Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Friday, December 15, 2006

WOW

From the NYT.com:

That might help explain a shift in what college freshmen described as their primary personal objectives. In 1970, 79 percent said their goal was developing a meaningful philosophy of life. By 2005, 75 percent said their primary objective was to be financially very well off.




Midterm Review Sheet

IT 2020 Midterm REVIEW. 2006-2007:

Know the following terms:

  1. Sole proprietorship
  2. Corporation
  3. Marketing
  4. Accounting
  5. Finance
  6. Profit
  7. Stocks
  8. HTML
  9. Vacuum tubes
  10. Network

DON’T FORGET HOW TO CALCULATE GPAs!

  1. How do you write out 9 in binary?
  2. What is the binary number 1111 in decimal notation?
  3. What is the binary number 1010 in decimal notation?
  4. What is the decimal number 13 in binary?

Excel:

  1. How do you start a formula with Excel?
  2. How do you multiply with Excel?
  3. How do you divide with Excel?

Applications:

  1. True/False: A database can have more than one table.
  2. True/False: Access uses relational databases.
  3. True/False: Databases must be created by a professional database designer.
  4. What is Excel?
  5. What does Word do?
  6. What does Access do?
  7. What does PowerPoint do?
  8. What is open source software?
  9. Know the following: Windows, Linux, Mac OS X.
  10. What is PHP?
  11. What is SQL?
  12. With HTML, what tag is used to create a link?
  13. What tag is used to write the title of the web page?
  14. How do you embed Javascript into HTML?
  15. HTML has the ability to write loops?

33. What is the correct HTML tag for inserting a line break?

34. What is the correct HTML for adding a background color?

35. What is the correct HTML for inserting an image?
Networking:

  1. What is a packet?
  2. For what is a router used?

Unix

  1. What does “cd” do? A.) Creates directory B.) Change dimension C.) Change directory D.) Create dimension.
  2. What does “mkdir” do? A.) Mark direct B.) Market direct C.) Make direct D.) Make directory.

Hardware

  1. The acronym CD-ROM stands for
  2. The acronym LCD stands for
  3. The acronym IP, in relation to networking, stands for
  4. The acronym WWW stands for

Programming with Javascript. Assume all code is properly embedded in HTML and has the Javascript tags:

  1. What does the following code do?
    var x = 7
    var y = 8
    if(x > y)
    Alert(“I love this!”)
    else
    Alert(“I hate this!”)


  2. What does the following code do?
    for(var I = 0; I < 5; I=I+1)
    document.write(I)

  3. What does the following code do?
    for(var I = -5; I <= 5; I=I+1)
    document.write(I)

  4. What does the following code do?
    for(var z=5; z<10)

  5. What does the following code do?
    var z = 9
    while(z >0)
    {
    if(z>5)
    document.write(z)
    z=z-1
    }

  6. What does the following code do?
    var x = 4
    var z = 2
    if(x%z == 0)
    document.write(“It divides!”)
    else
    document.write(“It don’t divide!”)

  7. What does the following function do?
    function x( ex)
    {
    if(ex > 4)
    document.write(“Oh boy!”)
    if(xe > 3)
    document.write(“Oh girl!”)
    }

  8. What does the following code do?
    function z()
    {
    alert(This function is done!)
    }

  9. How many times will “Hey” appear.
    var z = -1
    var m = 2
    while(z>m)
    {
    document.write(“Hey!”)
    z++;
    }
    A.) 2 B.) 1 C.) 0 D.) Incorrect code; will freeze browser.

  10. What does the following code do?
    var x = 2
    var y =3
    if(x>1 && y < 3)
    document.write(y)
    A.) x B.) 3 C.) 2 D.) None of the above.

  11. What does the following code do if the user enters “Bill”?

prompt x = “Enter your name”
if(x = = “George”)
alert(“Your name is George!”)
else
alert(“Your name isn’t George!”)

