LANGUAGE and VALUES

"I am firm; you are obstinate; he is a pig-headed fool” was an example used by Bertrand Russell to indicate how the same event, fact, or in this case person, can be described in different ways according to the point of view of the speaker.

Other examples might be:

- I am a freedom fighter: you are a guerrilla: he is a terrorist.

- I have reconsidered the matter: you have changed your mind: he has gone back

on his word.

- I enjoy a good meal: you eat more than is good for you: he is greedy.

- I almost won: you didn't win: he lost.

- I'm thinking: you're daydreaming: he's got nothing to say.

- I'm taking a break: you're relaxing: he's laying around.

Answer all questions as a comment to this post.

1. Create two more examples where the words you choose create a different connotation.

2. Look up the word ‘black’.  Note its definition.

     Look up the word ‘white’.  Again, note the definition.

     What, if anything, can you conclude?

3. What is the difference between a devout believer and a fanatic?

4.  When the soldiers in ‘America’ in 1775 were fighting against the British, were they freedom fighters or terrorists?  Justify your choice.

Also, write down another historical event where the outcome could have been described very differently. How has language been used to 'create value' in the case you describe. (Note: don't use WWII, that's too easy.)

A Hello By Any Other Name...

Does Language Shape the Way We Think?

Wikipedia Article

Skim the articles and answer the following questions on your own blog:

1. Summarize the Sapir-Whorf Theory of Language


2. In what ways is the theory an accurate picture of Language (give examples where it works)


3. Why has it been discredited?

Lost in Translation

Read the above article, and then form groups of three or four, with at least two native languages represented. Try to come up with five examples of words that you 'just can't translate' for each other. Do you best to come up with a 'close enough' translation, but try to think of words that just 'don't work' in any other language. Post them as a comment here with the best definition you can come up with.

Here's an excellent example from the best television show of all time, Arrested Development:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_qGbv-tV6U

TOK Essay Tips

READ THIS WEBSITE! (Especially the Essays section, but the entire thing is useful.)

1) Use the Outline Documents: Document 1 Document 2
These will GREATLY help your essay structure.

 

2) Your introduction should CLEARLY state your position on the matter. Be aware that TOK topics are almost always 'vague', meaning they are never simply 'yes or no'. Papers that take an extreme position in either direction don't tend to do as well. What you need to do is show that it's "Yes, but..." or "No, but..." and then show both sides.

 

3) Make it "SEXCI"! Use the following method to structure each of your body paragraphs:

S = statement or knowledge claim
E = example or evidence to support the claim
eX = explanation of how the example/evidence is relevant or supports the claim
C = counter-argument (which follows the ‘statement – example – explanation’ procedure above)
I = implication (So what? If we accept all this, what follows? What connections can we make with the other ideas about knowledge? What is the Knowledge Issue?)

You'll notice that the first three points basically follow the same format as a 'normal' essay (ie English paper). When you get to the C and the I, we get to the TOK stuff.

Here are a couple of essays that have been graded. Take a look at the comments the teachers gave.

 

4) General hints and tips:

1. Using cliched examples - please avoid flat earth theory; heliocentric theory; long descriptions of the evolution of atomic theory (we're grateful that while the Second World War is still mentioned, this and the holocaust is being used to a lesser degree).

2. Personal examples - many studetns are beginning to see the sense of using their experience of the IB or personal lives as part of their exploration of the KIs linked to a question.  Do this sparingly but with focus.

3. Structure - often students write long rambling introductions.  There's no need - write 10-12 lines making sure that you articulate your intentions clearly and precisely.

3. Definitions - by all means use a dictionary to clarify the meaning of words in your own minds, but avoid giving these definitons verbatim in your essays.

5. Citations and bibliography - not essential since you're not writing a research essay, but if you use specific source material learn how to use and present citations and a bibligraphy in the correct way.

6. Implications - many essays could earn higher grades by developing the implications of an argument or point - asking the question 'so what?' or 'what wider consequences does this line of thinking suggest?' at the end of a paragraph.  Challenge yourselves to highlight the social, politcal, economic, ethical...implications of your ideas.

