Thursday, February 28, 2008
Gr 11 February test
Here is the test I did this week where I focused on Networking. I tried to set it within a scenario and where ICT skills are applied. Use if you wish.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Gr 10 Theory
Some of the Gr 10 learners had time for extension in the hardware section. These are a few of the videos they created on Storage devices. Here is work by Lloyd de Kock and Gareth Jones.
I did not ‘teach’ them Windows Movie Maker. I told them to make a video on Storage devices using photos which we took in class, using Windows Movie Maker. They learned to explore and read the screen. The videos did not count for marks and there was no stress, just (learning) fun.
I did not ‘teach’ them Windows Movie Maker. I told them to make a video on Storage devices using photos which we took in class, using Windows Movie Maker. They learned to explore and read the screen. The videos did not count for marks and there was no stress, just (learning) fun.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Tests and exam papers
We must be sure to set tests and exam paper in a scenario where the learners apply their knowledge. For many teachers this is quite a jump from their old method but this is what makes CAT so useful – all knowledge must be applied and not just lose facts.
Excel - Vlookup
This Vlookup function may be of use. Download it and save to your network. To open it, right click on the file and open it with Internet Explorer. Turn the sound up.
Monday, February 18, 2008
PAT
Have a look at all postings from last year on the PAT. In the place where it says Search type in the words PAT. Click SEARCH BLOG and see what happens.
Gr 12 PAT
Please read this message aloud!
How do we do a PAT? First we read the instructions aloud to ourselves, once, twice, three and even four times. We underline problematic words. We talk to ourselves – what could it mean? We phone / visit and talk to other CAT teachers. All the words in the PAT are important and clear – perhaps we just need to learn to read.
We ignore the words in the English PAT of ‘problem’. (Ek weet nie wat in die Afrikaans staan nie.) Where ever we see the word ‘problem’ in the PAT we change it to plain English (plat Engels) of ‘what must we show or do’. We are going to show the management of the school how the Office suite can be used to organise / administer something!
To help the learners, look in the Gr 12 textbook, Pages 185-189. Let the learners do Activity 1 and 2. Activity 1 wants the learners to Read and rewrite the PAT instructions, and then add questions. You have a look at Activity 2. It should be better now.
Hope you read this message aloud! You did? Okay, now read it again! Now go and read the PAT instructions and rubric again. Phase 1 is simple if you read it aloud again and again and again.
How do we do a PAT? First we read the instructions aloud to ourselves, once, twice, three and even four times. We underline problematic words. We talk to ourselves – what could it mean? We phone / visit and talk to other CAT teachers. All the words in the PAT are important and clear – perhaps we just need to learn to read.
We ignore the words in the English PAT of ‘problem’. (Ek weet nie wat in die Afrikaans staan nie.) Where ever we see the word ‘problem’ in the PAT we change it to plain English (plat Engels) of ‘what must we show or do’. We are going to show the management of the school how the Office suite can be used to organise / administer something!
To help the learners, look in the Gr 12 textbook, Pages 185-189. Let the learners do Activity 1 and 2. Activity 1 wants the learners to Read and rewrite the PAT instructions, and then add questions. You have a look at Activity 2. It should be better now.
Hope you read this message aloud! You did? Okay, now read it again! Now go and read the PAT instructions and rubric again. Phase 1 is simple if you read it aloud again and again and again.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Understanding and connecting
We adults are so distanced from young people. I was teaching adult Computer Literacy teachers this week about creating movies with Windows Movie Maker. After creating the movies I suggested that they sign up at YouTube so they could upload their videos. I said ‘YouTube’ and did not write the words on the board. At least 25% of the class of adults went online to http://www.utube.com/ and then to http://www.utubeonline.com/ (Have a look.) They had never been to YouTube and did not even know how to spell it.
We have to understand our learners’ worlds if we hope to engage them in the learning process, and YouTube is part of their world. At least these teachers are trying to keep up - good for them!
We have to understand our learners’ worlds if we hope to engage them in the learning process, and YouTube is part of their world. At least these teachers are trying to keep up - good for them!
They know so much!
The Grade 11s do a section on networking. I know that this weekend many of my Grade 11 males are to be found at a LAN party in Milnerton. Look at http://www.oc.co.za/. Look at some of the Photos. Those learners know more about networking than I do! Next weekend some of them will also be at another LAN party at Bothasig at http://carnagesa.net/ I have never seen so many computers in one room!
