Playing With Another Google App + Discovery Education

I know it is going to be hard this week, but I am trying to keep you focused.  I want you to explore another one of your Google apps in your Drive.  This week we are going to take a look at "Drawing."  I want you to see how what we are doing in tech can apply to your other classes.  In science you have been working on the layers of the earth.  Today, you are going to go to Discovery Education to find a source to help you with your drawing project.   I would like you to draw a diagram of the the layers of the earth using your Google Drawing app and a resource from Discovery Education.   Think of it this way:
          Google Drawing + Discovery Source =  Labeled Diagram

There are many tutorials for Google drawing available.  Check out these:

     Create a drawing-Drive Help (Google)

Introduction to Google Drawing

Google Drawing Tutorial

Let's see what you can do with this new "app".  You may use one another as resources as well.

Once you have finished your "drawing" please share it with your science teacher by placing it in your science folder.  

If you have time left in class, please do some work in your blog!

Enjoy your vacation and I'll see you in 2014!!!!

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Hour of Code

This week a very special event will be taking place world wide.  This event is called, "Hour of Code."
We will be taking part in this very exciting event.  You will be having the opportunity to explore and use computer programming codes to create a computer program.  We will start our first class this week watching the video, "Code."  I think you may recognize some of the "stars" in this video.  After hearing what some of the experts have to share about coding and computer programming, you will try you hand at it.  You will need to start in the Hour of Code home; Code.org.  Please go to the first option, "Puzzle 1 of 20".  You need to skip the video, as we have already seen it.  You will then begin by trying to move through the maze. Be sure to read and think.  There are hints and tutorials in the bottom left corner of the maze.  Check out the "Show Code" tab in the top right corner.  This is what the true "code" looks like.  Good luck!!

During class two this week, you will continue working with computer programming.  Before you get started, check out this pretty cool kid.  There are so many opportunities and careers available in the computer programming field.  Perhaps one day you will have a job as a computer programmer.  You will have some tutorials to guide you on this exploration.  Please check out the Computer Science Education Week site.  Here you will find a large number of tutorials showing you a variety of programming options.  Please select one and try to complete your second computer program.  Have fun!

If you should finish before the end of class either day, you may work on your blogs!!

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Web Evaluation....Be a Super Sleuth!!

Welcome back from our mini break.  I hope you all had a relaxing few days off and got your fill of turkey and pie.  It's hard to believe it is already December-YIKES!!!  We only have 3 weeks until our next break.  I'm sad to say this is our only full, "regular" week. Next week our schedule will be interrupted by parent/teacher conferences, and the following week will be impacted by concert rehearsals and performances.  Hold on to your hats.....we have a lot to do.

We are taking a step back from blogging to review an important concept- Website Evaluation.  As you move forward and are asked to do projects and papers for your classes, you are also being asked to find your own resources and information.  What are the best sources and how do you find them?  How do you know if the site you are visiting is reliable, valid, and credible?  Hopefully you will have answers and strategies after this week.

I would like to make one comment in regard to your comments on peers blogs.  Please remember to be careful and kind with your word choice.  As you are reading blogs please try to focus on the content and not so much on grammar and mechanics.  Leave those comments to me.  One last word on blogging for this week; you may (and I hope you do) keep on blogging this week.  Just remember to have another set of eyes check your post before you publish!

We will start our class this week with a quick introduction to URLs.  This video should jog your memories a bit.  Do you remember learning about this last year?  It's okay if you don't.  I have created a Web Evaluation Activity for you to work through during our first meeting this week.  Please take your time.  At the end of class we will discuss your findings.

Class 2 Activator:  Please start class with this survey for our guidance department.  Please read the questions carefully and answer them honestly  This information will help make BIS a better place for all of us.  Thank you for doing this.  School Climate Survey   Be sure to submit your responses by clicking, "done" a the bottom of the survey.

Once you have finished this survey you will pick up where we left off last class.  You will be inventing your own domain name by going on this E-VENTURE.  So fasten your seat belts and enjoy the ride!!

Once you have finished this activity you will take a look at an activity called, "Comparing Search Engines."  Please complete this activity, writing your answers on the note card you have been given.
                   

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Happy Thanksgiving

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It's hard to believe the holiday season is here!!  As I reflect on the beginning of this school year I recognize how much I have to be thankful for already in 2013/2014.  I have the most  amazing group of bloggers!!  They have really taken off and there's no stopping some of them.  I have already selected two "Student Blog of the Week" recipients.  You can follow them on my school web page.

They are far exceeding my expectations!  I can only imagine what they will be producing in June. I cannot wait to get them started on their Google sites.

I am also thankful for the amazing teachers, administrators, and other staff members I work with each and every day.  They bring so much to the table and I learn from them every day.  They are some of the hardest working and most dedicated individuals I have ever met!  Our students are so lucky!

Last, but of course not least, I am so thankful for my family and friends.  They are all such an important part of who I am and what I do day in and day out. 

I hope you and your families find a way to avoid all of the craziness and stress which usually accompanies this time of the year.  I am going to try to focus on those I have mentioned above and really enjoy the holidays this year.  I hope you are able to do the same!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!! 

Moseying Along With MOODLE

So what is MOODLE all about?  This week you will find out.  You will be learning some basic terms and taking tour.  I hope you find this to be another great resource for you.  You will be expected to use this MOODLE course to make up missed work when you are absent.  I hope you will find it to be an easy way to keep up.  You may also use this course to review work we have done.  It is a great resource when it come to reviewing for an assessment.  On line learning environments are going to be a big part of your education in the future so why not start now?!

