2019-20 8-A.3

January 30, 2020 - LAST CLASS
104 minutes

Internet Moment:  We were unable to do an internet moment activity today due to a prolonged internet outage.

http://www.todayincomputerclass.com/8th/BasicHTML.JPG
Basic HTML: Students learned about computer coding by creating a website in basic HTML (Hypertext Markup Language). Students typed the HTML into Notepad to create a simple webpage.  Students were shown how to change the background color, font color, and the font style.  We also practiced inserting an image.  Due to the prolonged internet outage we were unable to proceed further today.  Click here to enlarge the project description.  (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.3.8.S, 15.4.8.H)

Make-up Time & Checking Grades:  Unfortunately, due to the prolonged internet outage, students were unable to log into the HAC and check their grades for this class.  Without access to our MS Office 365 OneDrive students were also unable to access any projects that they might have been missing. 

Final Project:
  Students used MS Word to demonstrate basic word processing skills by recreating an original document that demonstrated knowledge of several text formatting and graphics features.  Students also answered two journal questions about the class.
 
Technology Current Event Video: We watched a short video about how Florida's Orange County Public Schools and local police using a service called SnapTrends to monitor student's social media accounts.











January 28, 2020
22 minutes*

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.  

Technology Current Event Video:  We finished class today with a short video about various project initiatives by DARPA, which stands for Defense Advance Research Projects Administration.

* Our class time was shorter today due to the half day schedule











January 24, 2020
91 minutes

Mr. McNulty is absent this morning.

Internet Moment:  All students should go to earthcam.com and explore their world.  Students have 5 minutes to visit live streaming webcams from all around the world.

Word Flyer Project:  Using one of the pre-made templates in MS Publisher & the school website students will created a flyer for any school activity such as:  Hawk Day, Magazine Drive, Winter Concerts, Any School Dance, Any Athletic Event, The School Play.  Follow this link to view the directions.  Finished flyers will be printed out and turned in.

Typing Practice:  Students are always reminded to practice their typing.  If they finished the flyer project early they should go back to one of the online typing games that they found previously and use it to practice.

Video - The Biography of Bill Gates:  The development of the computer technology we have today has involved countless innovators.  Certainly one of the most famous computer pioneers is Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft.  Students followed the journey of this American icon from college drop out to tech entrepreneur to becoming one of the richest men in history.  While watching the video all students completed these questions online.


Technology Current Event Video:  We finished class today with a video from Code.org about why schools should teach computer coding.











January 22, 2020
104 minutes

https://www.khanacademy.org/
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. Students were reminded that this resource can help them with their homework here at the middle school and at the high school next year.  Students could also try signing inot Khan Academy using their school gmail accounts.  (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.6.8.M, 15.4.8.A, 15.8.8.K) (ISTE Standards: 1d, 3b, 3c) 


http://www.todayincomputerclass.com/8th/Collaboration.jpg
Finish the Asynchronous Online Collaboration Project: Each student used a Google Drawing to make a Venn Diagram that listed their favorite foods. Their partners for this project are 8th grade students from the computer class at Newtown Middle School. This project was an example of asynchronous online collaboration. All students finished their part of the Venn Diagrams and then emailed their partners to ask them to do their part. After everyone had finished we printed the completed collaboration projects. Click here to enlarge the project description. (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.3.8.E, 15.3.8.M, 15.3.8.S, 15.3.8.T, 15.3.8.U, 15.3.12.W, 15.3.8.X, 15.4.8.D, 15.4.8.F, 15.7.8.B)

http://www.todayincomputerclass.com/images/onlinecollaboration01.jpg
Online Collaboration Project:  We started a group project in which students will use online collaboration tools to plan a travel itinerary. Students will work in groups of 3-4 and they will use a shared Google Slide Show to create a travel itinerary. For this project our students will be planning a 7 day trip to Kerala, India where they will participate in some tourism activities of their choice. We started by watching a short video about tourism in Kerala. Click here for the project directions and here for the project rubric. Using Google as a currency converter was also demonstrated and students were reminded to use the calculator on their computers to total their travel expenses. Click here to enlarge the project description.(PA-BCIT Standards: 15.3.8.E, 15.3.8.M, 15.3.8.S, 15.3.8.U, 15.3.12.W, 15.3.8.X, 15.4.8.D)

Break: Students are always reminded to not spend too much time sitting in front of computers. Breaks should be taken every 30-40 minutes.