7. Exploration not description - this means providing both sides of an issue you're looking at; the arguments and counter arguments.  Too many students simply settle for a brief narrative of events or examples.

8. Evidence and proof - learn the distinction between these and reflect on how 'evidence' is crucial when thinking about methodology in different AoKs.

9. Real life examples - you'll be used to using these when constructing your presentations, but there's no reason why you can't build them into your essays too.

10. Language - the vocabulary you use reflects the quality of your thinking.  A sophisticated and articulate mind will be signalled by the elegance and flexibility of the language with which you write.  You can only find the words to say what you want by reading widely.

Here's another site with more hints and tips. READ THEM!

Filling in the ______s

 

Read this funny article and think about the following questions:

What is the connection between the article and the famous figures from Gestalt psychology (above)?
What other Way of Knowing is this related to?
What is the difference between what is being said and what is being understood?
Can you think of situations where this could result in miscommunication?
What Areas of Knowledge would be most affected by this concept?

ITGS Command Terms

http://itgs.wikispaces.com/command+terms

Memorize these terms, so you know how much time to give to questions on the exam.

TOK Homework - Language

Post the ‘script’ (or a brief summary) from another group’s skit and write a paragraph explaining how the ‘rules’ broke down and Language was no longer an efficient way to transfer ideas. Post as a comment on my blog.

Definition of Language

Just a reminder about the definition of Language

- Symbolic

- Has ‘rules’ that are agreed upon

- Has intention

ITGS Case Study Info

See below for some useful information regarding the HL Case Study.

https://isbeijingitgs.wikispaces.com/file/view/Difference+between+HL+and+SL.pdf

http://casestudy-itgs-2012.wikispaces.com/file/view/d_3_itgsx_css_1205_1_e.pdf (2012 Case Study)

http://occ.ibo.org/ibis/documents/dp/gr3/itgs/d_3_itgsx_css_1305_1_e.pdf (2013 Case Study)

http://www.itgstextbook.com/case-study-2013-red-dragon.html

http://itgsopedia.wikispaces.com/Case+Study+2012+-+Paper+3

iMovie Project

Alright, my young Spielbergs! The time has come for you to take the Director's chair and create a fully-functioning cinematic masterpiece using iMovie!

Length: 4 weeks (12 hours of class time)

Objectives:

- create a 10-15 minute video using iMovie and Garageband
- create a properly formatted script and storyboard

Some possible ideas for your movies:

- a sitcom (maybe with commercials)
- a documentary
- a horror movie
- a summary of a movie/book/TV show/comic book/videogame
- news reports
- an infomercial (extended commercial for one product)
- an instructional video ("How to...")

Some requirements:

- formatted script
- Storyboards (at least 12 scenes)
- original audio (dialogue, music, sound effects)
- titles and transitions
- subtitles (not necessarily for the whole movie)
- different camera angles/techniques
- Green Screens

Example script (from The Godfather):



 

iMovie Introduction

Today, we begin a new unit where we'll be using iMovie to create films that we'll share with the rest of the school. You're all pretty familiar with using the software, but perhaps you haven't thought quite so much about what actually goes into making a movie.

1. What sort of planning needs to happen before filming (pre-production)?


2. What do we need to remember while we're filming (production)?


3. What happens afterwards (post-production)?

Form groups of 2-4 people:

• each gender must be represented


• 2-4 people


• different partners from your presentations


• create a Google Doc and share it with me and the whole group (filename: IT 9.3 - Movie Ideas - Group Member Names)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFuLi8D-qGk&feature=related

The Science of Beauty

(http://studio-grd.com/golden-ratio/)

How subjective is beauty? We often think that it's all according to 'taste' and completely dependent on the individual, but scientists, biologists, and mathematicians have long been fascinated by certain ratios and proportions of things that are considered 'beautiful'. You may have heard of the Fibonacci Number (from The Da Vinci Code), and you can read more about it here.

Do you think beauty can be scientifically calculated? Respond as a comment.

Also, here's the link for today's documentary:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou2USR1MBrk&feature=relmfu

Seeing is Believing?