You will need to make sure you are logging in to the correct place.  There is a specific URL for the BPS MOODLE site.  You cannot just Google MOODLE and go to that site.  That will not get you to our course.    Once you are successfully logged in to the Information Literacy and Technology course, you will find directions and an assignment to complete.  

This week you will also have an opportunity to complete and publish post #2, and if you are ready you can go for #3!!!  You will also need to complete the blogging presentation you started a couple weeks ago.  It was either a glog or a Google presentation.  When you have finished, please add the URL to the Assignment Collection Form.  Please check out my earlier post from November 2nd for the link to that form.  Click on your ILT # to find it.

Another Look At Comments and Blog Post #2

Happy Veteran's Day to all of the men and women who have served and given of themselves in order for us to live our lives in a free country.  The sacrifices you and your families have made are extraordinary and for these I am eternally grateful!!

This week some of you will only have one tech class due to our Monday holiday. You will all have the opportunity to assess your first blog post using the rubric I have given you. I will take your self-assessment and add my opinions and a score.  Please be sure to take your time with this activity as it is a very important one.  It will take me a little time to read through all of your blog posts; so please be patient with me.  I will get you this score and feedback as soon as I can.\

I really want you to be able to create your next blog post.  Many of you were inspired by your Pinterest explorations last week.  I would like you to complete the Commenting Activity I have created for you. You should have time left before the end of class to be able to work on your second blog post. You Please be sure to follow your Blogging Guidelines as you are working on this second post.  I would like you to create your post on a Google doc before uploading and publishing it on your blog.  It would be a great idea to have a classmate edit your post before you publish it.

I will not be in our lab on Wednesday or Thursday this week, as I have my class on those days.  I will be at school, but not teaching in our lab so you may see me in the hallways.  Please read this blog post carefully.  I will expect to see the "5 Tips or Pointers" for the Commenting Activity completed correctly before you start your second blog post.  I would like you to have a classmate read your blog post before you publish.  Please remember to cite images and sources correctly.  All of the resources are still in the folders next to your work stations.  Please be sure to use them.

**You will need to take a moment to add your name and blog URL to the Google doc I have shared with you.  You all have permission to edit.  Please be careful when typing on this document.  Be sure to copy the URL when you are "Viewing" your blog; not on your dashboard.  Your classmates will use this doc to find your blog and leave you comments.

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Drum Roll Please..........First Blog Post- TADAH!!

The day has come to upload your first blog post and join the ranks of the rest of those in the global community.  I have given you some feedback and I'd like to make final edits to your posts.  Please be sure to take a look at the BPS Blogging and Commenting Guidelines before uploading your post.  You will find the directions for uploading this post in your Blog Resource Packet which is located next to your workstation.  

Please copy and paste the URL for your blog on the form below.  You will need to click on your ILT# and complete the survey. When you submit the survey, I will have your blog URL so I can take a look at it.  Thanks!

ILT #1

ILT #2

ILT #3

ILT #4

ILT #7

ILT #8

ILT #9

  ILT #10

  ILT #11

  ILT #14

  ILT #16

During class #2 this week you will create a Pinterest account.  I know some of you have personal accounts already.  This account will be your school or "professional" account.  You will use this account to create boards for school.  You will be able to organize resources for school projects on these boards.  The first board you are going to create will be for your blog.  You will then search for resources to use for your future blog posts.  I will share a video which will give you some good tips and tricks for using this resource.  In addition, I would like you to use the Pinterest Help Center as a second resource.  Happy pinning!!

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After 95 Years......Fenway Celebrates!!

WOW!  That's about all I can say at this point.  Many of my readers don't understand the true excitement and miraculousness of this team and this moment.  For many of my readers this is their third memory of a World Series win.  For those of us who have been around a bit longer, waiting 86 years, or in my case a lifetime, for that first ring; this all still seems so new.  In a year when all we knew was rocked and changed, the Boston Red Sox have made things okay again for at least a moment.  They have shown us Boston really is "strong" and for that we will all be eternally grateful.  So cue the duckboats; here we go again and boy does it feel amazing!!!

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Designing Your Blogs.....What Colors Should I Use????

There was definitely a buzz in the air as students exited my lab last week.  We have been talking about our blogs for weeks, created "paper" posts, and created "paper" comments as well.  Last week the big moment finally happened, and students were excited.  A new crop of seventh graders have begun creating their blogs and launching themselves in to the global community.  Although they have just begun designing, and not uploaded their first posts, it is still a big moment.  Students will continue working on their blog designs for the rest of this week.  There are so many options and those uniform templates are quickly changing as student blogs are taking on their own personalities and becoming unique. We have many resources available to help you add widgets/gagdets, your "About Me", and finally upload your first posts.  These resources can be found in the "Resource Folder" next to each student workstation.  In addition, the second page of my blog is dedicated to blogging.  The second link will take you to a Google doc which contains numerous links to different blogging resources.  This includes some "help" tutorials from Blogger.  Speaking of "help"; can you find the "help" tab on your blogger account?   I will share my thoughts on widgets and gadgets letting you know which specific ones you will need to be sure to have on your blog.  You will receive one final resource which will be a "guide" for you throughout this process.  You will receive a "Blog Design Rubric" during class this week.  Please be sure to refer to it as you are working on your blog.
Choosing the colors for your blog is very much a personal process and which color combinations are "right" is really a matter of personal preference for the most part.  There are certain colors you should try to avoid.  Those "high viz" or neon like colors are very harsh on a reader's eyes.  You should try to avoid using those.  The color "red" should also be used sparingly.  This color can be used for emphasis, but it too, is a harsh color.  I found an interesting site which may help some of you select your color palette.
Check it out:  "Symbolism of Color."
So please have fun with your blogs this week.

