Setting Up Your PPSD Student Email Account

Watch the video below if you need help on how to access and set up your PPSD student's Email account.  Remember to write down your Email address and password for future reference.

EDT 660: Digital Flash Cards

Click on the link below to view the technology terms flash cards.

Tech Terms Flash Cards

EDT 660: Multimedia & Interactive Technology

Unit 1 Assignment:  Converting & Embedding a YouTube Video

Computer Basics:  What is a Computer?

Watch this YouTube video to learn about different types of computers.  To learn more about this topic, visit http://www.gclearnfree.org/computerbasics.

I have been using RealPlayer to download and convert videos from YoutTube, but the YouTube Downloader program works just as good - and it's Free!  It was very simple to use and it downloaded the above video as an .MP4 file.  I converted it to .WMV file to embed it in the PowerPoint and in my Blog.  It works flawlessly.  This little software will be very useful for the upcoming school year.  Thank You!

LESSON: The Impact of Computers on Education

INTRODUCTION:

The computer is a very popular technological invention. It has very quickly become one of life's must haves. For many, it is on the top of the list as to what they need to survive the day. Each day, millions of people use computers for many reasons. It is used for work, school, and play. The computer is a favorite for many people around the world, including me. In the last 3 decades, it has drastically changed our lives. Can you imagine your life without a computer?

For this assignment, you will investigate the above question with the focus primarily on addressing the following Essential Question:
How have computers changed the way we learn?
COMMON CORE R.I STATE STANDARDS FOR ELA:

• Writing:  Production and Distribution of Writing:  Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

• Speaking and Listening:  Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9–10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.

Technology Standard (NETS-S)

1. Creativity and Innovation
   Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.
2. Research and Information Fluency
   Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.  

TASK OVERVIEW:

This lesson will help students to build on researching skills using the Internet, practice essay writing and creating a multimedia presentation.  Students will participate in a class discussion and work with a partner to examine photographs, view videos, and use the Internet to research for additional information.  Students will present their findings in a 2-page essay and a digital product.  The digital product can be a PowerPoint presentation, a video file, or a Glogster's photo story.

PROCESS:

1. Start by examining the two photos shown below.  These pictures depict how students have been learning in our world today.  Think about the similarities and differences.
   
   Click on the image to enlarge

   

   Figure 1:  Learning Then

Figure 2:  Learning Now

1. Next, view and analyze a couple of short YouTube videos to consider:  How education has changed and How it has stayed the same.
• Video 1:  "Education Today and Tomorrow"
• Video 2:  "A Vision of K-12 Students Today"
2. Participate in a class discussion about the effects of computers in education. 
3. Deepen your understanding of this topic by continuing your investigation and research using the Internet.  Use the various online sources under Links & Resources. 
4. Remember to record your research findings on the graphic organizer given to you in class. 
5. Work with a partner to answer the above Essential Question by completing a 2-page essay and creating a presentation, video or photo story file.

LINKS & RESOURCES:

Use the following links to help with your research on this topic.

• How the Internet Will Change How We Learn
• Top 12 Ways Technology Changed Learning
• Are Computers really bad for kids?
• Are technology and computers good to use in the classroom?
• Kids and Computers
• Glogster - Click on this link to create a "Glog" - a multimedia poster
• Microsoft Photo Story - Download this free software to bring digital photos to life

GRADING:

• 40 points =  2-page Essay
• 40 points =  Digital Product
• 10 points =  Graphic Organizer
• 10 points =  Artistic, Creativity, and Neatness

You must also use a works-cited or bibliography of at least 3 sources.  The score for the bibliography will be recorded within the essay grade.  So you will place your work cited page at the end of your essay.  The digital product must include informational texts, sounds, and at least 5 images depicting the topic. 

RUBRICS (Courtesy of Rubistar)

Essay Rubric

CATEGORY	Excellent (10 points)	Good (8 points)	Needs Improvement (6 points)	Poor (4 points)
Amount of Information	Essay clearly answered the essential question,  double-spaced and is at least 2 pages long.	Essay clearly answered the essential question, double-spaced and is almost 2 pages long.	Essay answered the essential question, double-spaced and is less than 2 pages.	Essay does not clearly answer the essential question and/or less than 2 pages.
Quality of Information	Information clearly relates to the main topic. It includes several supporting details and/or examples.	Information clearly relates to the main topic. It provides 1-2 supporting details and/or examples.	Information clearly relates to the main topic. No details and/or examples are given.	Information has little or nothing to do with the main topic.
Mechanics	Essay is free of spelling and/or grammatical errors.	Essay has three or fewer misspellings and/or grammatical errors.	Essay has 4 misspellings and/or grammatical errors.	Essay has more than 4 errors in spelling.
Sources	All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented in the desired format.	All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented, but a few are not in the desired format.	All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented, but many are not in the desired format.	Some sources are not accurately documented.

  Digital Product Rubric

CATEGORY	Excellent (10 points)	Good (8 points)	Needs Improvement (6 points)	Poor (4 points)
Requirements	All requirements are met and exceeded.	All requirements are met.	One requirement was not completely met.	More than one requirement was not completely met.
Content	Makes excellent use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. to enhance the presentation.	Makes good use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. to enhance to presentation.	Makes use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. but occasionally these detract from the presentation content.	Use of font, color, graphics, effects etc. but these often distract from the presentation content.
Attractiveness	Covers topic in-depth with details and examples. Subject knowledge is excellent.	Includes essential knowledge about the topic. Subject knowledge appears to be good.	Includes essential information about the topic but there are 1-2 factual errors.	Content is minimal OR there are several factual errors.
Organization	Content is well organized using  headings or bulleted lists to group related material.	Uses headings or bulleted lists to organize, but the overall organization of topics appears flawed.	Content is logically organized for the most part.	There was no clear or logical  organizational structure, just lots of facts.

 
CONCLUSION:

Image from Braintrack.com

The goal of this lesson is to have you gain a deeper understanding of the impact of computers on our society.  Stay on task and don't hesitate to ask questions if you need help or clarification.  Work with your partner to make sure that the task is divided fairly and completed to your best.  Have fun and Good Luck!