(taken from: http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/080/267/if-seeing-is-believing-can-blind-people-believe.jpg)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe3St1GgoHQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vblhBmHKW5s

What do the previous movies tell us about our senses? About our ability to 'decide not to believe'? (This is something called 'Suspension of Disbelief')

Put the AoKs in order (most use of Perception to least)

Respond as a comment to the following:

1) Do we use sense perception in different ways in our different areas of knowledge? How does it function in the Arts when compared to the Sciences?

2) To what extent does the artist make an advantage out of the subjective nature of sense perception, while the scientist regards it as an obstacle to be overcome? (Use specific examples.)

Criterion C - Project Schedule

At this point, you should have collected quite a bit of material (or at least know what material you need to collect). Over the break, please create the Project Schedule, which will outline the steps you need to take in order to achieve the results you want.

Here's Yoga's example from last year:

ITGS Project Mark Scheme

Take a look at the descriptions below for achieving and 'Advanced' grade for your Project (I think this will make some of you less nervous about the project):

For info on Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), click here.

Grade 9 Fundamentals Presentations

In your groups (or alone), you will come up with a presentation based on one of the following topics:

- Hardware
- Viruses
- Piracy
- Hacking
- Online safety

Sign up with your group HERE.

You will need to make a presentation that is 10 minutes if you're working alone and  15-20 minutes if working with a partner.  You must also have some sort of activity that the rest of the class will participate in. They could answer questions on their own blogs, or they can comment on a post you've made on your own blog.

- both members of the group must be a part of the presentation
- you must have visuals to show on the projector
- include resources of different types (presentations, videos, websites, games, etc)

Format must be in EITHER Prezi or Google Presentation (no Keynote or PowerPoint for this one!).

The Matrix and the Cave

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRNMZEDOBrM

Activity 1 (make a blog post)

1. Would you want to be released from the Matrix? Why or why not?


2. Can you think of any institutions or concepts in our world that are like the Matrix?


3. How is the way you understand the world, your ideas and beliefs, shaped by the actions of others?


4. Who has the power to shape your ideas and beliefs? In what ways is this good and in what ways is it not so good?

Extension: Read Plato's Allegory of the Cave to get an idea of where the filmmakers got the idea for the movie.

Activity 2 (respond as a comment)

Let's pretend there is a machine that would let you experience absolutely ANYTHING that you wanted. If you've seen Total Recall, it's something like that (or the Holodeck on Star Trek). Be a rockstar, write a novel, become an astronaut, fall in love, invent cold fusion -- you could experience ANYTHING you wanted, just by programming the machine. You wouldn't be 'actually' experiencing these things; you'd be floating in some tank of water, being fed vitamins and nutrients through a tube. The illusion would be so perfect that you wouldn't know that it's an illusion.

1. Do we care about certain things independent of the experiences they create for us? For example, is being in reality important even if the experience isn’t pleasant?


2. Is it better to live happily in the Matrix than miserably in reality? Why or why not?


3. How do we know that we are not in an experience machine? Can we prove we are not? How do we know that what we perceive is real?

Cyberbullying

http://old.digizen.org/cyberbullying/fullFilm.aspx

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5HLOZQcf1Q&feature=relmfu

http://www.puresight.com/Real-Life-Stories/phoebe-prince.html

Choose one of these three activities

1) Answer these questions on your blog:

1. If you and your friends know this is happening and do nothing about it, what
message does this send to the bully?
2. What are some things you can do or say?
3. If you choose to stand up for your classmate, how have you impacted your school
climate regarding cyber bullying?
4. In standing up for your classmate, what message is communicated to your classmate?  To the bully?

 

2) Read the following scenario and picture yourself as part of this group:

Eating pizza around the computer on Saturday with her friends, Jan sees that Chris, an
unpopular kid in their class, just logged on to Instant Messenger. Someone suggests they
tease Chris, who is always trying to join their friend group. Your friends all join in and
provide suggestions and start pressuring Jan. You are beginning to feel a bit uncomfortable.
At the request of the group, Jan starts asking personal questions of Chris like who he likes
best -- Drew or Jamie? Chris shares a lot of personal information thinking it’s a good way to
be a part of the group. Your friends have fun stringing Chris along and decide to create an
anonymous blog. There they post the IM transcript and share the blog URL with lots of kids
at school – including Drew and Jamie. By Monday, they know half the school will have read
it and Chris will be a total joke.

