A Well-Deserved Vacation

It has been quite a week.  So much has happened, and not all of it joyful and holiday-like.  It seems fitting to be leaving to spend time with our families and friends right now.  We are winding down the year 2012 which doesn't seem possible.  This time of year always leads people to reflect and think about the events of the past year.  I hope for most of you these are good memories and reflections.  It is also a time for making "resolutions" or creating new plans.  I know my resolutions will include trying to make sure to take the time to say "hello" or share a silent smile with those I see walking down the hall or street looking sad and alone.  It is amazing how small gestures can make a huge difference.  I would encourage all of you to remember that face to face communication skills are just as important as your technological skills.  I know this may sound strange coming from your technology teacher, but human interactions are more important that the virtual ones we talk about in class.  So during this busy and sometimes crazy holiday season, please remember to look up, take a breath, and share a smile with the people around you; those you know and those your don't.   That simple gesture could make the world of difference to someone. 
Take this time off to relax and enjoy.  Be safe and be smart!!  I will see you all next year!!!

Merry Christmas

Joyeux Noël

Frohe Weihnachten

Buon Natale

Feliz Natal

¡Feliz Navidad

Veselé Vánoce

聖誕節快樂 

Get That Creativity Flowing

There isn't anything harder than waiting for a vacation to arrive.  There is so much energy and excitement in the air.  I know it's hard, but we all need to try and keep a little bit of peace and calmness in our days.  You will be using this time, whatever little you may have, to work on your blogging presentations.  I will not be in on Monday, but I am confident my students will work very hard for Mrs. "D" and impress her not only with their presentations, but also with their work ethic!! 

So what exactly should you be doing during class you may ask?  You will want to take out your storyboard (recipe) and finish putting all of your text and images in your presentation.  Be sure you include your citations.  Remember you have the choice to put them on the slide with the information or to create on citation slide (zoom) at the end of your masterpiece.  Once you have all of the content loaded in, you will want to work on the attractiveness component of the project.  If you are struggling with "how to" be sure to use that "HELP" tab on the top of  the page.  You may also use the many other resources (students) or search the Internet for help.  Once you feel you are "done" be sure to carefully look over your presentation using your rubric.  A good way to check your work is to pretend you are me.  Think about how I would assess this project using that rubric (it is what I will be doing after all.)

If you are satisfied you have done your absolute best and it is ready to share with the rest of us (and the world), you may go back to your blog and work on it.  You can work on the design, or even get another post ready to go.  Please DO NOT upload or publish a new post before I look at it.  In fact, it would be a good idea to create it as a Google doc.  You could share it with me so I can look it over before it goes "live."  You will need to send me an email letting me know you have a post waiting to be checked.   If you aren't in the mood to work on your blog, you may check out the latest posts coming in to your Google Reader.   You may also search for other blogs and subscribe to them.  Have fun!  

During our second class this week we will be messing around with web cameras!!!  So get ready to say, "cheese!"

Take a Breath!!

After finding out so many of my students would be missing class next week, I made the decision to hold off presenting your projects until after our vacation.  You will really want to have your presentation completed before leaving for vacation.  We will spend the first class back rehearsing and making notes and then present the following week.  I hope this lets many of you breathe easy this weekend.  You should be out there enjoying all of the holiday festivities happening on the Cape and enjoying time with your families.  Have you heard about the "Polar Express Ride" on the Cape Cod Central Railroad?? So have fun!!  Let's keep our fingers crossed for a little of the while fluffy stuff!

Show Me What You Know!!!

I have finished sharing the last of my "official blogging lessons."  Please don't think this means you are all done blogging!!!!  It is quite the opposite.  You have just begun to blog!!!  I will not be spending class time showing you how to blog, however, you will be expected to continue blogging.  Some of you have asked if you need to wait for my permission to blog or wait to be assigned a topic about which to blog.  My answer would be different for different students.  My biggest concern is that you are representing yourself in a positive light; creating a good digital footprint.  If you are someone who struggles with editing, you may want to have me double check your posts before you upload them.  I still create my posts in Google docs and then copy and paste them in to Blogger.  This gives me that extra time to double check for errors.  So check with me if you are ready to blog again!
Don't forget about your "Blogging Checklist."  You will need to make some time to complete the items on it before we leave for our Holiday Break.  If you need my help with anything, you know where to find me!
This week you will begin working on a presentation.  This topic of this presentation is "Blogging Basics."  You will receive an outline in class explaining the project.  This outline will also contain the rubric which I will use to assess your presentation.  You will only have 3 classes to create your presentation so you will not want to waste any time.  During our last class meeting before vacation you will share your presentations with the class.  I will be assessing them during the presentation.  I think you will have fun and thought it was a more 21st century assessment tool.  So whether you select Google Presentations, Prezi, or another presentation tool; it's time to get the creative juices flowing!!  You will want to create an outline or storyboard for your presentation before you jump in.  This can be a simple piece of paper or you may want to use the storyboard template I have available.  You should have plenty of time to complete this presentation during class if you are focused and using your effective effort strategies.  If you should feel you are not getting enough done in class, you always have the option to continue working at home.  You can find the resources your need on our class MOODLE page.
I cannot wait to see your masterpieces!!