Finish Full Page Ad Project:  All students had time to finish the advertising project that we started last class.  Finished projects were turned in using a shared Google Slideshow. Students also printed out a final draft in class.  Click here to enlarge the project description.  (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)

Soft Skills Video:  We finished this activity with a short video about the importance "soft skills" in group work.  We also discussed the difficulties involved in developing soft skills when working in online virtual groups.

Technology Current Event Video:  We finished class today with a video from Captain Gizmo about some of the technology that might be available by 2050.









January 17, 2020
44 minutes

Internet Moment: Today students had an opportunity to play a financial education game from Visa called: Financial Football. Everyone had about 5 minutes to experiment with the financial literacy game. Students were also reminded that they can go back to PracticalMoneySkills.com on their own. We also checked out the Personal Finance & Investing class which can be taken as an elective at our high school. (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.6.8.B, 15.6.8.G, 15.6.8.H, 15.6.8.I, 15.6.8.K) (ISTE Standards: 1c, 5c, 5a)

Full Page Ad Project: All students had time to work on the advertising project that we started last class. Next class finished projects will be printed and turned in. Click here to enlarge the project description. (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)

Technology Current Event Video:  We finished class today with a short video about graphic design trends from 2019.











January 15, 2020
91 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.

Finish Brochure Project: Everyone had some time to finish typing this project today. Students were reminded to use Google Images and Bing Images to find free images that were in the public domain. Once they had finished they could review a rough draft with the teacher.  Click here to enlarge the project description. (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.1.5.B, 15.3.5.A, 15.3.8.B, 15.3.5.D, 15.3.8.D, 15.3.8.E, 15.4.8.G, 15.3.8.U, 15.6.8.L)

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.

http://www.todayincomputerclass.com/8th/FullPageAd.JPG
Full page Ad Project: Today students started a classic graphic design project to help them continue to develop their own sense of design and their skills in MS Publisher. 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)

http://www.todayincomputerclass.com/8th/Collaboration.jpg
Asynchronous Online Collaboration Project: Each student used a Google Drawing to make a Venn Diagram that listed their favorite foods. Their partners for this project are 8th grade students from the computer class at Newtown Middle School.  This project was an example of asynchronous online collaboration. All students finished their part of the Venn Diagrams and then emailed their partners to ask them to do their part. Click here to enlarge the project description. (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.3.8.E, 15.3.8.M, 15.3.8.S, 15.3.8.T, 15.3.8.U, 15.3.12.W, 15.3.8.X, 15.4.8.D, 15.4.8.F) 


Technology Current Event Video:  We finished class today with 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).














January 13, 2020
91 minutes

http://www.gapminder.org/
Internet Moment: Today our students were introduced to the "joy of statistics" by viewing Gap Minder.org which is a free online resource where statistics from all around the world are presented in an easy to understand visual format. We looked at the "Wealth & Health of Nations" chart. As a demonstration of how the website works we tracked the life expectancy and income changes in the USA and Japan over the last 200 years. Students were shown the effects of major events like the Industrial Revolution, the Spanish Influenza pandemic, and World War II. We also looked at how 8th grade math scores had changed in Japan, Canada and the United States. Student were also shown that countries where students have poor dental hygiene also tend to have higher math test scores as an example of a spurious correlation. Everyone then had time to explore the website on their own. (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.4.8.A, 15.7.8.A, 15.7.8.F, 15.7.8.H, 15.7.8.L, 15.8.8.A, 15.9.8.J)

http://www.todayincomputerclass.com/8th/Brochure.JPG
Copyright Brochure Project:Students take an existing brochure and recreate it in Publisher 2016 using a template as a starting point. The original brochure they were given was about copyright laws. Students were shown how to collaborate on the typing by using a shared Google Doc. Next class we will discuss how to use Bing Images to find public domain images that they could even use for commercial purposes. Students also practiced their typing today by re-typing the text of the original brochure. Everyone had time to finish the project in class today.  Click here to enlarge the project description. (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.9.5.L, 15.3.8.E, 15.3.5.H, 15.4.5.K, 15.4.8.B, 15.3.8.U)

TED Video: We watched part of a TED Presentation by John Maeda, the President of the Rhode Island School of Design. In the video he talked about how he became a graphic designer and how he used technology. He also did a presentation about content & form that demonstrated the use of different fonts to convey meaning. Students were encouraged to watched the rest of the video on their own. (PA BCIT Standard: 15.4.8.A, 15.8.8.K, 15.9.8.A)


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 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.













