Group Project

Saving Lives Group Project Outline

Global Issues and InfoTech - Friday, Feb. 24th

Skills Focus: Internet Research, WebDesign, Presentation Design, Meaningful use of IT
Essential Question: Can the internet save lives?

I have found in the past that many of the projects in my InfoTech classes are not very purposeful.  We learn many important skills in design and computer use, with a focus on a number of very useful programs.  Why not use these programs in a meaningful way? 
We have practiced using PowerPoint, Publisher, and Photoshop so far, but I don't want you to simply forget about them now that your projects are completed.  Rather, we are going to demonstrate our abilities one more time, while actually using them to research, create awareness, and help others.

Part 1: (Friday)
Your first task for our Global Issues and Tech assignment is to use the information that I gave you regarding media and the disaster in Somalia ( https://my.care.org/site/Donation2?df_id=9600&9600.donation=landing&s_src=redppcgafricahunger9600&s_subsrc=helpcareget9600somaliahungergen&cr=tothoseinneed&gclid=CIaB3aqgt64CFQV_hwodiBqFqQ and YouTube search: Somalia faces devastating hunger).  Go back to the website I showed you, as well as the YouTube videos, and answer the following question in a Word document:

"Why does the media focus only on certain disasters, forget about them after a few short months, and ignore others?"

Part 2: (Friday)
Once you have really thought about your answer and have written it down, I want you to research an issue that you feel strongly about.  This may include disaster relief, starvation, genocide, war...it's up to you.  You may have to look around before you choose.  Once you have found something that interests you, answer the following questions on the same Word document:

1. What is the issue you have decided to research? (describe it in detail - where, when, why, how, what etc.)
2. Why did you choose this issue?  Why is it important that people know about it?
3. What connections can you make with it? (This may be personal, local, and/or World)
4. Look at the website you have found, what does it look like (describe design/info)? What is effective and ineffective when it comes to creating awareness and interest in the topic? What is the overall message this site is trying to get across?
5. a)What options does this site give for help? 
    b)Is there a more effective way of getting this information across? 
    c)What other methods can we use to spread the word and get help?
6. Copy some images that you think get the message across.  What makes them so impactful?

This assignment will be saved.  Do not send it to me yet.  You are going to use this information again so make sure you can find it.

Part 3: (Monday's Assignment)
Using the information that you researched on Friday, come up with an 11x17inch poster concept for your issue. (Set up new document with these dimensions - may also want to use transparent background).
You are to create a poster using Photoshop that creates awareness for your issue, and also calls for help.  You may use any images from the internet, but the images must also be Photoshopped.  Note: This is not a collage!  You should use your knowledge of design to create an original poster that not only informs people of the situation, but also motivates people to get involved and help out (you should also provide ways of doing so).

Your poster will be due on Friday, March 2nd.

If you have any questions, ask or email me!

Photoshop CS3 Assignment

Now that we have played around with some of the brushes and tools in Photoshop, we are going to create an original image using teach-ict.com and the various filter tools. 

Find an image online and copy it onto an new document in Photoshop (you may also use an image of yourself - if you want to manipulate an image of a friend, you must ask their permission first).

Using the pen tool, draw a line (can be found up top on the tool bar) down the center of your image.

Create a new layer, and begin your manipulations (you will have to duplicate your original image). Use teach-ict.com for video tutorials on the filters that I have not shown you. You should make at least 10 changes to HALF of the original image.

Your final image should show half of your original image, and half of your manipulated image.

If you have any questions or need help on anything, ask me!

Change in Publisher Assignment

I have realized, in chatting with both classes, that many people have created a Brochure already.  In order to switch it up a little, we are going to work with current news stories in technology and create our own newletter.  This will be a good introduction to researching for your tech reporter presentation, as well as give you practice in creating your own template in publisher.  To create this newsletter, we will watch a TED talk about internet attackers, and look on the BBC website in "Click" for additional stories.  Come to class on Wednesday or Thursday with stories in mind if you can!

Great work on your assignments so far!  I am impressed with both classes :)

Microsoft Office Publisher

Our next assignment is using Microsoft Publisher.  It is another Office program so many of the tools are similar to that of Word and PowerPoint.  This program can be used to create a variety of documents, including greeting cards, flyers, business cards and brochures to name a few.  We will be using this program to introduce design and information sharing using information technology.  This program will be very useful for projects in other classes (newspaper articles in English, brochures in science, business cards in planning?), as well as another building block for our upcoming group project.

You will begin by creating a Valentine's Day card.  This will allow you to practice using the templates avilable in this program.  It will demonstrate appealing design and distribution of text boxes.  Remember, you can manipulate textboxes, images, information the same as you could in PowerPoint.

Your second task will be to follow the Business Design Plan - Create a business card, a flyer, and a calendar of events.  You may use a template for this task as well, but remember to try to make it visually appealing and unique.  You must substitute your own information (real or imaginary). 

QUESTION: What is "White Space"?  Why is "White Space" an important consideration in publication design?

Your final Summative Assignment for this program will be to create an original brochure on a topic of your choice.  Topics may include a sport or subject that you are particularily fond of or perhaps an issue or organization that you would like to address.  Double check with me if you are unsure.  You may not use a template for this assignment.  Please email it to FirstClass when you are finished.

Ergonomics

Creating healty habits in the workplace is very important, especially if you are required to sit at a computer for lengthy periods of time.
As a computers class, you will be sitting at the computer for at least an hour each time we meet, which can lead to severe back problems if you are not sitting properly.  The spine has a natural curve to it, if you are leaning over a keyboard, slouching, or even spending a lot of time with your neck bent while texting your friends outside of class, you are causing your spine to lose that healthy 's' shape.  This puts pressure on the nerves and can cause intense pain that is very difficult to reverse.
In infotech we will practice proper posture throughout the semester so sit up straight, get comfortable, and remember these important points for proper computer posture:

1. Feet flat on the floor, one slightly ahead of the other
2. Your chair should have 5 legs for good balance
3. You should be sitting up with your back straight, leaning slightly forward so that there is a bit of space between the top of your chair and your back (our chairs have an angle at the top which allows for this).  Your butt should also be all the way back in your chair
4. NO CHICKEN WINGS!  Keep your elbows in at your sides and at 90 degree angles
5. Your fingers should be on the homerow keys and your wrists should be up
6. Your eyes should be level with the top of your monitor so that you are looking slightly down at the screen
7. Your keyboard should be about an inch away from the edge of your desk
8. Adjust your chair and monitor to ensure you are sitting properly and make sure you stand up and take a break during double blocks!

We will have a quick posture quiz on Monday so be sure to practice healthy computer habits!