2011-2012+ClassNotes

Below is the 4th Quarter Breakdown. The numbers at right show you how much each project is worth as a percentage. For example, the Spreadsheet Basics test is 10% of your grade this quarter, and so on. Remember: Moodle does the math for you - the number next to "Aggregation Category Total " will be your grade for the quarter when all grades are entered.
 * May 24, 2012**

**March 2, 2012**


 * From this point on, notes are at left for the projects for the remainder of the school year. (3D House and HTML)**

Here is the break-down of your 3rd Qu. Grades. The Quarter ends on March 30, but I did not want to forget to tell you before I go. For example, the Spreadsheet Formula basics test that you will have before Easter break will be worth 10% of your grade. Your Invention Presentation is worth 30%, and so on. You cannot just add all the grades together and divide by seven - it will not give you your grade - it see your average at any time, go to Moodle and click on Grades at left. The last line under 3rd quarter shows your current average.. Here is the break-down:

**March 1, 2012**

After PSSA Benchmark #3 and the PSSAs, your next project will be the Aesop's fable project. The directions are at left under **PhotoStory Fable Movie Project.**

**February 12, 2012**

**SEE Invention Presentation Link at left! All instructions are there for this project.**
**February 8, 2012**

As posted on the Homework page yesterday, the first four images below (the eye, blackberry lily, coneflower and daisy) were to be COMPLETED before class today (not the spa/Waldo). You were told that these images would be graded.

**Today you are going to turn in all four images at once**, just as we **would** if I were at school today, but you must follow directions to get credit. 1. Log in to Google Docs: docs.dunmorestudents.net (lastname2016 LOGIN) 2. Open Gimp, THEN OPEN ALL OF THE IMAGES LISTED ABOVE - not spa/Waldo. **Use each images' zoom feature on the bottom so that all four images can be fully seen on your screen.** 3. Once you have all four images open, finished or not, get your mouse out of the way and, on your keyboard, type Alt+PrtSc (Print Screen). You just put a screen shot on your computer's clipboard. 4. Immediately in Gimp, and above your toolbox, go to File>New and make the image size 1000 pixels by 1000 pixels. PASTE the screen shot - Ctrl+V or edit>paste should do the job. 5. Use your Rectangular Selection Tool to select JUST THE FOUR IMAGES, not the tool box, etc. Image>Crop to Selection. 6. SAVE AS example P1_lastname_firstname_4IMAGES.jpg (be SURE that the number you type after P is YOUR class period that you are here). You cannot type jpg, you must browse for other file types and CLICK .jpg 7. GO to Google Docs and UPLOAD FILE. 8. SHARE the file with me - click SHARE button, type tel and my name will come up to click on. I want to be a VIEWER, not an EDITOR, so select the dropdown accordingly, then share. BE SURE THAT YOU NAME THE FILE "P1_lastname_firstname_4IMAGES" within Google Docs so that I will know your class period, name, and assignment.**You will lose points for incorrectly named files.**


 * Only AFTER you have submitted your image of your 4 images can you move on to reading together Presentation 2 on the Class Notes page (look left)! Get ready to be creative and brainstorm!** You will be working on Presentation 2 full-time tomorrow.

**February 3, 2012 - //LESSON FOR FRIDAY, FEB. 3//**

You will not be working on the My Logo project in class Friday. When I return on Monday, I expect all of you to have finished typing your logo explanation. Do not have excuses - have the work completed. Written in a notebook is acceptable. Behave for your teacher today, or I will see you in detention on Monday.

You will be working with five images (plus Waldo) that are available to you in Moodle under Graphic Design Images. You will be using GIMP to complete the assignments below.


 * REMEMBER**: After clicking on each file, click DIRECT LINK TO FILE, only THEN do you right click and save picture to your flash drive.