January 9, 2020
12 minutes*

https://www.crsd.org/Page/53032
Business, Computers & Information Technology Classes at the High School:
 Students were reminded that this class is the basic computer skills class that every Council Rock student is required to take and that any future computer classes that they take at the high school will be elective classes. We specifically discussed the Business Department courses at our high school. Specific classes that were reviewed included:Computers for College & Careers, Personal Finance & Investing and Entrepreneurship. All students were reminded to check the High School Program Planning Guide for more information. Students were also reminded that they could join the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) once they get to the high school. (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.2.8.E, 15.2.5.J, 15.2.8.K)

* Class time was shorter today due to the High School Arts Presentations rotation schedule










January 7, 2020
91 minutes

https://www.crsd.org/Page/4957
Exploring the CRHS-South Website:
 As a follow-up to the presentation today about 9th grade course selection Assembly today students were given an opportunity to explore the CRHS-South website.  Students were asked to explore the Student Handbook and the Program Planning Booklet.  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.

Internet Moment: To help our students understand cultural diversity on the internet we investigated what our own accents sound like by taking the NY Times Dialect Quiz. Students then had an opportunity to compare the dialect heat maps from all the students in our class using a shared Google Slideshow.  (PA-BCIT Standard: 15.3.8.J, 15.3.8.K, 15.3.8.X, 15.4.8.D)

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.


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.

Font Guide Project
Finish 
Publisher Font Guide Project: Everyone had time to finish the Font Guide in MS Publisher.  When finished students printed and turned in their work using the network printer in the room.  This project gave students an 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)

Technology Current Event Video:  We finished class today with a video about some of the new gadgets on display at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.










January 3, 2020
104 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 60,000 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)

International Flip Grid Project: Over the holiday break 6th grade English language students in Mrs. Peretz's class at Ilanot School in Jerusalem, Israel posted their flipgrid video's about what they did over the holiday break.  Our students had an opportunity to watch the video's in class today.

flipgrip Holidays

Google Earth Tour Quiz:  As a follow-up to our previous tour on Google Earth students were challenged to list everywhere they had gone and what they had seen on their tour of the 3 dimensional visual imagery in Google Earth last class. This activity helped to demonstrate the effectiveness of using 3D spatial references, such as the virtual environment of Google Earth, to augment memory. QUIZ: Where I went on Google Earth (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.4.8.A, 15.6.8.M)

http://www.todayincomputerclass.com/8th/PublisherLogo.JPG
Publisher Logo Project:  We started with an introduction to MS Publisher. Publisher was described as a graphic design program which is used to express your ideas visually. The field of graphic design was also explained.  Students were reminded that learning basic graphic design skills will help them to communicate their ideas effectively. Students then became familiar with Publisher by making a simple logo.  We then shared the finished logos in 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)

Graphic Arts Video:  We finished this activity with a short video from PBS OffBook about logo design.

Font Presentation: 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.
http://www.todayincomputerclass.com/8th/FontGuide.JPG

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 will have time to finish this project next class. (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.3.8.E, 15.4.8.G, 15.4.2.K, 15.3.8.X)

Font Conference Video:  As a follow-up to the Font Presentation we watched a short video from College Humor about a fictitious "Font Conference".

















December 20, 2019
49 minutes*

Internet Moment: Today we explored the online version of  Google Earth and discussed how a three dimensional virtual environment can be used to augment human memory. We started by discussing what spatial memory is and how it is used to make modern video games so engaging. Students were then introduced to the memory palace or method of loci as an effective way to use 3 dimensional visual imagery to help a person remember large amounts of information. We then went to Google Earth and began a tour of the earth.  The whole class followed a specific list of locations. Next week all students will take a quiz to see how much of the Google Earth tour they can recall. (PA-BCIT Standards: 15.4.8.A, 15.6.8.M)


International Flip Grid Project: Our students had an opportunity to participate in a Flip Grid project with students from Ilanot School in Jerusalem, Israel. Students in Mrs. Peretz's 6th grade English class and our students shared short video messages about what they were planning on doing over the upcoming holiday break. 


Technology Current Event Video:  We finished class today with a video from Danny Winget about the best technology gadgets from the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.








