March 11, 2020 - LAST CLASS
91 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. We also checked out some famous but fake websites like All About Explorers and Dog Island. All students were reminded to be skeptical about what they see online.
Excel Multiplication Table Project: We made 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 cells in a sheet. We completed this project today and students did a gallery walk to view each other's work. Click here to enlarge the project description. (PA-BCIT Standard: 15.1.8.E) (ISTE Standards: 1c, 3c, 3d, 4c, 6a, 6b)
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.
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. We practiced adding columns of numbers and sorting data. 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)
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.
Technology Current Event Video: We finished class today with a video from PBS News Hour about the privacy right controversy that's created when schools and universities collect information about their students found on social media accounts.
March 9, 202044 minutes
Internet Moment: We started class today by visiting Virtual Piano and students had some time to explore their musical talent. We talked about how students can use websites like this and some of the others we explored previously to learn things on their own.
Think Before You Post: Students were reminded that many of the images and videos that they share are available online and can be seen by the whole world. It was explained to the class that in 2016 40% of college admissions officers reported using online searches when reviewing applicants and 70% of hiring managers reported researching job candidates online. All students who have posted anything online were reminded to spend some time reviewing their privacy settings and to always "THINK before you POST." (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)
Digital Footprint Activity: Students used a shared Google Slide show and different search engines to create a show that consisted of all the pictures of Holland Middle School students that we could find online. We then reviewed the slide show and discussed some of the positive and negative effects of a digital footprint. Students were reminded to search for themselves from time to time and to think more carefully before posting and sharing pictures online. We also discussed some techniques for controlling your online image and some strategies for repairing any damage to your online reputation. (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)
As Seen Online Video: As a follow-up to the think before you post presentation we watched a short video from Kim Komando about some of the negative consequences that have happened from posting photos without thinking first. (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)
March 5, 202091 minutesInternet Moment: Today we explored Sketchup Online 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. Sketchup is a free online app that students can use 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)
International Quizezz Game: We were able to observe Ms. Tran teaching her English language class online today. He students are from Le Quy Don Secondary School, Lao Cai City, Lao Cai Province, Viet Nam and their school is currently closed as a precautionary measure due to the Coronavirus. Instruction was continuing online using platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Google Classroom. Today they were learning about stress patterns in English. After their lesson we played an online game with Ms. Tran and her students. The questions were about phrases and stress patterns in English and Ms. Tran's students did an outstanding job. Aaron and Sydney were the highest scorers in our class. As the game was played our students and the students in Vietnam could see the live rankings of everyone. We could also see and hear and see Ms. Tran's students and they could see our class.
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 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 that as they create their slide shows for the 6th graders they are going to be using the internet to instruct the 6th graders, just like the professors at M.I.T. do. (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)
Day at School Power Point Shows: Everyone had time to work on their slide shows today. Students were shown how to insert a video into a slide show. They also had time to finish adding hyperlinks, finish the internal navigation features and their audio narration to their slides. Students were also shown how to use the edit points feature to make a unique start button. We did a peer evaluation activity and we also started adding a quiz at the end of the show. All students will turn in their completed shows using a network drive 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)Break: Students are always reminded to not spend too much time sitting in front of computers. Breaks should be taken every 30-40 minutes.
Technology Current Event Video: We finished class today with a video from CNET about the foldable smart phone called the Royole FlexPai which was on display at the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
February 28, 202044 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) Day at School Power Point Shows: Everyone had time to work on their slide shows today. Students finished adding hyperlinks and internal navigation features to their shows. Our class also started adding audio narration to our shows. Next class we will finish the narration and students will be shown how to insert a video from a file. We will also add a quiz to the end of the slide shows. 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 from the economic education team at the Philadelphia FED about the importance of learning personal finance.
