Group Project #1

First Christian Academy, Middle School technology and computers

Group Project 1, February 13, 2013. Due February 27, 2013.
Assignment value:  120 points (20 points for progress next week, plus 100 for the final project).

Get into groups of 4 people (3 or 5 with approval from me).

For this project, you’ll work in a group to accomplish a task using computers and technology.  You’ll be graded on the quality of the group’s work, and the depth of the piece.  Does it look like your group spent time on it?  Whatever you choose to do, do it well!  If the rest of your group says that you didn’t do any work on the project, don’t expect any points.


Ideas:

• Create a video 3-5 minutes in length that promotes an idea or sells a product (real or fake).
• Make a website that promotes an idea or sells a product (real or fake).  Suggestion to use wordpress.com as the engine for the site.  The site should have at least 3 pages on it.
• Create a presentation (at least 15 pages) that promotes an idea or sells a product.  Then present to the class.
• Create a skit that lasts 3-5 minutes and record it on the computer or phone.  All group members play a part.
• Make a cookbook with at least 10 recipes.  Insert pictures and make it look great.

Next week, I want ONE person in the group to show me a document that details out what each person in the group will be doing for the project (editing video, collecting pictures, writing scripts, etc.) and see some progress on the project.  Everyone in the group must have a portion of the project to do.  This will be taken into account if the project is not complete...it will be possible to see who did or did not follow through on their commitment.

The project is due in two weeks; February 27, 2013.  Start working on it now.  We will check on the progress that you’re making next week and you will receive a grade for progress.  You’ll show the project to the class as a group.  Then the entire class will vote for best group for extra credit.

Spreadsheets - Graphs. February 2013

FCA Technology and Computer Class
2013
Mr. Caldwell
sean@firstchristianacademy.com

Introduction to Spreadsheets, part 3
January 30, 2013

We’ve learned how to do a simple spreadsheet with numbers, then percentages.  This week we’re going to insert TWO graphs that will visually show our how our budget looks.  Then we’re going to do another spreadsheet based on a cell phone bill and create a chart there as well.

Open your spreadsheet from last time (it can be the one with or without percentages).  Then select FILE, MAKE A COPY.  Name it “Spreadsheet 3 YOUR NAME Graphs”.  Then select OK.  We’re now working on a new copy of the file.  Select the data as we showed in class and then select insert in the menu.  Select chart.

Choose a chart type.  Note that only some of the chart types will apply to the data we have.

Your chart should show the numbers (or percentages in a pie chart).  Both the data and the labels must display for the assignment to be complete.  If you have many items, not every slice of the graph will have a percentage listed.

Once you have inserted ONE type of chart, please do the same thing and insert a SECOND different type of chart.  My recommendation is to do a PIE chart and also a BAR chart.

Please re-read these instructions before turning in the assignment to get full credit.
2 Points extra credit:  create and insert a total of 4 different chart types.


The chart could look something like this:



For the next part of the assignment, you’re going to need to get the cell phone bill from your parents.  If you don’t have a cell phone bill, then use a cable bill.  If you have neither a cell phone or cable, come see me for other options.
We’re going to add another SHEET to our current spreadsheet like shown in class.  Name the sheet cell phone bill.

Look at the bill.  Find the base price for service, then find all the fees and taxes.  Set up your spreadsheet to look similar to this and then create a pie chart that shows the item (service, fees, tax, etc.  Not more than 5 items are needed.).  Both the data and the labels must display for the assignment to be complete.
Here’s an example:




Assignment is due: Tuesday, February 5, 2013 before 8pm.  This is before our next class. 10 points deducted for each late day.  Please turn it in on time and get full credit.

How to turn in your assignment:  While the document is open, click the SHARE button in the upper right hand corner.  Then where it says “add people” type sean@firstchristianacademy.com and leave “can edit” selected, then press share in the lower left hand corner.  email me if you are having trouble before Tuesday.

Spreadsheets 2, percentages

Today we're building on what we did last week by adding in percentages next to the yearly total column.

FCA Technology and Computer Class 2013
Mr. Caldwell
sean@firstchristianacademy.com

Introduction to Spreadsheets, part 2
January 2013

Last week we learned how to setup a basic spreadsheet to track a household budget.  This week we want to add on to that spreadsheet so that we can see the percentages that each category contains.  In class we saw how to find the percentage by dividing each category by the monthly total.

For example:
Rent 1000
Taxes 400
Electricity 200
Phones 200
Entertainment 100
Food 100
Total:  $2000 per month.

What percentage is electricity?  200 divided by 2000 is .1  = 10%.
What percentage is food?  100 / 2000 = .05 = 5%
Each time we divide, we want to divide BY the same bottom number (in this case it’s 2000).

We need to set up the spreadsheet so each number also has a percentage next to it, like the example below.  Remember, use the numbers you used from last week, not my numbers.  Also, remember how important it is to reference the ABSOLUTE cell for the monthly total by putting “$” in front of the cell column and row identifier, for example the formula might look like this:  =SUM(C1/$C$15), then you can copy the formula down and it will do all the computations for you like we saw in class.

You’ll need to format that column as percentage by highlighting the numbers and clicking the % sign in the toolbar or highlighting the column and selecting format, number, percentage.


Item Amount percentage

Electricity 200 3.58%
Water 75 1.34%
Car 500 8.96%
Rent 1500 26.88%
insurance 500 8.96%
Phone Bill 300 5.38%
Food 300 5.38%
Clothing 200 3.58%
Cable TV 250 4.48%
Education 700 12.54%
Pool service 55 0.99%
Cleaning 300 5.38%
Property Taxes700 12.54%


Monthly Total 5580
Yearly Total 66960

Your assignment should look similar to this when you're done:

Assignment is due: Wednesday, January 30, 2013.  10 points deducted for each late day.  Please turn it in on time and get full credit.