The Grade 11 book has a section on mobile learning so I told my learners to bring their phones to school so we could practically learn about sending files via Bluetooth, creating audio clips, taking videos and pictures, etc. They brought them to school but I was laughed at when I discussed ‘teaching’ it. They taught me! As Sive said, he has been using Bluetooth for 2 years, so … Well, using MMS and Bluetooth, they sent me music and video clips and I learned.
The Grade 11 book has a section on mobile learning so I told my learners to bring their phones to school so we could practically learn about sending files via Bluetooth, creating audio clips, taking videos and pictures, etc. They brought them to school but I was laughed at when I discussed ‘teaching’ it. They taught me! As Sive said, he has been using Bluetooth for 2 years, so … Well, using MMS and Bluetooth, they sent me music and video clips and I learned.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Second and third time
I am doing Gr 10 with these textbooks for the 3rd time and Gr 11 for the 2nd time. I am seeing things in activities I had not noticed before. Second and third time around I am really getting to grips with the subject and the textbooks!
I am becoming more and more aware of the value and importance of the subject.
I am becoming more and more aware of the value and importance of the subject.
Test creation
At this time of the year we are starting to create tests.
I suggest that we look very closely at the work done in class and set the tests accordingly. We must assess what has been taught!
I note that the Programme of Assessment in the Subject Assessment Guidelines gives ‘examples’ of tests that must be done. Some subject advisors/learning facilitators expect teachers to follow the examples exactly, although they are ‘examples’. We teachers are then stuck between the demands of the subject advisors/learning facilitators and the path of the textbook we are using. Textbooks usually have very good reasons for the order of their work.
Solution – something has to give. Bottom line – test what has been taught. Think of the learners.
I suggest that we look very closely at the work done in class and set the tests accordingly. We must assess what has been taught!
I note that the Programme of Assessment in the Subject Assessment Guidelines gives ‘examples’ of tests that must be done. Some subject advisors/learning facilitators expect teachers to follow the examples exactly, although they are ‘examples’. We teachers are then stuck between the demands of the subject advisors/learning facilitators and the path of the textbook we are using. Textbooks usually have very good reasons for the order of their work.
Solution – something has to give. Bottom line – test what has been taught. Think of the learners.
Gr 10
I am so glad we are doing easy work at the beginning of Grade 10. It gives me a chance to teach the learners how I want their work managed.
1. All work needs to be printed and the learners need to know how to work with my printer – that needs special teaching!
2. Managing the printed and digital work needs attention. The printed work must be put into files in a logical way with dividers between sections. Each activity that is printed needs a footer with the learner’s name and a disclaimer, and a header with the activity name. Each learner also has to learn how to save their work on the network in a logical way with correct file names. In other words their printed work must be saved in a clear way in the same way as their digital work.
3. All work must be completed by a particular date – even now, 4th week of term, some learners are still learning what work means!
4. It also gives me time to orientate new learners coming late in the term to our school, who decide to take CAT.
5. And most important, some learners are still learning how to read instructions!
1. All work needs to be printed and the learners need to know how to work with my printer – that needs special teaching!
2. Managing the printed and digital work needs attention. The printed work must be put into files in a logical way with dividers between sections. Each activity that is printed needs a footer with the learner’s name and a disclaimer, and a header with the activity name. Each learner also has to learn how to save their work on the network in a logical way with correct file names. In other words their printed work must be saved in a clear way in the same way as their digital work.
3. All work must be completed by a particular date – even now, 4th week of term, some learners are still learning what work means!
4. It also gives me time to orientate new learners coming late in the term to our school, who decide to take CAT.
5. And most important, some learners are still learning how to read instructions!
Friday, February 8, 2008
Gr 11 Activity 10 on page 32
The learners are asked to compare two online retail stores. This means that they must put the information into a table with three columns.
My learners did not do it correctly, just writing one page on doing one store and then a second page on the other store. This table may make things clearer.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Gr 12 PAT
The formatting of the PAT document caused me problems when photocopying it for my learners. The shading in the formatting of the tables helps the understanding of the tables BUT when it is photocopied it is difficult to read. I tried to take the formatting out but the document was in PDF format (as it is an official document) which means it cannot be changed. So I asked for a Word copy of the document.
I managed to get a Draft copy of the document and then took the shading out. I printed it and gave it to my learners. I told them it was a Draft document – I put the official document on the data projector and the network and the learners shaded the important areas with a highlighter themselves. I told them it was a draft document and it is their responsibility to compare it with the official document. Use this Draft document with care – the shading has been removed. Here is the Official document.
I managed to get a Draft copy of the document and then took the shading out. I printed it and gave it to my learners. I told them it was a Draft document – I put the official document on the data projector and the network and the learners shaded the important areas with a highlighter themselves. I told them it was a draft document and it is their responsibility to compare it with the official document. Use this Draft document with care – the shading has been removed. Here is the Official document.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Gr 12 Activities 1 and 2 on pages 12 and 15 - Solution and data update
Module 1.2, Activity 1 - new possible solution
Module 1.2, Activity 2 – data update.
Click the link to access the possible solution and data update.
Module 1.2, Activity 2 – data update.
Click the link to access the possible solution and data update.
Gr 12 Activity 6 on page 171 - Access Tables Test
To use this PowerPoint, when it opens you must enable the macro.
If you are not asked about ‘enabling’ you must do something first.
In this PowerPoint go to Tools, Macro, Security and set the level to Medium.
Save, Close and Open again.
View it.
If you are not asked about ‘enabling’ you must do something first.
In this PowerPoint go to Tools, Macro, Security and set the level to Medium.
Save, Close and Open again.
View it.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Gr 12 Theory on Networks
RSS feeds and blogging are in the 2008 LPG for CAT under the section on the Network environment (p 36) for Gr 12. You may have noticed my RSS feed from the Mail and Guardian on this blog! Have a look at the slide shows from the Technology Information Center for Administrative Leadership (TICAL) on Blogs in a four-minute slideshow and Real simple syndication (RSS) is covered in a seven-minute slideshow. Many other resources are available as well.
Look at this collection of links.
Blogging
How to create - http://www.compmat.wcape.school.za/PHS/blogging/Blogging/BloggingForBeginners.html
How to create - http://www.compmat.wcape.school.za/PHS/blogging/BloggingForBeginners.pdf
In plain English - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=NN2I1pWXjXI&feature=user
Tips for blogging - http://www.idratherbewriting.com/2007/04/09/twenty-usability-tips-for-your-blog-%e2%80%94-condensed-from-dozens-of-bloggers-experiences/
RSS
In plain English - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=0klgLsSxGsU&feature=related
Quiz - http://www.compmat.wcape.school.za/PHS/blogging/RSSquiz.htm
Google Reader
Adding Atom feeds - http://www.bloggerbuster.com/2007/10/what-is-atomrss.html
RSS feeds: Using Google Reader with RSS, Atom, & XML Feeds - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=LQUsnjcxnDY
Introduction - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=VXE5HN0DDRs&feature=related
How to use - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Ltttw5yORv8&feature=related
Look at this collection of links.
Blogging
How to create - http://www.compmat.wcape.school.za/PHS/blogging/Blogging/BloggingForBeginners.html
How to create - http://www.compmat.wcape.school.za/PHS/blogging/BloggingForBeginners.pdf
In plain English - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=NN2I1pWXjXI&feature=user
Tips for blogging - http://www.idratherbewriting.com/2007/04/09/twenty-usability-tips-for-your-blog-%e2%80%94-condensed-from-dozens-of-bloggers-experiences/
RSS
In plain English - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=0klgLsSxGsU&feature=related
Quiz - http://www.compmat.wcape.school.za/PHS/blogging/RSSquiz.htm
Google Reader
Adding Atom feeds - http://www.bloggerbuster.com/2007/10/what-is-atomrss.html
RSS feeds: Using Google Reader with RSS, Atom, & XML Feeds - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=LQUsnjcxnDY
Introduction - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=VXE5HN0DDRs&feature=related
How to use - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Ltttw5yORv8&feature=related
Friday, February 1, 2008
Gr 10 Theory
Have a look at these Gr 10 quizzes on Name the Device and Hardware created by a teacher at CBC Parklands. The self marking quizzes are made using Excel – see the tip sheets to make your own.
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