Additional Resources:
Here are links to the resources in your folders.  Many thanks to Mrs. Finnemore for creating them for us.

Adding Widgets/Gadgets to Your Blog-  You will need to have at least 3 widgets/gadgets on your blog.  You must include a page counter and a subscription link.  Many of you have asked about my "Clustr Map."  This a great one to include as well. Google Translator is another super widget.   Blog rolls are also good widgets to include.  You could put some of your classmates' blogs in your rolls.  Vokis are also fun to include. This video was created by a student and shows you how to add your Voki.  I would strongly suggest avoiding games.  We have found these to be very distracting to your readers.  Please be very careful if you include any games.  Make sure they do not have any advertising and place them where they will not distract from your words.

Adding your "About Me" to your blog.  This resource will help you take your About Me from your Google drive and place it on your blog.

Uploading your first blog post.   I'm not sure if you will get to this point this week.  I need to get your feedback to you first.  This will most likely take place next week, but just in case the resource is here for you.

Have a blast!!!  But more importantly- GO SOX!!!!

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/world-series-game-4-red-sox-ride-jonny-035244986--mlb.html

Broadcasting Club

Welcome!!!  Please take this survey:  Broadcasting Club Info.

Commenting and Blog Design

I am looking forward to a "normal" week with my students.  No professional development days, holidays, or class pullouts.  This week I get to see all of my students!  HOORAY!!  We will take a look at the BPS Commenting Guidelines.  Your comments are just as much a part of your digital footprints as your posts.  How do you comment well?  What kinds of comments are you hoping to receive?  These are just a couple of the things we will talk about this week.  In addition, you will get some feedback from your peers and me in the form of "paper" comments.
Once we have completed our test run of blogging and commenting you will move on to creating, or designing your blogs.  I have a couple of good resources for you to take a look at before starting.  One is Ten Tips to Design Impressive and Professional Blogs.   Take a look at the blog/site, "Who is Penny Juice?" and think about the design.  What do you think of it?  Are there some things you would do differently?  Why or Why not?   I will guide you through a couple of settings.  We want to be sure you are able to moderate your comments.  I will explain what this means.  I know you are so anxious to get started with this process.  You are really going to need to nail down your titles for your blogs this week as well.  Try to be creative.
Finally, we will need to wrap up some loose ends. You will need to finish up your blogging guidelines presentations.  I will share a Google form URL next week so you can submit those to me.  Retakes need to be completed by this Friday.  If you have any questions, please be sure to see me.
Fall is most definitely in the air.  The mornings are chilly and the evenings are filled with the smell of warming fires burning.  I wonder if any of my bloggers will share their thoughts of fall in their posts.  I'll just have to wait and see.  Have a great week!

Image Link:  http://rantaboutthisandraveaboutthat.blogspot.com/2012/08/fall-printables.html

Friday Classes

Hi my friends!  I will not be in my lab today, but know you will be in very capable hands. It will almost be as if I am there.  Everything you need to know is in this post.  Today you will be creating your "paper" blog post.  **Remember-you are in the shallow end of the pool my little tadpoles.  Next to each of your workstations you will find a lovely yellow folder.  This is the new home for your resources.  PLEASE BE SURE TO LEAVE THIS FOLDER AND ITS CONTENTS NEXT TO YOUR WORKSTATION AT THE END OF CLASS.  DO NOT TAKE IT WITH YOU!!!!  Please find the packet,"Creating Your First Blog Post."  This packet is filled with tips and helpful information.  Please read it carefully.  You will want to pay careful attention to page three.  If you answer questions 1-4 on this page you will automatically create your first blog post.  This post is so important as you are introducing yourselves to your potential readers.  You want to get them hooked so they will keep coming back for more!!   Try to write using complex and creative sentences.  Avoid, "I am Fred.  I like elephants."  This gets boring and your readers will lose interest.  I will have a sample post on the white board for you to check out.  You will be creating this post in your Google Drive.  Follow the same procedure of moving the doc in to your ILT folder that we used during class #1 with your "About Me."
Just a note:  Google was acting a little bit quirky yesterday.  If you are having trouble with it, please log out of Google.  Go to your Open Office folder on your desktops and create this post using Open Office.  Save the document to your pdrive.  Make sure to name the document.  Good luck.
Have fun and be creative.  I cannot wait to watch your go from tadpoles to sharks!!!
See you next week!

Special Notes for Sections:

ILT #2, you have a special lesson today.  You will start class by taking the Blog Interest Survey I have created.  Click the link above and take your time.  When you have finished, please be sure to click the "submit" tab.  You will then be given a form to fill out.  Once you get your work done you know what time it is!!!   See you Monday.

ILT #10 and ILT #11:
I know we had discussed getting your assessment feedback from the substitute today, but when I thought more about it, I decided it wasn't the best plan.  I would like to be able to be there to explain my feedback and be sure everyone understands my comments and your grades.  So I am going to ask you to hang in there for a couple more days.  You will receive your feedback during class #1 next week.  Thanks for understanding!  Have a great weekend!
               Mrs. White:)

Red Sox, and Patriots and Blogging.....Oh My!!

