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.

Spreadsheets

Spreadsheet practice:

Challenge #13 (extra):
Can you attach a chart to the Challenge #13 SchneiderCorp spreadsheet that shows me how much farm equipment stuff we sold?

Challenge #15:
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 #16:
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.
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 shared folder.

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Podcast #4 is due Friday December 7.  Start working on your script in Evernote.  I'll bring the iPads next time.

Some of you gave me random podcasts last time.  Please ensure your podcasts all go off the same theme.

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Edit your blog.  Check for comments.

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I'm going to unload a project next class so I want to use this class to get everyone caught up.  Some of you may finish early.

New Work

Donate some rice, if you don't mind.  Spend a few minutes.

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I think this is very, very funny.  You can find through out Amazon.com where people start to write reviews about very simple devices.  Check out this banana slicer, then scroll down to read the reviews.

Knowing how to write is very powerful.
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Challenge 13:  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 shared folder and name it "Challenge 13: 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.

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Challenge 14:

This will be the first time I've done this, but Google search stories look pretty cool.  Check out some examples.  I don't want to spend a ton of time on this, I just want to see what it can do.

I'd like you to create your own story.  Any school appropriate subject.  Be creative.

This may pull up inappropriate images or topics.  If so, quietly fix it.

When done post your story to youTube and then to your blog.  Please include a short review of search stories and include a link so people can make their own.  

Videos

We have 30 minutes.  Lets watch some videos.  Put on your headphones.

 I love this Arnold video. His movies were really big when I was in high school so that voice is iconic. He really, really believes what he is saying.  That last line is classic.

If you watch this TED talk watch it from the beginning and do not skim forward! Its freaky amazing.

I don't know why, but I love these guys. They seem like they would be fun to hang out with. I can imagine the moment they figured they got season tickets, next to the penalty box. Not settling, they decided to don green suits to distract the competition. Brilliant.

I've watched this 100 times. Still funny.

A LOT of schools are doing lip dubs. I'd love to work on one!  They planned the whole thing backwards.  That takes guts.  A lot of schools do Lip Dub competitions.  Maybe Derby High posts one, and we have to top it.

We are singing this song in choir.  I love how the blond girl takes charge of the song.  I wish they had thought of a better ending.

I'd like to work on this office.  Check out some of their other videos.

I've never really liked Les Mis, but I recognize that its hugely popular.  You may recognize several stars in the upcoming movie.

I know there are some One Direction fans in here.  My 16 year old niece is a fanatic...

5 days until track.  Can't wait.

And, finally, one of my favorite muppet videos.

Thanksgiving

FYI:  Tomorrow will be a video watching day.   No new work will be assigned.

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Second marking period work so far:

1. Testing bog post.
2. Meograph blog post.
3. Resume
4. Blog comments (quality and quantity)
5. App review (today)

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Please spend some time today studying Evernote.  Some of you have barely used it, and some of you have really started to use it.  What helpful tips could you provide?

Maybe check out their blog?  Or google "evernote for students?"

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Classes have often enjoyed exploring Geni.com.

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Writing an app review is hard.  Things that must be included:

1. What is the app?  Who made it or designed it?  Include a link!!
2. What platform does it require?  Do you need iOS6?  Can it run on an iPad1?
3. Should you include screen shots or video in the app review?  Can you figure out how to do that?
4. Who is your audience?  Is it kids, gamers, teachers, or parents?
5. An opinion!!  Should people buy it?


Please review one of the following iPad apps using your blog.  Some of the apps are only on the iPad2 machines.

• DragonBox
• DustBuster
• NoteShelf or Penultimate
• iMotion HD.  You will be using this app when we come back.  Check what we made at home.
• Doodle Buddy
• Video Time Machine
• USA Today

Be sure if you log in to an app that you LOG OUT when done.

Grab Bag

Today is kind of a grab bag day.  The only thing I'd like you to really finish is the meograph assignment.  Be sure to check the questions for your blog post that were posted.

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I was impressed by your passion over testing.  I read many responses that were well formatted, cogent arguments.  I'd like you to spend some time reading those arguments today and responding with comments.

I think leaving comments is an important skill to master.  Check this article out.  Of course, don't be a troll.  Your comments should continue the conversation.  Make it obvious that you read the post.

When you leave a comment in blogmeister be sure you are logged in first.  In the comment box leave your first name, leave the email blank, and the URL will be filled in already.

Please aim to leave five substantive comments today.  Please be sure you respond to any comments on your blog.

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Perhaps you can guess my opinion, but would we get more benefit if we dropped the test prep and enrolled everyone in music lessons?  Does taking practice tests for the CAPT get as much benefit as being in Choir?

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Additional work:

• Do some wikipedia edits.  Check out the SHS page.  Perhaps there is too much information there does not quite fit wikipedia's guidelines.  We can also organize it better.
• Google a Day.  Keep practicing.
• Read this story about caffeine drinks.  Stock in Monster Drinks has dropped from $80 to $44.  Does that tell you something?
• This review in the NYTimes of Guy Fierri's new restaurant is gaining a lot of attention lately.  It is very, very harsh.
• If you did all that check out some of my favorite videos.  Be sure to have headphones on.