  1. What does the following code do?
    var x = 3
    var y =7
    if(x+2 <> y)
    alert(x)
    else if(x – 2 > y || y> x)
    alert(y)
    else
    alert(“What happened?”)

  2. How many times will the following code print “WOW”?
    for(var i = 0; i < 10; i++)
    for(var x = 0; x < 3; x++)
    document.write(“WOW!”)

  3. What does “parseInt()” do?

  1. Which line contains the error?
    1. variable visitorName = window.prompt( "What is your 2. name?", "" );
    3. var proceed = window.confirm( "Are you ready to go 4. further
    5. with JavaScript " + visitorName + "?");
    6. if ( proceed == true )
    7. {
    8. window.alert ("That's great " + visitorName);
    9. }



  2. Which of the following would access the third element of an array Computer_Parts?
    A.) Computer_Parts[1] B.) Computer_Parts[2] C.) Computer_Parts[3] D.) Computer_Parts3

  3. What does the following code output?
    var z > 39
    var x = 2
    if(z > 2)
    document.write(x)

  4. What is the output?
    var name_Array = new Array(5)
    name_Array[0] = “Joe”
    name_Array[1] = “Bill”
    name_Array[2] = “Sam”
    name_Array[3] = “Ana”
    name_Array[4] = “William”
    document.write(name_Array[3]);

  5. What is the difference between a for loop and a while loop?
  6. What is the difference between an if statement and a for loop?

  7. var x = 10
    while(x>0)
    {
    if(x % 2 == 0)
    document.write(x-1)
    x = x-1
    }
    What is the output?

  8. What can ‘prompt’ do in Javascript?

  1. var x = 2
    var y = x * x
    var z = y /x
    if(z = = x)
    document.write(x)
    else
    document.write(y)
    What is printed? A.) 1 B.) 2 C.) 3 D.) 4

  2. What does the following code do?
    var x = 3
    vay r = 2
    document.write(x+2)


  3. What does the following code do if the variable x has a value of 25?
    function(x)
    {
    while(x > 0)
    {

if(x = = 10)
document.write(“This is bad”)
if(x= = 15)
document.write(“This is bad”)
x = x – 5;
}
}



68. What does the following function do:

function blackjacktester(total)
{
if(total > 21)
{
total = prompt(“Do you want to hit?”)
return total
}
else
return total
}
A.) Will not work. B.) Will check the total to see if it is less than 21. C.) Will check the total to see if it is less than 21 and if the user wants to hit it will add the new card to the total. D.) Gives the user a random number and adds it to the total.



  1. Why do we use brackets when programming Javascript?

70. What does the following code do:
var z=9
if(z != 9)
document.write(z)
else
document.write(z-1)

A.) Will not work B.) Will print 8 C.) Will print 9 D.) Will print 17.

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Three current events

Leave a comment here about your three technology article summaries if you didn't before.

Highest grade possible is a B.

Also leave your comment about Wikipedia here if you didn't do so. Here are the three questions:

1.) Who writes Wikipedia?

2.) How much does bias hurt wikipedia?

3.) Do you think Wikipedia is better for research than Google? Why or why not?

Before next Thursday!

Here is an extra credit opportunity.

ONLY USE THE FOLLOWING DISTROS IF YOU CAN INSTALL THE LINUX ON THE COMPUTER: You may download Ubuntu, Gentoo, Fedora, or Debian linux distribution and burn it to a CD. You will need a high speed connection for the download. Dial up is just too slow!

IF YOU JUST WANT A LINUX DISTRO THAT RUNS OFF A CD USE THE FOLLOWING LINK:

http://www.frozentech.com/content/livecd.php

You need to keep a journal of the installation process.

Evaluate OpenOffice.org and write down your thoughts about five applications.

Compose your thoughts and print them out (minimum 400 words). Due next Thursday in class printed.

Three extra credit As!

Look at the flash animation...

A peaceful city gets a violent surprise!

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Look at the shirt I made



We could all buy it...it would be funny to walk around Killian with them on...:)

Saturday, December 09, 2006

Want to feel better?