 * The tools/skills that will be the focus today are:**
 * Free Select Tool (along with Select>Invert)
 * to use the Free Select Tool, use the point of the arrow (mouse) and click OFTEN - the more you click and the closer together your clicks, the better curves you will be able to select.
 * ZOOM IN BEFORE you start to select.
 * Image>Mode>Grayscale
 * be sure to first select the area that you want to change to black & white
 * If **one area** is to be left in color, select that area only, then Select>Invert
 * Colors>Colorize (this one is new for you - fun & easy!)
 * Paint Bucket with altered Opacity

The names of the images that you will need to save to your flash drive are:

The Eye Blackberry Lily Coneflower Daisy Spa

Waldo should already be on your flash drive. If, for some reason, you deleted him, he is still in Moodle under Graphic Design Images, but do not worry about him until you finish the first four projects!


 * Please work on the images IN ORDER:**


 * 1. The Eye**:
 * Open the file with GIMP. SAVE AS the_eye_edit as a GIMP file so that your layers will be preserved.
 * DUPLICATE the background layer and DO NOT TOUCH your original layer so that you have the original should you really mess up.
 * Using the tools/skills listed above, **leave the eye blue** and change the rest of the photo to black and white.
 * EVERYTHING ON IT'S OWN LAYER! Save early and often! Your finished file should be a GIMP file, .xcf - **do not** save as a .jpg


 * 2. Blackberry Lily:**
 * Open the file with GIMP. SAVE AS blackberry_lily_edit as a GIMP file so that your layers will be preserved.
 * DUPLICATE the background layer and DO NOT TOUCH your original layer so that you have the original should you really mess up.
 * **Leave the flower in color** and change the rest of the photo to black and white. You did this with the flower girl image and Molly's eye.
 * EVERYTHING ON IT'S OWN LAYER! Save early and often! Your finished file should be a GIMP file, .xcf - **do not** save as a .jpg

> >
 * 3. Coneflower:**
 * Open the file with GIMP. SAVE AS coneflower_edit as a GIMP file so that your layers will be preserved.
 * DUPLICATE the background layer and DO NOT TOUCH your original layer so that you have the original should you really mess up.
 * EVERYTHING ON IT'S OWN LAYER!
 * **Make only the flower petals blue**(you pick the shade of blue, but the flower needs to look blue - no trace of pink remaining, and you need to be able to see the detail of the petals - no solid-looking messes)
 * Use Colors>Colorize & play with the Hue slide to accomplish this. You must select the flower petals, **NOT the center of the flower.**
 * 4. Daisy:**
 * Open the file with GIMP. SAVE AS daisy_edit as a GIMP file so that your layers will be preserved.
 * DUPLICATE the background layer and DO NOT TOUCH your original layer so that you have the original should you really mess up.
 * Using Free Select & Paintbucket, **make the daisy petals any color of your choice, but you MUST be able to see the center and the green at the base of the petals just as they are** - do not alter those areas of the flowers AND you MUST be able to see the DETAIL of every petal - experiment with OPACITY after clicking the Paintbucket tool.
 * You can make the petals all different colors if you wish, but remember: EVERYTHING ON IT'S OWN LAYER! EVERYTHING ON IT'S OWN LAYER! Save early and often! Your finished file should be a GIMP file, .xcf - **do not** save as a .jpg
 * 5. Spa:**
 * Open the file with GIMP. SAVE AS spa_edit as a GIMP file so that your layers will be preserved.
 * DUPLICATE the background layer and DO NOT TOUCH your original layer so that you have the original should you really mess up.
 * Put Waldo in the spa (as many as you wish, in whatever sizes you wish) as you would like. **We did this same technique together** with the Great Wall of China and Waldo. You will be using the eraser so be CERTAIN that every Waldo is on his own layer!
 * EVERYTHING ON IT'S OWN LAYER! Save early and often! Your finished file should be a GIMP file, .xcf - **do not** save as a .jpg

**January 31, 2011**

**My Logo** project begins today! A logo is a graphic representation of a person, group or company. A logo generally does not contain words, but a symbol, or symbols.

In your notebook, you were to write down a few colors that represent your personality. Write down a couple of shapes that represent you or are important to you. Perhaps they are shapes that you doodle on a regular basis. **Draw a box in your notebook** and do a sketch of your own personal logo.