Assignment: What would you do if you were a part of this group of friends? Write 1-2
paragraphs explaining how this situation would make you feel, how you think you would
respond or participate and why.

 

3) Pick one scenario below to answer. Write 1-2 paragraphs explaining your thoughts.

1. How will Chris feel? What could Chris do? . If you were one of the kids who got the URL, how would you feel knowing that you were
never supposed to have seen this? What would you do when you saw Chris? Would you post
a response to the blog?
3. It doesn’t matter that this situation didn’t happen at school. It’s now all over school and
everyone is reacting. What should the school do about it?
4. What would you do if you saw Chris very upset at school?
5. Do you think Jan and the group of friends feel sorry? Or do they like watching Chris’
humiliation and start looking for new targets?
6. If you’re targeted next what are you going to do? Are you as comfortable sharing
information now or trusting others to be respectful of you?

Creating Table Relationships in Access

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlGEECPru3E

Introduction to Access

Watch the video below if you ever need a refresher course on how to set up a simple database using Access. We'll create some more complex ones later.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUmr5O1ss8Y&feature=related

If you prefer pictures and text, click here.

Try to create a simple database for some other purposes.

Examples:
Money spent during the week
Music listened to
Time spent during the week
Hospital use
Hotel booking
Sports teams at SWA

10 Worst Computer Viruses of All Time

(from: http://www.relentlesslyoptimistic.com/)

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/worst-computer-viruses.htm

After you complete the Piracy assignment, do some research and prepare a post that outlines the evolution of computer viruses. (Complete the questions as a post on your own blog.)

1. Why are they actually called 'viruses'? how are they similar to the flu?


2. When did they begin? Create an outline showing the early days of viruses all the way to present day. Make this as a picture and post it on your blog. HINT: wikipedia is your friend for this!


3. What is the purpose?


4. What are the different types of viruses out there?


5. How do they work? (What do they do to a computer?)


6. How do they spread? Has this changed throughout the history of viruses?


7. Why are Macs less likely to be attacked?

Is Piracy Good For Music?

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400"] taken from kbuz.org[/caption]

http://www.readwriteweb.com/biz/2012/09/bittorrent-downloads-booming-and-benefitting-musicians.php

I want you to pretend that you completely disagree with this article. Imagine you are a Record Label executive, and your position is that music piracy is 100% negative. Create a post that will convince people to stop downloading music and any other pirated material (films, software, etc).

Grade 9s, please do the complete opposite! Your job is to defend piracy with LOGICAL and RATIONAL arguments. As both grades finish, please comment on the others' posts (you can find the links below).

• Darian


• Gabriel


• George


• Johnathan


• Nadia


• Nahyeon


• Yohan

Please use images, links, and quotes from other websites (but remember to cite your sources!).

 

Hacking, the Government, and YOU!

(image from vpshosting.com)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/31/technology/finspy-software-is-tracking-political-dissidents.html

Stuxnet

Take a look at the terrifying article and video above and answer the following as a comment to this post:

1. How safe is information on the internet? What can we do to protect ourselves?


2. Read this article for a History of Hackers.


3. What do you think hackers want? How has it changed throughout the years?


4. Should the government be allowed to 'hack' in order to keep people safe?


5. Have you had any experiences with your data or passwords being compromised online? Describe any stories you have.


6. Can you predict what hacking will be like in the future? Will it still only taget computers and laptops? What other targets could there be?


7. Find another article related to hacking or internet safety and post the link on your blog with a short summary.

 

Trip Reflection

 

Now that we're back from our trips, let's reflect a bit on our blogs. Please include some pictures (if you took some).

• what do you think the purpose of the trips is?


• what did you learn about your classmates?


• what did you learn about yourself?


• what did you learn about the world?


• what was your favorite activity during the trip?


• is there anything you would change if you had to do it again?