Maybe you need to think faster. I'm never depressed, what does that say about how I think? :)

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Midterm Essay

Midterm Essay
350 word answer (a little less than a page typed).

How do you think computers will most change life in the next decade?

As there is no knowable answer, I want creative and thoughtful answers. There can be no copying and pasting on an assignment such as this.

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Great website for use with Javascript

This will make a lot of our programs easier!

The article about programming

Here is the article we started in class.
A three paragraph essay about your idea for a film to show 8th grade students considering taking this technology class. Write on your blog and leave your comment here.

Thursday, November 30, 2006

compatibility program is now extra credit

If anyone wants to continue the "compatibility program" for extra credit, you can turn it in on Monday by yourself or with someone else.

We are focusing on the modules pretty seriously now. So we will put javascript specifically on the backburner for a bit. I hope you keep up your skills though...much of your midterm will be based on javascript! So if you were upset that I didn't give the quiz in class and you studied I hope you realize that those skills are very important to this class (and maybe your life).

DF

Leave your wikipedia answers here

Leave your wikipedia answers here!

The programming genius has struck again

Check out his work today! Get your horroscope!

$150 laptop

Interested in a $150 laptop?

Convenience vs. Privacy

Stalkers can follow you as you run. ?

Powerful article

http://www.slate.com/id/2154567/nav/tap1/

Exam Schedule

We will have our essay exam on the same day as the objective.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 18 7:30 - 9:30 Period 1 Exam, 2 hours

Periods 1 and 4 9:35 - 10:35 Period 2, Homeroom & Regular Class, 60 minutes

ALL STUDENTS REPORT TO 5TH PERIOD. LUNCH WILL

BE BASED ON TEACHER’S ASSIGNED LUNCH.

10:40 - 12:25 Period 5, Regular Class, 70 minutes

First Lunch 10:45 - 11:15 (Tardy Bell 11:20)

Second Lunch 11:20 - 11:50 (Tardy Bell 11:55)

Third Lunch 11:55 - 12:25 (Tardy Bell 12:30)

12:30 - 2:30 Period 4 Exam, 2 hours

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19 7:30 - 9:40 Period 2 Exam, Homeroom, 2 hrs. 10 min.

Periods 2 and 5 9:45 - 10:35 Period 3, Regular Class, 50 minutes

ALL STUDENTS REPORT TO 6TH PERIOD. LUNCH WILL

BE BASED ON TEACHER’S ASSIGNED LUNCH.

10:40- 12:25 Period 6, Regular Class, 70 minutes

First Lunch 10:45 - 11:15 (Tardy Bell 11:20)

Second Lunch 11:20 - 11:50 (Tardy Bell 11:55)

Third Lunch 11:55 - 12:25 (Tardy Bell 12:30)

12:30 - 2:30 Period 5 Exam, 2 hours

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20 7:30 - 9:30 Period 3 Exam, 2 hours

Periods 3 and 6 9:35 - 9:45 Period 2, Homeroom, 10 minutes

9:50 - 10:35 Period 1, Regular Class, 45 minutes

ALL STUDENTS REPORT TO 4TH PERIOD. TEACHER WILL

RELEASE STUDENTS FOR ASSIGNED LUNCH.

10:40 - 12:25 Period 4, Regular Class, 70 minutes

First Lunch 10:45 - 11:15 (Tardy Bell 11:20)

Second Lunch 11:20 - 11:50 (Tardy Bell 11:55)

Third Lunch 11:55 - 12:25 (Tardy Bell 12:30)

12:30 - 2:30 Period 6 Exam, 2 hours

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21 Regular Bell Schedule

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22 Teacher Planning Day

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

This art looks like a disgruntled line rider adventure

Agree?

Javascript Quiz Tomorrow!

Sorry for the delay in your quiz. Here is the link to where the code samples are:

http://www.webdeveloper.com/javascript/javascript_js_tutorial.html


Blogger wouldn't let me put the exact javascript code that will be on your quiz so you just have to read through all the examples on that page.

Javascript Quiz:

1. What is the difference between HTML and Javascript?

2. To what does the Object model refer?

3. What are two ways the '+' sign can be used with Javascript?

4. What does 'onMouseOver' do?

5. What does this code




do?


6. What does this code





do?

7. What does
displayWindow = window.open("","WDWindow")
do?

A clever student (DL)

Has recommended this to me:

http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/


Tell me what you think!
-----
If you want to continue your javascript training, don't forget about Aptana.

A great work in progress!

Congrats to a superior programming student for his work on the blackjack problem:

http://itsjustasubdomain.orgfree.com/blackjack.html

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Second Period

Find three interesting technology articles and summarize them with a minimum of 100 words! Leave your comment here!

Monday, November 27, 2006

Quiz Will Not be Tomorrow

Well I haven't posted the quiz review online because I will have a sub tomorrow.

So it'll be postponed until Wednesday.

I will leave the work for class on this blog tomorrow and you will work on your "Dating Program!"
SWBAT: design a "dating program." Divide the male names into A-F, G-K, L-Q, R-z (or any way you want) and divide the female names the same way. Obviously the real world is more complicated than this but we are doing a javascript based on nothing really. (If people take it seriously they really need some confidence.)

So after coming up with the 'compatible' partner for the person who entered the name, return both names in a prompt and whether they are compatible. You can add other variables.

Project due Friday at the beginning of class.

Here is the grading procedure:

Prompts 20 pts.
Comparison of two names 60 pts.
Output 20 pts.
Extra A in the gradebook for every variable you bring into the equation! This is a great opportunity for extra credit!

Nice summary of javascript

We'll read through this in class.

Good summary of important points. Quiz tomorrow!!

Combining HTML and Javascript

http://www.cs.tut.fi/~jkorpela/forms/javascript.html

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Checkers

Look at this code by clicking here and viewing source.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Three questions

Do you watch this show?

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/21/science/21myth.html?8dpc


Do you think it is a good way to teach science?


How would you encourage students to be more interested in science?

Design a while loop that prints out only numbers that 3 can divide evenly

Design a while loop that prints out all the numbers that can be divided by 3 evenly. Make the loop go to 100!

Monday, November 20, 2006

Finish in class

Finish the script to test for the '@' sign in a word. If the user enters in the @ sign allow the string to pass, otherwise give an alert.

Remember to use .charAt(i);

Looping homework

Make a for loop go to 10 by twos!

Make a while loop go to 0 from 100 by 3s!

Due tomorrow on paper.

Friday, November 17, 2006

Summarize Three Current Events on your blog

DUE MONDAY!

DO NOT COPY AND PASTE!

MINIMUM OF 100 words for each article!

INCLUDE URL TO ARTICLE!

FIND YOUR ARTICLES RELATED TO BUSINESS OR TECHNOLOGY! ANY COPYING AND PASTING WITHOUT GIVING CREDIT WILL RESULT IN AN F!

Finance calculation

You are to create a finance calculator that can give the user the TOTAL cost of a product purchased on credit.

Here are the inputs:

Interest rate Per Year.
Length of time (Years).
Initial cost.

Output:
What is the total cost of the product.
What is the total cost of the interest.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Download this IDE

You will need this for the following assignments using Javascript.

Aptana.com.

Cool software.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

In class practice

Practice in class:


1. Write a program that gives you a random number (var randomnumber=Math.floor(Math.random()*10))with a maximum of 10. Test to see if that number is over six. If it is give the user an alert "Hey your number is over six!" Print out the HTML.

Homework due Thursday.

Create a new program. Create an array with five
elements (var num_Array = new Array(5)) and add random
numbers less than 10 to each element of the array.

Loop through the array and print out to the screen the element of the array if it is greater than 5.

Print out the HTML.

