7th Grade :: Technology Applications

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Please save all of your work as a Rich Text File - .rtf format instead of a .doc, .docx, .wpd, or anything else, please! Do you remember why?

RESOURCE LINKS

SCHEDULE

4th period
10:51a-11:41a
fwafatech4@gmail.com

6th period
1:09p - 1:59p
fwafatech6@gmail.com

7th period
2:02p - 2:52p
fwafatech7@gmail.com

sherill.maddox@fwafa.org
sherill.maddox@gmail.com

Fun Stuff

Real or Fake?
JigsawPlanet
Tween Tribune
MultiTask
The Eyeballing Game
befuddlr!
Guess the Google
Guess the Wordle
Wordle
The Odd Question Blog
TypeRacer
stop-motion video
how they made it...


ASSIGNMENTS

Tuesday, 3/9: Questions to Answer about your Danger Term...

Danger Terms Assignment

(This information is also in the Danger Terms Assignment file. Please read and follow those directions for your assignment!)
In your team, define your danger term and answer the following questions. Also, copy and paste the URL of the website where you got your answers from.

  • What is "it"? Are there other variations of "it"?
  • How does "it" work or what does "it" do?
  • Where did "it" come from? (give some history about "it")
  • How does "it" affect and/or infect your computer?
  • What are some specific examples of how your danger term works?
  • How can you protect yourself against "it"?
  • What advice do you have for parents when they monitor their kid's computer use to avoid problems?
  • What sites would you recommend others visit for more information about your danger term?

How will this be graded?

  • 30% - Is each question answered completely, or does it make me ask more questions?
  • 50% - Is the URL for each answer copy and pasted with each answer?
  • 20% - Based on my observations: teamwork and staying on task to complete the assignment.

DUE: Thursday, 3/11 in class


Friday, 3/5: Danger Terms

We talked about some dangers out there online. Maybe some words were mentioned that I said that we would talk about later - it's later! Only you're going to become the expert and teach the rest of us about these danger terms:

  1. viruses
  2. worm
  3. trojan horse
  4. spyware, malware, adware
  5. pop-ups
  6. spam
  7. cookies
  8. hoaxes, phishing, scams, fraud
  9. identity theft

Divide yourselves into pairs, and let Mr. Schneider write down your names. Then, each team needs to choose one of these terms - all terms must be equally represented (as can be). Mr. Schneider can help you to choose your terms if you can't do it yourselves. He will also record who has which terms.

For today

  • gather your teams and choose your term
  • open a Word document and save it as cyberSaftey_name.rtf in your maddox
  • Begin to read about your danger term. Use the sources in the following links to help you learn more about your term:

  • Copy and paste some website URLs into your document that you think will be useful for more information.

DUE: TODAY, team lists and terms, and begin looking up some information

On Tuesday next week, I will give you a specific list of questions that you'll need to answer about your danger term. Then I'll explain what our final product will be....


Monday, 3/1: CyberSafety

Open a Word document and save it as safetySurvey_name.rtf in your maddox folder. I want you to write about these 3 things:

  1. What I know about online dangers
  2. What I know about how to avoid these dangers
  3. What do I want to know about online safety?

When everyone has finished answering these questions, you will then have a class discussion and create a class list for these 3 questions. I want someone to record these ideas on the board and Mr. Coleman will record them as well so that I can see your class's list.

DUE: Today at the end of the period: your individual Safety Survey list. I will gather these out of your folders. Mr. Coleman will also make notes about your participation in the class discussion for a grade as well.


Catching Up!

Due to a holiday, 2 snow days, and various and sundry technical/computer issues, we've lost a big chunk of time for working on this audio editing project! We will get back on track and resume our class rhythm. This is a brief synopsis of what/where we've been and where we are:

  • Ripped/Copied an audio file from a cd using Windows Media Player
  • Converted the file format using FormatFactory
    • We also discovered that FormatFactory can rip music files from a cd too.
  • Edited the file in Audacity
  • Exported the file as an .mp3 file into your MyMusic folder with the proper file name.

These are links to download the software programs that we use in class:

  • FormatFactory - for converting the format of any type of media file
    • Just a note about installing FormatFactory - once you reach the "finished" screen and click "next," be sure to look at what is on the next screen before you close the installation program! If you don't, FileFormat will automatically install the Ask.com search bar in your browser and add links to eBay. You will need to UNcheck those boxes!
  • FDDShow - You should also download and install this file as well. It is necessary in order for some file formats to be converted. You won't see anything happen once you install this file. That's ok!
  • Audacity - audio editing software
  • SourceForge.net - the open sourceware site that has all kinds of free programs to download!

