Computer Lab Redesign Test

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

Imagine I gave you $40,000 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.  This does not necessarily mean 25 computers.
• 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.  Including formulas and charts.
• One page memo.  Memo must start with the words "I recommend that...."  Follow the format for the memo!!
• A slideshow presentation to the 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 and Google+.

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.

This will be due at end of class on Friday.

I will nitpick this project like crazy.  Be ready.  This is the first assignment I will really check for accuracy.

One Page memo directions: link blocked

September 05, 2006

The P&G 1-page memo

When I started my marketing career at Procter & Gamble almost 20 years ago, the 1-page memo discipline was in full force. Every communication had to fit on one page, and follow a fixed format. It was - and remains - a very powerful discipline. I have used it ever since then.

Here it is, with some of my own embellishments. Each 1-page memo contains five parts.
1. The Idea. What are you proposing? This is typically one sentence.
2. Background. What conditions have arisen that led you to this recommendation? Only include information that everyone agrees upon in the Background - this is the basis for discussion, so it needs to be non-debatable.
3. How it Works. The details. In addition to How, also What, Who, When, Where.
4. Key Benefits. This is the "Why?" There are usually three benefits: the recommended action is on strategy, already proven (e.g. in test market or in another business unit), and will be profitable. You can think of these three in terms of the old Total Quality mantra of "doing right things right." The first (on strategy) means you're doing the right thing. The second and third mean you're doing things the right way, because you're being effective (proven to work) and efficient (profitable).
5. Next Steps. Who has to do what and by when for this to happen?

The Procter and Gamble salesforce used to use something called the Persuasive Selling Format (PSF) in their sales pitches. PSF also had five steps. At some point it occurred to me that the two mapped to each other, which is why the P&G 1-page memo format is so effective for making recommendations: it is a document structure that is designed to sell. (Originally published Jan 25, 2005)

Challenges

If you have not completed your test in blogger please do that first.  Please post to Google+.

If you have not posted your spreadsheet and schedule to Google+ do that next.

Challenge #1:
Complete a Google a Day.  Make sure you enter data correctly to your spreadsheet.  Have you figured out how to compute average time?

Challenge #2:
How responsible do adults and teens need to be about technology use with children?  Watch this video.  Is technology use helpful or harmful?  What rules should be set up in a household?  Please write a blog entry that:

• Includes links to relevant research, videos, or images.
• Is clearly written, has a main point, topic sentences, etc...
• Encourages conversation and comments.
• Is shared in the Google+ community.

Challenge #3: 

Analyze the red dots on your clustrmap on your blog.  Please write a short blog entry about your audience.  You can also go to blogger and look at your stats to see which blog posts got read, and by whom.  

Challenge #4:

Please get to 400 pts in Code Avenger.

Challenges

All students must get a check from me that their SchneiderCorp spreadsheet is done.  

Please ensure that a CORRECT version of the spreadsheet and presentation is on Google+.

Challenge #5:
Can you attach a chart to the Challenge SchneiderCorp spreadsheet that shows me how much farm equipment stuff we sold? Please attach chart to separate sheet.

Challenge #6:
Clean up your google a day spreadsheet.  What is the average time it took you to solve the puzzle?  Yes there is a formula for time.  Thats todays puzzle, I suppose.  Can you find and apply this formula to get an average?  I don't have an answer yet, but I'm sure its really simple.

Challenge #7 (extra-when done):
Design a task with the Makey-Makey or review an App on the iPad.  Blog about the activity and post to Google+.

Challenges

Challenge #1: 

Complete Google a Day.  Put results in spreadsheet.


Challenge #2: 

Some of you have experience with spreadsheets, some of you don't.  This next challenge will be a good way to get us started.  Create a new spreadsheet in your google Web Apps folder and name it "Challenge 2: Spreadsheet".

Design a spreadsheet that includes the following information:

• Monthly sales figures need to be collected.
• Mr. Jones, Ms. Smith, Mr. Williams, and Miss Stanley are the sales people who work for "Schneider Corp".
• Schneider Corp sells farm equipment.  Tractors cost $10000, Mowers cost $5000, and Plows cost $15,000.
• Mr. Jones sold 3 tractors, 2 mowers, and zero plows this month.
• Ms. Smith sold 1 tractor, 1 mower, 1 plow.
• Mr. Williams sold 5 plows.
• Miss Stanley sold 2 tractors, 2 mowers, 1 plow.

The spreadsheet should show me total $$ each sales person sold, total # of each item sold, total $ of each item sold.  Finally what was our total $$ sales for the month?

