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

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

Dec 10 through Dec 18

Students have been working on the online newspaper unit for the past week which integrates web design and Language Arts. They will finish up after the holiday.

Monday 12-7 through Wednesday 12-9

Students are finishing up their Animation projects and presenting to the class.

On Thursday, they will start the Online School Paper Unit.

They will learn how to create web sites and integrate this activity with Language Arts by writing up news articles for their sites.

Alice Animation Unit and Language Arts SCOS

During the second Alice animation unit students are able to create their own stories and animate them.

The following Language Arts SCOS will be incorporated into the lessons.

1.01 Narrate an expressive account which:
*creates a coherent organizing structure appropriate to purposes, audience, and context.
*orients the reader/listener to the scene, the people and the events.
*engages the reader/listener by establishing a context and creating a point of view.

5.01 Increase fluency, comprehension, and insight through a meaningful and comprehensive literacy program
*analyzing the effects on texts of such literary devices as figurative language, dialogue, flashback, allusion and irony.
*analyzing the effects of such elements as plot, theme, point of view, characterization, mood and style.

6.01 Model an understanding of conventional written and spoken expression by:
*extending vocabulary knowledge by learning and using new words.

Week of 11-30 through 12-4

Students will be learning about the computer programming concept of lists on Monday.
Click here to see lesson.

Students will be learning about how to change "light" effects on Tuesday.

Students will create their animation on Wednesday until Friday.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

Some student are finishing the previous unit (5th and 6th).

Some students are starting the new unit (1st and 2nd).

The new unit uses the pre-programming software Alice and is integrated with the Language Arts Standard Course of Study.

Student will learn the preprogramming concepts of lists, "as seen by" and how to use light.

Students will then create stories that use the following Language Arts concepts, setting, irony or allusion.

Students will preplan using a storyboard before starting their projects.

Click here to see unit lesson.