February 26, 2020
91 minutes
Formal Interview Practice: Our students practiced formal interviewing techniques today by using Skype to interview Ms. Tran who is an English language teacher at Le Quy Don Secondary School in Lao Cai City, Lao Cai Province, Viet Nam. Unfortunately we were unable to see her as there was a problem with her camera but we were able to hear her. Many of her students were also able to see the video conference but unfortunately they didn't have any sound. You can see an older picture of her with her class to the right. We asked her many questions about her school. She told us that they start their school day at 7 am and end at 5 pm. We were surprised to learn that her students have a 1.5 hour break for lunch every day. She also told us that her students wear uniforms. Ms. Tran also explained to us that her school was named after a famous Vietnamese scientist and poet, Lê Quý Đôn. She was confused about why our school as named after the country of Holland. Our students explained that is was the name of our town: Holland, Pennsylvania. She was also surprised to learn that our students had a cooking class and she asked several questions about what our students did in their English class. Before the interview we prepared our questions in advance as a class. After the interview we reviewed what went well and what we could improve next time. Mr. McNulty also shared some pictures from previous meetings with Ms. Tran's students. (PA-BCIT: 15.2.8.H, 15.3.8.K, 15.3.8.M, 15.7.8.I, 15.7.8.J, 15.3.8.X, 15.4.8.A, 15.4.8.B) (ISTE Standards: 2b, 2c)
During the interview about 80 of Ms. Tran's students were able to watch the interview. Unfortunately due to a technical problem they were unable to receive the sound.
Day at School Power Point Shows: Everyone had time to work on their slide shows today. Students finished adding hyperlinks and internal navigation features to their shows. Students were also shown how to use the edit points feature to make a unique start button. Our class also started adding audio narration to our shows. Next class we will finish the narration and students will be shown how to insert a video from a file. We will also add a quiz to the end of the slide shows. 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)
February 24, 2020
104 minutes
 Internet Moment: Students had an opportunity to explore the free online tutorials provided by the Goodwill Community Foundation in Raleigh, NC. At their website, GCFLearnFree.org our students could explore tutorials that range from mathematics to using an ATM to everyday life. Students were reminded of the importance of leveraging the power of the internet to augment their learning. They were also reminded that we were creating an online learning experience for the 6th graders using PowerPoint.
Day at School Power Point Shows: Everyone had time to work on their slide shows today. Students were reminded to only use public domain images from the internet using advance searches in Bing.com. Students finished adding hyperlinks and internal navigation features to their shows by making a table of contents. We continued preparing a narration script and everyone will have time to add audio narration to their slides during a future 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)
Break: Students are always reminded to not spend too much time sitting in front of computers. Breaks should be taken every 30-40 minutes.
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. (ISTE Standards: 6a, 6c)
February 20, 2020
44 minutes
Internet Moment: As a follow-up to the technology current event video last class everyone had a chance to explore khanacademy.org and look for video lessons that relate to what they are currently learning in 7th grade. Students were also reminded that by making their PowerPoint show about Holland Middle School they would be online educators for the 6th graders who would watch the shows. (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.6.8.M, 15.4.8.A, 15.8.8.K) (ISTE Standards: 1d, 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. We also discussed the origins of PowerPoint and the importance if using good images and graphics in your slide shows. View a sample T-chart here.
February 18, 202091 minutes
 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. Everyone had time to finish this project in class today. 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)
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.
Technology Current Event Video: We finished class today with a Public Service Announcement video from the Federal Trade Commission about 5 Ways to Protect your Identity.
February 12, 2020
104 minutes
Internet Moment: Students had a chance to explore Plane Finder which is an online resource that displays the real-time locations of commercial airliners all around the world. This website is an example of using public domain information to create a profit making website and app. We discussed how the information about airplane locations is collected by a government agency, the Federal Aviation Administration and is therefore in the public domain.
Library Database Project: Students finished the small group project we started in Google Docs last class. Students made their own copies of the shared document and completed it by inserting a table, adding images and hyperlinks and adjusting the colors. 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)
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.
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 play them. Students were reminded that these games can also be played on smart phones and they can even be assigned as homework. In our game third place went to Aaron, second place went to Shivaan and Jordan came in first place.
Logo Design Video: We finished this activity with a 2 minute speed art video from Tozfu, a graphic designer in the U.K., showing multiple logo designs featuring the letter "S".
Log on and Check Grades: All students were asked to log into the Home Access Center and check their grades. All students should be able to log in and check their grades routinely. Students were also reminded to check out the eSchoolPLUS Family app that's available from Google Play and the iTunes Store. Any students who had trouble logging into their account had an opportunity to visit the library to reset their passwords.
Technology Current Event Video: We finished class today with a short video from Vox about the basics of logo design.
