(S5) AMPLITUDE

The AMP Zones 

• AMP 1 - PC cove  (wired for X-Box often used for Madden)
• AMP 2 - wii interactive wall
• AMP 3 - mac mini on the back (wired for wii)
• AMP 4 - mac mini on the back (wired for wii)
• AMP 5 - mac mini on the back (wired for X-box is often used for Rock Band)
• AMP 6 - Situation room / Telepresence

1. What part has GenYES played in developing these zones? 

    (You might need to interview some GenYes students if you're new this year)

2. How can we expand use of these zones by teachers? Be specific to a few zones.

3. How can we expand use of these zones by students? Be specific to a few zones.

4. Research an innovative technology that we might explore to integrate into an AMP zone in the future

(S4) Programming Languages

We use technology all the time, computers, phones, ipods.  What makes it work?

Program languages are the underlying methods that allow computer and application functions to happen.

Research one programming language.

1.  Describe it, what it is used for and the applications that use it.
2.  What advantages does it have over other programming languages?
3.  What is the relative difficulty of it to learn?
4.  What professions might you use this language in?

(S3) Do it yourself

This weeks student blog challenges you to discuss how you would go about building your own computer.  (Buying a stock package or going to Best Buy is not an option here!)

1. How do you decide what system you want and where do you start?  List websites you'd use.

2. What 10 parts will you buy? The parts should personally meet your needs (ie gaming, portability, cost)  Justify some of your choices.

3. How long do you think it will take you to build your custom machine?

4. What are the benefits or disadvantages to building your own system?

(S2) Tech -> Fail

Over the past few months of the blog assignment, we've examined the biggest presence on the internet and in the world of operation systems. Your job this week is to find the biggest blunders of the tech world.

1. Find one failed tech idea that really stands out to you. Give a short summary about this product, including when it was made, who made it, and what it aspired to do.

2. What went wrong with the product?

3. What could have been done to make it more successful?

(S1) Mac Apps!

1) The Mac app store has been launched! How will the addition of the mac app store effect the "Lite" and spam apps already on the regular iTouch app store? 


2) With piracy being so prevalent on the web, what's to stop pirates from taking the software and creating a mac based cydia? 

3) You've all seen it. The iPad commercials brag about being used with third party items such as a guitar and the camera connector cords in tandem with app store apps. What would you like to see an app for?  What ports are you looking forward to seeing on the mac? (other than angry birds) ARD for the ipad? car control?  

"Create the Blog" Assignment

What's happening in the world of technology that tech students should know about?

What's happening in technology that is significant to education?

How can teachers improve instruction, be more efficient or ramp up the excitement of learning?

How does GenYes impact a campus?  

Revisit some of the previous GenYes blog articles.  The next group of blog assignments will be by you.

Submit your blog ideas to Ms K via email for approval.   The week of your blog is published you will have a free 50 points!

Of course this assignment is worth 50 points and Due by Saturday.  (But send submission ideas now so you know you are on the right track)

Your blog assignment should incorporate at least two of the following tasks:  

• research new information
• learn new strategies, tips or tricks
• discovery of a new method or attitude
• create a more efficient work flow using technology
• change the way we think using the tech tools you provide
• have us do an activity that will expand thinking (related to education!)
• provide a service to teachers
• provide a service to students

You will comment on this blog post when all the student entries are in! Try to guess who wrote each new post.

Equiping Amplitude

Mission to spend the Best Buy gift card!  

Please refer to the student poll on the media center website and create a shopping list relative to what students have requested for the $1500.00

I have emailed to you an example and a blank form for you to use. 

You must use the forms provided... so check your email.

One more time ... please go to your email and look for BEST BUY FORMS. 

 Due Monday Jan 17 - 50 points blog credit this week. 

Cloud Computing Apps

Happy New Year! 

Check out: SymbalooEDU
Sign up and explore the site.  

Check out some of the movies, especially this one: Welcome to my PLE

Create a webmix page that would be useful for one of your current classes this semester.

Comment on your observations about symbaloo in the weeks blog. Share your webmix with me and plan on presenting  to the class on Monday January 11th.  Have some fun with this...

Happy Holidays

As the year ends and you have time off, here are a few websites to look over tech innovations of the last year.

Popular Science - 100 Greatest Innovations of 2010  
Top ten technology firsts of 2010  
Best Technology 2000-2010: The Decade in Tech

In January we will explore new technologies that will most likely change the way we live.  

Warm wishes this holiday season...  Ms K

 PS Just watched this today: IT hiring next year

 

Cloud computing

1. What is it?  

2. How are you using it now?  

3. How will this technology affect your future?