**January 6, 2011**

Overall, fantastic job on today's GIMP Toolbox test!

** Please do not forget to BRING YOUR TAPE MEASURE TO SCHOOL ON MONDAY!**

**January 4, 2011** Completed Gimp Toolbox Study Sheet: Don't forget - the test is Friday!

Day 1 of PSSA Math Benchmark #2 was today. Students that need more time will be given most of tomorrow's class period, too, with the exception of about ten minutes for our 2nd qu. Timed Typing Test! Practice now at @http://learn2type.com/TypingTest

**January 2, 2011**

GREAT WORK with the North Pole Project!

** Today we began using Gimp (@http://www.gimp.org/) ** GIMP is the GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is a freely distributed piece of software for photo editing and graphics creation and it is, yes, FREE! Always update your virus protection before installing any software on any computer.

In class tomorrow we will complete the **Study Sheet for Gimp toolbox Test: 35 Tools, Names Only**. The document is linked below as toolbox_study_sheet.doc. The word bank document is above it.

There are 35 tools in the Toolbox below and you are responisble for learning the name of each tool. On Friday's test, the tools will be numbered 1-35, left to right, top to bottom, on your test. You will only need to know the NAMES of the tools, not the definition/purpose. Next to the image of the toolbox are links to the Study Sheet and Word bank. They are .doc files so all versions of Word will open them, as will OpenOffice/StarOffice:



The following link is ONLY FOR THOSE WHO ARE GIMP USERS and are looking for directions to something specific. The following link is NOT part of your assessment - it is for your own personal use should you want to become a more advanced GIMP user: @http://docs.gimp.org/2.4/en/

**December 20, 2011**

Today everyone was busy building their North Poles. Dome creation was shown for those who needed to create roofs for cylindrical structures.

To make a dome:
 * Top view>starting from origin, draw a circle almost as large as the dome you need.
 * Front view
 * Using the circle tool again, hover up the blue axis until the circle is green. Draw a circle to the diameter of the building you need to cover.
 * Still using the circle tool, hover to find that circle's midpoint, and draw another circle just inside the outer line of the first.
 * Line tool midpoint to midpoint of outer circle
 * erase bottom outer circle line
 * erase bottom inner circle line
 * erase inner straight line, leaving what looks like an eaten watermelon slice
 * Tools>Follow Me
 * click once on the lower outer edge of the 'slice' and then move mouse around origin's circle

You might need to hit Ctrl+Z a time or five until you get a full dome.

**December 19, 2011**

**North Pole Project began today!**

Using SketchUp on a larger scale (pun intended!), today you were given the assignment of drawing your North Pole blue print. Class started with a brainstorming session of what YOUR ideal North Pole would include. Foundations of all buildings, pathways, etc. MUST INCLUDE dimensions before you can begin using SketchUp. All drawings must be in your notebook so that you have them with you all week. Only when foundations are drawn TO SCALE can you raise roofs, etc.

**December 15, 2011**


 * Today's Assignment is pretty awesome. YOU WILL NEED TO USE THESE DIRECTIONS ALL CLASS AND YOU WILL HAVE TO RE-READ OFTEN. **


 * There are SIX STEPS. DO THEM IN ORDER or you will not succeed. Steps 1 and 2 are the most important.**


 * Here is an overview of the six steps:**


 * 1. Foundations - use the line tool, then right click, entity info for exact measurements**
 * 2. Yard - Use the line tool from the point of origin for exact measurements**
 * 3. Raise foundations/make roof peaks**
 * 4. Paths**
 * 5. Draw windows & doors**
 * 6. Apply finishing touches (only when everything else is FINISHED will you 'color' the buildings, make glass transparent, etc.)**

Open **SketchUp** > Save as "**homestead**" > Remember to hit **Ctrl+S early and often!**


 * WITH YOUR TEACHER'S GUIDANCE, READ THIS Section ALOUD: **

You will need to zoom out more than you are used to for this project as there are a few buildings to be built. Below you will see a Top view of the project, but PAY ATTENTION to the measurements given below. **Right now, go to Camera>Standard Views>Top**. Do not leave this view until three buildings and 'yard' are finished.


