Friday's Classes

I am sorry I cannot be here today, but I know you will do a great job for Mr. Johnson in my absence.  He took the time to share some important information with you before you read this post.  I hope you were listening.  Today you will be creating a glog.  This will be a very simple glog.  You will NOT be going on to the Internet to find images, videos, data, or sounds.  You will only be using the graphics, text, drawing, and wall features of the Glogster tool bar.  You will not have to worry about citing images or sites.  Remember creating this glog is a review to help you get ready for our quiz next week.  The quiz will be on the information we’ve shared about the Barnstable Public School’s AUP, the parts of your workstation and their functions, and email including email etiquette.  Next week you will have a chance to look at your classmates’ finished glogs which will be another opportunity to review for your quiz.  The quiz will be given during class two.

Getting started on your glog….  You should have already picked your topic and have the resource out and ready to use.  Your log in for GlogsterEDU can be found on your school sites tables.  Your username is:  lastnamefirstname18; no spaces, no punctuation. Your password is:  your lunch ID + 00.  Please go to GlogsterEDU and try to log in.   If for some reason you are unable to log in; Mr. Johnson will give you a piece of paper and some markers.  You will create a paper version of your glog.   Next week I will get you in to GlogsterEDU and you can convert it to a glog. 

Once you have logged in to GlogsterEDU you may notice it looks a bit different from when you were last there.  Look in the top right corner for the “create new glog” tab and click it.  This is where you will probably notice the greatest changes.  There are many options for templates and set ups.  Please select the option on the far right, “Classic Glog.”

                                         

Once you have clicked this link, you will see the familiar Glogster tool bar.  You will NOT be going to the Internet to find images, videos, sounds, or data.  You will only be using the tools within Glogster and the resource you have in your folder.  This means you will be using graphics, text, drawing, and wall tools.  **If you are caught searching the Internet you will be asked to log out and lose your points for the day. 

Saving as you go……Select the “save or publish” tab on the top right of your glog.

You will see a place to name your glog.   

Please type the name of your glog, then your name and then your ILT#.  Be sure  to click the “change” button right under it.  Then you will need to click “Apply”.  Once you have saved the name, look in the bottom right corner of this screen.  Selecet the “unfinished” option on the right, and then click “save.”  A new window will pop up and you will select “view glog” and then go back to "edit".

Have fun and make good choices.  Please be sure to focus and work hard.  You will only have part of the first class next week to finish this blog.  I know you will do a great job.  Have a great weekend!

Taking a "Drive" with Google

This week you will see how your school Google account is going to help you on a daily basis.  Before we begin, you will watch the video, “How Google Saved A School”.  This is an older report about an amazing school, but the message is still fresh.  We will begin be adding your teachers to your contacts so you will have their addresses to “share” your work.  It is a little bit confusing but the address you are adding to your Google accounts is for sharing work.  If you remember from our email class, all of your teachers’ email addresses end with @barnstable.k12.ma.us. Here is a link to a Google doc with all of the addresses you will need:  Grade 7 Teacher Google Addresses for Sharing.  I hope when we have finished class this will make more sense to you.   

Before going any further, you will convert your Google "Drive and doc" app to "Drive".  There are some new features which will help you with your learning throughout the year.  You will also create a “digital inbox” for each of your core content areas, and one for ILT.

After we have finished today, you will be able to share your work with your teachers in one click.

The iPhone 5 Is HERE!!

I felt like a kid waiting to open presents on Christmas morning on Friday afternoon.  I was disappointed when I got home from school and didn't see a package waiting for me.  My disappointment was soon erased when I heard a knock on my door.  I don't know as if a UPS driver has ever received such a warm welcome.  I couldn't wait to get started and was pleasantly surprised to find my new phone came with over 3/4 of the battery.  I quickly called my service provider and got my phone activated.  Oh wait, have I mentioned I stopped at the MAC Express in the mall on the way home to get a case for my new device?!  I slide the slim and sleek phone in to my silicone case and began exploring.  I won't bore you with all of the details, but will say I had a lot of fun.  The fun continued all weekend.  I keep trying to think of questions to ask SIRI.  She hasn't let me down yet.  My 3 year old Blackberry served me well, but I don't know how I ever lived without an iPhone!!!  I am sure the novelty will wear off at some point.  I will let you know when that happens.

 

http://expert.com.ua/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/iphone5.jpg

Email Etiquette

Using your school Google accounts or "Schoogle" accounts is going to open a whole new world to you!  We will start out by looking at the correct way to write an email.  You have to remember this is not texting your friends.  When you email your teachers you are using your "professional" side of your technological worlds.  An email is set up the same way as a "friendly letter."  You will need to be sure to include a subject line.  Make sure you are using complete and correct spelling.  The word "you" is NOT spelled "u"!!!  You will send a practice email to me.  I will be giving you a resource; a diagram of an email.  Please be sure to keep it in a safe place (your binder or folder). Email will be an effective way to communicate with your teachers.  Much of the business world functions via emails.  This is an important life skill.

Here is a link to Eddie and the Banana Websites

Getting Connected

How are we connected to one another?  We will talk about both the Internet and our BPS intranet.  How are they similar and how are they different?  You will also work with a partner to label the parts of your workstation.  This week is really about reviewing the resources we have available at school to help us with our learning.  We will take a look at all of our web services and try logging in to these accounts.  You will record this log in information on your school sites tables.  If you do not have one, you will use the school sites template to create one.  After we have completed the table and checked log ins, you should have some time to explore them.  As you explore, try to think of when and how you can use these web services to help you grow as learners this school year.

Passion....

Welcome Back!  I know you have so many things on your mind today, and I hope one of them is wondering what we will be doing in technology this year.  We will start our class off by watching “A Day Made of Glass.”  This will give you a peek in to what the near future holds for us.  It is pretty cool stuff!  I will share the basic outline for our course and then ask you to switch gears.  I am going to ask you to think about your “passions.”  “What does passion have to do with technology?” you ask.  If you had asked Steve Jobs this question, I am sure his answer would have been lengthy.  Passion and learning are definitely connected.  If you are passionate about a topic, you are more enthusiastic in regard to learning more about it.  We will take a look at the clip, “TheAuthentic Swing” from the movie Bagger Vance.  You may not have seen this movie, but I think you will recognize the actor. You will then be given a note card and asked to list at least 3 of your passions.  Remember, these do not have to be school related, but do have to be school appropriate.  You will finish class by creating a word cloud  with your personal definition of passion, the things which you are passionate about, and your name.  Please use this google doc, Passion Assignment, to prepare the text for your WORDLE.  These WORDLES will be hung around the classroom.  I plan on using your passions when designing my lessons for the year.  You will be using your passions when we start blogging.  I want you to be passionate about what we are doing in class this year!