I will walk around and help you.  Also use google and the help menu to figure out your formulas.  It may help some of you to draw it out on paper first.

Challenge #3:

Create a Google Presentation of your class schedule.  A few rules:

1. You can only have 10 slides.  Not 9, not 11, but 10.
2. You must spend some time reading about Presentation Zen.  Really check out some of the tips.  I will not accept poorly designed slides.  If you took my freshman seminar class you are very familiar with these rules.
3. You can only use YOUR photos or drawings OR photos you find using a CC search.  Plagiarism applies to photos as well as text.  If you search within Google Docs (click insert image) those images will be CC images.

Name the presentation "Schedule" and save in your folder.

Challenge #4:

If blogger is back up, please ensure you have completed your tests and posted to Google+

Donate some rice to support world hunger.

Hopefully...

Hopefully both wikipedia and Google are rolling and I can do some grading.

Please watch this video.  Some cool new things for Google Docs:

)

Today:

1. Do the google a day.  Put your results in your spreadsheet.

2. Check out this cool hack from MusicHackDay.  Put in your headphones.  Read more about music hack day here.  I kinda wish school was like this.

3. Read and Write Blog post:  read this article about testing.  What do you think?  Include link to original article.

4. Complete Wikipedia tutorial from last class.  Be familiar with the pillars of wikipedia and how to make basic edits.

5. Get to at least 300pts total in code avenger.

 A few things we need to improve as a class in our writing:

• Paragraphs.  Organize your thoughts.
• Include relevant links.  
• Have a solid closing thought.  The closing thought should encourage comments on your blog.  Don't END a conversation, START one.

Wikipedia--Round #2

OK, the issue with wikipedia accounts seems to be working now.  You all should have made an account.

Step 1: Log in.

Step 2: Complete the Training for Students.

Step 3: Edit the Seymour High School Page.  Notice an edit made yesterday by a student in our class was rejected.  Learn the procedure.

Step 4: Edit pages that you find interesting.   Or search for the many pages where Wikipedia editors ask for help in editing.

Why learn wikipedia:

• You should understand how this encyclopedia is edited.
• It is a good application of a code.
• It is a way for me to assess if you can read directions and apply concepts in a real world example.

I will assess by going to your wikipedia page.  It shows the edits you made.

_______________________________________________________________________

In addition:

1. Complete and log a Google A Day.

2. Check your blog for comments and clustrmap red dots.

3. Check Google+

Wikipedia

We will be spending some time in wikipedia.  I want you to read, edit, and comment on articles.  Wikipedia is a very, very powerful tool for communication.

Step 1: Create an account in wikipedia.  This should work today.  If it is IP address blocking you try this procedure.

Step 2: Complete the tutorial.  Wikipedia's editing rules are serious.  

Step 3: Begin editing the Seymour High School page.  Follow the wikipedia rules to decide:

• What is relevant?
• What can you provide sources for?
• How should you format the entries and edits?

You WILL get almost immediate feedback from other editors on the site.  Be polite, be thoughtful, and above all be correct!

Step 4: Edit additional articles that may interest you.  Anything that is school appropriate.  I expect this to be an ongoing process.  Edit something you are an expert in.

How will I evaluate you?  Good question.

• Quality:
• Do your edits follow the format for wikipedia?  
• Do the edits get rejected by other editors?
• Do you add value to Wikipedia?
• Did you finish the tutorial and show evidence of that work in your editing?
• Quantity:
• You should have between 10-15 substantive edits (not fixing typos, etc...) before March 31.  This will be hard for some of you.
• I should see some edits over a period of time (not all on one day).  This is to show that you are checking your work and responding to other editors.
• Edits survive on at least two pages.
• Collaboration:
• Do you help classmates as you complete the tutorial?
• Do you utilize the chat functions to communicate with other editors?
• Do your edits respect other viewpoints?

______________________________________________________________________________

In addition:

1. Everyone does Google A Day.

2. If you are missing blog entries (Educational Games, Is it Alive, etc..) do that now.

3. Everyone must have at least four comments on blogs or Google+.  Make sure the comments add value to the conversation.

4. Code Avenger.  Try to finish courses.  This will be homework after today.

5. Do some learning with MakeyMakey.

Educational Games

TED and Games

Watch Theo Jansen: Freaky. Mind-blowing. But pay attention. What is life? Can you make something that lives out of PVC pipe? He does. Cyborg alert!  Wear your headphones.

When done check out the educational games and simulations. Can you find any other quality games?

