Computer Apps Test

Your first test is due Monday.  I am giving you some freedom of time as I know some of you are working on podcasts or finishing the challenges.

You are familiar with the PBIS system that SHS has implemented.  Part of this program involves incentives for students.  We have been using the "respect bucks" for students to enter a raffle and win stuff.

Which gets us to our test.  We need free stuff to give out.

You will write a formal business letter to a national business (Coke, Dunkin Donuts, ESPN, etc..) requesting free stuff to support our PBIS raffles.  Think of stuff that is raffle ready (gift cards, hats, posters, etc...).  We might get a free trip to Paris from American Airlines, but I doubt it.  I guess we could try.

Step One: Research companies.  What type of stuff would be good for the raffle?  Do these companies have a program that supplies donations?  What address do you need?

Step Two: Does a Seymour connection (grad, parent, teacher spouse) work for this company?  That might be who you address the letter to.

Step Three: Add your information to this spreadsheet.  Only one letter per company!  Keep checking the list, if someone choose Pepsi-Cola you need to find someone else.

Step Four: Write the letter in your shared Google Folder.  Check this experiment out first.  If your letter is longer than 150 words or so you are doing it wrong.

Ask the companies to send stuff to:
    PBIS Raffle
    attn: Brandt Schneider
    Seymour High School
    2 Botsford Rd
    Seymour, CT
    06483

Step Five: When you are done I need to read it and put a "Print It!" comment on it.

Step Six: Print letter, address envelope, hand to teacher.

Step Seven: Wait for free stuff.

Step Eight: For extra credit you can write additional letters to companies.

I am grading that:

• Letter addressed to correct person.
• Formatting of letter is correct.
• Writing is clear, concise, accurate.
• You are successful, we get free stuff.

Wednesday

Please respect the class rules and do not have coffee in the room unless its in a non spillable cup.

Thanks for getting the work done while I was out on Monday.  Before you start, put in your headphones and have a good laugh.

I will be grading Monday's work while you work today.

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

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?

Challenge #6:
Write me a formal email asking me to publish your podcast on my radio station.  Write it to bschneider@seymourschools.org.  This email should be short, include a link, and have absolutely no typos.

Challenge #7:
**see note below**  Please write a blog post about your survey results.  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.

***One note: the blog surveys seem to produce an error code in blogmeister (check them out).    I have emailed Mr. Blogmeister to try and find a solution.  I tried coding it, and using the graphical interface.  Extra credit to anyone who can figure it out.***

Google Challenges

I may revise the directions a bit, but I'm really trying to not give you step-by-step directions.  I don't think they help you learn.  I recognize that this is challenging for some of you.

A few PBIS respect reminders:
1. Please leave the coffee and other drinks outside of the room unless its in a container with a twist top.
2. Respect the learning and get your work done on time.  I have lunch and study hall time for you to catch up.  If that doesn't work you have homework.

Challenge #2:

1. Create a new google form in your shared folder.  Name it "Challenge #2".  Some help if you need it is here.

2. Write questions that will elicit feedback about your podcast 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 #3:

1. Write a formal business letter to Mr. Lungarini requesting he listen to your podcast.  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 podcast.

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 #3".

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. Save in shared folder.

Podcast notes:

1. If you didn't complete your first podcast you need to.  On your own time.  You may have noticed that our assignments build from one to the next.  You are creating a portfolio.

2. Next podcast due no later than October 9.  MANY of you will need to complete one before then.  Especially if you are doing a podcast that is timely (sports headlines, etc...)

Catch-up

When you write about your podcast in your blog there are two ways you should/can link to it

1. Link:

I made a podcast about the Andromeda Strain.

2. Embed


There is a "podcast" box in blogmeister.  Don't use it.

Some of you will quickly realize how to amplify your message by using facebook, twitter, email or your blog.  For example, Cindy's podcast could quickly be posted on the facebook page of every NVL volleyball player.  If its picked up and tweeted by the reporters of the Waterbury papers it will get amplified even more.  Be aware that what you record WILL be listened to.

You may get comments on your podcast.  You can set the podcast to no comments. Check this link out.  If there are any issues let me know immediately.

I've restarted a landing page for the podcasts.  I hope to finish coding it today.

Some things to improve on:
1. You should follow your classmates in Soundcloud so your "Dashboard" will show you all the new podcasts.  If you go to "Seymour High Music" and check followers it will be easy to do so.
2. Your podcasts must be between 2-3 minutes.
3. Many of your podcasts have low volume.  Be sure to use the microphone or speak more clearly into the iPad.
4. Above all, its got to get done on time.  Many of you use lunch, study hall to get more time with the iPad.  I don't assign much, if any homework in this class.  I also allow you to manage your projects.  But they must get done on time.

Today:
1. Work on your blog.  Does it have clustrmap?  Are all your entries posted?  Any typos, links to fix?
2. Comment on a classmates blog.  You should comment with your blog address, your First name and last initial, leave the email blank.
3. Listen and comment on student podcasts.  Notice you can comment directly on the podcast!  Please use your headphone.

One note:

I ask that you respect our learning environment and keep the food and drink outside of the computer lab.  I have allowed drinks as long as its unspillable and has a screw top.  That the compromise. Please keep the containers of coffee out of the room.

Publishing

Today you will publish your first podcast.

There is a bit of a work around we have to do due to the filter...

1. Be sure to name your file in garageband.
2. Send it to your email.
3. Upload it to your Soundcloud

Be sure to:
1. Log out of any apps on the iPad that you use.
2. Delete any podcast versions off the iPad to save space (once you confirm its on Soundcloud).
3. Check the directions and complete the reflection blog post.

Good luck!

Housekeeping note: On Friday we are on an A/B modified schedule.  Lunch will be during F block.  We will eat LAST lunch.

Podcast Project

We will be making videos soon.  Take ten minutes and watch this video (if you have your headphones).  Powerful, well done movie. Notice how they use music, text, and images to create emotion.

Today I will grade the following:

1. Google Doc Challenge #1.
2. Blog check (has clustrmap, and two blog entries).  I'm hoping 9th graders have access.

By Friday I will check that:

1. First podcast is published.
2. Soundcloud account is functioning and you have started to develop an audience for your show.

I'm working on a landing page for the podcasts.

Please work on the following:

• Listen to some sample podcasts or here or here.  Take some notes about what works. Review the directions and tutorials on our podcast page.
• Will you have opening music?
• Will you sign in and sign off correctly?
• Will you introduce guests correctly?
• Will you pace your broadcast and have a beginning, middle, and end?
• Did you notice how good podcasts tell you what the podcast is about right at the beginning?  You are painting pictures with words.  Be consistent, be descriptive.
• Create an avatar in Paint (or Fireworks..) or search for a non-copyrighted image to use on your Soundcloud account profile.  Please avoid actual images of you, it causes too many problems.  Also, never publish someone else's copyrighted images that you stole off a google search.  
• You should have Google, Dropbox, Evernote account.
• You must share a google folder with me.  Name it correctly.
• Choose your podcast passion subject.
• Create an Evernote note to brainstorm ideas, make notes, etc...
• Write a blogmeister post about the project.  Link to the project directions, talk about your passion, and what you'd like to learn/cover in your reporting.
• Begin working on your podcasts.   I dont have enough iPads for everyone to be working at once.  Manage your time and the resources effectively.  iPads are available at lunch and before school, and most study halls.  
• First podcasts should be posted today for some of you, if we can get it to work with the filter.  We may have to design a work around...

Podcasting

Today we will:

1. If 9th graders can, please do classblogmeister activities from the last class. 10-12th graders: did you get any red dots on your clutrmap?  How can you get more?
2. Please take two minutes to complete the Google of the Day.
3. Complete Google Doc Challenge #1:

• Create a New Document in your BusCompApps folder.  Name it "challenge #1".
• Write me a formal business letter.  It can be short.  Write about anything.  Insert a hyperlink and a picture.  Google the school address if you don't know it.
• Invite one other person to collaborate on the document.  You want to share the document, not the folder.
• Use the chat or comment feature to have your partner remove the picture from the document.  (Yes, I know you can just turn and ask them, but I want to see that you can do this).
• Publish your letter to the web.
• I will check that you:
• Shared it with me (its in the shared folder).
• Collaborated effectively (remember, I can see the history and who made edits).
• Format letter correctly.

I will spend a significant amount of time talking about our podcasting projects.  This should be fun.  I want first broadcasts posted this week.

Friday

Today we will set-up our blogs:

1. We will discuss digital footprints and blogging code of ethics.
2. We will log-in to our blogs and make our first post.
3. Next, we will leave a comment on a classmates blog, using the proper procedure.
4. Control panel will be discovered and we will add a simple sentence to it.
5. We will choose a template.

Business Computer Applications

Welcome!

Things to do:

1. You need to be sure you returned your Internet Use form (I imagine you have).  I can't do anything without that.

2. Fill out this Info Sheet.

3. Please solve a Google A Day.  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 January 1, 2013.  Use Futureme.org.  Keep the post private.  Write yourself and completing the following questions "By January 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.

8. Establish a Google account.  Many of you already have one.

• Open Google Drive
• Create a Shared Folder
• Title it "first name-last name BusCompApps".  This is one way I will collect your work.
• Share folder with teacher
• my email brandtwschneider@gmail.com 

9.  Create a note in Evernote called "passwords".  Put your accounts, usernames, passwords in it.

Web Design Final Exam

You have reached your destination.  Your final exam should demonstrate a full semester of learning.  The exam should demonstrate a keen sense of story telling, recognition of audience, and technical knowledge.  Good luck.

Exam:
Create a website about the history of the internet.  The website should include how the internet has changed family and school life.  I would like you to focus on the years 1980, 1995, and 2010.

You have many tools at your disposal including HTML, Flash, Fireworks, Creative commons searches, etc.... Be sure to create a website that is easy to read, highly usable, and accessible.

You may notice that I have not included specific guidelines about pages, images, and the like.  By now you should know how to tell a good story by using a website.  You should know how to effectively include links.  You should know not to include copyrighted images.  You should know how to embed video, animation, and images.

When done you must copy your exam folder to the Udrive: Web Schneider.  You MUST finish during the allotted time for the exam.  I will begin grading once your folder is placed in the UDrive.
  

Final Exam Prep

Today is a prep day for the final exam.  You need to know how to do the following.

1. Make a basic webpage using a table for layout that is highly usable.
2. Use fireworks to manipulate an image.
3. Create animations using Flash.
4. Tell a story.
5. Search and evaluate internet sources.
6. Develop an audience.

It will be very hard to complete the exam during the allotted time so I am giving you some assignments now.  I urge you to work hard today.

Your exam will be a website that demonstrates the "web" in 1980, 1995, and 2010. I will give all the details next week.

• Create a folder in your WDrive.  Name it correctly (BSchneiderFinalExam).
• All work will be stored in this folder.
• Research the following questions.  Keep the notes in your folder.
• Who is credited with inventing the internet?  
• How did the internet develop?  Who used it first?
• How many internet enabled devices existed in 1980? 1995? 2010? (you will have to estimate, but you can find this information).
• How many people regularly accessed the internet in 1980? 1995? 2010?
• Think, research, review the following questions.
• How is your family/social life different than a high school student in 1980 or 1995?  Focus on how the internet has changed daily life (for better or worse).
• How is your school/academic life different than a high school student in 1980 or 1995?
• Prepare a very simple Flash animation to display on "the internet" page (see above).  For example, a computer zooming into focus, or a smartphone "buzzing".
• Prepare simple Fireworks images of "The Internet", 1980, 1995, 2010 to display as headings at the top of each page.

The End is Near

Please turn in your "Who are You?" projects today.  If the project is online please write a blog post and provide me with the link.  Otherwise please submit into the UDrive folder.

We will use Wednesday for some exam prep and then we have the exam next week.  E period on Monday and H period on Tuesday.

Want to get started on Final Exam prep? Then click here.  It would be really helpful to start early....

Building a Resume: Who are You?

For your final project I am going to ask that you build an online resume or portfolio. Who are you? What do you want to tell the world?

I have spoken before that I am amazed at some of your twitter and facebook accounts. Some of you swear, say bad things about classmates, ridicule your teachers and in a PUBLIC FORUM. Remember, none of your posts are private.

Now, some of you do all those things in the hallway too, but its fundamentally different when you attach the megaphone of the internet. Why? Because its there forever.  I mean the real forever.  Eternity.  We can even track your deleted tweets.

Also, many of you have not made a footprint on the internet.  Your blogs in this class were an effort to create one.  When people google you, what will they find?  If they find nothing, thats not so good either.  In 2012, people judge people based on the stuff they have done--and the only place they look is the internet.

Check out some sample student portfolios.

• Example 1: New Tech High
• Example 2: Kevin Stiller
• Example 3: Infographic resumes
• Example 4: Brand D

I'm asking you to create an online resume.  You can do this in two ways:

• Create using HTML and notepad and then post in our UDrive.  
• Utilize online tools such as wix, weebly or google sites.

Your website should:

• Be yours.  Who are you?  
• Be creative.  Use tools to highlight why people should notice you.
• Be cool.  Can you make people visit your page and stay there?  
• Be modern.  Does your site look like it was made in 2012 or 1996?

A few rules:

• Don't include things like your address or phone number.
• Don't include pictures, videos, text that are copyrighted.
• Must be turned in by Monday June 11.  Grades will close in

We will talk much more in class and I will probably add stuff to this page as we go.  Good luck!

Easy Day

Why is this so good? It tells a STORY. Clearly, succinctly, awesome. Today is a crazy day and I probably won't be in class.  You might be in class either....

Please do the following today:

1. Write a blog post about your rockets website if you didn't already.  I really saw some great website work in the UDrive.  Please tell me in a blog post who you think has the best website!  Leave a comment for them.
2. Be nice.  Stay quiet.
3. Finish any missing work.
4. Check out my favorites.  Which ones do you like?  Lets start a discussion on your blog.

Rockets!

 We had some fun this weekend doing physics experiments. We shot rockets.

 Can you make a website that teaches kids how to shoot rockets?

Think about all the tools you now have to use: HTML, CSS, Java, Voki, Fireworks, Flash, video, ShowMe, Google, YouTube, your blog.  How will you use these tools to tell your story?  How will you tell your story so a four year old can shoot rockets safely and have fun (with the help of a parent...)?

Scroll back through this website to remember some of the tools we have used.  I often forget about tools.

Some ideas:
1. Embed a video.  Maybe you create one.  You can use my video.
2. Use a Voki for instructions (Step 1, Step 2, etc...).  Kids love clicking on a voki.
3. Use Flash to create a "rocket ship" in your title.
4. Use CSS and table to create a cool layout for your webpage.
5. Use a prezi or google presentation to layout instructions.  Or maybe put them in a Flash movie.

Some essentials:
1. Make your code spotless, clean, and efficient.
2. Save everything in a folder.  Copy to UDrive when done.
3. Write a blog post about the project.  Embed a video in the post and talk about why you choose the tools you did.
4. Really try to keep your design on the screen, no scrolling.  Would multiple pages be better?

Coding and Videos

Today and Friday we will split the class.  We will be doing two activities.

