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!

InfoTech 9/10 Course Outline

Information Technology 9/10                                                         Ms. Pelat          pelat_j@sd36.bc.ca                                  Office: IAT Prep Room 105

Course Outline

Course Content:

Information Technology 9/10 will introduce you to computer applications, such as relational databases, desktop publishing, animation, and web design.  You will also learn about the ethical use of information and awareness of health and safety issues related to the use of information technology tools.

Class Conduct:

The 3Rs are an important aspect of this class:

§  Respect your classmates and yourself

§  Respect the teacher or visitor

§  Respect learning and the classroom environment, meaning that rude or inexcusable behaviour such as name calling, sexism, racism, homophobia, prejudice, discrimination, talking out of turn, interrupting, etc. will result in discipline.

Class Rules:

Help maintain a successful learning environment for all students.  Students cited for refusing to abide by these rules will be removed from their computer station for the remainder of the class.

§  You are not permitted to download anything without permission – this includes changing your desktop background image

§  No computer games

§  No food or drinks

§  No candy or gum

§  No horseplay or rolling on your chairs

You are responsible for your work station, so please keep it clean.

Leave the classroom with your chair pushed in with your mouse on top of the tower.

LOG OFF COMPUTER AND DO NOT FORGET TO TAKE YOUR USB!!!

Plagiarism:

This is work that you hand in that is not your own.  Students must not copy from friends or from other published resources such as the internet, books and prints.  All assignments deemed plagiarized will receive zero; this includes a zero for the students who let another student copy his or her work.

Expectations:

Always work to your full potential.

Ask for help/clarification at any time!

Participate in class discussions and remember to be an active listener.

Come to FLEX!

Section 10 of the BC School Act

“If the property of the School Board is destroyed, damaged, lost or converted by the intentional or negligent act of a student, the student and the student’s parents are jointly and severely liable to the Board with respect to the act of the student”

Student’s Signature:_____________________________________

Parent/Guardian’s Signature:______________________________

The Plan for the Rest of the Semester...

It is so nice to be back at school, no matter how painful!  I am so impressed with what each class has been working on and I am glad that I can count on you to help each other through this process. 

Here's the plan for the next 3 weeks:
Scratch can be difficult, but ASK QUESTIONS!  It's all about "if" "then" statements.  The criteria for this assignment is pretty straight forward...
Create a game (maze, pac man, pong, whatever makes sense for you) with a purpose - so the player should be able to "win" your game, whether it is by reaching a check point, or acheiving a particular score etc.
You should have various sprites and backgrounds.  More advanced games will probably have multiple "levels".
Take your time with this.  It's a fun program once you get used to it.  Scratch games will be played in class (and handed in for marks) on the last day of classes.

The last week of class, you will share your learning with me and we will discuss final grades.  You should post all of your work (powerpoint, publisher, photoshop, html, flash, scratch) to a blog (either the one you are currently working on, or posterous).  With each assignment (some may be difficult to post, so simply describe it) you are required to write a paragraph about what you learned while doing it, what you liked, what you didn't like, what you would do differently next time.  You will explain this to me on the last day of class. 

You are welcome to work on your final portfolio at any time throughout the next 3 weeks, as long as you complete it, as well as your scratch, on time.

If you have any questions, ask me! :)