Touch Cast

TouchCast Tutorial in PDF format.

A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words

Use Google Search by Image to help you begin your mini research project.  The three images below can be connected in many different ways.  Use your searching capabilities and discover the concept of Globalization.

Keep track of the sites you use and your notes in your Google Classroom assignment.

Cite This For Me: Web Citer

https://www.citethisforme.com/

This is an easy-to-use online citation generator for students.  You can use it for free without signing up.  Not only will it automatically generate the bibliographic citation, but it will also show you how to cite your work with an in-text citation.

"Areas of Bangladesh Still Flooded After Cyclone Sidr." UPI Photo Collection. 2008.General OneFile. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.

"GMO Crops Worldwide." MCT Graphics Service. 2014. General OneFile. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.

Maine Farmer's Market. 2015. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.

Pixlr App

Pixlr Editor is a robust browser photo editor, for all your editing needs. Have full control over your images, including layers and effects.  We are going to use Pixlr to create some unique images for our 8th grade slideshow and this year's yearbook.

1. Please download the FREE app, Pixlr Express, for your device.  It works on both IOS devices and Androids.  
2. Make a collage with at least 3 images of classmates.  Feel free to use the same subject for all images
3. Be tasteful with the design so it is complimentary to its subjects.  
4. Email it to robyn.ferrazzani@reading.k12.ma.us with a descriptive subject heading that helps identify your image.
5. Repeat as time allows.

Google Search App

Today We Will:
Explore a new app that is simply incredible!!  There is a link on the right hand side called Google Inside Search that gives you a nice overview of what this powerful app can do for you on your device.  Go to the site and read about all the neat features of this and check it out on your own device!

Directories

Do Now

1. Collect tissues and BYOD forms.  They are due by the next class if you forgot.
2. Under the "Links to Important Sites" on the right hand side of the blog, open Search Engines vs. Directories and read it.  Your exit ticket will be to understand the main differences between these.

Today's Objectives

1. Today you will be searching for directories that have already been created by someone else.  You can look for any content that is taught in 8th grade: science, social studies, foreign language or math.  These may become actual resources for your teacher or your peers so select directories that would be easy to navigate and appropriate for middle school students.  
2. Collect the URLs and put them in the Google Classroom assignment, "8th Grade Directories".

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Recap

One directory that many students found was http://www.dmoz.org/.  This is a link to MANY different subject areas and looks to be very useful for students.

Let's talk about these student comments on directories.  How accurate are they?

What I have learned about directories is that they filter websites so that you know you have reliable sources of information. with search engines, it is much more broad and you do not always know if you are using a reliable site. Directories limit you to certain websites that are credible sources of information. I think it would be a good idea to use directories in schoolwork because it saves a lot of time in searching and gives you links right away that you know you can trust.

What I have learned about directories is that although they can be broad, they can also be vast and filled with information. They can cover a vast number of categories, and really help point you in a clear direction. It’s also really useful to not have to check every website, the fact that someone has already certified a page make this a quick and painless process. Overall I found directories to be very useful in a search.   

What do you think about these directories?

Science

http://www.middleschool.net/curlink/science/gees_oc.htm

http://earth2class.org/er/teachers/links.php

http://external.oneonta.edu/mentor/NYGEOTCHR.html

Adding Student Email to IOS device

How to add an email account to an IOS device

Settings

Mail/Contacts/Calendar

Add account

Exchange

Email: Libby.powers@rdgstudent.com

Pswd: XXXX (This is your school computer password.)

Server: mail.readingschools.net

Domain: students

Username:  Libby.powers

Pswd: XXXX

Done

Power Searching- class 1

Do Now

1. Google Challenge

Today's Objectives

1. Set up your school email on your device individually with Mrs. Powers' assistance.  
2. Under the "Links to Important Sites", open Google Search Education.  You will be do Class 1 of Power Searching today.  There are videos and activities for you to try today.  

Do Now- January 30 and February 2

Do Now

1. Collect tissues.  They are due by the next class if you forgot.
2. Tonight's homework is to bring in a completed BYOD form.  See Mrs. Powers with questions or concerns.
3. Finalize your Exit Ticket from last class regarding how you use BYOD and submit through Google Classroom.  We will use the rubric to assess your responses.  

Today's Objectives

1. Complete the Information Literacy Quiz.  Please access this through Google Classroom.
2. Set up your school email on your device with Mrs. Powers' assistance.
3. Exit Ticket- Information Literacy  What question on the quiz was the most difficult for you to answer?

Information Literacy Quiz

Click here for the quiz.

Teach your students the right way to Google by Kelly Maher

Teach your students the right way to Google
In the age of the split-second Google search, it's more critical than ever to train students to distinguish between primary and secondary sources.

January 26 & 27, 2015

Do Now

1. Write down your homework. Please bring in a box of tissues by the end of the week.
2. Log into your school email through Edline
3. Log into Google Classroom and join

Apps and Beyond (Olivo) Semester 2 with code: o64xxo

or

Apps and Beyond (Fox) Semester 2 with code: 4y238va

Today’s Objectives

1. Get organized with Blogger.  

2. Review the class rubric and answer questions.

3. Exit Tickets- Before the end of class you must complete a brief blog post. This is your ticket out of class and will be counted as your daily classwork.  Each blog post that you create must be tagged appropriately so we can find your posts and give you credit.  One of your tags will always be your first name/last initial and one will be your team name.

Today You Will

Set up your account in Blogger.  Accept the invitation through your school email.  First name and last initial will be your username.  Read through the posts and open the rubric. Jot down any questions you have about the rubric.

Exit Ticket

Tell us about your experience at Parker with BYOD and your thoughts about it. In this class you will need the ability to use your device in class when the labs are being used for testing. Consider the following questions, but do not limit yourself to answering these.

• What device do you prefer to have with you daily?
• How do you use it to help you in school?
• What apps do you currently use for schoolwork?
• Do you have email set up on it so you can email quickly instead of having to access it through the Internet? Why or why not?

Expectations and Rubric

Learning new technology is an important part of this class, but demonstrating critical thinking skills is essential.  

• Do you have creativity to apply new technology?
• Do you have the curiosity and logic to process it?
• Are you thorough, persistent and detail-oriented while doing so?

Class Rubric

Click on the link above to access the rubric that we will use this semester to evaluate your work and the skills you will use in this class.  We are looking for you to use your critical thinking skills and grow as a student.

Welcome to Apps & Beyond!

We are looking forward to an exciting and challenging semester with you all!  

~Mrs. Ferrazzani and Mrs. Powers