Emerging Technologies

The exciting thing about technology is how fast it evolves.  It doesn't take long for new cutting-edge trends in technology to become obsolete.  Next week we will get into emerging technologies.  Some of the things that we will be learning about are text-to-speech synthesis, Google Maps, Google Glass, Microsoft HoloLense, and mobile device application development.  This should be a fun unit where students can explore trends in technology, and develop some skills to use these technologies, as well as develop an ability to adapt to future technologies that have not yet been invented.

Here are some videos that show what we will be learning about.

Text-to-speech article and video:
 http://www.theverge.com/2013/9/17/4596374/machine-language-how-siri-found-its-voice

A Day in a Life with Google Glass Demonstration:

Microsoft HoloLense, Transform Your World:

Hour of Code:  What Most Schools Don't Teach:

Some of the coding activities we will use along with many other learning opportunities can be found at this link:  http://code.org/learn .

Database

Next week Information Technology class will be moving on to Database.  Databases are tools used to input, store, and manipulate different types of information.  They are used everywhere in the business world, and having database skills makes people be very marketable down the road.  We will start off with an introduction to Microsoft Access.  Students will then create a series of databases to learn how to use the various features of the program and see how it can benefit them in their future.

Online Presentation Software

Next week students will be putting together two presentations using free resources that are available online.  The first project will be utilizing our google drive to allow students to collaboratively put together a presentation from different computers around the room.  This allows them to use a program similar to powerpoint so they can compare and contrast the two programs.  It also allows them to utilize electronic communication and collaboration skills that will be necessary in their future.

The second presentation will be utilizing a web 2.0 presentation application.  We will learn what web 2.0 means and come up with a definition of it.  Students will then spend time online researching the different online presentation apps that are available.  Once they see what is available, students will select which program they will use and then will put together a short presentation demonstrating the features of the service.  To wrap things up, students will write a reflection about their experience with their web 2.0 program to evaluate it's effectiveness and ease-of-use.

Non-Linear Powerpoint

Tomorrow we will start our unit over presentation software.  The first part will be a review over powerpoint, but with a different spin.  Generally we make powerpoints as sequential presentation visual aids.  You click on a slide, it takes you to the next, you click and that slide, it takes you to the next.......  For this project, students will be creating a non-linear powerpoint.  Appropriate slide layout rules still apply, and the difference lies in the presentation being interactive for the user.  An example could be the first slide being a map of a place you want to visit.  You can click on the name of a location, it takes you to a slide telling you information and showing pictures, then you can click back to return to the map.  You can then find another location to choose.

Students non-linear powerpoint is over a school appropriate topic of their choice, and should have a minimum of 15 slides.  One of the slides needs to be a work cited page that shows where you got information and pictures.  I will help you with any questions you have on the project EXCEPT you will have to troubleshoot to figure out how to link the non-sequential slides.  Remember that google.com is NOT a source, so don't try using it!  Be as creative as you can, and have fun with this project!

Finishing Spreadsheets

The next few days we will be finishing up learning spreadsheet skills.  We will work on charts, then learn how to carry over our Excel skills over to google drive spreadsheets as students will collaboratively work together on a few short projects.  After we come back from the weekend, Monday will be a catch-up/review day and Tuesday we will take our exam over spreadsheets.  It is a performance-based assessment where students will demonstrate what they have learned by creating and manipulating two different spreadsheets.  Let's keep up the good work, and finish this unit strong!