What an amazing couple of days in the Boston sports realm!!!  On top of all of that excitement, as if our hearts could take much more, you will now be creating your first blog post!!  Okay so maybe writing a first blog post isn't quite as exciting as the last second touchdown in Sunday's Pat's game or Big Papi's 8th inning grand slam, but you have to admit it is kind of cool.
This first post will be a "paper" post of sorts.  You are still in the shallow end of the pool my little tadpoles.  I want to keep you safe and secure.  You will create a new Google doc and title it, "First Blog Post."  Please be sure to type your first and last name, and your ILT# on the doc itself.  You will be printing this one next week and turning it in to me.  This post is your introduction to your readers.  There is a packet of resources next to each of your workstations.  You will need to take a few minutes to read through this packet. Everything you need to create your first blog post is in this packet.  This first post should take all of this class if you do it correctly. Don't rush!  Please make sure you take the time to do it correctly.  There is a rubric on the last page of this packet.  Be sure to read it as well. Have some fun and show us your voice in this post. You may not win the World Series or the Superbowl with this blog post, but it could win you the honor of "Student Blog of the Week!"

image link:  http://www.empowernetwork.com/timidle/blog/5-killer-tips-for-writing-a-blog-post/

Short and Sweet

This weekend I was very busy and had to make some choices.  Should I use the time I have to give students feedback and finish correcting assessments or should I spend the time on my blog post?  I chose giving feedback.  You should get your assessment and feedback during class two this week.

Here is the resource you will need for class one.  Have a good one!
                              About Me Resource

Finding Out What You Know

This week students in my classes will be taking their first assessment.  This is an opportunity to show me what you have learned so far this year.  We have spent time preparing for this assessment, and I think you will all be surprised at how well you will do.  You are really a very bright bunch of young men and women!!  Assessment #1 was created using a Google form.  It will only be available, accepting responses, during school hours.  Students will not be able to view or take this assessment from home.

I will not be in the lab for my students two days this week as I will be in "school" myself.  Mr. Frazier will be in the lab in my absence.  Please do a great job for him.  I have gone over my expectations with some of you, and know those of you whom I did not speak with will do an awesome job and make me proud.  

Please start off class by taking the assessment.  There is a link to the survey part of the assessment in the first paragraph of this post.  You will also be given a printed copy of an email to correct.  There are five errors on this email.  Please circle, and then correct each of these mistakes. The directions are written on top of the email.  Please be sure to read them carefully.

Once you have completed your assessment, you will begin working on a presentation.  You will create a presentation using either Glogster EDU or Google Presentation.  If you choose to use GlogsterEDU you can find some video tutorials at the bottom of the home page.  Please remember there is NO punctuation (no underscore) in your Glogster username (nickname).  Your password is the same as all of your other passwords.  If you are using Google Presentation don't forget to name or title your presentation before you begin.  There is a "help" tab for you to use to try to answer questions you may have.  In the help tab you will find this "Overview of Google Slides."  

What exactly is the presentation to be about?  You were given a copy of the Barnstable Public Schools Blogging and Commenting Guidelines last week.  We reviewed and discussed the Blogging Guidelines. You will create your presentation about these Blogging Guidelines.  Please do NOT simply retype the guidelines on to slides or in text boxes.  You will need to add extra information to explain each of these guidelines.  This extra information should be written in your own words.  This presentation will show me your level of understanding in regard to our Blogging Guidelines.  This will help me design my lessons over the next couple of weeks.  If you use any images from the Internet be sure to copy the URL of that image and paste it on the slide or in a text box with the image.  There is more information about using and saving images in the resource below.

I have created a more detailed resource for this project.  Please check it out!

Resources for Blogging Guideline Presentation

Please try to make your presentation fun and interesting!!  I want to be able to create a space where these presentations will "live" so students can use them as resources this year and in future years. 

Have fun!  I cannot wait to check out your work!

What is Blogging?

We will finally get started with our blogging unit this week.  Before we learn the parts of the blog, you will take a Blogging Pre-Assessment. This will give me a better idea of what my students know and don't know about blogs and blogging.
Now let's get started.  I created a special blog for us to use as a "teaching blog" or a resource.  You will all be given a copy of this blog and a word list.  You will try to label the blog.  Remember to use what you know to figure out what your don't know.  We will talk about these parts of a blog.  You will also be given a copy of the BPS Blogging and Commenting Guidelines.  Once you have reviewed these, you will be asked to evaluate a blog of your choice.
The best way for you to blog well is to read a lot of other blogs.  So lets get started!!  Check out some of the blogs on "Interesting Blogs and Resources."
By the way, you will be given an assessment next week.  This assessment will cover our acceptable use policy, parts of the computer, the Internet and intranet, and emails.  You have many resources to use to help you prepare.  We will take a little bit of class time to review.  You will get a copy of the "Study Guide" for this assessment during class.  Be sure to use your other resource to complete the guide.  If you have any questions be sure to check with me by the end of the week.  You will do well, so don't be nervous!!

Email Etiquette

Emailing has become almost as antiquated as "snail mail" in the eyes of students.  There are so many other ways young people communicate today, texting, snapchatting, and instagramming, to name a few.  It is so important for students to understand how to create and send an appropriate email and regular letter as well.  During class my students will take a look at email, and learn the proper way to communicate via this technology.  They will send and receive emails and hopefully walk away being able to show anyone who asks what a good email looks like.  For those of you who still aren't too sure, check out "12 tips for better email etiquette" or "Email Etiquette for Students."
I want to know how students have used email in the past.  We will start off by going to a "wall" on Padlet (formerly Wallwisher).

Image Source:  http://blog.rivaliq.com/5-ways-for-e-commerce-companies-to-integrate-email-and-facebook-marketing/

Google Contacts and Google Calendar

It seems more often than not, our plans change.  Last week I had hoped to have my students adding contacts to their Google contacts.  It took a little longer to get through some of our other lessons which is fine.  We had some great conversations and students really seem to have an understanding of our school's intranet.  I also feel they will do a great job troubleshooting any future problems with our workstations.