 * 1: Draw the foundations for all three buildings.** The measurements 'wide' and 'deep' are all you need right now. ONLY WHEN YOU ARE SATISFIED WITH FOUNDATION LOCATIONS will you create the 'yard' rectangle. Only after the 'yard' is drawn will you raise roofs to the specifications below for each building. USE YOUR TAPE MEASURE.

//I highly recommend drawing the barn first//, using these measurements:

Right walls of barn and shed are **132' from the origin.** Back wall of barn is **120' from origin**.

You will need these measurements for the entire project.

60' (along X axis) 40' (along Y axis) Building Height: raise foundation to height of 20' then draw roof line parallel to the X axis Roof peak should be raised to 12' Barn's total height should be 32'
 * Barn:**

36' wide (along X axis) 50' deep (along Z axis) Building Height: raise foundation to 10' then draw roof line parallel to the Z axis. Roof peak should be raised to 8' House's total height will be 18'
 * House:**

10' (along x axis) 8' (along y axis) Building Height: raise foundation to height of 8' then draw roof line parallel to the X axis Roof peak should be raised to 3' NOTE: Shed and barn right sides should be on the same line. Draw barn first. then hover, don't click, mouse on the lower right point of barn down to where you think the shed should be.
 * Shed:**




 * 2: Now here is what the homestead looks like with the 'yard' drawn. //Use your Tape Measure!//**

Yard is 140' deep from Origin (right along Z axis) and 150' wide from Origin (right along X axis):




 * Are your foundations completed? Keep reading...**


 * Do you have a yard?** Now decide if you want winter, summer or fall and put a material (Window>Materials) on the yard. **Keep reading...**


 * 3: Now** go look at building height and roof peak specifics and get busy! Scroll back down here when your buildings are finished.


 * Are your buildings raised to the proper heights with the proper roof peaks (going all the correct axes and raised to the correct heights)? If so, read on...**


 * 4:** Create a path/driveway **that has an intersection to connect all three buildings.**


 * 5:** After the paths are done**, you can finish your three buildings by using the rectangle and circle tools to create doors, windows, etc.**


 * 6: Now that doors and windows are in, use Window>Materials to make it all look real! REMEMBER: Translucent gives glass effects.**

**December 12, 2011 - 3D Environment**

Tomorrow's test information is covered in the December 9 and 12 posts to this page and our shed activity in class. ** As discussed repeatedly, you will need to know the names of each of the 22 tools and the basic concepts of the 3D environment. Your test will be in Moodle. **


 * Below the image of the SketchUp window is a list of its **22 tools**.YOU ARE ONLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TOOLS SHOW ON THIS IMAGE. : )**



Note the toolbar**. There are 22 tools that you are responsible for knowing, in order on the toolbar above:


 * 1) Select
 * 2) Line
 * 3) Rectangle
 * 4) Circle
 * 5) Arc
 * 6) Make Component
 * 7) Eraser
 * 8) Tape Measure
 * 9) Paint Bucket
 * 10) Push/Pull
 * 11) Move/Copy
 * 12) Rotate
 * 13) Offset
 * 14) Orbit
 * 15) Pan
 * 16) Zoom
 * 17) Zoom Extents
 * 18) Get Current View
 * 19) Toggle Terrain
 * 20) Place Model
 * 21) Get Models
 * 22) Share Model

**December 9, 2011 - 3D Concepts**


 * 3D Environment:**


 * Creates 3D models


 * Width (length), height, depth


 * Move objects, rotate them, scale them


 * All objects must be to scale.

