Thursday, October 24

A short week, and a much deserved break for you.  This week's post will be your choice!  You can write about what you'd like, reflect on the week, talk about your long weekend plans, think about how your semester is going so far, etc.  The only requirement (other than it is school appropriate) is that you write two good paragraphs.

Have an awesome four days to relax and recharge.

Friday, October 19

This has been a long week!  I don't know about you, but it felt like Friday should've arrived two days ago.  I must say a thank you to your parents and you for making PTS Conferences a success.  Wow!  It was the busiest I remember in quite some time.  This week we learned a few new things in Excel and hopefully you are feeling more comfortable with this powerful piece of software.  We also explored VoiceThread and wished Mr. Pratt well as he moves onto other areas to student teach in.  Here's what you should write about this week:

• Rate your Excel skills on a scale of 1 to 10.  One is you are totally lost and 10 means you feel confident in everything we've learned so far.  Explain your answer.

• In our Moodle News Forum you were asked to find out what digital storytelling is, find some examples of digital storytelling that appeal to you, and think of a project you've done in the past that could've been told as a digital story.  Including links is always helpful to your audience :)  Please share with your blog audience what you learned.
• If you have any late work, include a plan to get that in before the October 31st deadline.
• My favorite part of your blog...please just write a paragraph reflecting on your week.  Remember, this doesn't need to be about our class, just a general reflection.

Have a great weekend :) 

Friday, October 12

This has been one quick week!  I hope yours has been good.  You'll be getting a little break soon, so stay focused.  This week we learned quite a bit.  I'd like you to blog about the following topics, again, keeping in mind that your audience is not in our class so provide them with some context as you write.

• You were to check out a new site this week.  Please write a complete paragraph either recommending or not recommending this site.  Be sure to include rationale for your opinion as well as a link to the site.
• Assume your readers are also learning Excel.  Explain the difference between absolute and relative references to your audience.
• Write one sentence providing positive feedback to our student teacher, Mr. Pratt.  He'll be winding up his experience with us mid-week next week.  
• Write one sentence that describes your reaction to something in the video "Digital Nation."  You'll have an opportunity next week to provide a more thorough reaction using Voice Thread!
• Finally, take this opportunity to reflect on your week.  This doesn't have to be about our class, or even school.  

Have a great, safe weekend!

Friday, October 5

Homecoming Week!  

I have enjoyed seeing the great costumes and the enthusiasm for Homecoming Week.  I find this to be a fun week, hope you did too.  This week we've focused on Excel and Wednesday marked the mid-quarter point already.  I'd like you to reflect on the week and answer the following questions.  A reminder to consider your audience as you write.  (Next week I'll be asking you to share your blogs with your parents/guardians).

1. I asked you to check out Penzu.com.  What did you think?  Write 3 to 5 sentences critiquing this site.  What did you like/dislike and who would find it a valuable site?
2. Excel can be challenging.  Write about what you've learned in Excel this week.  You can include anything that is not clear as well.
3. We checked out three videos/sites:  200 years in 4 minutes, worldometers.info, and The World's Most Typical Person.  What did you think of these various ways to share data?
4. Have you seen the video "Digital Nation"?  I am considering showing it at some point.
5. Feel free to write a reflection about your week in general (hope it was a good one).