So this week we will move on to adding contacts to our Google accounts and adding events to our Google calendars. There are so many cool things we can do with our Google accounts.  I'd like to share this video with you.  Some of you have seen it, but it's worth watching a second time.  I hope to be able to create presentations like this one, "Google Demo Slam:  Epic Docs Animation."  Now that you are excited about what you can do with one of your apps, Docs, let's take a look at your Contacts.  You will find a "Google Directory" next to your workstation.  You will need this resource for this activity.  Please watch the screencast  I created for you, "Adding Contacts to Your Google Account" and then add your team teachers to your contacts.  You can go back and watch the video again if you get stuck.  Be sure to type carefully.

Once you have finished adding contacts, you will work in your Calendar.  You will find a list of events next to your workstation.  Please watch the screencast I created, "Adding Events to Your Google Calendar," and then add the events to your calendar.  Have some fun and customize your calendar.  If you have any questions, just watch the video again.  I hope you enjoy personalizing your Google accounts!!

Our First Full Week

 Ready or not; we are off and running!!!  We will have an official full week of school.  I was so pleased with how ready my students are for school this year.  I cannot wait to share all of the exciting technology developments happening in our school this year.  Your "Passion WORDLES" will soon be decorating our lab.  Yes, "our lab."  Remember, we are in this to learn together.  This week you will log in to your Google accounts and create contacts for all of your teachers.  You will have an emailing and a sharing address for each.  I know this may seem confusing, but once I model it for you it will be piece of cake!  You will need this Grade 7 Teacher Directory to help you accomplish this task.  

Welcome Back!

I know for many of you it seems as though we just left this building, and yet here we are once again starting a new year.  I am sure you had some amazing summer days, and had a hard time getting out of bed this morning.  I hope you are excited about 7th grade and all of the great things we will be doing in technology this year.  The technology will not be limited to the two times a week you come to class with me.  You will be using technology in all of your classes.  We have some exciting things planned for this year and you will play a very important role in how things happen.  So get ready to experience an amazing year!  I can't wait to see what you have to teach me!!

Back in Action......

Last summer it was intentional, but this summer it was purely accidental.....no blogging!!  My life became so busy and I did not have any "large" screen time.  What do I mean by this?  The only connection I had to technology most of my days was my iPhone.  I spent my summer Instagramming (new verb).  My Instagram account is part of my social/personal technology life and not one I share with my students.  I have thought about creating a "school" account as I have done with other aspects of my on line life.   I will give this some more thought and get back to you on it.  It has been brought to my attention some young people are making poor decisions with their Instagram accounts.  This makes me realize I need to add it to my lesson plans this year.  There are so many new any exciting things I want to share with my students.   I hope my students have some new and exciting things to share with me as well.  I hope you have all had a restful and enjoyable summer.  My readers who do not have summers off, I hope you had some enjoyable moments in the past couple of months.  Well here I am .....back in the saddle again.  I will be blogging, teaching, and learning full swing.  I would like to share a photo with you.  This is one of my launch customers.  For those of you who don't know, I drive a launch in the summers.  It is like a water taxi, taking "people" out to their moored boats.  It is a lot of fun and I get to meet some really interesting "people."  The one below happens to have his own Instagram account!!!

@bobbythepig on the way to his sailboat

Saying Goodbye.......

It has been over a week since my last post.  Anyone who is involved in education, whether you be an educator, parent, or student, knows what the last couple of weeks of school are like.  "Bedlam" could be a word used by some, but I prefer "excessive energy."  Students and teachers alike are experiencing a wide range of emotions.  Yes, we are all "done" and ready for summer to begin, but at the same time we are feeling a sense of sadness.  One of my student bloggers said it so well in her most recent post,

"I have made amazing friends and have formed incredible bonds with my teachers. I can hardly believe that I am on to saying good-byes! It feels like just yesterday when we were meeting for the first time."

Rachel and my many other amazing students have taught me so much this year.  They have far exceeded any expectations I had for them and our class.  I am sad to see them leave and yet I know they must move on.  I will definitley be keeping an eye on this bunch.  I know they will be making amazing contributions not only to our high school community, but to the global community as well.  This week I have asked my students to give me feedback in the form of a friendly letter.  Much to their surprise, I have asked them not to "share" their Google docs with me (a virtual assignment to which they have become accustomed), but to actually print out a piece of paper and turn it in to me.  They have been honest and very inciteful in their comments about our course and technology in our school.  I will be taking their recommendations seriously and have already thought of ways to modify my curriculum to better suit the needs of my future students.

So it is with a somewhat heavy heart, I say "good bye" to the class of 2018, and congratulations on a job well done this year! They have definitely left a positive mark in our school, and I am very proud to say have made positive contributions to their digital footprints.  I am sure you will be hearing from many of them for years to come!!
                                                  Happy Summer!!!

image link:  http://www.liquidbreaker.com/blog/take-a-hike-green-ideas-for-summer-fun/



21st Century Student End of the Year Clean Up

Ending the school year looks very different when you are a 21st Century student. If you ask your parents and grandparents what they did at the end of a school year, they will probably tell you it involved throwing out papers, erasing marks in textbooks, wiping down chalkboards, and cleaning out desks. I am pretty sure the words, "delete" and "unshare" were not a part of their end of school year routine.

This week you will work on the "manage" theme in class. You are going to need to clean and organize your p-drive and your Google apps. I have provided you with a resource to get this job done.