Before you **format,** you must first **select.** (format =/means change)

The **origin** is the point where all three axes intersect. The following examples are given as though an object is on the ground, facing front:


 * X Axis**:
 * right to left movement
 * forward and backward rotation
 * Y Axis**:
 * up and down movement
 * spinning like a top
 * Z Axis:**
 * front to back movement
 * cartwheel rotation

**December 1, 2011**

Presentations started today and what a great start it was! We learned so much during today's presentations and are looking forward to each one to come!

**Holiday Mail for Heroes VOLUNTEERS are needed for tomorrow (Friday), Monday and Tuesday from 2:30 to 3:30pm.** Want to learn more? @http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=A9kkj2X6nkk

**November 29, 2011: Introduction to Spreadsheets**

Because I was attending a training session held in the library, Miss Schultz led you through the introduction to spreadsheets. Grades for Students spreadsheet was distributed after a general introduction of the StarOffice calc window. For your review, the image of the spreadsheet is below. The gray areas are the ones that you are responsible/will be responsible for knowing the formulas. For a reminder, H7's formula should be ** =average(B7:G7) **:



**November 22, 2011: READ AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS.**

A small number of people had to deal with technical difficulties beyond our control - about 8 people could not import their slides to Google Docs, but you still have tomorrow. Every class but 6th period will have this class tomorrow, and people in 6th period can stay after school if need be for help.

Today was a very frustrating day for those of you that chose not do your homework last night - I highly recommend that you do not make that mistake twice. You were supposed to have found your images **last night** and written citations **last night** for each one **for HOMEWORK**, then simply insert them into your presentation today.

The issue of Google Docs not accepting your images today was that your images are too big. If you are finished with your slides in StarOffice Impress - which can be downloaded, as given on Moodle months ago, at OpenOffice.organd your images are in and cited, then you are all set to focus on your speaker notes and you not not worry about moving anything to Google Docs.Of course, you do have the option of re-creating your slides in Google Docs, but that is NOT a requirement. For the rest of you:

If you are NOT finished with your images and have work to do over break, re-size your images with the directions below using Gimp, another software that you were given the link for, via Moodle, months ago. Both OpenOffice and Gimp are under FREE SOFTWARE at the top of our class page in Moodle. If you do not follow the directions and cannot figure it out, this is your issue and I suggest you get help from friends using that old telephone/cell phone invention. Stop deflecting responsibility and do your work when it is due and you would not be in this situation.

With permission from your parents, you can install Gimp today. I have attached the file below for your convenience. OpenOffice (Star Office - same thing) is too large to share here; thus, the link above.



Re-sizing an image in Gimp is simple, even if you have never used it before. Stay CALM - you have already learned how to use Graphic Design software - you can do this:

1. Open Gimp. File>Open and select your image 2. Once the image opens, it has its own menu bar and that is what you will be using from now on. 3. In the image box, look at the menu above, and select Image>Scale Image. 4. BE SURE that the chain images are connected so you know that you are constraining proportions, not distorting your images. The tallest/maximum height an image should be for Google Docs probably 400 pixels, to get you a //starting point.// 5. Click Scale. Save a copy of your image - DO NOT OVERWRITE THE ORIGINAL IMAGE! **//Always give it a different filename.//**

**November 21, 2011**


 * Do NOT build slides at home** unless you have StarOffice - click link to download if your parents approve AND you have currently up-to-date virus protection on your computer. OpenOffice IS StarOffice - same software. I was very clear about this before my time off. **You can work on images, citations and speaker notes at home.**


 * Screen shot / screen capture directions:**

If you would like to use an image from a site that does not allow right-clicking, use the screen shot.

1. Move your mouse off the image, then Alt+Print Screen. 2. Open graphic design software, File>New and make a new image 1000 x 1000 pixels. 3. Paste. The image of the entire screen should appear. 4. Crop the image as you wish. 5. Save image a .jpg to your flash drive. 6. CITE THE IMAGE.

**November 15, 2011**


 * Tool Review Day! ** Today students worked with Water Lilies, Flower Girl image, Waldo, and Golden Gate Bridge - all available to you in Moodle under the Images section of Graphic Design. These projects gave you the opportunity to use most of the tools that we have used so far. You should now be ready to move forward with your presentation and be able to do what you would like to do with images.