• 3rD World Farming: Can you succeed as a farmer?
• Tall Buildings: Super-cool site about tall buildings
• Power Play: Can you build a better mousetrap?
• Check out the Ayiti game.
• Driven to Distraction don't crash!
• And finally we will review the game Darfur is Dying.

Questions please answer on your blog (two posts):
1. Are the the Jansen creatures alive?  Why or why not?  This is a really hard question to answer--what is life?
2. Review each game in a 3-4 sentence paragraph.  What is the game, what is trying to teach you, and did it work?  Do games help learning? 

Challenges

**Be sure to complete the Google a Day and put the answer in your spreadsheet that you made on Friday.

Challenge #5:
Draw a map of Seymour High School using Google Docs.  Name this "Challenge #5-Map".  I do not need EVERY detail on the map, just the highlights (cafeteria, library, etc...).  How will you deal with the 2 floors?  Please print out your map for me AND save it in your google folder.

Challenge #6:
Write me a formal email asking me to read and subscribe to your blog.  Write it to bschneider@seymourschools.org.  This email should be short, include a link, and have absolutely no typos.

Challenge #7:
Please write a blog post about your survey results.  You might include data from your survey.  Google uses some neat charts and pie graphs.  Can you find them?  What will you improve next time?  One of the most important aspects of any campaign (business, political, or social) is getting responses.  Did you get five responses?  If not, work on it before you write the post.

Challenge #8:
Work for 30 minutes in either HTML or Java in Code Avengers.

Challenge #9:
Did you comment on Mr. Florek's blog post yet?  Leave comments that continue the conversation or add value.  Your comment should show evidence that you read the blog post AND your blog post.  

Challenges

Challenge #1:

Play with the Makey Makey.  Report what you do/make on your blog.

Challenge #2:

Get 200 total points on Code Avenger.

Challenge #3:

1. Create a folder in google drive.  Name it "Web Apps". Create a new google form in your folder.  Name it "Challenge #3".  Some help if you need it is here.

2. Write questions that will elicit feedback about your blog so you can improve it.  You should decide:

• What demographic information to collect (age, gender, etc...).
• How many questions should you ask?  Too few questions and you don't get good feedback, too many questions and people get annoyed.
• What format for the questions gives you the best feedback (paragraphs, check boxes, dropdown menu)?
• What do you want to know?  What do people want to hear about?

3. Post a link to the "live form" on your blog.  Get responses from at least 5 people.  

Challenge #4:

1. Write a formal business letter to Mr. Lungarini requesting he read your blog.  This letter should:

• Demonstrate proper formatting.
• Include no typos.  
• Be convincing. Mr. Lungarini is a busy guy and values his time.
• Let him know how to find the blog.

2. Include a signature.  If you save your drawing you can use it again.  Hint: scribble.

3. Be sure the document is in your shared folder.  Name it "Challenge #4".  Print out letter and hand to Mr. Schneider.

Challenge #4:

1. Create a google spreadsheet where you track the answer to the Google A Day.  Name it "Google Puzzle".

2.  Include columns for Date, Topic, Answer, Time taken.

3. Do the puzzle, record results.  Save in folder.

Answers

Mr. Florek gave his answers.  How did you do?  Leave a comment on his blog that adds to the conversation.

Mondays Work

1. Please get to 100 points in Javascript and HTML in CodeAvengers.

2. Play with the Makey Makey.

3. Organize your Fireworks folder.  I want ten completed tutorials in the folder.  If you need to complete more please click this link.  Check the left hand column for Image Effects.

4.  On your blog please answer one of the following questions.  Your answer should include video or images and links.  Be sure to share it with the class community.

• If you were an expert in code what would you want to make?  Why?
• What class (besides this one) that you take could/should be taught online?  Why?  What are the pros and cons of online classes?

5. Make constructive comments on your classmates blog.  Check out how first graders make comments.  

6. I will assess if you learned the google search hints.  

• Can you make a countdown timer?
• Can you find out what time it is NOW?
• Can you use as a calculator?

Who is He?

For several years I have been working with student teachers in Canada.  They have observed our lessons, commented on blogs, and generally been part of class for a few weeks.  One of these students will be working with us.

His name is Donovan Florek and he goes to the University of Regina.  He has a blog.

So we are going to find out some answers as a google review activity.  Find answers to each of these and post in an entry in your blog.  Each answer should contain a link, image, or video.  All of these answers require some thinking.  You should demonstrate that you can search effectively, process the information you find, select the best sources, and write about what you find in an interesting manner **using links**.