I will admit, I am going to ask you to wipe down your workstations, but that is probably the only similarity you will have with how your parents used to end their year.

Before we get started, I would like you to take a moment and take the following survey.

You will need to use the End of Year Checklist located next to your workstation. Be sure to read carefully and follow the directions. Everything you need is there. Ms. Sweeney worked very hard on this checklist.

 




image link: http://www.sodahead.com/living/how-often-do-you-clean-up-your-computer-internally-and-physically/question-3293499/

Finishing and Sharing Your Digital Story

HOORAY!  You will be completing your last tech project of the year this week.  Please be sure to use your checklist when finishing your digital story.  You will need to include a "title" slide. Please be sure to use your first name only on your title slide as your digital story will end up on your blog.  Include citation or credit slides at the end of your story.  You will find instructions for "rendering" and sharing your story next to your workstations.  Please read this resource carefully and use your critical thinking skills to help you accomplish this task.
I cannot wait to see your finished products!!  Good luck!
Mrs. White

Bringing It All Together

Before starting on your final search for images and music, I would like you to take a moment to complete a survey for our guidance department.  You may or may not remember taking a survey earlier in the year.  Our wonderful school climate committee used the results to help develop some of the things that have been happening in our school over the past few months.  We would like to ask you to take this survey again so the data can be re-examined.  This is a great example of how using forms and surveys can help get information, provide opportunities for change, and then how taking another look at new data can help determine if changes have been helpful.  Please take the "Student Feelings Survey."   Once you have finished be sure to submit your answers and then close out of the survey.
Okay.....now you are ready to move on to the task at hand for today!  You should have found, saved, and cited all of your images for your digital story.  If you have not, please get it done quickly.  You will then need to move on to finding, saving, and citing your music.  My last post (Checking Out) has some music sites for you to look at.  If you find a song and would like to edit it, you have "Adobe Soundbooth" on your desktops which will allow you to do this.  Remember to save your edited music or originally downloaded music as MP3 files.  Put these on your pdrive.
Now you will want to "organize" your photos in your web album in Picasa.  On the far right you will see the "organize" tab.  You can just drag and drop the pictures in to the correct order.
Once you have organized them, drop down the "Actions" tab and select "Make a Movie."  This is the last option.  A window will pop up and your want to select, "Launch Application."  You may be asked to log in to Google again.  Please do so.  You will then be brought to the desktop version of Picasa.  Give you images a few moments to download.  The more images you have, the longer this will take.
You should now be in Movie Maker.  Look around and check out the options.  You may want to start by adding your text slides and arranging again.  Don't forget to add a "credit' slide at the end of your story with all of the citations for your images and music!!!There is a "help" tab, so use it when you have a question.
You will want to take some time working on the timing of your images with your music.
Have fun and don't be afraid!!!!  You can't break anything. You have all of your images and URL's just in case.
**Okay so we all know technology can be a little bit frustrating at times.  We have learned some things during class using Picasa Movie Maker.  Occasionally all of the pictures won't download in to your movie.  We have tried, unsuccessfully, to follow the help menu directions to add photos.
***If you would like to use Windows Movie Maker instead, you may do so.  You will find WMM by going to "all programs" in the start menu.  Please be sure to "save as" to your pdrive and name the file.  You will need to download your photos to be able to import them in to your WMM project.  I have left some instructions to do this easily.  Please be patient.  I will help you with this during class 2 if you are having difficulty!!
You  have until May 31st to finish this project.
**If you should get frustrated or confused on Tuesday or Wednesday when I am not there, please take a break and work on your blog.  You have been given feedback from me and there are some things you should fix.  It would also be great to hear from you again....another post!!!  So you have plenty to do.
You should NOT be listening to music other than the song you are selecting/editing for your story, and you should definitely NOT be playing any kind of games!!!!  You have a lot to do to get this digital story in ship shape by the 31st!!!

Take Responsibility for Your Learning (Grades)!!!

***Important Announcement:  
You need to check your grades in X2!!!  If you do not have a grade recorded for your podcast it will become and remain a "0" on Friday, May 24th.  Please be sure to make arrangements with me before then if you are still having issues.  If you have a "0" for your Blog Design grade you will need to get me what I need by next Friday, May 24th, or it will remain a "0"!!!!  It is your responsibility to email me with URL's, not my responsibility to ask you!!!  Remember to return the ungraded rubric as well.
We are getting close to the end of the school year.  You know the policy for making up a missed class.  It has been the same all year.  Please go to MOODLE and check out the assignments you missed.  You have only one week to do this.
You were given your Blog Design Rubrics back during class 2 this week.  I know ILT 1 and ILT 4 did not receive them yet.  You will get them back on Monday.
As for your podcasts, that feedback was given over two weeks ago.  Please take responsibility for your learning.  You need to follow up on questions you may have.  If you do not speak with me and ask questions, your grades will remain the same.
You know where to find me so please do and get that work turned in!!!!!

Checking Out!

MCAS scheduling has messed up our tech class schedule for the last time this year.  HOORAY!!!!  Congrats to my students for their hard work and determination on testing.  With that said, I will only see most of my students once this week.  Have no fear!!!  If you continue to use your "Effective Effort" strategies you will have no trouble completing your digital story on time.
This week you will finish finding, saving, and citing the images for your story.  Please be sure to upload them all to ONE web album in Picasa.  Make sure you are using the correct URL on your Google doc for the citations.  AFTER you have found all of the images from your shopping list, you will then go to find, save, and cite the music for your story.  Remember, we are using copyright free music for this project.  The best place to look would be where you found the music for your podcasts.  Do you remember where that is?  I also found a great site with some other music options.  Read carefully though as some of the suggested sites require buying a membership to be able to download.  Check it out- Top 10 Places to Get Free Music.  You could also try, Audio Archive or Freeplay Music.
The due date for this project is May 31st!!  I have been so impressed with the search techniques being used by my students.  You are doing a great job using filters and advanced search tricks to get what you are looking for to use in your stories.  Yeah tech kids!!!

