Google Notebook update

For those using Google Notebook here is an update.

Best exams so far: Abby, Emily.

Exams

To finish exam:

Internet Literacy:

• Here is the vocabulary section for the Internet Literacy Class.  Click Here.
  
• Print out (4700 printer) the memo.
• Save folder of Schneiderland website to UDrive.

Web 2/3:

• Save folder of website to UDrive.

Google

Google is stopping development of Google Notebook.  It seems that it will still be available to current users.  Should we switch to another service?  You might want to check out Evernote or Zoho Notebook.

Final Exam

Here it is:

• Web 1: Internet Literacy
  
• Web 2: Dreamweaver
• Web 3: Flash

Exams are due at the end of your designated exam period.  Exams are worth 1/5 of your semester grade.  Good luck!

Exam Prep

Tomorrow we will begin our exam. It is designed to take you about 2-3 hours of class time. Why do we have an exam?

1. Assess the students progress. Has the student mastered the skills required?
2. Assess the class/teacher progress. Has the class "missed" something? Does one class get it and the other doesn't? This is the data I analyze.
3. Compare this years class to previous years. Have the different methods and procedures I have used improved the class performance?

This is why I need everyone to take the exam and to do your best. I appreciate your effort and I am actually excited (believe it or not) to see what each of you produce.

Some reminders on what you need to be able to do (possible review points today??):

Internet Literacy:
1. Basic HTML set-up.
2. Insert images. Link pages. Create tables.
3. Create usable, accessible page.
4. Utilize basic tools (moviemaker, voki, google forms, etc...).

Web 2:
1. Create and manage a site.
2. Basic layout (without templates).
3. Insert images. Link pages. Create tables.
4. Create usable, accessible page.
5. Create citation page.
6. Create basic Flash documents.
7. Create an image map.

Web 3:
1. Create a basic Flash document.
2. Utilize buttons.
3. Insert sound.
4. Create usable, accessible page.

Blocked, Blocked, Blocked

I'm trying to figure out how to get the video to play. I thought it had been unblocked.

TED and Games

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?
• 3D Architecture: Can you build a successful house.
• Tall Buildings: Super-cool site about tall buildings
• Power Play: Can you build a better mousetrap?
• Check out the Ayiti game.
• The Redistricting Game Can you rig your district?
• And finally we will review the game Darfur is Dying.

Scramble

I am scrambling to get things done. I am moving fast on exam information and will have that tomorrow. I have to eliminate one component because of the time we have missed. I also need to have all of your grades. Several of you have not turned in a project (all grades posted on Edline). Last chance.

The importance of being able to write a coherent memo cannot be overstated. Today we will focus on the one page memo. You must be able to synthesize ideas and summarize them in a format easily read by both bosses and colleagues. This takes practice. A lot of practice.

The topic today might seem a bit odd; its you! I want you to write this memo to yourself. The topic? What skills must you learn in order to be competitive, productive, and happy in the 21st century world?

Be sure to follow the format and really, really organize your thoughts (Someone will ask--how long is the one page memo?) Post to blog when done. This is your final assignment. If you don't finish today please submit tonight for homework as we will probably start the exam work tomorrow.

Final Stretch

This week will be about finishing some final tasks before exams.



Internet Literacy:

• HTML Review: Basics, Image Codes, Tables, Forms.

Web 2 and 3:

We will work on image maps and layers.

• Image Map Tutorial


• Show/Hide Layers

I'm about 2/3 through grading the semester projects. I ask that you check out: JKassay, JTryjada, EDieckman, KBarsevich, CWilm.

If for some unknown reason you didn't turn in your project--please don't talk about it, provide an excuse, etc...Put it in UDrive (on your own time) and accept the penalty.

Reminder

As we endure tough times I read this article today about what tough times really look like.  Be thankful for what you have.

Video about Darfur from today's NYTimes site.

When you submit your files to the UDrive please check and proofread.  Have a partner check!

Complete this form when your project is submitted.  

I found it curious that more of you weren't using forms/surveys in your sites.  I thought that would be a good way to make each of these sites more interactive.

Uh-Oh

I have been told that it might snow tomorrow. This will impact your project timeline.

"A" students: they don't care about the snow. They've finished their layout and are working on their content. They have plans for what they can do at home and bring in on Monday. They are using their google notebook and bookmarks and will do their citations and other items at home and save time at school for serious coding work. They might even bring their codes home so they can work on in them in HTML on Notepad on their computers. They will get it done.

"B/C" Students: they aren't sure there is enough time. They haven't done any work at home and haven't quite planned things out yet. They wonder how the A students are getting it done.

"D/F" Students: they don't care. They probably would turn it in late if they had 100 days to do it because they skip steps, or don't plan effectively.

People trust people that they can depend on (plumbers, doctors, salesman) and hate people who they can't depend on (plumbers who don't show up on time, etc...). We do projects to learn how to get things done well and done on time.

Finally, a reminder that your website must include a video with a voice over and you must only include creative commons images. Not doing this might be OK in your book, but it is NOT this assignment and you will be graded accordingly.