Homework DUE THURSDAY

Homework due Thursday.

Create a new program. Create an array with five
elements (var num_Array = new Array(5)) and add random
numbers less than 10 to each element of the array.

Loop through the array and print out to the screen the element of the array if it is greater than 5.

Print out the HTML.

Homework DUE THURSDAY

Homework due Thursday.

Create a new program. Create an array with five
elements (var num_Array = new Array(5)) and add random
numbers less than 10 to each element of the array.

Loop through the array and print out to the screen the element of the array if it is greater than 5.

Print out the HTML.

I am going to be giving regular javascript quizzes and tests

Starting tomorrow.
Read this.

Tomorrow there will be a quiz on the 'paper, rock, scissors' game.

I am going to be giving regular javascript quizzes and tests

Starting tomorrow.
Read this.

Tomorrow there will be a quiz on the 'paper, rock, scissors' game.

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Watch this at home

And show your friends...the guys who do South Park animated it. Alan Watts wrote it. It's quite good.

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Programming "Paper, Rock, Scissors!"

You are going to program "Paper, Rock, Scissors!" using Javascript.

One option will be to have the computer playing against a person and the other option will be to have a person playing against a person.

You need a random number generator and a ranking system for the three levels.

Three questions answered on your blog: What is 'Vista'?

Do you think people will be willing to pay Microsoft a great deal for the product judging from what you've read online?

Are you interested in purchasing Vista?

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

If you are considering a job with computers

Check out some of these questions employers ask potential computer employees:

http://www.techinterviews.com/?p=39

One word: WOW!

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Funny

http://funny2.com/haiku.htm

Monday, November 06, 2006

Three Questions

  1. What is a wiki?
  2. Is wikipedia as accurate as a professional encyclopedia?
  3. What is the biggest issue with bias and wikipedia?

Your answer must be 500 words and is due before school on Wednesday morning. This means it has to be done on Monday or Tuesday!

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Monday, October 30, 2006

In class quiz:

Ask the user to enter the number of pennies, the number of nickels, the number of dimes, and the number of quarters. Return to the user the exact amount (in dollars).


Save the html file as "change.html" on your desktop.


Hint: After you prompt the user you need to turn the string into an integer:

parseInt( )




Friday, October 27, 2006

To see where the servers are located...

Check out this link:

http://www.kitty0.org/geoipdemo/index.php

Get ready...

Because we are going to do this:

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/mentoring/project_ideas/CompSci_p019.shtml?from=Home

Second Homework Assignment

Second Homework:
Students are to create a program that asks users for the distance they are traveling and store it in a variable. Then you are to ask the user for the miles per gallon of their car. Store this in a variable also. Lastly ask the user how much gas they have and store this in a variable. With this information calculate whether or not they can make the journey with the amount of gas they have. If not suggest they fill up.


Print this and your homework from yesterday and turn it in on Monday October 29th 2006. Leave your name in a comment. Do not email this assignment to me, you need to print it out!

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Your homework

This must be printed or written out by Monday October 30th 2006.

Student homework: Design a program that simply takes in a user's name and puts their name in a joke. For instance the program would prompt the user to enter their name and they'd put in Bill. Then the program would write to the screen a joke with the name Bill as part of it. The next user who enters in Sam would have the name Sam as part of the joke.

Do not email me this program. You have to supply the joke as well!

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

How to turn strings into integers and natural architects

You can turn strings into integers with this function:

http://www.javascriptkit.com/jsref/globalfunctions.shtml

Ahh, I knew the problem was the variables were being saved as strings but I was flustered because of the NetOps. I'd consider the day spent with sketchup a complete success, however!

Seriously a few of you are naturals...

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Javascript program to square numbers

Write a program that takes a user entered number and returns the number squared.

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Another decent Javascript tutorial

http://www.functionx.com/javascript/Lesson01.htm

Great article on things all computer programming languages must do

http://www.melbpc.org.au/pcupdate/2404/2404article12.htm
Testing to see if Javascript code can be posted on the web site!

Listing 2

var visitorName = window.prompt( "What is your name?", "" );
var proceed = window.confirm( "Are you ready to go further
with JavaScript " + visitorName + "?");
if ( proceed == true )
{
window.alert ("That's great " + visitorName);
}

Solar Energy

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/17/technology/17solar.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Create a MPG program:

  • Three variables: One for MPG, one for distance, and one for gas used.
  • Initialize the program first for the distance to Orlando and the amount of gas you believe would be used. Pretend the first vehicle is a Hummer.
  • Do calculation.
  • Display MPG to screen.
Once this is complete you need to prompt the user for the miles driven and the gallons of gas used. You will return the miles per gallon.

Friday, October 06, 2006

Javascript Code

In your AOIT page you need at least three javascript codes.
Sign up at orgfree.com

Make a web page:
1. Define HTML
2. Define PHP
3. Define MySQL

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Saturday, September 30, 2006

Friday, September 29, 2006

Thursday, September 28, 2006

Fifth Period Answer these questions on your blog

Leave a comment when you are finished.

1. What is a packet?
2. What is a configuration table?
3. What are the two jobs of a router?
4. Under “Transmitting Packets” what different routes (e.g. copper wiring) may information take?
5. The largest routers used to handle data at the major traffic points on the Internet are most like _________ rather than office routers.
6. Routing Packets: What is a subnet mask?
7. What is a logical address?
8. What is a MAC Address?


http://computer.howstuffworks.com/router.htm

Write the answers on your blog...

Who was Leibniz?

What is the advantage of the binary system?

Describe how boolean algebra works.

Why don't we have analog computers?

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Comment here - Second Period

Leave your comment here after you finish the post about why computers use binary numbers.

Second Period

Here's a good place to start:

http://chortle.ccsu.edu/CS151/Notes/chap02/..%5Cchap02%5Cch02_3.html

Monday, September 25, 2006

How do you use computers in Killian outside this class?

If you were in charge how would you have the students use computers and technology?

What's a better investment new computers or newer textbooks? Why?

Are computers well utilized at Killian?
How do you use computers in Killian outside this class?

If you were in charge how would you have the students use computers and technology?

What's a better investment new computers or newer textbooks? Why?

Are computers well utilized at Killian?

Fifth Period Comments

Your opinion about computers in schools!

What is a router?

1. What is a packet?
2. What is a configuration table?
3. What are the two jobs of a router?
4. Under “Transmitting Packets” what different routes (e.g. copper wiring) may information take?
5. The largest routers used to handle data at the major traffic points on the Internet are most like _________ rather than office routers.
6. Routing Packets: What is a subnet mask?
7. What is a logical address?
8. What is a MAC Address?

Read this "How Routers Work"

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/router.htm

Three questions about technology and school

Survey Questions (Leave your comment for a grade):
How do you most use computers in Killian outside this class?

How would you use computers here at Killian if you were in charge?

Do you honestly think computers and technology is a good investment for schools?

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Good tips for picking stocks..

Check them out.

Fifth Period

Post your comment here when you finish the assignment below.

Current Events

Read the following articles. Answer the following questions on your blog. Label each answer 1, 2, 3, etc. Copy and paste these questions.

1. Article 1. What is the flaw with IE? How can this flaw be fixed?

2. Article 2. Think of three slogans you could use to sell as many units as possible!

3. Article 3. Name three possible customers.

4. Article 4. Will China have a "better" Internet than America? What can we do?

5. Article 5. What is net neutrality? Who is in favor of it, according to this article? Who is against it?

Find two other articles and label them 6. and 7. Give the URL of the article and summarize the article.

When finished put your comment here (second period).

I'm asking for old computers...

Look at this.

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Interesting idea?

Comment on your blog.

page 34 # 1-10 Due Tomorrow

http://www.newyorker.com/talk/content/articles/060925ta_talk_surowiecki

Friday, September 15, 2006

Fifth Period

Storage is getting cheap and fast.