• do you have any advice for the next year group?

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

Computer vs Brain

Who wins??!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlUK69Wsk6g

Future of Robots

Do you think that Computers will ever 'Catch Up' to the human brain? Do you think they are better than us in some ways already? What do you think the dangers are if computers continue to develop? (Think about movies like I, Robot or Terminator or AI).

Post responses on your blogs. This could be in the form of a paragraph, or a short story that shows what it would be like if computers were advanced enough to interact with humans.

Knowledge Issues

Okay, your first formal assessment is to be handed in on September 18. Your taks is to create a Knowledge Issue right from the bottom up. You will be responsible for finding an article that you're interested in and creating the 5 'layers' of the Knowledge Issue sheet:



Also include a write-up that will explain how you moved from each layer of the table. How did you get from a 'Poor' Knowledge Issue to an Intermediate one? What did you expand or emphasize? Take a look at this keynote for review if you're stuck.

If you get really stuck trying to find an article, there's a whole bunch of them here.

Good luck, TOKers!

Hardware Overview

Hey Grade 9s, take a look at the following links to remind yourself of what sort of hardware is inside your computer:

What's most important?

What's inside?



When you're done, answer the following question on your blog:

If we pretend that a computer is like a human body, what are the parts? Make an analogy.

This link will help.

What's the CPU?

What's the RAM?

What's the Power Supply?

What's the difference between the different kinds of 'memory'?

Post your analogy on your blog. Include a diagram like this one (you can create your own, too). 

It won't be perfect, but see how many you can fill in.

When should Governments be allowed to Spy on Citizens?

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/31/technology/finspy-software-is-tracking-political-dissidents.html

Stuxnet

Take a look at the terrifying article or video above and answer the usual questions:

1) Who are the stakeholders? What social/ethical concerns are addressed ?

2) What IT systems are involved ? How are they connected to the social/ethical concerns?

3) How are the stakeholders impacted?

Finally, How are these two articles connected? What are the similarities and difference?

Evolution!

 

Create a post on your blog that shows how much computers have changed during your lifetime. Remember, you have watched the invention of iPhones, iPads, smartboards, fast wi-fi, etc. What other changes have you witnessed.

Finally, write a paragraph describing what you think the major changes in the next five years will be.

IT 9 Hardware Text

Here I've embedded the Hardware information that is required for ITGS. Please open it up in a new window and download a copy for yourself. (Don't worry, I'm getting a better scan of it soon).

Please read page 29-36 for tomorrow's class and we'll talk more about the specifics then.

Hardware Quiz!!

Make sure you're logged into your @jwaonline account to see the quiz!



Loading...



 

Ever wonder what the inside of your Macbook looks like? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWX-0uTa_as

IT Basic Training (Day 3)

Day 3
- create 2 tutorials using these topics
- if you’re done, comment on two other students’ tutorials
- go back through all your posts and make sure they are ALL categorized and tagged
- Create a new banner for Grade 9
http://www.picmonkey.com/
- dimensions: 969 x 213

IT Basic Training (Day 2)

Here's a link to the document we used to create our blog last year. Please access it if there's something on your blog that's just 'not right'.

Of course, you can always come to me to help you figure it out, as well.

https://docs.google.com/a/jwaonline.com/document/d/1pEFGKNf17e431LBRy-LJwPY7sjm8yCV6YWjxXAplTPs/edit#

 

Your first IT homework will be to create 2 Tutorials and post them on your blog. Include at least three screenshots and one external hyperlink. Look here for an example.

Choose two of the following topics and post them to your blog:

• How to log in


• Create Pages


• Create Posts


• Create Tags


• Create Categories


• Create Menus


• Hyperlinks to other pages/documents


• Insert Images (more than one way)


• Creating Drop down menus


• Create a Banner Image for their Blog


• Embedding video

To Tattoo or not to Tattoo? Is that the question?

 



http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/06/japanese-city-cracks-down-on-tattoos/

What does the above article tell us about the different perspectives that individuals and cultures can have?

http://mrhoyestokwebsite.com/Presentations/Hints%20&%20Tips/Example%20Knowledge%20Issues.htm

TOK - Is there life on other planets?