Widgets and Gadgets-HOORAY!!

It has been very exciting to finally upload our first blog posts!!!  Now students are understanding the process.  We will continue tweaking our blogs as we go along.  The next item on the agenda is adding some widgets and gadgets.  How many? Which ones?  Where should they go?  Why do we need them?  All of these questions are great and will hopefully be answered this coming week.  I will caution you to not get too carried away. Remember- you words are the most important part of your blog!!!  If something is distracting your readers from your words, it may not be a good choice.  We will also be adding labels to your posts.  This is a great way for people to find your blog.  At the end of the week you will help create a rubric for the design components of your blogs.  I want my students to be a part of creating this rubric.  You will use it to help you improve your blog in the next weeks.

I know some of my students are disappointed with the "grade" they received on their first blog post.  Have no fear!   You will continue to create new posts.  You may ask me to evaluate another blog post as a "retake" for this content piece.  We will discuss this during class.

I am so excited to have you finally out there adding to the Web!!!  Have fun and be careful!  Protect that precious digital footprint of yours!

We are here for a very short week and some of my students will not be having class at all!!!  Those of you going on your team trip to the Cape Cod Regional Technical School please enjoy and pay attention.  You are the consumers and are shopping for the best educational opportunity for you!  Make sure you ask some good questions.  Let me know what technology you notice there.  For those of you who will be sitting in the lab this week, we will be finishing up the design of your blog.  I would like everyone to have their blogs designs “locked up” if possible when we return from Thanksgiving Break.  Please don’t think you will get it perfect right away.  Your blog will grow with you.
Those of you traveling this break; please be careful.  I hope you all find some time to relax and enjoy family time during this break.  Remember all of the things for which we are thankful!  I am thankful for the opportunity to learn from my students every day! 

 Happy Thanksgiving!

 

http://www.123rf.com/photo_9944860_thanksgiving-background-with-random-layout-of-thanksgiving-words.html

Another Crazy Week

It is another crazy week at BIS.  We did not have school on Monday in honor of our nation’s veterans.  I hope you all took some time to reflect on how lucky we are to live in the United States with all of our freedoms and realize many men and women have made huge sacrifices so we can enjoy these freedoms.  There were many events honoring these men and women on Cape Cod over the long weekend:  Veterans Events on Cape Cod.

It is hard to believe next week will only be a two day week due to our Thanksgiving Break.  WOW!!!  November is flying by so quickly.  Have no worries; if you have missed any classes due to school not being in session you will get caught up soon.  Everyone will look at BPS Commenting Guidelines this week.  Last year I found a great resource for commenting.  Please check it out on my “virtual” twin, Virtual 231’s post, “Beginning Blogging.”  There are some great “comment starters” in this post.  You will create some “paper comments” using post it notes to place on your classmates’ “paper posts.”  I will be assessing your paper posts and looking carefully at your comments.  Please be sure to check the BPS Commenting Guidelines as you are creating your comments.  You will have an opportunity to read your classmate’s comments before turning in your “paper posts.”    

Please remember I am making sure you are ready to go in to the “deep end of the pool.”  I am going to be sending you there with your “swimmies” on, but you are getting ready to swim that way soon!! 

Getting Started

You will be creating a “paper post” during class this week.  You will create your first post on a Google doc;  so you will be able to edit it and make it as perfect as possible before uploading to your blog.  You will be responding to the following prompt which I found on Melissa Ford's Blog:

“If you had to get locked in some place (book store, amusement park, movie set, recording studio, sports stadium, etc) overnight alone, where would you choose to be locked in?”

Please create a Google doc and title it, “First Blog Post.”  Be sure to put your name and ILT# on the top of this document.   Then you will respond to the above prompt on this doc.  As you are working on this post, be sure to share your reasons for why you would choose this place.  Also describe what you would do during the night in this place.  It would great if you could use a hyperlink in your post.   Maybe you could put a link to the place (ie Six Flags) or a similar site.  It would be great if you could find an image to include in your post.  Be sure to cite this image properly.  If you need help with any of this, just ask.  Once you have finished your “post” you will need to check it with your BPS Blogging Guidelines. I will let you know when to print this doc.  You will be sharing this "paper post" with me and your classmates during class next week when we practice "commenting" using post it notes.  This is one of my favorite classes. 

Once you have finished your "paper post" you will be creating an “About Me” for your blog.  Please create a second Google doc and title it, “About Me.”  Read a couple of the sample “About Me’s” below before creating your own.  
Please check out the helpful hints for this assignment.