Shop 'Til You Drop

Okay guys......the pressure is on!   You will need to continue shopping during class.  Some of you will be down in the other lab with a substitute due to schedule rearranging because of sixth grade math MCAS.  You don't need me though, you know what to do!!  Please help one another.  Remember to upload those images to your Picasa web album and to put the URL's on your Google doc.  Please don't forget to clean out the download folder on the desktop of your computer.  (It is in the "My Documents" folder)  Shopping will need to be complete by the end of next week.  This will include music, but we will talk about that next week.  Use those filters in "Advanced Search" and you will have better luck narrowing down your searches.
Have fun and happy shopping!!!

Time To "Shop!"

This week you will be finding, saving, and citing the images for your digital stories.  At this point in the school year I feel as though you have enough confidence and experience to find and use resources to help you with this task.  Therefore, I will not be leading you step by step through this process.  I will point you in the direction and be available to help you problem solve and to encourage your critical thinking, but I will not be handing you a resource with all of the answers laid out.  Please check out my recommendations below and remember I am here to help; just not to tell exactly.

Before you get started on your image hunt, I want you to take a look at a couple of videos.  The first is called, "Anti Bullying Ad", and the second is called, "Talent Show."  Do you think these are PSA (public service announcements) or digital stories?  We will talk about this at the beginning of class one this week.

I would recommend using Picasa to organize your images.  You should probably start off by creating a new web album and labeling it "Digital Story."  If you need some help just check out the help guide.  You will also want to create a Google doc and label it "Citations for Digital Story."  Be sure to use the "Tips and Tricks" for searching in Google. You want to find "Creative Commons" images to use in your story.  You have your storyboard to use as a "shopping list" to help you find your images, "ingredients."  Have fun shopping!

Podcasts Corrected!!!

Hip Hip Hooray and Happy Cinco de Mayo!   There is a double reason for celebration today.  I have finally finished listening to all of my students first attempts at podcasting.  Overall, I am so pleased with their work.  I think some of my students could have a future in broadcasting.  A couple of them have "radio" voices and I can imagine they would be quite successful doing voice overs some day.  The topics were varied and interesting.  The most consistent issue my students seemed to face was the inability to get rid of the breath sounds or popping noises they made by holding the microphone too close to their mouths when recording.  I am sure the next time they make a recording they will aim a bit lower for that "sweet spot."  You can find their podcasts at "Podbean."  Many of my students also created a blog post which included a link to their Podbean accounts.  This was a great experience for all of us.  

Digital Storytelling

What is a digital story?  This week you will find out and begin creating one of your own.  Edutopia has a great post called, “Digital Storytelling:  Helping Students Find Their Voice.”   There are some great links at the end of this post.  One of the links will take you to an interview with Marco Torres.  I had the pleasure of meeting March and some of his students at a conference in Boston.  He and his students have formed a company called, Alas Media.  They are doing some amazing things with storytelling.  You should check them out.

During class we will be taking a look at this great digtial story.  It won an award in 2009.  We will also talk about the importance of music. I hope you enjoy the story!!  I am sure you will enjoy creating a digital story of your own. Before getting started with our digital stories, let's take a moment to review copyright and fair use. What's Copyright? is a fun animated music video reviewing these concepts.

Spreadsheets and Surveys!

Today you will be exploring the data end of your surveys.  I am not sure how many respondents you've had, so I am going to share a survey with all of you to generate a fair amount of data.  Before getting started, please take the "Favorite Stuff" survey.   Once you have all completed this, I will share the spreadsheet with you.  I would then like you to create a graph from this spreadsheet.
What else can you do with a spreadsheet?    Have you ever used a spreadsheet before?  There are so many different ways to use them.  They aren't just for accountants!!!  See if you can find some of the ways people just like you are using spreadsheets.  Be prepared to share your discoveries at the end of class today!!

Strong.....Boston Strong!

image link: http://www.boston.com/sports/blogs/thebuzz/2013/04/how_to_get_the.html

This week has been about as far from normal as one could possibly imagine.  It has taken me this long to be able to begin to process the events that have transpired since Monday afternoon.  I, like so many of you, am still somewhat numb, in a state of shock and disbelief.  I, like so many of you, had friends and relatives standing at or near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday afternoon. I, like so many of you have felt a sense of guilt as I continue with my "normal" life knowing so many others can not.  I, like so many of you, remained glued to my tv on Friday as the "manhunt" unfolded.  I, like so many of you, am trying to make any kind of sense out of this whole nightmare.  After days of processing it has become extremely evident to me there is no possible way to make any sense of this!  I am grateful my friends and family are safe; no physical injuries, just the emotional ones.  I hope all of your friends and family are safe as well.  So how do we move forward?  I am sure many of you have seen the quote from Fred Rogers, 

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

This quote has been all over Facebook, Twitter, and many other social media sites. I have taken to these simple words to help me move forward.  I am sure you have been seeing the great "commercials" featuring images from the past week combined with words and music.  These "digital stories" are a part of the healing process for us all.  The amazing acts of heroism on that day and the random acts of kindness which have sprung up everywhere since are what will keep us moving forward and begin healing.  I have been  moved and inspired by the countless stories shared in the past few days, and I am sure so many more will emerge.  I plan, like so many of you (I hope), to be one of those helpers Mr. Rogers speaks about; maybe not at the moment of the awful tragedy, but in its aftermath.  Instead of holding some of those horrific images from Monday in my head, I am choosing to hold those of stadiums and ballparks full of proud and strong Bostonians (which I consider us all to be) belting out our National Anthem in unison, of former "foes" proudly wearing the "Boston Strong" logo on uniforms, of crowds of people cheering and applauding for police and other officials who have done an amazing and selfless job.  I hope you too can hold these positive images in your heads and remain strong; "Boston Strong!"