If, while creating your presentations, you come across an image in the StarOffice Impress Gallery that you would like to edit:


 * Place the clip art image from the Gallery on your slide and hit Alt + Print Screen.
 * Open Adobe PhotoShop Elements, File>New (make the image 1000 x 1000 pixels) and paste the image in the new box.
 * Edit away, creating new layers as you go!
 * When finished, save your image as a .jpg or .gif (if you want transparency, you must, of course, save as a .gif!)

**November 14, 2011**

**Red Eye Day!** Today students worked with Red Eye 1, Red Eye 2 and Red Eye 3, all found under the Images section of Graphic Design in Moodle.

The key to salvaging a seemingly not-worth-saving Red Eye Image? ZOOM IN! Fix the issues at the pixel level so that when you go back to 100%, all is awesome! The use of the duplicate layer is key in this instance as you need to turn your editing layer off and on to see the progress you are making as you work. During tedious edits, seeing this progress is some important to see. SAVE EARLY AND OFTEN!

**November 10, 2011**

We have been busy using the PhotoShop Elements Toolbox to do some fantastic photo editing, and Monday will be the last 'learning the tools' day when you edit three images with serious Red Eye issues. Tuesday will be a Toolbox Tools review day, with a few projects that will really challenge you to use all the tools we have covered to meet certain objectives.

I am so proud of each and every student this year during this Graphic Design unit. Your work is of high quality so far and I am SO looking forward to seeing what you produce for your presentations!

PRESENTATION 1 begins in earnest on Wednesday and you will have, as announced today, five school days to complete the project. You MUST read the directions carefully and follow the advice I have given you, including getting to know the rubric so you know what is expected of you. Remember: YOU CHOSE THE TOPIC so you have every reason to be enthusiastic when you present! Be sure to make great speaker notes so that you give us MORE than what is on the slide - make your presence REQUIRED during your presentation!

SAVE EARLY & OFTEN!

**November 3, 2011**

We are into Graphic Design, Ladies and Gentlemen! Today in class we completed the Toolbox Test and then we edited knuckles on a hand, taking years away! The file we worked on in class was 'Hand Image' in Moodle. By the end of school tomorrow, all classes will have reviewed the Unit B test and will complete a project or two using Adobe Photoshop Elements.

GET YOUR FLASH DRIVE TO SCHOOL AND HAVE IT IN CLASS WITH YOU EVERY SINGLE DAY whether you think we'll need it or not. Just like a pen or pencil, it is a tool you may need at any time. Here's a link to a sale at Staples going on right now: USB Flash Drives

**October 31, 2011**

Graphic Design introduction with Photoshop Elements 2.0 coming right away! First we will review our Unit B test.

To get a head start, take a look at the Photoshop Elements 2.0 Toolbox below. Your last test of the first quarter will be to identify the names of each tool - just the names.



For the Photoshop Elements 2.0 Toolbox test, this is what you will be given (on paper). You will be required to fill in the names of each tool. Feel free to print it out and practice! Just right click and save the image below & go to town, so to speak!



**October 25, 2011**


 * Unit B Hardware Presentation** - READ - it will not take long to learn the content in this presentation. Many topics are the same, but more in-depth that Unit A's introductory content:

**October 19, 2011**

**Unit A: Computer and Internet Basics** test is tomorrow!

Go back and read your objectives for this unit.

For example, the first objective states: “Define Computers”

You should be able to say, without reading your notes, that a computer is a device that accepts input, processes data, stores data, and produces output.

Get busy!

