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.

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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.

Portfolio

Please write a blog post about your ePortfolio.  Be sure to include a link to the portfolio.  If you keep the link "private" nobody will be able to see it.

Tell me about the design of the portfolio.  What decisions did you make?

____________________________________________________________________

I will try to get grades out today.  Be sure everything is turned in.

Portfolio

Your final major project is to create a digital portfolio.  I suggest using Google Sites.  You might like Weebly, WikiSpaces, or some other site.

This portfolio should include work from this class (blogs, podcasts, documents, video) as well as other classes work, artwork, sports, clubs, and/or hobbies.

I will not give directions about length, topics, etc... The portfolio should be an accurate depiction of the work you have done.  What do you want to show the world about your academic work?

I hope this is a portfolio that will grow with you over time and you will use it throughout your career.  As we stated many times, the internet is your resume.  What do you want to appear when people search for your name?

You have many choices in setting up your portfolio.  Use google to find some examples that you like.  I like how this school does it.

First draft due Tuesday.
_________________________________________________________________

Some great work by:

• Makayla
• Jeanette
• Cassie R

_________________________________________________________________

I will catch up on missing grades, errors, omissions on Tuesday.

Car

So....my car alarm won't stop going off every two minutes. I took the fuse out for the horn, but the alarm still activates, draining the battery. It has been fun.

I'm taking a personal day to deal with this. Please be sure to finish your work. Some of you still owe me work from December!

Where is Dean?

 Worth watching. Does your social media elevate others? Or tear them down? I see lots of "hater" posts. They get shared and retweeted. Our administrators spend a significant amount of time on twitter and facebook hating. Don't hate. ___________________________________________________________________________

 Each semester we do a Google activity where I use a colleague of mine to focus your searching skills.  In this assignment you must:

• Effectively search for information.
• Analyze that information and formulate an answer.
• Write creatively.  You MUST include links in your answers.  Also consider including images, video, and other cool stuff.
• All your answers will be on your blog.  Be sure to include the questions in your answers and link to this assignment.  Be clear to your readers!!!

Dean Shareski is a well know education expert who travels the world working with teachers.  He has an interesting blog.

Answer at least seven of the questions (I am adding more throughout the day).  Show your work (links, math, etc...):

• Dean lives in Moose Jaw, Canada.  Where would he have to drive to watch Les Mis this weekend? 
• If Mrs Shareski sent Dean to buy cool coffee mugs, where would he go?
• What is the #1 TV show in Canada this season?
• Would you say "hello" or "bon jour" if you saw a friend on the street in Canada? Does it depend where you live in Canada?
• On average, is the daily temperature in Moose Jaw above or below Seymour?  By how much?
• Dean has $10 in Canadian dollars. Can he buy a ticket to Les Mis?
• What is the best golf course in Canada?  If Dean was home and he wanted to play golf, where would he go?
• Dean wants to take his wife to a romantic dinner after seeing Les Mis.  Where does do you think his wife wants to go?

Open, Deep, Interesting

Before you start today: this is simply awesome work.

________________________________________________________________________

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.

_______________________________________________________________________

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.

_______________________________________________________________________

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.  

___________________________________________________

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......

________________________________________________________________

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.