Tuesday, 2/22: Bell Files DUE TODAY!

Just a reminder about how to finalize your bell file:

  • Go to file > Export as MP3.
  • Be sure to name the file (bell_songTitle_name), that the file type is .mp3 and that it goes to your MyMusic folder.
  • Once the processing box is closed, your .mp3 file is saved.
  • When you close Audacity and it asks you if you want to "save changes to this file," click NO.

Monday, 2/8: Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding!

ASSIGNMENT:

  • In what format is the music file that you wish to use for a bell?
  • We know that Audacity won't accept this file type. Why won't it accept this file type? (Answer this question for a .wma format)
  • What is another format that Audacity will use? Where did you find this answer?
  • How can you change the format of your original bell file?
    • Can you do this in Windows Media Player? (yes or no) Where did you find this answer?
    • Can you do this in Audacity? (yes or no) Where did you find this answer
  • When you find an answer to how you will convert your file, write down the instructions so that you can follow them yourself.
    • Also include where you got those instructions.

Save this document as audioConversion_name.rtf (audioConversion_sherill.rtf) in your maddox folder. Also print it out and turn this in to me during our next class meeting on Wednesday, 2/10.

I will not help you with this assignment. You must find these answers yourself. You must ask the right questions that will lead you to the right answers. This is called "critical thinking." This is also an example of something that you will need to be able to do in real life...

DUE: Wednesday, 2/10 in class


Week of 2/1 - 2/4: More Bells....

We spent time making sure that everyone has ripped/copied a song to use out of which to make a bell file. This turned out to be more tedious than I expected!


Friday, 1/29: For Whom the Bell Tolls

Mr. Wolf is your sub today - be nice! He may be asking you about file formats and things that we've been talking about - be ready!

He will have a CD for you to listen to from which you need to choose at least one song that you can make a bell out of - you may choose a few songs if you wish. I want you to write down the CD you've listened to and the name of the song/s that you've chosen.

YOU WILL NEED TO SHARE HEADPHONES! PLEASE BE PATIENT!

DUE: at the end of the period TODAY
Print this out and turn it in to Mr. Wolf - make sure your name is on it!!!


Monday, 1/25: Sounds.... Bells......

How are sounds used? Where do we hear them? Why do we hear them? What do they mean?

Consider these questions regarding our bells that begin and dismiss classes here at FWAFA. I want you to write a few guidelines that we can follow as we choose and create our own bell files. Remember that we are a fine arts school that performs musicals, ballets, operas, choral music and instumental music.

Also, list 5-10 song titles that you think would make a great bell file. There are no right or wrong answers

DUE: IN CLASS, today. Print this out and turn it in to me.


Tuesday, 1/19: File Format Test

File Format Test

READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE CLICKING ON THE LINK!

  • RIGHT click on the File Format Test link
  • Choose "save as" or "save target as"
  • Don't change the file name that it shows, BUT add your name to that name:
    • fileFormat_test_sherill.rtf
  • make sure it saves to your maddox folder!

First Semester 2009


These are some additional notes that you will need for reference:

MOVIE PRODUCTION SCHEDULE:

Please note that I've changed the due date to the last day of school - we will work on these as long as we can and then view them when we get back from the holiday break!

  • Monday, 11/30: Introduce Movie Maker
  • Wednesday, 12/02: Introduce Audacity, work on timelines
    • participation/completion grade based on productive use of class time
  • Friday, 12/04: work on timelines, begin edits
    • participation/completion grade based on productive use of class time
  • Tuesday, 12/08: finishing up,
  • Thursday 12/10: "Saving your movie" video
    • This will be an assignment grade.
  • Monday, 12/14: finishing movie.....
  • TBD: final test over MM vocabulary and PowerPoint skills.
  • Final movie file due Friday, 12/18 - before you leave for break!

I will stay after school each day at least until 5:00 so that if you need extra time or help, you can have it - let me know in advance if you'd like to stay later than 5:00. If we need to set up some time on Saturday too, we will do that.


Monday, 11/23: Final Project Assignment

Final Project Assignment. This is the same file as what I gave you in class.