Take a look at the following links.

• 
  

  http://www.aliensthetruth.com

  
  


• 
  

  http://www.seti.org

  
  


• http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/ask-an-astrobiologist/popular/

Which one do you trust the most?

What is it about the justifications and the 'truth' of each site that causes you to believe/disbelieve them?

Post your responses as a comment below.

Also, read pages 1-12 in your textbook over the break.

ITGS Project Deadlines

Alright 12s, the Project is going to consume a large amount of your ITGS time this year. Please take a look at the following dates:

Criterion A - 7th September

Criterion B - 24th September

Criterion C - 22nd October

Criterion D - 2nd November (Use Comic Life)

Criterion E - 12th December

Criterion F - 18th Jan

Click here for further information on the Criteria.

The dates are subject to change (but they won't change too much!).

Secondly, I want you to look in your ITGS Google Folder where you'll find the 'Forms' for the project. The IB requires that we follow a strict template for submitting work, so make sure you hang onto these files (it would be a good idea to make a blank copy of the Forms right now, in case you want to work on them offline).

Welcome Back ITGS!!

It's time to get back into the habit of thinking with the Triangle again! In case you've forgotten what it's all about, take a look here.

I want you to analyze the article (I'll give it to you in class) using the tools we practiced last year. Remember, this is very close to how your exams are going to be structured.

 

Tutorials

Hey tech geniuses! Here's your chance to show your tech knowledge to the new teachers and students coming in next year.

We're going to spend the next couple of classes coming up with screencasts and tutorials to instruct the new folks on how IT works here at SWA.

Take a look at the following examples to see what we're looking for.

Take Your Blog With You

How to Embed Google Docs into Your Blog

So, everyone choose THREE things that you want to help with and create an embedded video using Quicktime, or a post with screenshots and instructions.

SWA Stuff

Powerschool access - Gabe
Using help desk
Printing
Top up your ID card - George
Computer use for IB students - Nadia
How to perform a software update - George
What to do when you lose internet access - Darian

Blogs

Creating menus in blogs - Nahyeon
Creating headers in blogs - Nahyeon
Categories/Tagging
Posting - Farah
Inserting images, video and presentations - Johnathan
Creating a link - Gabe

Google Docs

Creating a file - Yohan
Copying a file - Johnathan
Uploading a file - David
Uploading a folder - David
Naming a file - David
Sharing a file - Farah

Google Sites

Converting files with Handbrake - Yohan
Using Spotlight - Nadia
Adding jwaonline account to Mail
Backing up with Time Machine - Darian
Embedding a pdf using Issuu
How to change keyboard language - Gabe
Changing Tabs/Windows/Spaces (CMD + TAB/~)
Force Quit applications - Johnathan
Changing Locations - David
Making a screenshot - Farah

Facebook Ruining Marriage?

Read the following article and create a blog post that discusses the role of Facebook in romantic relationships. Should people know everything about each other or is having privacy a good thing? Try to relate a personal experience you've had with this.

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/more_than_third_of_divorce_filings_3KZ8hsHnd9NSCB2SvcoPmJ?utm_source=SFnewyorkpost&utm_medium=SFnewyorkpost

Stencyl!!!

Here's a new program we can play around with to make games for iPhone and iPad! See me for the .dmg file.

http://www.stencyl.com/help/view/getting-started-with-stencyl/

Here's the Crash Course:

http://www.stencyl.com/help/view/crash-course/

You'll see that it's similar to Scratch in a lot of way, but it comes with more options and better graphics as soon as you open it up. Experiment with it and have some fun!

Dreamweaver Tutorial #1

Watch the following Dreamweaver tutorial and follow along with the program open. We'll be experimenting with making websites for the remainder of the year.

Scratch Help!

Hi Grade 7s!

