Lollipops

Lego Robotics: STEM Sport of the Mind

I found this article in the ISTE: Learning and Leading with Technology August edition. It is a great article supporting our class, Interactive Computing Strategies. "It's engaging and hands on, aligns with the NETS, and teaches students how to use digital age skills in the real world."
Check it out! http://goo.gl/T5XhT

Google Presentation Animations

My Eighth Grade Computer Application Students have been busy creating animations using Google Presentation. Enjoy!!

• Will you eat pacman or will he eat you first? https://docs.google.com/presentation/pub?id=1K2Ft7KXXWKGopp8lP4roSNLcGgNysBlr-L1zo_O8HfI&start=false&loop=false&delayms=300
• "this is a true love story if you ask me..."  https://docs.google.com/presentation/pub?id=1tuS4o4BLDZ43v9Ui_dI0GkylqfXFx3tRgU3VfuE1D1s&start=true&loop=true&delayms=100
• One on one baseket ball game between two guys playing to 10 points.  https://docs.google.com/presentation/pub?id=1gaa9TNpD9pHGSwm29sAAROH2owq57nnlT2JmWJgQZDc&start=false&loop=false&delayms=1000
• A watermelon flying through the sky and a monster eats it...   https://docs.google.com/presentation/pub?id=13KXc5fI9-Mdftj7DpICa3YmwBCo1KDVJAETkxNDzwcc&start=false&loop=false&delayms=1000
• I did this type of presentation because I wanted make it sort of random and unexpected.  https://docs.google.com/presentation/pub?id=11kAxZxlpLm36ewHDKtDzQEcVK2vb0klxLVQd2XQLr6w&start=false&loop=false&delayms=1000
• This is my Animation presentation based on the video game Pac-Man.  https://docs.google.com/presentation/pub?id=1azDjNhjme7yKZssnZWMfLNMK2mZEGGLNKDwcZXDMeq8&start=false&loop=false&delayms=1000
• Poor little kid, but humorous!  https://docs.google.com/presentation/pub?id=1JRQBK-G1TTxhVR_hqrJLlMO0a0oUOpbcLkyM6ChDqf8&start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000
• A boy gets fluffy from burgers.. nom nom nom  https://docs.google.com/presentation/pub?id=1qRoEXPRlQk2oiF3wRBDde4h5TMsk7X4ROQiWgPRqdww&start=false&loop=false&delayms=300
• Rocket Ship  https://docs.google.com/presentation/pub?id=1i0n4Q0BiJIPYTvydWFv9gh_Gn7uoBjU5N-nyvdM12zA&start=false&loop=false&delayms=1000
• 
  

Creativity and Problem Solving

In the past I have written about the book "Don't Bother Me Mom - I'm Learning" by Marc Prensky which discusses how video games can be very beneficial for our kids. (within reason of course). Today I want to share three sites/programs I know most kids would love to explore! They provide an opportunity for students to play games and ultimately create their own! Creativity and problem-solving at its best! I encourage all of you to take a look at them: http://gamestarmechanic.com/ http://scratch.mit.edu/ http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/kodu/

Interactive Computing Strategies

Following is a presentation highlighting each groups plans for their robots. They are discussing their plan, strategy, challenges they have encountered and possibly a demonstration of what their robot is doing so far. Enjoy!

Preparing students for their future in a rapidly changing world.

A video from ISTE, CSTA and NSF

Student Video for a Cure for Cancer

Created by Jessi and Matt:

http://youtu.be/z8-c6-xhHp0

JRG TeamWork

Created by Ally Kolasinski in Digital Video Editing Qtr. 2

Happy Veteran's Day!

JRG thanks all veteran's today in our annual Veterans Day program!

(and the students dress up to honor them!)

Angry Birds and Lessons on Teaching? Really?

Angry Birds and lessons on teaching? Really? Yes!

Marc Prensky wrote a book "Don't Bother Me Mom I'm Learning" about the benefits of video games (in moderation of course) in and out of the classroom. This blog, written by Dan Meyer, doesn't so much talk about the benefits of Angry Birds in or out of a classroom, as it does the benefits of the concepts of the design of the game and how those concepts could be used when designing a lesson. Check it out!

http://blog.mrmeyer.com/?p=9797

Looking for a Tutorial??

This website has free tutorials! Yes I did say FREE! Now, I haven't gone through them all, but the ones I did go through seemed to give a pretty good introduction.

The Interenet Safety tutorial provided some helpful hints.

Check it out and let me know if you found it useful at all!

http://www.gcflearnfree.org/internet

Interactive Computing Strategies!

Students are completely involved in building and programming their Lego Mindstorms!

Games, Games and More Games

Check out the following link to explore some complex, interactive games! The great thing about these games is that playing them is a Win, Win situation for you! You win because you are playing games. Your parents win because you are learning! :)

http://www.ecb.org/surf/games.htm

“Serious Games” are video-style games designed to engage young people with 3D graphics and challenging game play while teaching complex concepts. Many of these games need to be downloaded to your computer; check the minimum specifications before downloading. We have also included some less complex “Online Games” that can be played on most web browsers, in shorter periods of time, and by younger students.

Welcome to Quarter 4!

To introduce themselves to the class, my Computer Applications Grade 7 students used Toondoo. They chose a 4 square vertical layout and in each square they had a different topic. 

Square 1: Their Family
Square 2: Their Interests/Hobbies, etc...
Square 3: Somewhere they would like to visit
Square 4: Their goals/dreams

Visit the Computer Application 7 link at the top of my blog to check out some of their work! :)

Take The E-mail Etiquette Pledge

Take The Email Etiquette Pledge

I love the quote: "If a emale is writon with speeling mestakes and gramitckal errors, you mite git the meening, however, the messige is not as affective, or smoothly redable.

Poor writing is equivalent to someone speaking with spinach stuck between their teeth. Listeners and readers concentrate on the spinach; not what is being said." 

http://www.netmanners.com/email-etiquette/courtesy-3/

Do you take pictures on your smart phone?

I do!
I love to take pictures and I love to upload pictures to Facebook or email them to friends! I had no idea how much information I was transmitting out to everyone! Check out this news report, taken from YouTube:

What to do in your spare time? Try Blogging!

Recently I found this blog: Etiole: The Teen Tech Dude and thought of all my students... If he can do it... why can't you?

"Monik Pamecha, who is currently in his 9th grade and is a passionate blogger. His first love was his computer at the age of 2 and a half and now at the age of 13 1/2 he loves writing PHP and creating Web Applications and websites. He is a Entrepreneur and a amateur Photographer. He’s also Interested in Sports, and plays Soccer, Table Tennis."

He has great advice and I love that his personality clearly comes through in his writing!