DUE TODAY: files for your movie

This is an ambitious project and it's success will depend upon your ability to plan your content! I want you to use your family for resources so any of their contributions are welcome. I will send an email to your folks telling them about this assignment so that they'll be ready for you!

TODAY'S ASSIGNMENT is for a participation/completion grade: do you have the files you need for your video, and your attention to the "how-to" videos that we'll view together.

FINAL PROJECT DUE: Thursday, 12/10: This will count as a test score..
We will have graded check points as we work through this.


Friday, 11/13: Today...

TypingAce login link: TypingAce login page

I want you to continue with the TypingAce program that we've been doing. Mrs. Cox will assign your username and your password is fwafa. You need to work on typing exercises. At a certain point, Mrs. Cox will tell you that you can play the typing games that are part of TypingAce - you man NOT play any other games, typing or not.

I've already told you guys this, but I want to record it in writing so that there are no questions: Mrs. Cox has my complete permission to issue a detention if she thinks one is needed. She will leave me notes and if I have issues with anything that she did not deal with, I will issue a

Monday, 11/09: Keyboarding for Keeps

Use this link to login to TypingAce: TypingAce login page

(You may need to delete any unsername/password that is already showing.) I will assign you your username - it will be the word "student" with a number between 01 and 20. Please listen closely to the username I give you! The password for all usernames is "fwafa" (without the quotation marks).

This is a trial version, so we'll be figuring it out together!


Tuesday, 11/03: Getting Back on Track!

You are going to create your own memory games.

  • use 1 powerPoint slide
  • use 30 CLIP ART images
    • if you do a search for clipart, you MUST use the words "clip art" in your search
  • add some sort of animation
  • include a list of your items
  • save as memory_name in your maddox folder (memory_sherill)

Thursday, 11/05 at the end of class


Monday, 10/19: PowerPoint 2007: conclusion

You must finish your online tutorial today in class! If you have finished it, you may begin to re-work your original "aboutMe" powerPoint that we did before the tutorial. Save the update one as Xred_undatedName, (7red_updatedSherill) in your maddox folder.

I will post a rubric here so that you can see what I will be looking for in your udpated aboutMe powerPoint.

A note about the Collin powerpoints - I'm still putting them all together! We will look at them together in class on Wednesday!


Thursday, 10/8: PowerPoint 2007: Customizing Presentations

Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 in pictures

Continue from where you left off on Tuesday. Work through the section titled "Customizing Presentations." Again follow the instructions carefully with these exceptions:

  • 1. On the first page of Insert Charts and Tables, simply open your redX_tutorialName.pptx file from your maddox folder.

PLEASE READ THIS extra information about the slide series that says Insert a Chart:

  • Instruction number 5: this is the page that shows you how to create the chart - follow these instructions.
  • Instruction number 6: An Excel spreadsheet will automatically open up over the top of your powerPoint - do not close it!!!
    • As the instructions say, highlight the information you see on the spreadsheet and delete it by using the "delete" button.
    • Copy exactly the chart information shown in #6.
    • Once you have copied the chart exactly into the spreadsheet, you do not need to save it. Simply close that window.
    • The chart now showing in your powerPoint slide represents the information that you typed into the spreadsheet. This is very good!

When you get to Employ design templates, please stop and wait for everyone to catch up. You may quietly help someone or play a game. Quietly, so that when we're all caught up, you will know.

We will progress from that point as instructed.


Tuesday, 10/6: PowerPoint2007 from Scratch

Your AboutMe powerpoints were so cool! I love learning about each of you! There was also some mad PPT skills being demonstrated! We're all going to learn those mad skills together now.

We'll be using an online tutorial to work our way through learning how to use PowerPoint 2007 from the beginning. Some of this will be a review for some of you and for some of you, you'll be thinking "why did no one ever tell me this?" So, PLEASE BE PATIENT with your classmates! It is very important that we are all able to work together in any piece of software!

Click on this link to go to our tutorial: Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 in pictures. We will begin with the first section, Creating a Presentation and work through it in class together. Let me know when you have completed this section for further instructions.

DUE: in class today, a completion grade - Tuesday 10/6


Monday, 9/28: Finishing PowerPoint

You powerpoint will be due at the end of class today. Be sure to save this as aboutName example: (aboutSherill). Also be sure to save it into your maddox folder in your MyDocuments folder. If you don't have a maddox folder, you will need to create one. This is all part of your grade!