Be sure you have this link in your bookmarks as you search for information. Use tools effectively!

Good luck!

Stuff

Interesting article in todays NYTimes about blindness that may relate to our Beethoven project.

Make sure you ahve checked out this article about the redesign of the ESPN site. Sounds like our project!! Do you read this article differently than you would have four months ago?

Project

At this point in your project you should be rolling at full speed. You must be on step six by now. If not, I worry for you.

This is half your marking period grade and should demonstrate that you understand the basics of the class. Work hard.

Using Layers might be a useful tool for Web 2 and Web 3. Check it out.

A few reminders:

1. Everything on the page should relate to your main point.
2. Be careful that your page doesn't get too busy.
3. Don't include incoherent Flash movies that make it harder to access content.
4. Some of you love background colors. Please stop.
5. Finally, check out this website about usability that is almost entirely unusable.

Avoid design disasters!

UPDATE: Check out this article about the redesign of the ESPN site.  Sounds like our project!!

Friday

Everyone must complete their storyboarding today. It is essential that you work on defining your main points. Many of you are having trouble with this.

Bad main point:
I want people to understand that situation in Darfur and how to effects so many people. (What situation? What effect?)

Good main point:
The genocide in Darfur is a tragedy that must be stopped. Please donate now. (Includes situation, action, and result).

Bad main point:
People drink coffee for many reasons and sometimes it is good for them and sometimes it is bad. (Huh?)

Good main point:
Coffee makes you stupid. (Clear thesis)

A clear main point will drive the path of your website. I will push you on this today in your discussion. If you can't articulate it well I am going to send it back. Remember, that articulating you main point is essential for any type of communication (music, poetry, essays, phone calls, etc...). I do not want your website to be a collection/list of facts. I want it to tell a coherent story that engages the viewer and encourages them to USE the site.

Today might be a good day to go back through your blog and check out websites that you thought were good. Why were they good? Did they have a consistent message? Was their "selling point" clear? If people don't understand what you are "selling" they certainly won't invest their time in your site.

On a side note: today is forecasted to be another wild ride as the auto bailout failed.

Darfur and Coffee

Darfur is still in the headlines.  Here is the editorial from today's edition of the NY Times.

And here is an amusing article in the Times today about coffee.  At 8:50 this morning there were 668 comments!  Amazing.

Wednesday

I'm back in school today but I am moving really, really slow. Be patient with me.

A few notes about your project:

1. Work as hard as you can now. Get work done at home. This will give you more time to work on your content.
2. Do you trust your sources? Why? There are thousands of caffeince studies out there. Be careful.
3. The Beethoven question is a brain/psychology question. It is not a biography of Beethoven question.
4. Who is the leading authority on Darfur? What reporter is there now and is most trusted? If you can answer that question you probably have the best information.  Check out this site from Danbury HS. I just found this one which is , I think, done by 8th graders.
5. If you are doing the family member site please remember to tell us stories, don't just list ten facts about them (where born, how old, etc...).
6. Have you checked Times Topics? Think about how to search and I bet you will find great information.

Everyone today should be up to step 4 in the project (extra point if you do all three things for step 4)). Tomorrow I will pass out the storyboard template.

Sick

Well, you have probably figured out that I am home sick by now. I'm pretty sure this is another episode of the sinus infection. This is a pretty good one so I hope to rest most of the day.

Please post a blog entry today:
1. What topic did you choose? Why?
2. List two links that you have found useful so far.

Good luck!

Project

Here is your semester project.  This project is designed for you to demonstrate the skills you have picked up this semester.  As we progress through the project I will be posting mini-assignments related to the project.  I will also post research that I think might drive some of your discussion.

A few notes:

1. This is a formal project.  You must cite all information, images, video, or music.

2. Get things done on time.  No excuses.

3. Find experts to help you.  There are experts in this room, in the building, and on the net that I expect you to consult.

4. Work together.  Share resources and ideas.

5. Have fun.

Notice our clustrmap got reset.  Lets fill it up again!

Reflection Quiz

Internet Literacy: Complete today.

Check these pianos out first. And then these drums. Get any ideas? Did you search for these before you did your project?? I gave you the link....

1. What did you learn this week?
2. Programming languages are sequential (step 1, step 2, etc...). What challenges did you encounter with your sequences? How did you overcome them?
3. Who has the best piano or drum set in the UDrive? Why?
4. Compare Scratch to Flash.

Web 2: Complete today.

1. What did you learn this week?
2. Describe specifically how your new website design is more modern than your old one in the following four areas: layout, font, color, and usability/accessibility.
3. Who has the best layout for a website in the UDrive? Why?

Web 3: Complete today.

1. What did you learn this week?
2. Was Flash the best tool for this task? Why or why not?
3. Who has the best movie in the UDrive? Why?

Scratch in HTML

To insert Scratch into an HTML page:

1. You must have "scratchapplet.jar" in your folder.  You can copy this file from the first folder of WebSchneider.

2. Check the file "sprite.htm". View source for code. You would sub your file name for "RH Piano.sb" in the code. (Blogger won't let me copy the code here...)