PhotoStory 3

Year 10 - Way to go. You really worked hard today and showed great enthusiasm for the project.

Here are some links that you may need to finish your projects at home.

Download for PhotoStory 3 - http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=92755126-a008-49b3-b3f4-6f33852af9c1&DisplayLang=en

Remember to Save your PhotoStory for Playback on your computer. This is very important because it transforms your product into a movie file. This is the file you will upload to Photobucket.

To insert your photostory on your blog you first need an "image host". I have sucessfully used Photobucket in the past. 1)You need to open an account (very easy to do) here: www.photobucket.com . 2) You need to upload the VIDEO file (choose the video from your documents on your computer). 3) When the file is uploaded there will be an "embed" code (like with YouTube). Copy the code and paste it into your new blog post (in the Edit Html tab).

If this sounds a little too daunting/difficult, I will be more than happy to help you through the steps.

December 12

Year 10 - It's that time of year again . . .

We have 2 different class projects going on: Publisher and PhotoStory 3.

The Publisher group will be exploring Microsoft Office Publisher 2007 and creating a holiday newsletter. The newsletter can contain photos, original articles, cartoons, holiday stories, holiday poem(s) or song lyrics, the history/origins of the holiday, or anything that you would like to share with your subscribers. You will save your Publisher file as a JPEG and upload it to your blog. (Just like we did with the Excel files - which by the way look spectacular).

The PhotoStory 3 group will create a digital story (in 2 class periods or less - hahaha) focusing on a holiday. It's really easy to do. First, select a holiday that you would like to feature. Then, decide what you would like to say about that holiday because you have the option of narrating your story. (You can illustrate song lyrics and poems if you like.) Open the program PhotoStory 3 and follow the easy steps to create your story.

When you finish, save your story 2 ways: 1, for playback on your computer AND 2, save the project (so you can edit the project in the future).

This is going to be so much fun.

Let's go!

Remember: Room 12 Rules

No Games,
No You Tube,
No Facebook (Hi5 or other social networking sites),
No Music,
No unauthorized websites

No hitting!

December 10

Well done Year 10! It was great seeing your final products added to your blogs.


This morning we have a problem to work out - and that is copyright infringements.


We need to do an investigation on copyrights.

1) What is a copyright?

2) What is the purpose of a copyright?

3) Can images have a copyright? Explain your answer.

4) Are there any images that do not have a copyright? Explain.

5) Search for 2 websites where that have free use images. Write the URL and we will compile a list for class use.

6) What is the easiest way to avoid problems with copyright infringements?

Let's take a look at this information posted on the Smithsonian's site: http://smithsonianimages.si.edu/siphoto/siphoto.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=content&contentpath=copyright.html

Let's" discuss our findings so we can proceed in an informed way;-)


Record your findings on your blog.

Our next mini-lesson will be to utilize Publisher2007 and create a Holiday newsletter. Choose a holiday that you would like to share with your cyberaudience and let's go . . .

Let's start at this link - http://www.microsoft.com/education/publisher2000tutorial.mspx

December 5

Year 10 - Here we go!!!!

Today we are going to take a look at Excel 2007. We are going to create a chart using Excel 2007.

After completing this course you will be able to:
1. Create a chart using the new Excel 2007 commands.
2. Make changes to a chart after you create it.
3. Understand basic chart terminology.

Click on the following link to get started: http://office.microsoft.com/training/training.aspx?AssetID=RC101757361033

To reduce the level of noise we will use headsets to listen to the tutorial. Work through the entire tutorial including the quizzes. You will be prompted (guided) to put a graph on PowerPoint. This is a good thing to know how to do. I would like you to Save your PowerPoint graph as a JPEG file (an image). Please upload it onto your blog.

Remember to visit your process journal/blog at the end of the period to record your activity. Then SHOW ME YOUR BLOG WHICH INCLUDES YOUR FINISHED WORK BEFORE YOU LEAVE CLASS TODAY!

Good luck! Please raise your hand if you have any questions or concerns.

December 3

Welcome Year 10

This is the first class of the new term!

Today we will create blogs and take care of former business.

Let's have a great term!

November 28

Year 10 - Today is "D day" (Project Due Day).

Your COMPLETED PROJECT should be in a folder entitled "TERM 1 FINAL PROJECT". Remember that this folder should be inside your personal folder on the school's server. It should NOT be kept inside another folder. It must be easy for me to find. It is the student's responsiblility to make it easy to locate.

This is our last day together for Term 1.

Good luck as you continue your journey through the Technology Carousel.

November 26

Year 10 - I am experiencing difficulty locating your projects:-(

Please create a folder entitled "TERM 1 FINAL PROJECT"

This is our last week for this project - Communicating Information

Year 10 - MIC

Here are the questions about your product for you to include in your EVALUATION.

To solicit your classmates, friends and family to ask their opinion of your project idea:

1) It would be great if you would go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/ and open an account and create a survey online to solicit feedback. It's way cool and easy (even Year 7's have done it).

OR

2) Write a short summary of your idea. Include all the basic information including rental/purchase costs. Post this on your blog. Include the following questions

1. Would it be easy to use?
2. Is it practical?
3. Is it realistic?
4. Would it be affordable?
5. Is it durable?
6. Would it be effective?

and post them on your blog. Your classmates, friends and family can leave their responses as comments.

November 19

Year 10

Let's get started right away with your presentations. I can't wait to hear your suggestions for Communicating at Guincho Beach!

In the second period, please continue with your project. They are due by the 28th.

November 14

Year 10

Unforunately, you will NOT be staying in this class until February 6 as I previously thought . . .

You, like years 7, 8, and 9, are on a carousel and will be leaving at the end of November.

What does that mean to you? That means that your entire project must be finished by November 28.

That is the final deadline for the ENTIRE project. You should be far enough along that this does not pose a problem.

If you need any help, you only need to raise your hand. *Remember it's possible to work on this at home, to come in at lunchtime, and after school.

Last Day of IT classes - November 28

Year 10 - Attention!

The last day of classes will be November 28. Your project must be finished ON or BEFORE that date.

You may work on your project Tuesday and Thursday during lunch (at 1:30), and Thursday afterschool (from 3:30-5:30).

We will present on Monday without fail (no execuses).

We don't normally have homework, but finish any work for homework.

November 12

Year 10 - wait until you see today's lesson.

The librarian, Ms. Odelson, will be joining us today with a special lesson. We will be learning how to evaluate websites. This is way cool. You are going to love it ;-)

November 7

Today we will do something a bit different:-D

For one of the periods Mr. Sawyer will speak with you about the Year 10 Interdisciplinary Unit and how it relates to IT. Thank you Mr. Sawyer.

Then you can continue working on the Design/Plan stage of your project.

Ms. Odelson, our librarian) will present a lesson next week on Evaluating a Website - it's way cool.

Article - How Tech Speak Is Taking Over . . .

MSN had this great article on text messaging. Check it out here: http://tech.uk.msn.com/features/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4890569

How many text messages do YOU send every day?

November 5

Welcome back Year 10! I hope you enjoyed your break and have re-charged your batteries.

This week we are working on the Design/Plan portion of the project and you should be ready to present your project to the class on Monday, November 12.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask:-)

In the meantime, I will begin marking your Investigations (Criteria A).

October 24

Happy United Nations Day Year 10!

Planning is an important part of the Design Process.

Since we have a "Process Journal" there is no need to complete the Gantt Chart (hooray!) leaving more time to focus on your PowerPoint Presentations which are due November 5.

I'm looking forward to listening to your ideas!

PowerPoint Presentations - November 5

PowerPoint Presentations - November 5
#12 Produce a 2 minute oral presentation to rest of class outlining your strategy.

Note any feedback from fellow students as this will be helpful in the evaluation section of your project.

October 22

Year 10

PROJECTS (Investigation) ARE DUE TODAY :-)

Wow! That was easy (hahaha).

Now start on the Plan Portion of our project. Remember that there is a Plan Help Sheet.

If you need any help, please raise your hand.

October 17

Year 10

Wow, what an assembly yesterday. It was full of information! It was fascinating to listen to former student, Ricardo Diniz, talk about his passion, sailing, and his adventures at sea. This theme goes along with our IT project, Guincho Beach, Communicating Information. I was particularly interested when I heard Ricardo refer to his "satellite phone". Has anyone come across this instrument and included it in his/her investigation?

Our due date is drawing near . . .

October 15

Year 10

I will be happy to work with you and "preview" your Investigation. I can offer suggestions for Feedback is an important tool in the learning process.

Each of you has great potential. Let's work hard, keep on task, and do our best!

October 10

You should be getting closer to finalizing the Investigation portion of your project.

Remember according to the IBO (Interntional Baccalaureate Organization):

• It is imperative that students complete all tasks.
• When investigating it is sometimes appropriate to quote facts/information from the internet, however: the work must be referenced AND must contain further personal analysis.
• Your bibliography (references) should include the website name, URL, and the date that you visited the site.
• The student MUST evaluate his/her plan.
• The student must provide evidence of testing of the product/solutions created. (If not, levels awarded can not be higher than level 1).
• Include visual representations of the process of creation of the product/solutions.
• Describe a test to evaluate the product/solution atainst the design specification from the investigation stage, one that they can refer back to in the evaluation.