Here are the Unit A Objectives as listed on your slides (UnitA.ppt link below)

Define Computers Explore Computer Functions Categorize Computers Examine Personal Computer Systems Explore data, information, and files Introduce Application and System Software Define Internet Basics Connect to the Internet Understand World Wide Web Basics Use Browsers Understand E-mail Basics

**October 17, 2011**

Below is a link to the presentation for **Unit A: Computer and Internet Basics.** This presentation has been on Moodle for your use. Your test on Unit A content is Thursday, October 20. Remember our discussions as you go through the slides. ASK QUESTIONS any day this week! If you are not participating in class, I do not know what you do not know. Communication is key to success throughout life, so communicate : )

**October 14, 2011**

**Note the two math problems below the Computer Storage notes below.**


 * Computer Storage:**

The purpose of storage in a computer is to hold data or information and get that data to the CPU as quickly as possible when it is needed

Hard Drive Size: Capacity for storing programs, photos, video, music and other electronic information.

System Memory (RAM): The memory a computer uses to run its operating system, applications and active data files. Greater amounts of RAM improve speed and enable more applications to run at once.


 * Long-Term Storage**

Stored in your computer permanently, (can not be erased unless you erase it). Examples of storage medium: hard drive/C drive, flash drive, CD, floppy disk, etc.


 * IN YOUR NOTEBOOK or on a separate sheet:**


 * Using the memory measurements below, solve the two numbered problems that follow. Be sure to convert each measurement to the same units and to label your answers!**


 * Memory Measurements**


 * Bit
 * Smallest “piece” of information
 * Each 0 or 1
 * Byte
 * 8 bits – one character
 * **K**ilo**b**yte (KB)
 * Exactly 1,000 bytes
 * 2 kb = one research paper
 * 50 kb = one picture
 * **M**ega**b**yte (MB)
 * Approximately 1 **m**illion bytes
 * +1 floppy disk
 * **G**igabyte (GB or G)
 * Approximately 1 billion bytes
 * **T**erabyte
 * Approximately 1 **t**rillion bytes


 * Given the information above, solve the following problems:**


 * 1) Approximately how many 2 KB documents can be saved on a 128 MB flash drive?
 * 2) Approximately how many 3,300KB music files (songs) can be saved on a 700MB Compact Disk (CD)?


 * SHOW YOUR WORK!**

**October 06, 2011**

Operating Systems up through Windows XP need some cleaning out once in a while, so an easy way to remember regular maintenance is to remember garbage day - when you take out the trash, do so on your PC as well! //It is best to shut down your computer and start it fresh// (NOT restart - it is not the same thing) //before doing this process.//

Disk Clean-Up directions:

Follow this path: Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Disk CleanUp

Allow the computer to search for unnecessary files (such as temporary Internet files that you do not need).

When it is finished and the dialog box with all the check boxes comes up, check all boxes and delete them a.k.a. take out the trash!


 * Next week,** we will take a look inside computers, cell phones, cameras, etc. and see what we can identify! We need more desktop donations! Leave them outside my door on Tuesday - thank you in advance!

**October 03, 2011**

Students were given 20 minutes to write about your ideal learning environment in class today. White paper was distributed for the drawing portion of the assignment. If you missed class today and do not have white paper at home, use a piece of notebook paper.

DO NOT FORGET to bring your drawing to class tomorrow. It is an assignment and it is required.

You do not have to color your drawing, but you are certainly allowed to if you wish.

USE THE FIVE SENSES to write. Your reader must feel like you are showing them around - give him/her a real sense of the space in which you feel is your ideal learning environment. Draw **yourself** in the space. Have fun with it!

Do not worry about drawing or how good or bad you //think// that you draw. Just make it happen on the paper. As you draw, take notes in your notebook of things you will add to your writing tomorrow.

**September 29, 2011**

**FOR TOMORROW'S TEST:**


 * Keyboard shortcuts to know: **

Ctrl+C=Copy Ctrl+X=Cut Ctrl+V=Paste Ctrl+A=Select All Ctrl+B=Bold Ctrl+Z=Undo Ctrl+P=Print


 * Terms to know:**

Title Bar Menu Bar Standard Toolbar Formatting Toolbar Rulers Drawing Toolbar Status Bar Document Window New Open Page Preview AutoSpellcheck Zoom Alignment Icons Font Name Font Size Margin Indicator

**September 28, 2011**

Introduction to Word Processing - Getting to Know the Star Office Writer Window

Once you learn one word processing software program, it becomes quite easy to learn others, as there are many similarities.