Resumes, Meographs

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

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I will hand back your resumes.  Please make fixes or adjustment and print out a clean copy for me.  Be sure there are NO errors or typos.

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I brought two microphones in for you to work on your meograph.  I hope to work on mine today as well.  I haven't added any content yet.

A few notes:

1. Try to give the meograph some depth.  You don't have to include many points, but for a few of them I'd like you to include video, audio, photos, etc...
2. Do not publish copyrighted material.  Use creative commons to search for content or create your own.
3. When done publish to your blog.

• Use the embed code.
• Give a short description of the meograph service.  What is it?  Include a link.  How can it help tell a story?  What was easy about it?  Hard?

New Marking Period

PBIS:

We got the following in this week:

1. Lots of Subway gift cards.
2. A ton of stuff from Planet Fitness, including two memberships, bags, shirts, bottles, etc...

If your letter worked please write a thank you letter.  I have envelopes.

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I like this story about confidence.

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New tasks:

Challenge #11:  Create a one page resume and put in your google shared folder.  This is a TRADITIONAL resume.  Here are some tips.  Here is an example.  I will spend a lot of time on this assignment.  We will make infographic resumes shortly.

Some things to think about:

• Use Evernote to make notes and brainstorm about the resume.
• List EVERYTHING you could possibly include.  Only include stuff you did in middle school if it is truly amazing (like winning a National Science Fair or something).
• Follow the format, follow the format, follow the format.
• Use active verbs.  Quantify everything:
• Created and published movie review podcast that reached 75 listeners per day
• Directed Hope Club recruitment plan that increased membership by 75%
• Implemented lunch recycling plan that resulted in 35% reduction in cafeteria waste

Challenge #12:  Create an account in Meograph.  Create a meograph around one of the following:

• Your family vacations.
• Your favorite professional teams best season (Road to Victory...)
• Battles of the Revolutionary War
• Upcoming tour of your favorite singer/band

Half Way

Today we will be grading.  I will hand out Edline sheets.  Lets fix any mistakes.  Also be sure to complete your Google document.

Here is the grading document. 

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New tasks on Thursday.  If you are "done" please help a classmate by commenting on their blog, helping them edit movies, or checking their work for typos.

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Who will win the election?  There are 512 paths to the White House.  Which one do you think will happen?  Write a blog post about your prediction.

Plagiarism

For the first time on the podcast project I started to send the podcasts through my plagiarism checker.  I found two podcasts that were directly taken from articles on the web.  I sent those two students messages through soundcloud.  They will receive zeros for their work.  I also have to notify the administration and their parents.

I take plagiarism very, very seriously.

Now I need to spend time fact-checking the rest of the podcasts.  This is not what I wanted to do.  If you plagiarized any portion of your work on any project I suggest you take it down immediately.

Tuesday is a finish up day.  We start new activities on Thursday.

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Check out this video.  I think they did a great job editing.  Some of the videos turned in do not have a good balance of audio with video.  Be sure to please both the ear and the eye.

In general your edits should be quicker.




Here is the grading document.  We will work on this Monday (get a head start).

Last Friday in October!

1. When your PBIS videos are done please email them to your Google folder.  If you are SURE everything is good please delete the clips and movie form the iPad to save space.
2. Remember, any idiot can make a movie.  My standards are a little higher.
3. Podcasts are improving!
4. You do not have to finish the code avenger, you just have to show good progress.

Chess?

You may have noticed we are trying to start a chess club.  We are using an online system called chess.com.  You can access the site on the iPads, your computer or your phone.

We hope to use this during appropriate times during school (lunch, Cat Cave time, etc...) but you can also play at home.  We will have tournaments and other activities.  It will be very informal and low key.  Try it out?

This is funny.  And stupid.  Really stupid.

I think Fitz and the Tantrums are cool.  Daryl Halls show is a GREAT music show.

Things to do (whats due Oct. 30):
1. Wikipedia (10-15 edits, etc..).
2. Podcast #3 (done w/blog post).  Remember you must have THREE podcasts done.  Also, I think the "post to soundcloud" button is working now.  Be sure to log in AND log out.
3. PBIS Video (done: edited and perfect).
4. Code Avenger (not done, just working hard).
5. Check and respond to blogmeister/soundcloud comments (done, now).

All projects are due TUESDAY October 30.  On some I originally had it as October 31, but we don't meet that day.

Projects Work

Things to work on:

1. Wikipedia.  I'd like to see if we can move up the quality scale.  Use the talk page to discuss changes you'd like to make.  Be polite to other editors and respect their ideas.  Wikipedia project is due October 31.  Check how I will grade it and ask questions if unclear.

2. PBIS Videos.  Please start with Step 1 in the directions.  You can make a video alone, or you can collaborate with classmates.  I'd like everyone to decide today:

• Who are you working with?
• Basic idea of script.
• Time to practice using camera and iMovie
• Be sure to delete videos or movies when done practicing.

3. Podcast #3: is due October 31.  How will you improve?

4. Respond to comments on your blogmeister or Soundcloud.


Many projects will be coming due at the same time.  Be sure to plan your day and your homework.