Thursday, January 30, 2014

Today's Challenge

Challenge #1: 

Complete today's Google A Day.

  • Do you know some tricks for Google Searching?
  • Can you start a countdown clock using google search box?
  • Can you convert 30ft to meters using google search box?
Challenge #2:

Coding!!

We are going to work on coding.  If you have taken Web Design this will be review.  If not, it will be new.

Please go to Code Avengers site and create an account.  Mr. Oberdick has recommended this site for us.  Some of you may have used Code Academy last year. 

Have your CodeName be your First Name and Last initial.  Remember to use your professional email.

When in the account...

Linking Students to Teachers

  1. Click the Menu button in the top left, then Settings
  2. Enter the teacher's email address in the Teacher's email (bschneider@seymourschools.org) box
  3. Click Save Changes to complete the setup
We will work at our own pace throughout the class.  Start wherever you want.  I suggest you work with your partner so you can solve some of the puzzles together.
Challenge #3:
Complete three additional Fireworks tutorials.
  • Be sure to save completed projects in your Fireworks folder.
  • Try to work with your partner.
Challenge #4:

Make additional changes to your blog (I realize some of you are blocked at school--do it at home).
  • Update the layout.
  • Check your clustrmap
  • Check Google+ and read/comment on classmates blogs.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Images and Fireworks

Things that should be done:

  • Your Blogger blog is created
  • You made your first post (typing test)
  • Clustrmap on blog
  • In Google+ community
Today:

This class we will work on Fireworks tutorials.  Whether this is new or review I would like all to do the same work to start.  You should move straight down the "image effects" category.  Then move to the other categories.  This is sandbox time today.  Create a fireworks folder to save all of your work.  Everything you do should be named, saved, and put in a folder.

This program is a bit outdated.  Sometimes the buttons have moved from where they state in the directions.  Figure it out.

Everyone must complete (at least):

  • A few hints:
    • Read the directions.  If you call me over I will just read the directions for you.  Take your time.
    • Choose photographs from Clipart that are high quality and appropriate for the task you are trying to complete.  Some photographs do not work very well in some tutorials.
    • Save and label everything you work on in a Fireworks folder in your WDrive.
    • Help your classmates.
    If you finish please start on the text tutorials. 

    **When done create a blog post that describes your learning today.  Be sure to include links to relevant tutorials.

Monday, January 27, 2014

Blogging Platform

Today we will set-up our blogs:

1. Go to your SeymourSchools Google Account.
2. Click the boxes, go to Blogger.
3. Create a blog (we will discuss).  This is a professional blog.
4. Go to settings.  Enable Google+ comments.
5. Make it pretty.  

Assignments/Activity:  
1. Blogging:

  • We will discuss digital footprints and blogging code of ethics.
  • We will log-in to our blogs and make our first post.  Share the post with the Google+ Class community (I'm not sure how this will work yet...)
  • Next, we will leave a comment on a classmates blog, using the proper procedure.  Make the comment in Google+.
  • Much of today is us figuring out the Google+ to blogger integration.
2. Next you will complete the typing test
  • Put your score in your blog (be honest!) and see if it improves later. 
  • Don't say "I took a typing test". Say "I took a typing test". 
  • Demonstrate that you know how to code a link.
3. You will then learn how to put a clustrmap on your blog. 
  • Communication and Collaboration is our 2nd standard. We use the clustrmap to collect data about how well our message gets out.
  • Go to the Get One page.
  • Complete the form. Be sure to use the correct web address for your blog. If you do not have an email to submit this will not work.
  • The password will come to your email.
  • Submit password on clustrmap page. They will then give you a long code that you copy.
  • Go to your blog, log-in and open the control panel. 
  • Click Layout
  • Click Add a Gadget
  • Click "HTML Script"
  • Add embed code that you copied.  
  • Your clustrmap should appear on your blog.
4. Add some other widgets?  Remember, this is a professional blog.

5. You can also check out meez if you want to add an avatar to your site . You could also try voki.com. What image do you want to portray to the world?  These codes go in the sidebar as an additional HTML script.

Meez 3D avatar avatars games

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Welcome

Welcome!

Things to do:

1.  Establish a school Google account.  Many of you already have one.   If you do not have a SCHOOL google account please follow this procedure:

  • Head to Google.com
  • Click Sign IN
  • Your Username is same as computer log-in PLUS address
    • 14JSmith@students.seymourschools.org
  • Initial Password is seymourschools
  • Immediately update your password to your lunch code
  • This is your school/professional google account.  It is not "your" account.  It is owned/managed by Seymour Schools.
2. Fill out this Info Sheet.
3. Please solve a Google A Day.  Use your Google+ profile to log-in.  The site times you.  So move fast.  We will be learning how to search effectively throughout the year. 
4. Introduce yourself to the people around you.

5. Write yourself an email that will be delivered on June 1, 2014.  Use Futureme.org.  Keep the post private.  Write yourself and completing the following questions "By June I hope to have learned..." "I think the most important aspect of communication is...."

6. Swearing is bad.  Please don't do it.

7. Read the class syllabus.


8. Create a dropbox account.  Take the Dropbox tour on the site.


9. Create an Evernote account.  Watch some videos about Evernote.
10.  Create a note in Evernote called "passwords".  Put your accounts, usernames, passwords in it.
11. Join the Google+ community "SHS-Web Applications".  I think I have to approve you.
12. Create a soundcloud account.  Follow "Brandt Schneider" and "Seymour High Music".
13. Did you put all your usernames and passwords in the Evernote note?

14. Scroll down in this blog and find work and assignments from previous classes going back 8 years (!!).