Technology Update
In Technology, we are working on descriptive writing. First, we were given a choice of houses. Next, we got to choose the backround, or setting. Then it was time for us to choose the climate. Mine was this: A mansion, an ocean, and it was cold. After we wrote and finished our writing, we recorded voice on Garageband. This was very hard. For example, mine was on max volume, but my voice was so quiet!
I tried getting closer to the microphone, and that worked. Next, we picked a song that we wanted. It had to be one that went well with our story. For example, if one of us picks a song that is happy, and their story isn't happy,it would not work. Picking the right song, though, was not the hardest part! All for all, I thought that technology project was a lot of fun!
Yuki room 18
January 23,2009
In technology with Miss Aza we have learned many things such as using Gmail, updating software, posting letters on our 5th grade blog to our Belgium pen pals, and how set up the new Mac OS X with leopard software computers. With these programs and things that we have learned this year we have done many projects like descriptive writing. Which you first write up on paper and then record it on garage band.
We also have gotten I pod touches this year because Miss Aza and Mr. Winslow are doing a study for the district on how I pod touches might be useful in teaching math on the I pod touches we use downloaded mathematical games from the apple store. Such as Sudoku or basic maths where you have a time limit and you have to if the math problem is correct or incorrect.
This year we had to get rid of our old laptops and get new leopard computers. We learned how to clean and prepare the old computers for the second graders.
This year we have also done stuff with the Smartboard. A SmartBoard is a computer screen that you can project your computer screen onto it and then use the SmartBoard and control your computer.
Every once in a while fifth grade teachers come into our class and observe us while we are using the computers or the IPod Touch and then go to their school and decide if they are going to have technology in their school.
On our blog we post comments on certain question and then we all read our posts to the class and then we read our pen pals.
This year in technology we have created many different projects. We have worked with Microsoft Office Word, GarageBand, Firefox/Safari, and Gmail. We have even gotten new computers! The new computers are Leopards, the newest operating system by Mac. We have only recently gotten the new computers and we are still learning about the changes from the older operating system. Before we gave our old computers away we had to log onto the administrator and update the computer. There were at least tens of upgrades on my computer! After we updated the computers we cleaned off the desktops and finally we cleaned the physical computers. Then we walked over to room 15 and deposited the computers in the third grade’s computer cart. A few days later we got to use our new Leopards for the first time. The Leopards are so cool! They are faster and the look much cooler! They also have the newest and best software!
This year the Descriptive Writing project has been one of our biggest projects. For this writing project we wrote a story based on certain guidelines. There were three choices that we had to make. These choices determined the three things that had to be mentioned in our story. We had to choose without knowing what we were choosing. There was a landform, a house and a climate. Once you finish writing the story you edit your writing and you read and reorganize it. When you feel that your story is ready for recording you get your computer, open GarageBand and start recording. After you finish your recording you edit it and add music. Finally once all of our recordings are ready we are going to share it in front of the whole class.
In room 18 we have gotten to periodically use eleven iPod touches. On these iPod touches there are many fun games. Most of them are educational such as Sudoku or Four Free but some of the games are just for fun. One example of this is the game called CroMag Rally. This is a racing game where you are a cave man and you try to beat the other three cave men
Name: ________________________________
Homeroom: ________________________________
Information Literacy Quiz
1. List 4 major search engines and a major directory.
2. What is a blog?
3. Why might you use quotation marks when conducting a search?
4. URL is an acronym for…
5. Identify three Boolean search terms.
6. How do you find the owner or publisher of a Web site?
7. Identify these extensions and what they represent:
.org .com .edu .gov
.ac .net .mil .co
.sch .k12
8. How do you find out who is linked to your school’s Web site?
9. What clues in a Web address might indicate you are on a personal Web site?
10. Search terms are available for purchase on the Internet. How would you find out how much the phrase “global warming” is worth?
11. How would you conduct a search for the following: a list of Web sites of all the academic institutions in
12. How do you find the history of any given Web site?
13. How would you conduct a search for the following:
14. How do sites get to the top of a result list in Google?
Acceptable Use Policy: Technology Grade 5
Technological resources at Palo Verde are intended to be used for educational purposes. Appropriate uses of these resources include instruction, independent study, guided and independent research. Each student using Palo Verde’s technology is responsible for using it appropriately and for the legitimate business of academic instruction.
Specific Guidelines for Each User:
I. Follow directions when using the computer:
a. Only open those applications that are related to the project or assignment you have been given.
b. A teacher must be in the room during Internet use.
c. When websites or search engines are provided for a project, use the ones listed.
d. Do not use the computers for personal use—game playing, personal e-mail, chat, etc. without teacher permission and supervision.
II. Respect each other’s intellectual property:
a. Open only files that are yours. Do not move, open or change files that are not yours.
b. Keep your hands on your own mouse and keyboard, even when helping another student.
III. Protect your computer from viruses:
a. Check any CD with a teacher before putting them into the computers and on the network.
b. Do not download any files or programs onto the computer unless you are given permission to do so.
IV. Respect and Responsibility for your/our equipment:
a. You must wash your hands before working with the laptops and computers.
b. You must make certain your desk area is clear of liquids, crumbs and general debris prior to bringing a laptop to your work station.
c. When carrying your laptop, you must do so with two hands.
d. Walk when around the laptops and its cart.
e. Press gently on the keys on the laptops and computers.
f. When finished working with the computers and laptops, save all work into your personal folders, close all programs and leave the area in which you were working better than how you found it.
g. Students who damage equipment intentionally or through carelessness will be responsible for replacing it.
V. Maintain a good working environment for yourself and others:
a. There will be times when you are excited to move ahead rather quickly—ahead of the teacher and the lesson; refrain from doing so as it impedes on the learning of others. There will be plenty of opportunities to display your particular strengths.
b. Use common sense. Do not visit websites or do searches for things that are inappropriate. Anything that promotes illegal activity or would be considered rude would be deemed inappropriate.
Violation of Rules:
The rules for using the technology at Palo Verde are designed to make each learner successful. The use of technology in 5th grade is a privilege and a violation of any of these rules will be seen as a very serious breech. Any student who has violated any of these rules may be suspended from computer use and may lose all privilege to use technology at Palo Verde.
Student and Parent Consent:
We have read the acceptable use policy for the use of technology at Palo Verde and we understand them. We agree to the aforementioned rules and understand the consequences of inappropriate use.
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Printed Student Name Student Signature
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Printed Parent(s) Name(s) Parent(s) Signature(s)
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Date
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