October 8

Investigation

We have extended our deadline, but need to be industrious.

Communication!!!

October 3

Today is "D" day!

How far are you?

Let's renegotiate the deadline.

October 1

Year 10 - Our Investigation deadline is October 3.

How close are you to meeting your goal? Should we renegotiate and extend the deadline?

September 26

Let's continue with the Investigation . . .

What was he thinking?

Check out this article that I read online in the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/25/nyregion/25mbrfs-dentists.html?ex=1348372800&en=43e444c4a1f85b61&ei=5089&partner=rssyahoo&emc=rss


By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: September 25, 2007
A former top administrator of the Camden campus of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey gave passing grades to unqualified students, potentially endangering patients, according to a federal monitor’s report released yesterday. In the report, the monitor, Herbert J. Stern, wrote that an inquiry had confirmed allegations against the administrator, Dr. Paul R. Mehne, who was the associate dean for academic and student affairs at the university’s Robert Wood Johnson Medical School campus in Camden since 1995. Dr. Mehne was suspended with pay in June and then retired at the end of the month. A telephone call to his home was not returned yesterday. The university has since made changes to increase oversight of the Camden campus, said Anna Farneski, a spokeswoman for the university.

FYI (for your information)

September 24

Monday, Monday!

We are continuing with the Investigation portion of our project.

October 3 is the deadline.

September 19

Year 10

The Investigation continues . . .

The Investigation Deadline is October 3 !

If you need any assistance, please ask!!!

September 17

Year 10:

1) We are continuing with the Investigation Phase of the project

2) Among the links that were provided, there is an example of a process journal showing what should be included - your blog is YOUR process journal

Remember that we are in a work environment and that good work habits are rewarded!

September 12

Year 10. . .

1. Have you downloaded the documents (located in the sidebar) into your folder on the school's server yet? If you haven't, please do that now. It is important that you are able to access your classwork at all times. (Remember, we had a problem last week when the entire class was attempting to open the documents at the same time. We don't want that to happen again.)

2. Use the Investigation Help Sheet! It's there to guide you through this process and help you along your way.

3. Don't forget - your blog is also your process journal. Use the blog as a tool to record URL's and other vital information.

4. We have a double period and you have the opportunity to get a lot of work done. Please stay on task and if you need any help or have any questions, please feel free to ASK :-)

Sept 10 - How to create hyperlinks/links

Because your blog is your online "Process Journal"it is important to know how to link to other sites. During the Investigation you will have a need to record the URL (Uniform Resource Locator, previously Universal Resource Locator, is the unique address for a file that is accessible on the Internet) of sites that you have visited - it is easy to insert the link into your posting.

Herre are 2 EASY ways:

1. Just type in the entire URL including the http:// part. This will AUTOMATICALLY become an active hyperlink. Example is given below.
   
   http://afterclass.tripod.com/
2. Another method is to type a word or words. Then highlight the word and click on the link icon in the toolbar (this link is located between the Text Color icon and Align Left icon). You will see a box open asking you to insert the URL. After typing the URL, click on OK and you are done. You hyperlinked!
   
   after class

Now you try it! Yes, it was that easy ;-).

September 10

Welcome back. We are trying to create the first digital classroom at SDIS.

Well last week we created student blogs. Remember that the blogs have a definite purpose: to act as a progress journal. In the past students were expected to have a notebook and a pencil - not anymore. Your blog is the online space that you can write your reflections and notes. This will aid you in the evaluation portion of the design cycle. You are REQUIRED to make a posting for each class.

Today we will begin the investigation.

1. Download the documents for our Unit of Work ( link list located in the sidebar) and save to your folder. That way they will always be available to you and this will eliminate the problems associated with all of the students trying to access these documents at the same time.

2. Begin the investigation. Use the Investigation Help Sheet and Project Completion Sheet to help you stay on task.

I am here to assist you - so if you have any questions or problems, please feel free to ask for help.

The goal is for everyone to be successful and obtain the maximum mark!

Welcome to Technology

This was the introduction presented by the Technology Department.

Welcome Year 10

You all looked like you were having so much fun with your blogs that I just had to create one of my own.


Welcome to the Year 10 IT blog. I thought that we needed a space that was more interatctive than a website. Also thought that we needed a space where your tasks in this class would be more visible.

Your class assignments will be posted on this blog - so watch this space!