Thursday, January 28, 2010

January 29 through February 5

Students are starting the next unit, "Career Planning". They will be creating web sites and using various software applications integrated with the Guidance Standard Course Of Study. Click here to see the unit.

Students will be visiting the CFNC.org (College Foundation of North Carolina) site. They will be taking a career interest survey, researching careers and colleges on the site. They will also visit the school's Media Center to do career research.

Students will be creating a database of their career research and creating a spreadsheet of their job salaries.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Week of Jan 25 -28

Students are working on the Ethics and Copyright Unit this week. Click here to see the unit plan.

After discussing Fair Use concepts and limits, students created a study guide of the Fair Use rules to reference for this semester's projects.

Students reviewed for the Fair Use test by completing a group project, using the CPS clickers to review concepts and watching a video by DPI titled Copy Right or Wrong: Learning about Digital Ethics.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Permission form must be returned quickly!

Welcome! I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and having a great year!

Reading and signing the distributed permission form by both parent and student will be a test grade. Please do not respond to this posting. If you lost the form you may PRINT it and return it. We must have a signature on file for it to be a valid permission form. Thank you for your assistance.

If the completed form is returned by Friday, January 22nd you receive a 100. If the form is returned by Friday, January 29 4th you receive a 75. The grade decreases by 5 points until returned.

Supply List: 3 ring binder (may be paper binder with prongs), paper, pencil/pen, flash drive (optional- good if student wants to save projects)

Expectations:

Students will treat teacher and each other with respect and dignity.
· Students will listen when the teacher or another student is talking.

Students will be responsible for their own learning.
· Students will bring their notebooks, name tags, and pencil/pen to class.
· Students will keep all of their handouts in their notebook.
· Students will read and start the daily bell work when they come in to class.
· Students will sign out in the log book when they use the bathroom.

Students will treat computers with respect.
· Students will not go to web sites not assigned by their teacher.
· Students will not change screen savers and/or backgrounds designs.
· Students will keep equipment in good working order.

Student Name: (print)____________________________
Period: ________
Student Signature: ___________________________________________

You can always find the most up to date information about homework or other class activities at Wclassroom@blogspot.com

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Dear Parent,
We will be working on several computer projects during this class. Miss Witkowski strives to create real world applications for the computer skills taught to your child. Among the projects are creating web sites, placing student work online, pictures for online newsletters, etc. Safety is a critical concern and we need the following information for our classroom files. Please decide which choices work best for you and your child. If you have questions please email ewitkowski@randolph.k12.nc.us

Class activities will be posted at Wclassroom@blogspot.com.
It is alright to put my child’s first name on the classroom blog.
___Yes- my child’s first name may be on the classroom blog.
___No- please do not mention my child’s first name on the classroom blog.

To create a free web site at Google Sites your child will need to create a free email account. Please check one choice.
___Yes- my child may create an email account/website with their first name only.
___Yes- my child may create an email account/website with a generic or “no” name listed online (it will be anonymous).
___No- I would prefer for my child to not place this item online.

The online school newsletter/website may include photos of your child.
___Yes- my child may have their photo and their first name only on the site.
___Yes- my child may have their photo but “no” name online (it will be anonymous).
___No- I would prefer for my child to not place their photo online.

Parent Name: _________________________
Phone: _________________
Parent Signature: _______________________________________________

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

What is Information Technology?

What is Information Technology?

1. Comparing Sources of Information

Have you ever been frustrated trying to find something specific on the Internet? We all have used technology for fun but many of us stumble when we try to use technology as a practical tool.

Have you ever wondered what is the best way to pick the web site with the most useful information? Hint: It is usually not the first site that comes up.

2. Technology as a Tool

When you get an school assignment in high school or college how do you know which technology to use? Word Processing, Database, Spreadsheet, Graphic Organizer, Audio or Visual Recording, or online Collaboration Tools

3. Research Process

When it is time for you to buy your first car, where do you begin to search for information? When it is time to decide which college you would like to go to, how do you make the right choice? The Internet has millions of facts, how do you quickly find what you are looking for?

4. Safety and Ethical Issues

You have all heard of college students getting fined thousands of dollars for illegally copying music. Wouldn't you rather keep that money instead of losing it?

You have all heard of computers being infected with viruses. A few simple steps can protect you.

The following link shows the Standard Course of Study "DRAFT" for Information Technology for Grades 6 through 8. http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/acre/standards/info-technology/grade6.pdf

Monday, January 4, 2010

Jan 4 and Jan 5

Today and tomorrow we are finishing up the online Newspaper Unit.

See the finished Newspaper (after Tuesday) at

http://sites.google.com/site/atmsnewspaper/home