We also discussed some of the advances that have taken place in the last 65 years: We talked about what kinds of things we use our smart phones for these days. Students were reminded of the old saying that: To those that much has been given much will be expected.
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.
Library Database Project: Students worked in 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 by adding a table, hyperlinks and inserting images. Students will also be shown how to add colors to their table. Click here to view 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 the Corning Corporation about some of the potential uses for their glass products in the future. (PA-BCIT Standard: 15.4.8.A)
February 6, 2020
91 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 directions 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. We also discussed how Google Maps collects traffic data using personal cell phones. Students then had some time to explore the world on their own. Students were also shown how to explore the other planets and moons in our solar system. (PA-BCIT: 15.6.8.M, 15.4.8.A) (ISTE Standards: 1a, 1c, 1d, 2c, 3b, 4c, 5a, 5b, 5c, 6a, 6b)Exploring Office 365: All students logged into their Microsoft Office 365 accounts and had some time to explore it. We discussed the use of One Drive to store files online and the similarities and differences between Office 365 and Google Drive. Students were also shown how to download the Microsoft Office programs on a device at home for free. This activity also gave us an opportunity to find out who was having problems with their Office 365 accounts.
Technology Current Event Video: We finished class today with a short video from Microsoft about possible uses for technology in the future.
February 4, 2020104 minutes
 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. (CRETS: 2b) (PA-BCIT Standard: 15.4.5.D, 15.4.2.B, 15.4.8.F) (ISTE Standards: 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 6c)
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.
Mystery Skype Game: We used skype to have a video conference with Mr. Shiva's class at the Surabhi Vidyaniketan School in Hospet in the Ballari District in Karnataka, India. To play the game we had to ask them yes/no questions about their local geography and they asked us questions about where we live. They also asked us some questions about our country and school as well as what we knew about India. Below are some pictures from the video conference. 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. Students were shown how to save this project to their Office 365 OneDrive. Click here to enlarge the project description. (CRETS: 2a, 2d, 2e, 6a) (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.3.8.A, 15.3.8.B) (ISTE Standards: 1a, 1c, 5a, 5c, 6b)
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.
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: 28.1 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.
Technology Current Event Video: We finished class today with a video about a new typing technology called the tap strap.
January 31, 2020
44 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 asked to search Google News for themselves and people they know. (CRETS: 1a, 2a, 3a, 3b, 3d, 7d) (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.3.8.G, 15.6.5.L) (ISTE Standards: 3b, 3c, 4c, 5c, 5b, 6a)
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 number, letters and symbols together. Student passwords must fit the following parameters: Upper case letters, lower case letters, numbers and symbols. (PA-BCIT Standard: 15.4.8.F)
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. We discussed the difference between your professional and personal image and what online "personal branding" was all about. Students were reminded of the importance of learning to manage what they looked like online. Students then shared their images using the district Swap Drive. Everyone then had an opportunity to set their school profile picture.
Technology Current Event Video: Unfortunately we ran out of time for a video today.
January 29, 2020
91 minutes
Introduction to the 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, Cortana and the various programs available to them at school. We also discussed the importance of not being distracted by online games, social media and other online distractions while at school and when they need to get something done at home.
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.
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.
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 that you can read about here. Everyone was asked to get up and find the other person in the room who shares their birthday to see if there was a match.
Computer Class Survey: All students take a computer class survey. The results of this survey are used to guide the instruction for the class. You can view the survey to the right. Click to enlarge. We then used the survey as the outline for the following presentation.
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: - The origins of personal computers
- Apple vs. PC formats
- Personal computers Vs. Mobile devices
- Various operating systems: iOS, Windows, Android, Linux, Chrome
Technology Current Event Video: Today's video was inspired by an original presentation created by a high school teacher in Colorado, Mr. Karl Fisch. Here is a link to his blog: THE FISCHBOWL for more information. This version of the video was created by Jose Esteves, a professor at the I.E. Business School in Madrid, Spain. (PA-BCIT Standard: 15.4.8.A)
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Day at School PowerPoint Shows: Students finished their slideshows for the 6th graders who will be transitioning to our school next September. Everyone had some time to finish their audio narration. Navigation buttons, hyperlinks, and sound quality was checked. We then did a peer evaluation activity. Students turned in their completed shows using the CRSD network drive. Students also had a chance to view each other slide shows. 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)
Internet Moment:
