The wisdom of crowds

Global Collaboration ~ Prairie City Middle School @ ISKL

2011-12-16T19:12:00.000-08:00

Google Site: What is the future?

In collaboration with Grade 6 I.T. and Prairie City Middle School in Iowa, USA we are embarking on a journey to hypothesize and share ideas regarding "What is the future?" specifically with a focus in the year 2025.

Our collaborative partners are students from Prairie City Middle School (PCM) , Prairie City, Iowa. As you can imagine our lives are very different here in Malaysia; the weather, the sites, the sounds, the foods!

So as a starting point, lets get acquainted with our partners. Our partner teacher is Mr. Sam Oppel, he teachs Grades 6 - 8 I.T. and has approx 120 students. So, for this exercise you will have three - four group members from PCM.

In class today:-

1. Navigate to the google doc which provides the email address of your PCM buddies.

2. Review the wiki and all instructions and rubric.

3. Email your buddies and let the fun begin.

Kinetic Typography Assignments

2011-12-09T02:07:00.000-08:00

Kinetic Typography Assignment ~

Now that you have had the chance to “play and explore” Adobe After Effects, firstly, give yourself a huge pat on the back. In terms of programs, this is an extremely sophisticated program and I am so proud of how you all; your perseverance, focus and interest. An amazing experience to watch as a teacher ( more as a mentor).
You must agree, your growth in just a few weeks is phenomenal!

Let’s go back to our essential questions.
“How does design impact communication”.

Explore the relationship that exists with text, font, text direction, graphics and color ~ view all the examples on our class blog as well as additional examples on you tube.

For this unit we will be completing two (2) assignments:

1. Kinetic Typography of a stanza of a song ( free choice)
So this means that you will need lyrics, and a mp3 of your song.

2. To provide a curriculum connection with Humanities a Kinetic Typography of a Poem by Pastor Martin Niemoller.
Please review the above link for information related to the poem.

Click here to view grading criteria.

Enjoy

Mrs.N

Sources:
1. Gladiator http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0172495/

More examples

2011-12-07T18:03:00.000-08:00

Another interesting example; A excerpt of a speech from a movie "A few good men"

Kinetic Typography Tutorials. Get Ready...

2011-12-04T19:10:00.000-08:00

The amazing thing about the internet is that there are so many quality tutorials that will help you create Kinetic Typographies. There are also several different programs that you can use to create these amazing designs.

Matthew Rogers from Rogers Design, has an amazing tutorial using Adobe After Effects.

Bruno Mars ~ Kinectic Typography

2011-12-04T17:12:00.000-08:00

Kinectic Typography

2011-11-30T05:06:00.001-08:00

For our second unit we will be studying techniques which enhance presentations and also identifying composition elements used in graphic design.

Our essential question for this unit is How does design impact communication?

For the purpose of this unit, we will be studying Kinetic Typography.

Kinetic Typography : As described by Johnny Lee (a graphic designer)

" Kinetic typography refers to the art and technique of expression with animated text", the combination of graphics, narration and sound.

Your Task:

1. Review the you tube videos of Kinetic Typographies.

2. Each Video relates to a different subject.

Look at the combination of graphics, narration and sound , how does this combination of design elements impact communication?

Record your answer on your I.T Blog ( please share your U.R.L. with Mrs. Narsiman).

3. Search the internet, not just You tube, and embed three different examples of kinetic typographies in your blogpost.

Enjoy

The next step...

2011-11-30T04:49:00.000-08:00

During class on Tuesday, you had the opportunity to reflect and improve upon your scratch animation / game. If you have not already done so, please review grading criteria (click here) make a copy of the google doc and then share with Mrs. Narsiman. Next, begin grading your own game.

For some of you this may take some time, for others if you would like a headstart on our next assignment , please view the next blog post and begin research.

Enjoy

Mrs.N

Graphic Source:

1.Stairs http://www.highton-ridley.co.uk/monochrome/pages/barbican-steps.html

Review, Reflect and Revise..

2011-11-28T19:41:00.000-08:00

On Thursday during I.T. class we spent a great deal of time reviewing and reflecting on our Scratch Animations. All of you provided some great ideas and feedback; ideas that would clearly take your Scratch Animation / Game that you created to a new level.

In class today you have the opportunity to revise and and implement some of the improvements your classmates suggested to your Scratch Game.

Please review the attached google doc. for guidelines on grading.

Enjoy

Mrs. N.

Graphic Source:

1. Thinking

Scratch Gallery Walk

2011-11-23T20:30:00.000-08:00

In class today we will be having a Gallery Walk ~ much like walking through an art gallery, you will have the chance to view and critique classmates Scratch Animations / Games.

Instructions:
1. Sit down at your imac desktop and open the program Scratch; have your game ready for classmates to view. Also open the collaborative google doc that I have shared with you.