Sample “About Me’s”:

All About Me Samples- slide share of very unique “About Me’s”

Abi’s Blog

Jarrod’s Blog

Lakin’s Blog (this is a blog created using Google Blogger-what you will be using)

Reminder:  Be sure to check this doc for spelling and grammar. Then be sure you have "shared" it with me by dragging it in to your ILT folder.  I hope you have a lot of fun with this activity!!  You are getting very close to giving back to the web and sharing your thoughts and ideas with an enormous audience.  I am very excited for all of you!

Back to the 21st Century

I hope you all were safe during the storm.  It was eye-opening to realize how much we depend on our technology.  My daughter and her friends compared themselves to the characters in "Little House on the Prairie."  I don't think those girls had iPhones!!  We were very fortunate on the Cape compared to people in NYC, the Jersey Shore, and parts of Connecticut.  Mother Nature most definitely reminded us how powerful she is.
We are back at school for a shortened week.  During our one class, we will label a diagram of a WIKI and discuss its features.  Students will also combine WIKI and Blog explanations on one Google doc and rename it accordingly.  This doc will be helpful in knowing whether or not students are ready for an assessment.
It feels good to have technology at my fingertips again, but I will admit I enjoyed the peaceful and relaxing atmosphere as I sat and read a book by candlelight. 

**For those few students who will be working on Blogging Guidelines this week, please use Zoe's Blog to evaluate. :)

Sandy Update

Well....it's official.  Sandy has cancelled school.  Sounds exciting now to miss a day, but the flip side is making it up when it is warm and sunny and supposed to be summer break.  Oh well, I will stay tuned to my media as long as it is up and running.  The wind is already picking up and the rain drops are getting closer together.  It's all in the waiting game now.  Mother Nature may force me to unplug.  Stay tuned........

All Eyes on Sandy

What a crazy weekend!!  Talk about using social media for up to the minute information!!  I am sure you have all been paying attention to the pending “super storm”.  It’s hard not to be informed.  I am receiving constant “tweets”, Facebook updates, and even beeping app updates from weather apps.  It was hard to picture anything could be happening on Saturday as the day was beautiful and sunny; however, the skies this morning have definitely changed.  Every possible form of media is focused on this hurricane/super storm.  Automated phone and email alerts are pouring in from utility companies. One utility company has set up a text option so customers can automatically receive text message updates on the storm and related power outages. I am definitely in!! I am waiting, as I am sure my students are as well, for the “alert now” or mass automated phone message from our superintendent.  Will we have school tomorrow????  Well, I am planning on being in school.  I have been working on my plans for my first class on Monday morning.  I just finished a great WIKI diagram to share with my students.  As I sit here working on lesson plans focusing on communication tools I try to imagine this event happening 10 years ago.  How different would our access to information have been then??  People definitely have much more time to prepare for this storm, but on the flip side; we can’t seem to escape the continuous flow of information.  Of course, we could always “unplug.”

Voting and More

I am at a great technology conference today and will not be in school.  Please listen to Mrs. Diggins and make good choices.  I can't wait to share all of the cool new things I learn at my conference with all of you!!

During class today, you will have the privilege of participating in a “mock” or pretend election.   Before getting started, you will watch a video, "The History of Voting."   The entire student population of BIS will be taking part in this event.  Next to each of your workstations you will find a document taking you through the steps of voting.  You will also find this document below.  Please take this seriously and remember voting is a private matter.  You shouldn’t be sharing and comparing with your neighbors. Please use click on this Google doc, Voting Instructions to get started.  Hint:  You may need to paste the teacher code in a couple of times if you are getting an "invalid code" message. 

Once you have finished voting and submitted your ballot, you will have the rest of class to explore using some of the Web 2.0 tools from the cooltoolsforschool WIKI.  Both of these tools will allow you to work with images and edit or manipulate them.  You will not be searching the web for images.  There is a folder on the desktops of your workstations which includes a variety of images. This folder is called "Fall Pictures." When you go on the site for either of the tools you will upload the images from the folder on your desktop.  If you don't know how to do this, please ask your neighbor or someone else in class for help with this.  Some of you may have written your description about one of these tools.  Now everyone will have the opportunity to take them for a ride.  The first tools is called, "Be Funky."  This image editing tool allows you to change the look of your image with many options.  There are many tools listed on the left side of the site.  Please play around and see what you can do.  You can also add some fun "Goodies" to you image. 

You may also check out this other took, WebInpaint.  This tool is a different type of photo imaging tool. It allows you to remove people or items from images.  Please give this a whirl.  Again, you will not be searching for images, but using those found in the folder on your desktop.  You may print ONE image from either of these sites.  Please remember my printer is black and white.

There is one more different type of image site you may explore today.  This site is an on line pumpkin carving site.  This is a pretty cool site.  You have the option to "freehand" carving your pumpkin or using traditional straight lines to do so.  Be creative and imaginative.  When you have finished this carving, you may print a copy if you would like.  This site is called, The Worlds of Halloween.  Have fun!