for each was discussed. Students were also shown how they read primarily through identifying sight words and why it's so hard to spell check and grammar check your own work.
Publisher Font Guide Project: Students made a Font Guide in MS Publisher. When finished the student version should look just like the original. We also discussed the concept of WYSIWYG in graphic design. This project gave students another opportunity to get familiar with the program's features.  They also had to demonstrate the ability to make something very specific. Click here to enlarge the project description. Everyone had time to finish this project in class today. (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.3.8.E, 15.4.8.G, 15.4.2.K, 15.3.8.X)
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 everyone had a chance to get up, move around and see each other's work.Â
May 16, 2019104 minutesInternet Moment: Today we looked at two online resources for fonts. DaFont.com offers over 41,000 fonts that are either freeware, shareware, demo versions or in the public domain. These fonts can be downloaded and installed but students were also shown how they can use the Snipping Tool to get images of the fonts they might like. Students were also shown how they could make their own font using a website like YourFonts.com. (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.3.8.E, 15.6.5.M, 15.4.5.A)
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:  34.1 WPM.  We also reviewed the typing speed graph below and discussed what a bell curve is. 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.
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 everyone had a chance to get up and move around. Online Game: Our class played an online logo quiz game today. Many teachers at the middle school and high school use online games such as Kahoot, Quizlet and Quizizz for review activities and all of our students should be familiar with how to use them. Students were reminded that these games can also be played on smart phones and they can even be assigned as homework. The concept of gamification in education was also discussed. In our game Lia came in third place, Matt came in second and first place went to Reese.
Technology Current Event Video: We finished class today with a 2 minute speed art video from Tozfu, a graphic designer in the U.K., showing multiple logo designs featuring the letter "S".
May 14, 201991 minutes
International Online Game: Our class played an online quiz game today. Many teachers at the middle school and high school use online games such as Kahoot, Quizlet and Quizizz for review activities and all of our students should be familiar with how to play them. Students were reminded that these games can also be played on smart phones and they can even be assigned as homework. The concept of gamification in education was also discussed. Today's game topic was app icons and we were joined by several other classes and teachers from around the world.  Ms. Xynta's English language class in Skydra, Greece and Ms. Maskaeva who teaches English in Ivanovo, Russia joined us from Europe. Mrs. Gershman's computer class at Newtown Middle School and Mrs. Bovino's computer class here at HMS also joined us. In our game Sam from NMS came in third place, Victor from NMS came in second and first place went to Molly at NMS. Below you can see a view of the different classrooms as they played the game today.
Basic Computer Knowledge Presentation: This presentation covered basic computer concepts everyone should be familiar with. We also discussed past and current trends such as the spread of mobile devices and the most popular apps in the world. Â
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 everyone had a chance to get up and move around.
Technology Current Event Video:  We finished class today with a video from Google that takes a look inside one of their data centers. In the video our students could see one of the possible locations of their Google Drives.
May 10, 2019104 minutes
Internet Moment: Students were asked to compare three popular news aggregator websites: Google News, Bing News and Yahoo. We looked at their home pages, their features and their overall appearance. Our students said they preferred Bing News when looking for current events online. Students were also asked to explore their own digital footprint by searching for themselves on various news sites. (PA BCIT Standards: 15.3.8.E, 15.6.5.L)
Pixlr.com Project: Students were shown how to use the online photo editor pixlr.com to edit a photograph. We also discussed professional digital photo editing with Adobe PhotoShop. (PA BCIT Standards: 15.4.8.F, 15.4.5.G) Pixlr's online photo editor is based on a web server in Connecticut and it was explained to students that we were using the internet to connect to that server and use the pixlr software in Connecticut. When finished students shared their modified photos using various district network resources and demonstrated basic skills such as drag & drop. The best use of the H:, S: & X: drives was also explained.  Click here to enlarge the project description.
Gmail Accounts: Students were shown how to access their CRSD Google Gmail today. Students were reminded that they will have access to their google accounts and school gmail until they graduate from high school. Students were also reminded that they can access their Google email from anywhere in the world where they have internet access. Everyone had time to experiment with sending and receiving emails. Students were also reminded to not use their school email for anything inappropriate.Â
Google Drive: Students were shown how to access their Google Drive today. We created folders for all their classes and students were reminded that they will have access to their google drive until they graduate from high school. Students were also reminded that they can access their Google Drive from anywhere in the world where they have internet access.  Everyone had time to make some folders and organize their Google Drive.Â
Profile Pictures: Students opened up their school Google Accounts and we talked about how their profile picture works and that it is public. They were then shown Cartoonify.de and students had time to make a custom profile picture. Students were also shown a collection of generic profile pictures that they could use. We discussed the difference between your professional and personal persona and what online "personal branding" was all about. Students were reminded of the importance of learning of manage what they looked like online. Students then shared their images using network drives.Â
Technology Current Event Video:Â Â We finished class today with a review of some of the new roll-able TV from LG that was displayed at the 2019 Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.
May 8, 2019
44 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 but they were reminded that it's important to also get used to helping each other. Log On & Explore:  All students were given time to explore the start menu, Cortana and the various programs available to them at school. We also talked about the importance of time management and the many distractions that students face because of technology. All students are encouraged to avoid online distractions and games while in class.
Student Technology Use Survey:  All students in this class participated in the annual Student Technology Use Survey. After everyone had completed the survey we viewed some of the results.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. Technology Current Event Video:  Unfortunately we ran out of time for a video today.
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Introduction to Scratch: As a follow-up to the Blockly Maze Tutorial the class was shown Scratch which is a free online code editor that was developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Students who enjoyed using Blockly, were told that Scratch would be the next step for them to try. All students had about 10 minutes to experiment with Scratch and to view some featured student projects. Students were also encouraged to check out the Scratch Tutorial Videos page on their own and consider joining Scratch.
