Wikis 10/29/13

• How can a wiki be used on your current classes? Students can use it for presentations or projects. They can also use it to help them in classes and use them as study guides. For example, if there is a vocab quiz coming up in english class, a student can create a vocabulary list and use it as a study guide.
• What are the benefits of using a wiki? Using wikis are more organized and others that share the wiki document can change any detail at any time. They are better than using emails. They are easier to use. With emails there is a lot of clutter and no organization.
• How can we create one in this class and utilize it? We can use wikis to present projects to the class. We can use it for our friday assignment. We can use it to create documents in this class.
• What experience do you have using or creating wikis? I've never created a wiki of my own before.

Tech Article: 11/1/13

Google gives handwriting option online

• English is an option, but this input tool was made so people can also write in other languages with complex letters, like Japanese.
• Those with Gmail have over 50 languages for this tool, Google Docs has over 20

Tech Article - 10/11/13

Instagram Update

• Instagram has updated their android and iPhone apps. 
• This update allows new video taking features, and it brings the Android app the ability to straighten photos, which the iPhone already has.
• Instagram apps for both Android and iPhone will also have an update to be able to have more controls for taking videos from the app. This update allows new sound and data usage controls.
• More news about the Instagram app is that they will soon be having photo and video ads throughout the stream.

To read the article, click here.

Do Now 10/7/13

If I was in charge of adding a new course to the school curriculum, I would add a fashion class. The fashion course would involve the students creating different pieces of clothing. The course could give students the opportunity to learn how to sew and make clothes. We could also incorporate art in this class by using colors and designs and determine what colors would work well together on an outfit. This is also a good class for those who see themselves in the fashion career. Also, learning how to sew can be helpful in the future. For example, if a piece of clothing ever rips, it may be fixed by sewing. Sewing is a good skill to have, which is why this is a good idea for a new class.

This would be a full year class. In the classroom there could be mannequins so it may be easier for students to design outfits. Near the end of the course, students can create different outfits and showcase them in a fashion show to demonstrate what they've learned in the course. The teacher can give students a grade based on their work.

Tech Article 10/4/13 - #4

Youtube is announcing their first ever 90 minute Youtube music awards show streamed live from Youtube!

• A couple of artists that are performing at this event includes Eminem, Lady Gaga, and Arcade Fire. Not only will they show the famous artists you know today, but they will also show Youtube stars that became famous from the internet.
• Youtube will reveal six award categories in mid-October.
• They are showcasing pre-recorded performances from across the world, which will lead to the live event in NYC. Some places include Rio de Janiero, Moscow, and London.