Open, Deep, Interesting

Before you start today: this is simply awesome work.

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We will begin working on projects that require you to choose the tool to present.  We have spent time on the following tools (amongst others..):

• Google Docs
• Documents
• Spreadsheets
• Presentation
• Drawings
• Video
• Evernote
• Garageband/Podcasts
• Blogging
• Java/HTML
• Meograph
• Google Search Stories
• iMotion HD
• WikipediaVoki

Hopefully you learned a bit about each of these.  You learned when and why you would use a specific tool.  Also, I hope you became more efficient in your work flow.

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An ODI question is open, deep, and interesting.  There is no one answer to the question.  I want you to present your answer in an interesting way using some of the above tools.  Have fun, be creative.

Each of these questions requires some research, some thinking, and some creative ideas for presentation.  You might write me a blog post, a memo, make a stop action movie, a podcast, or spreadsheet.  Or a combination.

You can print it out or display on your blog.  If you need alternative ways to present, ask me.

This will be due at the end of class on Wednesday.  I will assign more work on Monday.

Choose one question to answer:

• If dinosaurs were alive which one would be tastiest?
• How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?
• Why do earthquakes STOP?
• How do Chinese language writers type?  They can't use our QWERTY keyboard, can they?
• Who has the best nickname ever?

Snow Fall

Today we will read the Snow Fall.  Everyone is talking about this piece in the NY Times.  It is an amazing blend of video, text, graphics, and audio.  You should read it with your headphones on.

That's right, a newspaper piece you read with your headphones on.

This is a "long read".  Take the time.  It is worth it.  I realize that some of you are slower readers and this might end up being homework.

Your test grade is a blog entry.  We have not had a test yet this marking period.  Your question: "How will writing change in the digital age?".  Be sure to reference this Snow Fall text.

Please think about your answer.  Plan it out.  Include links.

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Many of you know I grew up in Newtown and have many connections to Sandy Hook School.  This week has been challenging.  I appreciate the support of my colleagues and from you.

Many students have asked "what can we do?".

I think above all we must ensure that no student lives in isolation.  Know your neighbor.  Make a new friend today on the bus or in the cafeteria.  We can do more.

I favor the 26 acts of kindness campaign that is growing.  Check it out.

Project is done.

We will hopefully get the presentations done today.

Here is the form we will use to evaluate the presentations.  

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Please evaluate your project on your blog.  How did you do?  What did you learn?

Please score each aspect of the project:

Presentation: 40pts
Memo: 30pts
Spreadsheet: 20pts
Drawing/Blogging: 10pts

And then add those numbers up for me for your total score.

Connect your score to items we discussed or that you worked on.  Be sure to fully explain your thoughts to your readers.  For example:

"After Mr. Schneider explained creative commons I learned that the images on Google Drive are all creative commons so I inserted those in my presentation"

"The first draft of my memo had many spacing issues.  After looking at the drafts of my classmates I adjusted the margins"

Presentations

Here is the form we will use to evaluate the presentations.  Each student will have an iPad to score their classmates work.  We will then average the 20 or so scores to get your grade.

We will present in the music room on that TV on Monday.  You can use the iPad or laptop.  Be sure to practice!  The presentation score is 40% of your project grade.  30% for memo, 20% for spreadsheet, 10% for drawing and blogging.

I will need the printed part of your project as well on Monday.  You can print it out at the beginning of class in case you do some work over the weekend.  Your packet should have memo-spreadsheet-drawing in order.  Your packet must include a drawing (not done in marker...) even if you have a 3d version for your presentation.

Expectations for groups with 3-4 people will obviously have higher expectations of detail than someone flying solo.

Be sure to improve your rough drafts.  Connect the money you are spending to student learning.

Project Rough Drafts

On your memos please use this heading:

To: Mr. Schneider
From: Suzy Jones, David Smith, Johnny Rogers
Re: Computer Lab
Date: December 11, 2012

Recommendation:
I recommend that Seymour High School.....

Background:
All parties agree that....

etc......

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Please turn in by end of class your rough draft versions of your memo, spreadsheet and drawings.

We will do our presentations next Monday.

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Put in your headphones.  I think this is worth the ten minutes.

Project Work

Podcast #4 is due today.

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Imagine you are waiting to present your work and the person before you hits it out of the park.  Great ideas, polished presentation, and a 3D video design of the room.  Really think about how you will present your project.  Will it look like a 2012 project?  Or like you could have made it in 1996?

I want a rough draft of your project in my hands on Tuesday.  I'm going to move final presentations to the following week.  I want this to be really good.

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Can you imagine if you were in high school 71 years ago today?  I find it hard to imagine.  We've seen the movies, but the mix of hope, fear, and determination must have been electric.  Those high schoolers went through so much.  They still do.

Lets take a moment and reflect on the sacrifices of the past and present.

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2nd marking period graded activities:

• Resume
• Testing Blog, Meograph Blog
• App Review Blog
• SchneiderCorp Spreadsheet
• Schedule Presentation
• Podcast #4
• Project

When we finish the project there will be basically three more weeks of class.  Be sure these grades are done.

Podcast #4 and Project Notes

1. Podcast #4 will be due Friday December 7.  I warned you last week to prepare a script.

2. When preparing your presentation you have several choices for tools.

• Google Presentations
• Prezi
• Keynote (on iPad)
• Haiku Deck (on iPad)

Be sure to choose the best tool for you.  I expect we will present in the music room as there is no screen in here.  You can present from the iPad or laptop.

3. As of today I am planning on having you present on Thursday December 13.  

4. If you feel a bit behind you might have some homework.  Perhaps you need to put your phone away during class.  This project is the major assessment for the 2nd marking period.

5. Thanks to LaurenK question I learned how to do this today.  This would be a very neat tool to make your spreadsheets more relevant.  

Computer Lab Design Project

Imagine you cleared this room out.  No chairs, no computers, no nothing.

Imagine I gave you $50,000 to outfit a new computer lab.  What would you design?  I want you to prepare a proposal.

Your lab might look like a Starbucks with a juice machine, couches and a few tables.  It might have a bunch of round tables for people to collaborate.  Your lab might have PCs, iMacs, Laptops, or iPads.  Will it have a TV or a Smartboard?  Should there be a rug?  Posters?  Ergonomic furniture?

What are some of my parameters for the computer lab?

• There should be seating for 25.
• You must budget for everything.  This includes chairs, wifi hubs, printers, etc... You must budget for software.
• This is a "general purpose" lab for a high school.

What must you prepare?

• A spreadsheet outlining how you will spend the money.
• One page memo.  Memo must start with the words "I recommend that...."
• A slideshow presentation to the class.  You will present this to class.
• Drawings or video of proposed lab.
• You must turn in a paper copy of your proposal as well as post all work on your blog.

What will I look for?

• That you contribute to discussions and documents.
• Thoughtful design and research.  Will the lab be effective? You should show evidence of research ("I emailed Microsoft", "I surveyed the English department")
• Accuracy and proper use of tools (google docs, spreadsheet formulas, etc...).  
• Presentation is consistently designed.  For example, your fonts on the spreadsheet match the fonts on your memo.

You can work in groups of 1-4 on this project.  Some of you will enjoy working and collaborating.  Some of you will work better by yourself.  

I will set a due date soon, but I expect this will be due in two weeks.

I will nitpick this project like crazy.  Be ready.