If you finish early, please spend some time typing in any of our typing applications.

If you already named your file with your class period, you don't need to change it!


Tuesday, 9/22: PowerPoint - All About Me!

Well, it's about time to do something fun. Right? Enter: Power Point.

You will create a Power Point presentation about yourself. You will need to do it exactly as I instruct:

  • You will only have 6 pages, and each page will be about each of these topics:
    1. Introductory Page
    2. About My Family
    3. About My Art
    4. About My Friends
    5. About My Favorite Vacation
    6. Resources: a list of sources for each of the images that you used

  • You will need to keep a text file in which to record all of your sources
    • name this file: resources.rtf and place it in your maddox folder
    • record the name and/or description of the picture
    • record the entire url of the actual page that that picture comes from.
      Google Images is NOT a resource!
    • (example) help button - http://fwafatech.net/index.html

  • Save this powerPoint as aboutName
    • (example) aboutMaddy - this is Maddy's powerpoint.

  • You will be graded on content alone. We will add the cool stuff together later...

Thursday, 9/24 at the end of class.

You only have 2 hours of classtime - don't spend it talking and looking at everyone else's powerpoint! We will look at them all!


Wednesday, 9/16: Keyboarding Theory

Login to your Typing Pal account and go to the page that says: Are You New Here?

I want you to read through the 7 Keys to Success when learning to type. When you've finished it,

  • Open a new document in Word.
  • Go to File > Save As and save this document as: keyboardQuiz_myname.rtf in your MyDocuments > maddox folder
  • Re-read the 7 Keys to Success when learning to type
  • As you read, write a quiz about these 7 Keys that can be answered by someone who has viewed the slide show.
  • Write in this format:
    • Write the question
    • Write the answer, and color the answer text red.

This is a sample question/answer that you might write:

1. How many keys are there to successful keyboarding?
7

2. When starting to type, the most important thing is:
a. speed
b. accuracy

You will need to write a minimum of 10 questions! The quality of your q&a's will impact your grade. Also, more that 10 questions will be considered to improve your grade.

DUE: Friday, 9/17 in class

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Monday, 9/14: More, More, More - Faster, Faster, Faster!!!

ASSIGNMENT: Spend your time in class today focused on keyboarding. Use any of the typing apps that are listed on the right:

DUE: Wednesday, 9/15 - 10 minutes on Typing Pal (after class today)


Thursday, 9/10: Keyboarding!

Your parents are all asking (as are some of you): will they learn keyboarding? Well, I'm going to teach it, but YOU are going to have to learn it.... by practicing!

Typing Pal

We will be creating your accounts today in class. Please pay close attention while we do this! You'll get a participation grade for this process.

ASSIGNMENT: Spend at least 15 minutes on Typing Pal.

DUE: Monday before class.


Type Racer


Friday, 8/28: Great Moments in Communication History

OK. I got it. You want bullets? You got bullets!

You'll be creating a "poster" that represents your Great Moment in Communication History.

You poster will:

  • be no smaller than an 8x10 piece of paper and no larger than ½ of a poster board
  • show the date and the title of your "Moment"
  • show interesting facts about your "Moment"
    • You'll need to look up your event to learn more information about it
    • I do not want a full report - just interesting facts - BULLET POINTS!
    • Just this one time, you do not need to cite your sources unless you choose to.
  • have your name and your class period on the back (unless you want it on the front)
    • I take 5 points off for no class period
    • I also take 5 points off for no name

I will grade your poster based on these elements:

  • When I look at it, is your "Moment" immediately visible?
    • Do I have to get up close to it to see it or read it?
    • Is your "Moment" easily identifiable?
  • Is your poster neat?
    • Is there a sense of order to it?
    • Does it look "thrown together?"
    • Is it balanced? Is there space for everything?
  • Is your poster creative?
    • Did you use some creative artistic mediums?
    • Does it look like you made an effort to make it look unique?
    • Does it use a variety of mediums? (pictures, textures, colors, etc)
  • Does your poster display something that shows me that you spent some time looking it up to learn more about it?
    • Is there something new on your poster that isn't on your card?
    • Does your poster just say what your card says?

(are the bullet points ok?)

DUE: Thursday, 9/3 at the beginning of class. You will not have time during class to finish it.

Remember, come talk to me asap if you are having any problems with this assignment!


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