CMS Computers 700

So, we had some good discussions today in my four classes. The issue is that there is a lot of rumor floating around  that delicious.com (our social bookmarking site of choice) is going to shut down. The people at Yahoo are denying it, but this blog post raises a  good point- read the last paragraph.

The large majority of you liked www.diigo.com the best out of the several social bookmarking sites we looked at today. Personally, I think it appears to do quite a bit of what Delicious does and maybe more.

I'm not saying you must run out and sign up for a Diigo account now, but it does seem possible that something is going on with Delicious. I'd hate to see people lose bookmarks they really want or need.

At our teacher inservice this Friday, I am going to talk to all the teachers about social bookmarking. It looks like, I may be using Diigo as the example instead of Delicious. If that is the case, teachers who decide to use social bookmarking may decide

Hi everybody. Here's Will with his big sisters. They were REALLY excited to hold him. He's huge...9 lbs 6 ozs. Hope you're all doing well and have a great break. I'll respond to your questions in the topic below.

As you know, I will be out at some point during the week of 12/13. It may be one day, or as many as five. As I'm able, I'll check this post to see any questions or comments you have about work that's due, and I'll provide answers here.

If I'm not in at all that week, I hope you all have a great break.

This week we're talking about different ways to present information beyond the standard PowerPoint presentation. We're looking at a website called Prezi, which offers users tools to create presentations and share information in interesting ways.

Yesterday we learned a little bit about what it is. Today we learned how some of it works and how to do some basics such as adding text and pictures, moving and resizing objects, and drawing simple motion paths.

Everybody should comment on at least one of these questions.

1. Do you think you might learn more about a subject if you had to create a Prezi presentation about it? Or do you think you would learn more by creating a PowerPoint presentation? (For example, would you have to think harder about how information should be arranged using one or the other?)
2. How are PowerPoint and Prezi similar? How are they different?

We haven't had a good online discussion for a while, so please put some thought in your answers. There were some good presentations today after using the program for only a very short time.

Tomorrow we have guest presenters in class. They'll be talking about safe and responsible use of technology. It's a great topic and great presentation.

Just another friendly reminder, you need to reword information you find about your portfolio topics. The purpose of your website is for you to explain these topics in a way you understand.

We are now completely and forever done with MT4 (regular lessons). You may work on bonus lessons to help your second quarter grade. All keyboarding must be done outside of class time or in class if you are done with all other work. You may do Numeric Keypad, Alphabetic, or Keyboarding Skillbuilder.

Portfolios: You should be done with computer hardware today. I'll grade as many of them in class as possible. If I don't get to your group, you'll show me your page tomorrow.

The next topic is computer networks. Take a look at the PowerPoint presentation under Homework Links. Some people have missed easy points by not answering all questions.

Also make sure to look at the rubric. You MUST paraphrase all information. You may not copy and paste info from websites to use on your pages. You MUST be able to explain the answers to all questions.

There is some very good work going on with the first portfolio pages. We're nearing completion of the first topic: computer hardware.

Plesae be sure to check your spelling. It is one of the components of your grade. Use a Word doc to do a spell check, then copy and paste your text into Wix.

Try this website http://www.techterms.com (It's on my Delicious account tagged as computers or reference.). It' a great way to get simply written tech definitions. They're written in actual English, and not in tech talk.

You must understand and be able to talk about the text you put on your topic pages. If you copy and paste something from a webpage, I'll probably recognize that you did so. Maks sure you rephrase information in your own words.

I'm giving you until the last possible second to turn in corrected and make-up MT4 lessons. Anything done by 3:00 PM Monday will be counted. I have to have my grades in on Tuesday, so that means I'll be inputting your scores late into the night after we get the kids to bed. You're welcome. ;)

Boys b-ballers: I'm being told that your coach will not accept any D's. Make sure you check your scores.

If you haven't yet taken advantage of the vast amount of extra keyboarding time and opportunities, you have very little time left to raise you 1st quarter grade. I'll still sign passes tomorrow and Monday.