December 18, 2019
91 minutes

Internet Moment: Today we looked at two online resources for fonts. DaFont.com offers over 43,000 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)

Online Typing Activities: As a follow up to the typing test students were given some time to find at least 3 online typing activities (tutorials or games) that they enjoyed. They were shown how to add these typing activities to their favorites or bookmarks list so they can go back and practice their typing skills in class when they finished their projects. We also talked about how to find and use the home row on the keyboard.(CRETS: 1a, 1c, 1d, 2e)

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.
profile pictures

https://crsd4-my.sharepoint.com/personal/jmcnulty_crsd_org/_layouts/15/WopiFrame.aspx?guestaccesstoken=D48bfZc9rBpsoW0b2rFaAwmxfOLAw%2fanausEglhHvRw%3d&docid=0253d2fd0a106497e86c2680a76982f42&action=view
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)

Online Game:  Our class played a Kahoot game at the end of class today about holidays around the world.  We were also fortunate to have Mrs. Smith 4th grade class join us from Glenbrook Elementary School in Streamwood, Illinois and Mrs. Maskaeva who is an English language teacher from Russia.  Mrs. Smith's 4th graders dominated the game today.  Caleb came in third place, Sasha came in second and first place went to Fade.

kahoot game












December 16, 2019
104 minutes

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/positions.htmlAssigned 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. We then visited the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) website and searched for their recommendations concerning computer workstations. We also discussed employment laws in the workplace. (PA-BCIT Standard: 15.2.8.I, 15.4.5.D, 15.4.2.B, 15.4.8.F)

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.

Argentina Christmas Tour
Formal Video Conference:
During class today our students interviewed Maria Jose-Giavedoni, an English language teacher in Santa Fe, Argentina. She told us about how the Christmas holidays are celebrated in her country. We were surprised to hear how hot it was there and that her school year had just ended. In the Southern Hemisphere the schools in places like Argentina are closed until March for the Summer holidays. We were also surprised to hear that they like to celebrate Christmas with a family party on December 24th with gift giving at mid-night. She also said that people usually don't exchange Christmas cards nor do many people eat turkey like they do in the U.S.  After the interview we were able to view a SWAY about Christmas in Argentina and around the world.  After the interview we explored a FlipGrid project about Christmas around the world that Maria was working on.  (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)

Break:  Students are always reminded to not spend too much time sitting in front of computers.  For our break today students had a chance to get up and move around some.

Finish MLA Format: All students had time to finish the MLA Paragraph project that we started last class.  Last class we also we practiced uploading a Word doc from our network drive to Google Drive and this class we practiced downloading a Google Doc as a Word Doc.  Everyone had time to finish and turn in their finished projects in class today.  Click here to enlarge the project description. (PA-B.C.I.T. Standards: 15.3.5.A, 15.3.8.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:  34.6 WPM.  We also reviewed the typing speed graph below and discussed what a bell curve is.

HMS Typing Speeds

Technology Current Event Video:  We ran out of time for a video today.











December 12, 2019
91 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. Though the results were split, a plurality of 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)

Office 365
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.

http://www.todayincomputerclass.com/8th/MLAparagraph.JPG
MLA Format: All 8th grade students must demonstrate the ability to use the MLA format in MS Word and Google Docs (which is the format used at Council Rock and most colleges). Click here to enlarge the project description. Students were shown how to set-up their Word Documents in the MLA Format. This project involves several skills including: double spacing, changing fonts and sizes, changing indentation settings and accessing the header. As part of this project we practiced uploading the Word document to OneDrive and downloading it back to the desktop app.  We will finish this project next class.  Click here to enlarge the project description. (PA-B.C.I.T. Standards: 15.3.5.A, 15.3.8.A)

Technology Current Event Video:  We finished class today with a short video about some of the robots that are being developed by Boston Dynamics.











December 10, 2019

91 minutes

Introduction to Basic Computer Skills Class: Basic rules and classroom procedures were explained. Students were specifically reminded that because technology is constantly changing they should get into the habit of helping each other out and demonstrating the ability to learn new computer skills through experimentation. All students reported that they had helped an adult with computer skills but they were reminded that it's important to also get used to helping each other.

http://www.todayincomputerclass.com/8th/pixlrproject.JPG
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.

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)  Students shared their modified photos using various district network resources.  It was also explained to students that this software was actually on a web based computer server in Connecticut and that we were accessing and using it though the internet.  This was an example of cloud computing.  Click here to enlarge the project description.

Pixlr.com 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 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.

Identity Theft:  We discussed some of the reasons kids are easy targets for identity thieves and some of the things students can do to protect their information.  Strong passwords and being careful about what information they share and who they share it with was stressed.  We also watched a video from Channel 3 CBS News about a ransom-ware attack on a local school district.


Password box
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)

https://accounts.google.com/ServiceLogin?service=mail&passive=true&rm=false&continue=https://mail.google.com/mail/&ss=1&scc=1&ltmpl=default&ltmplcache=2&emr=1&osid=1#identifier
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.

Technology Current Event Video: We finished class today with a short video about some of the newest drones at the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.