Starting from the Title Bar on top to the Status Bar on the bottom, see how many toolbars and icons you can name on the image below! Also, note that a few things are incorrect for MLA format - can you find them?



**September 20, 2011**

Today we discovered the privacy issues with spokeo.com and whitepages.com.

To help your parents edit or remove their information from White Pages, they must search for themselves, find their listing(s) and click the "Claim It!" button. Directions will follow from there.

To help your parents delete their listing on Spokeo, should they choose to do so, go to: @http://www.spokeo.com/privacy

**September 19, 2011**

We are into our Internet Safety unit. The videos we are responsible for on your Internet Safety test on Tuesday, September 27. @http://www.netsmartz.org/RealLifeStories

The titles of videos we have seen are:

"Tracking Teresa" "Survivor Diaries" "Cyberbullying: You Can't Take It Back" "Julie's Journey" "Amy's Choice" "Photo Fate" "Broken Friendship"

The contract that you signed in class - KNOW THESE RULES!

**September 14, 2011**


 * Keyboarding/Timed Typing Test Grading Chart for the three timed writing tests you will take this quarter:**

30+...... 100%

28-29...... 98%

26-27...... 95%

25...... 92%

24...... 91%

20-23...... 88%

18-19...... 84%

16-17...... 82%

14-15...... 79%

12-13...... 75%

10-11...... 70%

0-9...... 60%


 * Top 10 Online Manners** will be discussed in class tomorrow:

1. Make sure the words you use online are words that you would use face-to-face. 2. Avoid using the Internet to convey upset feelings. Do it in person instead. 3. Type all messages in lowercase letters. Typing in CAPITALS is considered yelling online. 4. Respect your own privacy and the privacy of others. 5. Never harass, abuse, or threaten others online. 6. If you disagree with someone, respond to the subject, not the person. 7. Always avoid using racist or discriminatory terms. 8. Don't spread rumors, gossip, or other harmful words about another person. 9. Use good grammar when writing to authority figures. 10. Obey the law.

**September 13, 2011**

To begin the year, we went to @http://bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks3/ict/multiple_int/questions/choose_lang.cfm and completed a Multiple Intelligence survey which introduced us to the eight intelligences. The chart codes were written in our notebooks to access later.

What were the eight intelligences again? Glad you asked: @http://bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks3/ict/multiple_int/what.cfm

Recently, five days were spent taking the **PSSA Benchmark Assessments in Study Island** to give you and your teachers a good idea of where you are with regard to the state standards in **math and reading**.Feel free to log-in to Study Island and show your parents your results, but REMEMBER: many items on these assessments, math in particular, have not been taught to you yet. We will take the second Benchmarks before Christmas Break and again before the PSSA in spring. These first assessments give you a snapshot of **where you are right now** and in no way predict where you will be in the spring, after almost a school year of instruction.

We have practiced keyboarding on @http://learn2type.com/TypingTest and will be having a **our first timed typing test in class on Friday**. The homework page has two posts reminding you each week to spend time practicing proper keyboarding posture and key strokes. Posts on the homework page are expected to be completed, so by now, you should have well over an hour of proper practice at home, plus what we have done in school.

Now we are moving on to discussing **Megan's Law, sexual predators and Internet Safety**. Here are the Web sites that we are utilizing in class this week and next week:

family watchdog Awareness is your best defense. http://familywatchdog.us

Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Megan's Law Web site. @http://www.pameganslaw.state.pa.us/

National Center of Missing and Exploited Children: @http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PageServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US&PageId=3026

NetSmartz: @http://www.netsmartz.org/InternetSafety

**August 31, 2011**

Moodle home page: @http://moodle.iu19.org/

Welcome to the 2011-2012 School Year!

As we work, important notes will be added to this page. It will help you when you miss school (always go to the homework page when you are absent to see all work from your school day!) and it will help you review. Check it daily just in case!