How to turn in your assignment:  Show me your assignment in class.

Introduction to Spreadsheets

FCA Technology and Computer Class
Winter 2013
Mr. Caldwell
sean@firstchristianacademy.com

Introduction to Spreadsheets. January 2013

Spreadsheets are tools used to manipulate numbers.  Almost any math function (addition, subtraction, multiplication, averaging, etc.) can be completed on numbers or sets of numbers. It's better than a calculator in many ways.

Here are some important terms:
Worksheet.  The page that contains all the numbers and formulas.
Cells.  Each individual box on the worksheet is called a cell.  Each cell is referenced by a letter and number.  Examples:  A7.  G32.  K55.  Cells can contain numbers OR letters/words
Formula.  A math function that is completed on a range of cells.  It can also include computation on a range of cells.
Range.  A series or group of numbers that the formula will be applied to.  A range might look like:  A1:G1

Some basic Formula names:
Sum.  A formula that computes the total of a series of numbers.
Average.  The average of a range of numbers.  Example:  the average of 10 and 20 is 15.
Max.  The highest value that appears in a range.
Min.  The minimum number that appears in a range.


Your first assignment using spreadsheets is to create a worksheet that is a simple family budget.  We’ve covered how to do this in class, please feel free to contact me if you’re confused.

Include your name at the top, name your spreadsheet, and then estimate and enter values for:
Rent or Mortgage.
Food.
Water.
Taxes.
Charitable Giving (or tithes to church)
Clothes
Electricity
Vehicles (car payment or lease payment estimate, or if paid for the estimated monthly maintenance cost)
Phones (land line and/or cell phones)
Entertainment (tv, movies, video games, concerts, etc.)
and any other category you want to include in your monthly budget.

Include the NAME of the expense on the left side, then include the amount one or two columns over.  Include a total monthly amount at the bottom.  You must use a formula to come up with the total, not type in a number.  5 Points extra credit:  take the monthly total and also give a yearly total by using a formula to multiply the monthly total by 12.  (hint:  *12 is how to multiply by 12 on a spreadsheet).

It should look similar to this:

Ask your parents to help come up with the numbers.  These are only estimates, made up numbers are fine to use as well if you or your parents don’t want to share some of them.

Assignment is due: Wednesday January 30, 2013 (in two weeks).  We will add some items to it next week. Turn it in a week early and get extra credit.  10 points deducted for each late day.  Please turn it in on time and get full credit.

How to turn in your assignment:  You will show me your assignment.

Using Picasa to make a picture slide show / video

1/9/2013

Today's assignment is to work with the 10 pictures you brought from the Christmas break and make a picture slide show / video.

Select the pictures inside Picasa.  Then click Create then Movie then from selection.  We'll work on it in class and you'll be graded next week.

Please check engrade to make sure your grades are up to date and you have turned in all assignments.

Pictures and Picasa

FCA Computer class, December 19, 2012.

Today's assignment is to work with Picasa and edit three photos.  This will be done in class.  Need Picasa?  Click here.  If you're not on a pc, then click here.  If neither will work for you, you can also use the online tool picmonkey.  http://www.picmonkey.com/

Download each of these three photos, then make the adjustments described.

on the above picture, use the fill light adjust to make it look more light daytime.

Do two things:  Straighten out the statue, then crop it so we only see the statue and not much of the sides.

Straighten this picture out.

Fix the red eye issue.

Then for next week, come with at least TEN pictures from the Christmas break that we'll turn into a picture slideshow.

Presentations, Part 2 - Missionary

11-7-2012

First Christian Academy Technology and Computer class.

Presentations, part 2.  Due Wednesday November 28 (the week after Thanksgiving break).

This weeks assignment is to work on a personal presentation using Google Drive.  In the next few weeks, you'll give a 3-5 minute presentation on a Christian missionary.

You'll be giving a presentation in class that has:
Between 10 and 15 slides
Has at least 5 pictures
Has no more than 8 words on any slide.


Choose one of the following to use as your missionary:


Adoniram Judson (1788-1850)
William Carey (1761-1834)
Jonathan Goforth (1859-1936)

David Livingstone (1813-1873)

George Müller (1805-1898)

Hudson Taylor (1832-1905)

Amy Carmichael (1867-1951)

Nate Saint (1923-1956)

Jim Elliot (1927-1956)

Eric Liddell (1902-1945)

Read about them all and then pick one you find most interesting.  Then, create a presentation that introduces us to them.  Tell us about their life.  What did they do?  Where did they do it?  How did it go?  What trouble did they have along the way?  How did it end?

Since you'll be limited to EIGHT words on any slide, you'll need to spend time learning about them and internalize the information.  Use your slides as a reminder of what you want to talk about, don't read off the screen (there won't be much there!).  Practice many times with a timer so you know you'll present between 3 and 5 minutes.  Do your best to make sure the graphics don't interfere with the words (reducing the size of the graphic so the words are not over it might help.)


Here’s how you’ll be graded:

You'll be graded on:

Time.  Your presentation needs to be between 3 and 5 minutes.  Any shorter or longer and you'll lose 10 points.  Use a stopwatch and practice it at least 3 times so you know you're within the time frame.  (20 points)

Did you put effort into the presentation with pictures, text, and graphics.  Does it show that you put time into it? (20 points)

Do you have between 10 and 15 slides?  (20 points)

Did you keep to the 8 word limit on each slide? (20 points)

Were you able to talk about your subject and not just read what is on each slide?  You should be able to provide additional details as you go along.  Just use summary sentences on the presentation, then talk it through when you present.  (20 points)

You will not be graded on if you were nervous…so don’t worry about how you look…learn how to present ideas that you’re familiar with using a computer and yourself.  Practice will help.