You'll find the following links useful as you construct your game. Use them!!

http://scratch.mit.edu/forums/index.php

http://scratched.media.mit.edu/

http://pwoessner.com/scratch-programming/

Planning Stage

Please take a look at Sherry's Plan stage from Project 1 for a great example of what to do for yours!

https://docs.google.com/a/jwaonline.com/file/d/0B3eTjPq48EVRMjFhYTdjNGQtMGQ4NC00ZjAzLTkxMzYtZTU3NWYyNDgzM2U5/edit

ITGS Exam Prep

Please review the following topics in preparation for your exam on Friday, May 11. I've listed the page numbers from the textbook, but remember to click on each heading as well, since we have discussed these topics on the blog. In fact, you will find just as much important information on the blog as you will find in the textbook. (Hint! Use the tagcloud and the search function!)

Hardware (pg 29-93)

- different types of computers

- different types of software/hardware

- Communication methods

- Input/Output devices

Information Systems (pg 253-268)

- Definition

- Examples of Information Systems

- Uses

Virtual Learning Environments (pg 308-321)

- IT and Education

- Authentication

- File formats

- Applications for VLEs

Spreadsheets (pg 228-246)

- Formulae

- Charts

- Macros

- Cells

Transportation Systems

One of the most complicated problems people face today is transportation. With our increasing population, and with more and more people moving from the rural areas into urban centers, cities are having a difficult time keeping up. Over the next few days, your job will be to come up with a Google Presentation (or Prezi or Keynote) showing us the transportation in one of the following cities (only one person may do each city, so let me know which ones you want):

- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Hamburg, Germany (George)
- Hong Kong, (China) (Darian)
- New York, USA (Gabe)
- Paris, France
- Seoul, Korea (Nahyeon)
- London, England (Farah)
- Taipei, Taiwan
- Moscow, Russia
- Tokyo, Japan (Yohan)
- Singapore (Nadia) (Johnathan)
- Other suggestions?

Try to find some information about these systems and what makes them so successful. Include information like cost per ride, how the schedule is organized, number of passengers, payment options (cards, etc), cost to maintain, length of routes, and any other information that you find relevant. Remember that each one of these cities is using an information system to keep all of their transportation organized. Try to find out how they make everything run so smoothly.

Compare your chosen city's system with Jakarta and make some suggestions on how the transportation system here could be improved. Then, answer the following question: What is preventing Jakarta from having a system that is as organized as those above?

As usual, try to make your presentation easy to look at. Find pictures and video clips to help keep things interesting. These will be presented on Thursday and Friday this week.

Spreadsheets!

Alright, Spreadsheets might not seem all that exciting to you, but they are very useful tool for putting together a lot of data in a very fast way. Instead of having to spend hours and hours doing calculations, Spreadsheets will do the work for you (this leaves you time to do things that you enjoy!). Luckily, Google Docs has a Spreadsheet function to make it easier for us.

Take a look at the example I've created here. Your job is to create something similar, but you'll be keeping track of how much time you spend using electronics. Examples include: TV, computer for school, computer for fun, telephone, listening to music, watching movies, chatting, etc. Here's what you'll need to include in your spreadsheet:

- Between 3 and 6 categories of what you spend time on over the next week
- include formulae so that the calculations are done for you
- compile the data into two different types of graphs (on a separate page within the same file)
- make it interesting and easy to look at (NOT just black & white!)

Share the document with me, so I can see how you're progressing.

Here's some resources to help you out if you're having difficulty with formulae:

https://docs.google.com/a/jwaonline.com/file/d/0BwCdsItMsAgoTU8tZjZuRFNjNEk/edit
http://home.earthlink.net/~cassidyny/spreadsheet.htm 

Animation Storyboard Template

If you'd like to do your storyboard on your computer, please use this template (or make your own).

https://docs.google.com/a/jwaonline.com/document/d/1KRfVrtei_k6Oy60seD0rtu_DmdeD-F1h6fllbpM27FI/edit

Renaissance Man?

Leonardo Da Vinci is often called a Renaissance Man (or Polymath). This means he's someone who has interests and skills in many very different areas of knowledge. Nowadays, there is so much information available on the internet that we could literally read for our entire lives and not read the same thing twice. Do you think people should be 'pretty good' at a wide variety of things, or should we specialize and become an 'expert' in one thing? Read this quote from Robert Heinlein and see if you agree (post a response on your blog):

A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.