Here's the link to the free storage online

http://amd.streamload.com/index.aspx

Computer images on your blog to remove an F in the gradebook

A. bar-code scanner
B. digitizer scanner
C. graphics tablet
D. joystick
E. keyboard
F. magnetic ink character recognition
G. magnetic scanner
H. mouse/trackball
I. optical character reader
J. optical mark reader
K. speech recognition device
L. touch display screen
M. band/chain printer
N. cache memory
O. dot-matrix printer
P. ink-jet printer
Q. laser printer
R. liquid crystal display
S. monitor
T. sound synthesizer
U. plotter
V. thermal printer
W. CD-ROM
X. magnetic disk
Y. magnetic tape
Z. WORM

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Only five people emailed me the powerpoint presentations?!

Some of you need to get on GMAIL immediately!

Computer news

Answer these questions on your blog:

Why are Stocks going up?

What is flash RAM being replaced by?

Second period leave a comment here.

Monday, September 11, 2006

What school should be about...

Exploring:

Check out this cool game.

This game is helping searche engines like Google identify pictures!

Try to guess as many words as you can about an image...if the partner guesses the same as you- you win!

Friday, September 08, 2006

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

The Google Centered World?

It seems this is a good time to explicitly lay out my theory for this course and tie it in with what we've done so far.

This week we have been practicing with Microsoft's famous (or infamous) Office suite. We've designed simple spreadsheets to manipulate stock market data with Excel. We've designed databases with Access to keep track of students and their records. We used Publisher and Word to write pamphlets to explain the stock market to the uninformed (what a task!).

But there was a problem. We had to think of ways to publish the information. The information wasn't easily shared with others, without email! Historically Microsoft was surprised by the speed at which the Internet changed the PC and society. Today it seems Google is at the forefront in allowing people to quickly share their ideas quickly. For instance, Google bought Blogger, the site I'm now using, and runs it ad-free. So why did they purchase it? How does it benefit them if it costs nothing to sign up and no ads run on the blogs at first?

This course will not be an advertisement for Google's services (except for this one time: they are awesome). But it won't be an advertisement for Micrsoft either. I taught for a couple of years at a local college and I was dismayed at the way the courses were structured and especially displeased with the boring, Microsoft-centered textbooks. Professors were pretty much limited to Microsoft software. There was never any discussion of open source software. The courses seemed outdated and professors and students were not encouraged to venture far from the safety of Microsoft's shadow.

This course isn't about a software company in California or a software company in Washington. This course is about solving problems. Let's say you own a business, how can you use a spreadsheet to analyze decisions? How can you ensure that the data in a database isn't corrupted? How can a wiki benefit an organization?

This course isn't just about using computers for commerce either. There are social implications as well. Are people overwhelmed by a certain level of data? How will instant communication change relationships?

With all this said, I'm happy with the way the year started out. Keep in mind the pseudocode from the beginning of the year. Computers use algorithms to solve problems. Remember the way computers must be told every step. Loops and if statements are just ways of solving problems.

I'm happy with the interest in the stock market game. I'm planning on using the data in a few months for a project. I'm wondering if students who traded more do better than people who just leave the stocks (perhaps they just forgot their password?). Maybe we can draw a connection with the data. Maybe not. We'll see.

I sent out gmail invitations today but I got a lot of emails bounced back. Everyone will need a gmail account by next Monday. It's for a grade: A, you have an account- F if you don't. The if statement is simple. So is getting the account.

With all that said, today we'll be learning the basics of HTML in order to make "About Me" web pages...

Fifth period

What is your stock market game name? Leave it in the comments for an easy A.

Stock Market with Publisher

What is your stock market game name?

2nd period: Leave a comment here with your name in the stock market game.

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Stock Market Challenge!

Stock Market Challenge!

Use the information and directions below to join the game.