• Coding.  I want to push ahead on the Codecademy work.  I want each student to add at least 30 points to their total.  Focus on the Web/HTML classes.  Before we start please show me how many points you have so I can put a note in my book. 
• iMovie.  We will spend some time using iMovie and creating movie trailers. iMovie has templates set-up.  This is sandbox time.  You must save the movie to "camera roll" when done.  Be sure to title tit and add your names to the credits.  

Olympics

NBC has a cool thing where you can vote on your top Olympic moment.

I'd like you to spend some time watching the moments today.

Then I'd like you to create an HTML website that highlights your #1 moment.  You should:

1. Create a modern design to the website.  Be sure to include a title.  Don't have your website make some of these mistakes.
2. Include cool graphics for a Header.
3. Embed the video.  You can grab the embed code off YouTube.
4. Save everything to a folder (example: bschneiderOlympics).  Save to Udrive.

Be creative!  Include Flash, Fireworks and any CSS or HTML you picked up doing codecademy.

These websites should be looking more modern each time you build them.  Spend some time building clean code.

I love this stuff.  People love the Olympics because of the total focus and guts shown by the athletes.  Can your website celebrate that?  I remember watching almost all of these.  Ali lighting the torch makes me cry each time I see it.  I love Kerri Strug's vault.  Watch her face on the slo-mo.  Michael Johnson's 200m was the greatest race ever.  I don't know which one I would pick!

End the day with a blog post writing why you choose your clip.  Be sure to embed code in blog post and include links.

Thursday

 Nice job. Perhaps some of you can go back and revise your animations?

 Today:

 1. Everyone writes a blog post about red dots. Where were you last month, how many do you have today? Any "exotic" dots from far away places?

2. Many of you will be in catch-up mode.  Choose an assignment you need to make up and submit (or improve!).  Many of you did not finish the Bohnsack blog post, the Flash replication, or part of this last project.  I'm giving you a chance!

3. I will give some of you a fun project to do with the new iPads.

If there is a comment on your blog, please respond!  I will spend much of today making comments and grading your blogs.

Memorial Day

Please complete the self-assessment on your blog today.  I realize there are some stragglers that need to finish desk work.  iPads are away.  If you still need them you will need to see me.

1.  Please write an introductory paragraph.  Introduce the project to your readers.
2.  For each task you completed (including blog posts) please write a separate paragraph.  Tell us what you did, how many points you should earn, and why.  Click here for possible points.
3.  Conclude with a summary paragraph.  How many total points did you earn?

When done please start the Memorial Day project

Your assignment is to make a poster about Memorial Day.

More information on Memorial Day can be found here: Wikipedia entry Be sure you understand the purpose of Memorial Day before tackling this assignment.

Your assignment is to design an image that could be posted in schools. You will use Fireworks and choose the appropriate tool or tools for your image.

Assignment parameters:

1. You set up the image size when you create a new document: Height=300 pixels, Width =600 pixels.
2. Your images MUST be non-copyrighted.

3. You must be able to defend your choice of a tool in your blog post.
4. You must include "Memorial Day" somewhere in your image. You might decide to include additional text (date, slogan, etc..).
5. You must finish by the end of the period on Monday 5/21.
6. Save in Udrive when done (bschneider) as a .jpg file. All students will save in the same folder so be sure you name it correctly in the WDrive BEFORE you copy it to the UDrive. Be sure to test your work in the UDrive.

Now, lets recognize that there are several functions this week (music trip, honors breakfast, etc...). Plan your work accordingly so things get done. I anticipate adding a Flash component to this assignment on Thursday.

Good luck!

Grading

I will begin grading your projects today.  This will be a bit cumbersome as I need to find them all.  Please be sure you have emailed me your book, shared with me your game, posted your showme on our Seymour High page, put your Flash in the Udrive, and/or finished your coding.

All 9th-11th graders need to fill out this form today.

Click here to see the eBooks as they are published.  You need to view books from an iPad.  Give link to your friends.