Also, check out this Youtube clip and watch a modern-day Renaissance Man in action (warning: he's pretty strange!):



What are the benefits to trying to learn as much as you can about as many topics as you can? What, if any, are the drawbacks?

Hardware Pop Quiz!

Make sure you're logged into your @jwaonline account to see the quiz!

Why go to school?

Increasingly, people are turning to online learning (Virtual Learning Environments) to teach many people over vast distances. Many universities are offering complete degrees over the internet, with 24-hour help available and all of the content delivered digitally.

Do you have any experience with online learning? What do you think the pros/cons of it are?

Why do we bother coming to school if all of the content is available online?

Info about VLEs is on pages 308-322 in your book.

Finally, find an article about VLEs and analyze it with the triangle.

 

(Did you forget about the TRIANGLE?!)



 

Image File Formats Comparison

Take a look at the following link to see the similarities and differences between the most popular image file formats. Knowing this will be important for your exam!

http://anyutilities.blogspot.com/2009/03/comparing-image-file-format-jpg-bmp.html

Do Videogames = Violence?

 

This link says no:

http://www.ingame.msnbc.msn.com/technology/ingame/link-between-video-games-aggression-untrue-study-689393

But these links says yes:

http://www.ingame.msnbc.msn.com/technology/ingame/video-games-should-be-labeled-cigarettes-proposed-bill-512297
http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1723

What's your opinion? Post your thoughts as a comment (you have to click on the post title to comment).

Open Source Software

Read page 68-71 in your textbook.

We'll discuss two major varieties of software: commercial and open-source.

Make a post on your blog informing your readers of the differences between these two types. Then, address the following questions:

- what are some examples of open-source software? (include links)
- why do people make open-source software?
- why do people pirate (steal) software?
- do you think it is 'more wrong' to steal a DVD from a store than it is to download it? Why or why not?

Logo Games!

(taken from: http://www.truekolor.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/olympic.png)

Test your knowledge of the world's most famous logos by clicking on these two links:

Link 1

Link 2

 

A lot of these logos are definitely 'American', so don't be too discouraged if there are some you don't get. I think you'll actually be surprised how many you DO get!

5, 6, 7, 8: Now it's Time to Animate!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sQgY_UCiH58ywm42yJGDdq7PP28zDU8FvwBGbJGR3FE/edit

We all loved (or STILL love) cartoons and other forms of animation. Check out the following movies for some great examples of what's possible with a bit of clay, a camera, and a LOT of patience.

 





 

Find two more examples of stop motion animation and embed them on your blog.

 

You can choose to work alone or with one partner for this assignment.

The work will go as follows:
Week 1 and 2: Investigation

- Design brief

- Specifications

- Some research on how animations are made

- an interview of a friend or a LS student asking them what sort of things they look for in animation

- Work Cited
Week 3-4: Design and Plan
Week 5-6: Create
Week 7: Evaluate

You must come up with two separate storyboards and then justify your choice during the Design stage. Make sure to take plenty of pictures and screenshots during the Create stage to show your evidence of creation.

We'll try to show the completed products to some LS kids in the last week of school.

For the interview process, try to find a LS student and ask them what sorts of things they'd like to see in an animated film.

Logos!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XfFPiF_oq28UcN2WIDKqZ8DG7u-UVoIx7VHzCxwNbmE/edit

 





 

How important are the logos of a company?

Of course we all recognize these logos. Take a look at this webpage to see some of the more famous logos of all time.

Your second project for IT is to design a new set of logos for 2 out of the following 3 separate topics:

 

- the Design Cycle (5 logos)

- the Areas of Interaction (5 logos)

- The IB Learner Profile (10 logos) You MUST do this one.

 

For example, you could design logos for the IB Learner Profile and the Areas of Interaction or the IB Learner Profile and the Design Cycle. Then, during the Design stage, you will justify which one you have decided to choose to Create.

Week 1: Investigation

Week 2 and 3: Design and Plan

Week  4 and 5: Create

Week 6: Evaluate

 

At the end, we will try to find the best logos and they will become the official Logos for SWA and will be posted all around the school!