Game ID: MrFreer
Game Password: killian

1. Open this link and read the competition summary:
http://vse.marketwatch.com/Game/StartViewGame.aspx?id=MrFreer
2. Click on the 'Join Game' link.
3. If you are an existing Virtual Stock Exchange member, enter your Email address and Password in the login panel and get set to trade. If you are a new user, follow the link to register - it's easy!
4. Follow the instructions and start trading!

Join now, and see if you can win my Mr. Freer's Class competition! The more participants the higher the level of competition. Can you master the market?

Monday, August 28, 2006

What is going on with Google?

Find two articles about some recent events with Google. Hint: Go to news.google.com and type in Google :)

Friday, August 25, 2006

Wow someone made my idea...thanks for telling me.

Fifth period

Leave a comment with your blog URL...

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Interesting article links

Put your article links here!

Questions on page 32-33

1. What fractional part of a second is a microsecond? A nanosecond?

2. Why are computers considered to be extremely accurate devices?

3. What factors have contributed to the modern computer's increased durability and reliability?

4. What is a general purpose computer?

5. Why are modern computers considered (for the most part) to be cost-effective devices?

6. How have computers participated in their own development?

7. Why should data be verified both before and after being entered into the computer?

8. Identify the basic functions of the information-processing cycle.

9. What are the most important characteristics of computer-generated output?

10. Explain the difference between computer hardware and computer software.

11. Explain the difference between an input device, a processor, a storage device, and an output device.

12. Explain the difference between a system program and an application program.

13. Briefly explain how a computer system works.

14. Describe the differences between a microcomputer, a minicomputer, a mainframe computer, and a special-purpose computer.

15. Describe the differences between a personal computer and a portable computer.

16. Identify at least three uses of special-purpose computers.

17. What is an information utility service?

18. Describe how computers can provide better service for bank customers.

19. How may computers be used in the home?

20. What are some ways the computer is used in dealing with the weather and environment?

21. How have computers affected transportation?

22. How have computers contributed to improved community services?

23. Describe ways in which computers improve medical and health care as well as the quality of life for those who are ill or disabled.

24. What are the advantages to humans of having computers perform routine and dangerous tasks?

25. Identify at least six uses of computers (other than those given in the text) in our society or everyday living.

What you need on your blog so far...8/24/06

1. The pseudocode necessary for a computer to make a sandwich.
2. Write an interesting fact about yourself.
3. Post a picture of ENIAC on your blog.
4. Link to your neighbor's blog.
5. Speculate how computers have changed business.
6. Your top 5 web sites.
7. Answers from 1-25 on page 32 - 33.

Sunday, August 20, 2006

Fifth Period Grades

Fifth Period Grades:

As 4 0.2
Bs 4 0.2
Cs 2 0.1
Ds 3 0.15
Fs 7 0.35
20


For those people attempted the quiz, the results were quite good.

Monday, August 14, 2006

Post on your blog

Read this article:
Which do you think are the top five web sites of all time?
Post on your blog.

Sunday, August 13, 2006

IT 2020

Class,

First of all I'm excited about this course. IT is the cutting edge of technology.

The best way to learn is to stay current using reputable sources online. Textbooks may provide general knowledge, but for sheer speed they can not match the web obviously.

What sites am I referring to? First of all, www.slashdot.org provides a great message board for discussing current events in IT. The nytimes is another great site.

Here is a site that has many good free articles but many require login:
http://www.technologyreview.com/. Then there is the great aggregator of news: news.google.com.

Commenting on current events on your own blog (go to http://www.blogger.com and make one now. Write down the password and username- don't show anyone.) will be an important part of this class.

Next we are going to start with the basics of computer science. No, we are not going to focus on merely ONE language. My aim is to give you the framework to handle ANY language and ANY problem.

Let's start with the problem:

http://www.minich.com/education/wyo/stylesheets/pseudocode.htm


You will define the problem using pseudocode.

Let's pretend the first program is to make a sandwich.

What will you need first? What will you need to do?

Discussion followed by blog post.