2. Once you have done this, please move to a classmates computer and start playing their scratch game.

3. After playing their game , on the collaborative google doc offer positive feedback and suggestions for improvement.

Think, food for thought..
Were the instructions clear?
Did the game contain objectives?
Was the game multi-level?
Was the game entertaining? Challenging?

Please remember that your suggestions/feedback will provide valuable information for your classmates to reflect upon and improve their scratch animations for a global audience.

Google Doc Link

Graphic Source
1. http://faculty.academyart.edu/resource/Critique3GalleryWalk.html

More exemplars

2011-11-09T17:11:00.000-08:00

Now that you have some time to practice basic tutorials, lets look at ways we can add music and scores, plus instructions. I have shared a collection of hints / cards on google docs. as well.

Tas McCarthy has some tutorials which are very easy to understand and follow..

Enjoy
Mrs.N

Scratch Animations

2011-11-07T17:22:00.000-08:00

As described by Wikipedia "Scratch is an educational programming language that allows people of any experience background and age to experiment with the concepts of fully versatile computer programming..."
Scratch is an open source free code that can be installed across Mac, Windows and Linux computing platforms. It was developed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Media lab.
As a preview of our next assignment, please take the time to view exemplars of animated stories and and games.

The next step...

Let's Begin by working through some brief tutorials on You tube.

Welcome to 7 I.T. ~ Trimester 2

2011-11-07T17:05:00.000-08:00

Last Trimester Mr. Callan asked me to consider teaching Grade 7 I.T.
Wow, was I excited after all I had taught the majority of students in the class last year.
Different curriculum, different outcomes would also provide a challenge for me too!

During Trimester 2, Grade 7 I.T. will be focusing on:-

1. Scratch - a program for games and animations created by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) one of the premier universities in the America.
2. Kinetic Typography (using the Adobe After Affects)
3. QR Codes

The overarching Essential Question for our Unit in Grade 7 is How does design impact communication?

If you taken I.T. class before, you should already have a class blog (if yes, please email me the URL ~ the web address). You may continue to our first assignment - Scratch.

If No, the first step in our I.T. class is to create a blog, and tell me about your technical skills; that is what programs you know, how you view your technical skills and what you hope to gain from the class . Remember to include graphics.

Enjoy

Mrs.N

Excel Rocks?

2011-08-14T05:56:00.000-07:00

As a starting point for the class ( as I know many of you from last year) , I would like you to show demonstrate your current knowledge of Microsoft Excel and its tools.

The tools that I would like you use to showcase your knowledge on are :

Animoto http://animoto.com/

Stupeflix http://www.stupeflix.com/

Shwup http://www.shwup.com/

Flixtime http://flixtime.com/

Masher http://www.masher.com/

Remember , you only need to use one of the above tools to help you create the presentation, please take the time to review allow of the options.
Once you have completed your presentation please upload it to your I.T. Blog and write a well structured paragraph to support your presentation.

Enjoy

Mrs.N

Grade 7 I.T. is FLIPPED.

2011-08-14T05:24:00.000-07:00

Last week I was teaching Grade 6 students when Mr. Callan asked me to take on Grade 7 I.T.

Wow, was I excited after all I had taught the majority of students in the class last year.

Different curriculum, different outcomes would also provide a challenge for me too!

During 7 I.T. trimester 1, we will be focusing on:-

1. Basic Microsoft Excel functions ( as you will need these for Math) and graphing.

2. Kinetic Typography (using the adobe suite of programs)

3. Scratch - a program for games and animation created by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) one of the premier universities in the America.

To begin the trimester, lets start by focusing on Microsof

t Excel, by the end of this short exploratory unit, you will be able to :

insert formulas to calculate average, mean, and sums in a spreadsheet.
create graphs with appropriate titles, labels and colors in a spreadsheet.
create data tables from raw data.
create a one page promotional flier showing individual and team batting averages and design a logo.

Plus know and understand the basic functions of Microsoft Excel.

Who ever said that an AC/DC music video could not be distributed as an excel spreadsheet?

Graphic Source: http://spreadsheetpage.com/index.php/blog/ac_dc_video_in_excel/

Creativity?

2011-05-24T21:56:00.002-07:00

Now that you have had some exposure to the iPads, here is your final task.

Remember Atomic Tom - the band that performed on the subway...

Your Task ...
is to join together in a group (3 or 4), and use garageband on the iPad to either create or recreate a song.

Remember the audience is middle school students.

Everyone needs to play an instrument on the iPad.

iPad First Impressions

2011-05-15T21:17:00.000-07:00

Now that the iPads have arrived, this is your chance to be "quality control testers;" to really give the the iPads a trial in class and provide feedback.

Think about:

1. Internet access ~ Could you log in straight away?

2. Consistency of signal (include placement in classroom).

3. Tips / tricks that you learned / discovered.

4. More apps?

5. Problem solving ~ is there anything that you can't do on the iPad?