Google Forms......Getting Started Finally!!!

Hello my Google forms explorers.  I will not be in school today, but Mr. Fisher will lead you through our lesson.  Please be sure to listen to him and then to read this blog post in its entirety before starting.  If you have not finished your podcasts or blogs you will not have time in this class to do so.  If you have questions about either of these assignments please be sure  to come and see me Thursday morning during homeroom.  You know where to find me (in the hallway.)

Let’s get started with today’s lesson.  You are very familiar with your Google drive.  You will be exploring another facet of this app today:  FORMS. You have already experienced othe “taking” side of surveys using Google forms.  Our assessments, the “Pop Culture Survey”, and your Student Blog Information Survey were all created using Google forms.  

Before you create the form/survey, you will need to create your questions.  This survey will wind up on your blog where the world will be able to take it.  We will play around with the results/data after vacation.  Let’s take a minute to think about surveys you may have taken.  It is important to keep surveys short and sweet.  No one wants to spend an hour taking a survey.  The ones you create will be limited to 5 questions.  There are many different types of questions you could create.

• Text — respondents provide short answers
• Paragraph text — respondents provide longer answers
• Multiple choice — respondents select one option from among several
• Checkboxes — respondents select as many options as they’d like
• Choose from a list — respondents select one option from a dropdown menu
• Scale — respondents rank something along a scale of numbers (e.g., from 1 to 5)
• Grid — respondents select a point from a two-dimensional grid

I would recommend selecting one or two types of questions for your first survey (multiple choice are a great one for starting out.)

1. Please log in to your Google accounts and go to your Drive.  
2. Once there, please “Create” a doc.  
3. Title this doc, “Survey Questions”

Now comes the hard part.....What will your survey be about?  What kind of information do you want to gather?  The possibilities are endless.  This survey does not have to be “school related”, but does have to be “school appropriate.”  Some possible suggestions for survey topics:

• songs
• music
• sports
• food
• school subjects
• “favorites”
• apps
• technology
• a combination of any of the suggestions listed above

Once you pick your topic, type a title at the top of the doc.  You will now write your 5 questions.  If you are selecting multiple choice questions, you will create the question and the choices, typing all of this on the doc.  You will then move on to the second question, and so on.  

For example:

                 What is your favorite season?

a.  spring

                       b.  summer

                       c.  fall

                       d.  winter

The example above is one question.  My survey would need to include 4 more questions like this one.  You may use only one type of question on the survey or mix up a couple different types.  

Please check your questions for spelling and grammar.  Remember, this survey will be on your blog for the world to see.  It’s your global presence, digital footprint.

Once you have finished the questions, you will go back to your Drive home and follow these steps:

1. Go to the “Create” tab
2. Select “Form” (second from the bottom)
3. Fill in the “Title” of your form in the first window which pops up.
4. You will then need to select a “theme”.
5. You will now be brought to your “form”.  Do not be confused as the theme will not show up at this point.   It will be a plain, white, boring form.
6. Scroll to the top of the page and “uncheck” the box “Requires Barnstable Public Schools login to view this form.”  You don’t want any boxes checked here.
7. A window will pop up with the statement, “This will make your form accessible outside of your domain. Are you sure you wish to proceed?”  Click “OK.”
8. You will now begin typing your questions.  You can copy and paste (using keyboard shortcuts:  ctrl + C=copy or ctrl + V=paste) from your doc in to this form if you’d like.  The question goes in the “Question Title” box.  Be sure to select the questions type from the drop down.  
9. Check the “required question” box at the bottom of the question.  
10. When you have finished the question you will need to click the “Done” tab.
11. Select “Add item” below to create a new question and follow the same steps.

             Check out the screen shot below. 
 

Please be sure to use the “Help” tab at the top of the page if you have any questions.

Once you have finished your survey, be sure to go back and check your questions and set up.  If you need to make changes, you will need to click on the pencil icon to do so.  Be sure to save those changes.

ILT #’s 10 and 11:  We will put these survey links on your blogs next class.

ILT #’s 4 and 1:   We will put these survey links on your blogs after vacation.

If you should finish this survey and have time left in class, please create a new Google doc.

Title it, “Survey Blog Post,” and type a new post which will accompany your link on your blog.   Please remember to follow the BPS Blogging and Commenting Guidelines when writing this post.

I hope you have fun with this new Google app.  It will be a lot of fun to see what responses you get to them when they are on your blogs.  

Resources for this lesson:

Create a Google Form-  Google Drive help page for “Forms”

Using Google Forms doc resource from North Canton City Schools - Eric Curts- great resource!

Google Forms Tutorial this is a video tutorial. Google forms have changed their look in the last month.  This tutorial shows the old form, but I still think it could be helpful to you.  Just know the forms you’ll be using look just a little bit differently.  The first 5 minutes of this tutorial are all you will need to watch for today’s lesson.