I guarantee he will be reading your answers.  Much of his class may read your answers as well.  Write smart.  If a comment is made on your blog, please respond.

1. Mr. Florek studies at the University of Regina.  Where is this school?  Find it in google earth. 
2. If he had to fly to New York which airport would he likely fly out of?
3. Mr Florek likes golf, but he doesn't have a lot of money.  Where should he play?  When do you think "opening day" for golf in Regina is?
4. If live in Regina which NHL hockey team are you most likely to root for? 
5. If you lived in Regina and you wanted to take your wife out to dinner where would she want to go?
6. If Mr. Florek wanted to see a movie tonight where would he go?
7. If Mr. Florek only had $10 in Canadian dollars would that be enough to buy a movie ticket?
8. Is Regina colder or warmer than Seymour?  Show the math.

Double and triple check that you complete this correctly (with links!!) on your blog.  Be sure to post to Google+ community.

_____________________________________________________________________________

When you complete exercise I will grade (first time grading!!):

1. Blog entries.
2. Fireworks folder.
3. Code Avengers.

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.

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):

• • Image Color 
  • Photo Frames
  • Old Photograph
  • Pencil Drawing
  • Fading  
• 
  
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.

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.

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 (!!).

Computer Applications Final Exam

Choose ONE of the following tasks for your exam:

Choice One:

You just started a wedding designing business.  You are looking for clients.

"Suzy Jackson" is a 28 year old who is getting married for the first time.  She wants to get married at the beach here in Connecticut.  You want her business.  She has told you she can spend up to $20,000 on her wedding.  There will be 100 guests.

Your exam must include the following:

• A formal business letter written to Suzy outlining the main points of what you hope to create and why she should hire you. 
• A spreadsheet with properly formatted formulas outlining the projected costs of the wedding.  This may involve some research and some creative writing.  You can make stuff up if you aren't sure.
• A sample printable wedding invitation.

Choice Two:

You just started a party business.  You are looking for clients.

"Jimmy Jones" is a 45 year old who wants to have a great super bowl party for 40 of his friends here in Seymour.  It will be a family affair.  There will be about 15-20 kids there.  He wants to spend about $1000.  He has a TV and a big living room but he wants everything else prepared.  This will be a "dry" party.  No alcohol.

Your exam must include the following:

• A formal business letter written to Jimmy outlining the main points of what you hope to create and why he should hire you.  
• A spreadsheet with properly formatted formulas outlining the projected costs of the party.  This may involve some research and some creative writing.  Make sure you have something for the kids to do! You can make stuff up if you aren't sure.
• A sample printable party invitation.

_____________________________________________________________________

Exam hints:

• Make stuff up if needed (like addresses).
• Include extra stuff if time (like your business logo?)
• You will save this in your google shared folder.  Create a folder within that folder called "EXAM".  If printer is working we will print this exam out.
• Make sure everything is EXACTLY right.  

Done!!

We're done.

If you are done with your work I thank you!

If you are not done, finish today.

Exam on Monday.

Can you find a scarier picture than this?

This sounds like a party.  Flour, eggs, and firecrackers.  I'm not suggesting any of you try this.

Finishing Up

The marking period will close for this class on Tuesday January 22.  I will not assign any new work on that day.  I've built five "catch-up" days into the schedule so be sure you get all work in.

Your exam will be on Monday January 28.  It will involve some research, writing a formal letter, and creating a spreadsheet.  It is designed to take about 60-70 minutes. Some students will be quicker.

There seems to be some problems with the Google Sites links on blogmeister.  Lets try to figure it out.  I'm copying the links and pasting to make it work, but that isn't fun.  Not sure if this is the "google issue" we have had.

You have two assignments to finish today.

Some quality work from:

• Alicia
• Allison
• Alyssa
• Cassie R
• Christina

______________________________________________________________________________

Design an invitation for the Presidential Inauguration.  I want this invitation to be on regular paper (8.5in x 11in).  It should be traditional but you don't have to exactly mimic the real invitation.  You will print this out when done.  It may look different when printed than it does on your screen.

You have many tools to choose from to do this assignment.

____________________________________________________________________________

Blog:

Please check and answer any comments on your blog.  This is a blog-wrapup assignment.

1. Has your digital writing improved?  How?
2. How many red dots did you get?  Any cool places visit you?
3. What assignments in class helped you learn the most?  Which ones were least successful?
4. Who has the best student blog?  Link to them and leave a compliment comment on their blog.