Saturday, January 30, 2010
Office 2007
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Gr 12 Survey - Extracting data from forms
Email from a teacher - Sorry to bother, but I have done some surveys with my grade 12's. Do you know how to export the "results" to excel/access in 2007? I could do it in 2003 - convert to txt..... import from excel, but clueless in 2007. Already tried to google it, but no luck.
My response - Go to http://www.studyopportunities.co.za/ Click on FET: CAT then look at all the 2007 things. There is a document on how to create forms. Now to answer your question - Office button, Word options, Advanced, Preserve fidelity when sharing this document, Save form data as delimited text file. Phew!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Internet security quiz
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Office 2007
Competition and Online safety
Learners are invited to vote for the name of a recently discovered asteroid. One of the learners at my school submitted a name. Please go online and vote at http://www.nameourasteroid.org.za/ CAT teachers may want to discuss the safety of filling in personal details online. In the spirit of ubuntu I hope the best name wins.
Gr 10 – Page 117 Activity 5 and 6 - Text effects in Office 2007 and Format Painter
Text effects in 2007
In Word 2003 if you go to Format, Font, Text effects you have the option of Shimmer, Marching Black Ants and other fun text effects. If you open the file PressReleaseENG, for Activity 5 on page 117, in Word 2007 you cannot change the text effects as Word 2007 does not have that feature.
Format Painter
Activity 6 on page 117 is about the Format Painter. Using Word 2007, to show the real use of the Format Painter one can have the file for Activity 5 open, use the Format Painter and copy the text effects formatting to Activity 6. Doing this really shows how the format painter can be used, especially as Word 2007 does not have those formatting features.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Effective learners
A deputy at our school, Jeremy Gibbon, gave a wonderful PowerPoint presentation at assembly at the beginning of the term on 'The 7 habits of highly effective learners'. Each slide had a key word which he spoke about and around. He focused on the audience and did not turn around and look at the screen. He knew what he wanted to say – he obviously had notes but he did not read from them. The key words were Read a lot, Are curious, Are active learners, Develop good study skills, Write well, Are responsible for their own learning and Are organised. It is available here, zipped, at 4 Meg, created by our PR secretary Deborah Torrington.
I was so impressed with the presentation and its delivery. The words 'Active learners' made me think of how I could make the CAT learners into more active learners. The results – this week the learners had to take the PowerPoint presentations which come on CD with most of the chapters in the book, and they had to give the presentation. They had to talk around the key words. They had to know their work and emulate the deputy by talking around the topic. It was so successful. The learners rose to the occasion, maybe because they hold him in such esteem and they wanted to copy his delivery. I picked up a few errors of knowledge with respect to primary and secondary memory, and different kinds of printers. I have his permission to share this PowerPoint - feel free to use this presentation in 2003 and 2003 zipped and 2007 and 2007 zipped and maybe do something similar.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Gr 11 and 2007 - Chapter 1.1
Study Opportunities kindly made notes for the packages where people may struggle when they use the Gr 11 and 12 textbooks with Office 2007. These notes are on the web site at studyopportunities.co.za/
With 2007 one needs to show the learners the ribbon, with its tabs. In the corner of groups are arrows which open more dialog boxes. One now refers to the Fluent User Interface and not the GUI. A useful thing – to view the Ruler click on the View tab. Right-clicking is most useful.
I looked at the textbook Chapter 1.1 with the view of using 2007. These are my notes for myself and the learners:
- Gr10_Revision (page S6) - fine
- 1-Toolbars – Be flexible, do orally, show the new features
- 2-Toolbars – Be flexible, do orally, show the new features
- 3-Toolbars – Be flexible, do orally, show the new features
- 4-4-Many things – Be flexible, do orally, show the new features
- 5-Templates – fine
- 6-Resume – Installed or online
- 7-Calendar - Online
- 8-Help – fine
- 9-Protection - TWO ways in screen dumps, ONE way explanation of video
- 10-Help Excel - fine
- 11-EULA - fine
- 14-Table – Checking - Be flexible, show the new features
- 15-CanUseHelp - Be flexible, show the new features
- 16-Checklist - Be flexible, show the new features
Monday, January 18, 2010
Soccer
On the weekend I bought tickets for the soccer world cup, for a match in Cape Town. There was a wonderful article in Friday's The Times reflecting on where were you when … and my memory was pricked. Three years ago I was stuck in South America at various airports during the soccer world cup and it was so exciting just being part of the masses glued to the TV screens found everywhere in the airports. I can understand a bit of soccer, kicking a ball in a particular direction, whereas I cannot understand rugby. It will be cool being part of the huge crowd.
My CAT experience helped me in buying the tickets online. I will be teaching the staff at school how to get their tickets.
PAT 2010
I am rather excited about the PATs this year. They are all on Thutong at http://www.thutong.doe.gov.za/computerapplicationtechnology/Home/Blogs/tabid/2236/EntryID/425/Default.aspx or http://www.thutong.doe.gov.za then go to Curriculum and Examination, then select Computer Applications Technology, then select the Blog. The information on the PAT in 2010 is found under the heading PAT 2010 in a very clear table.
The learners must get the BIG picture when they do the PAT. They must have a broad idea of where they are going so my Gr 12s were told to read and learn their PAT instructions for a test today. Here is my test which does not count for 'marks' but the learners did not know that. It could be a nice activity in class.
If you do not like the Gr 10 and 11 PATs apparently you can create your own on your own topic! But is it much easier using a ready made PAT than creating your own. For Grade 12 obviously we have to use the official one. Note that on Thutong the Gr 10 and 11 PATs are in Word which you can change but the Gr 12 PAT is a PDF document which cannot be edited.
Mindsports
Mindsports is a new sport to the school arena and very few schools know that structures are already in place to help schools participate. Mindsports include computer gaming (LAN) and I would like to invite you to the official eSports School Meeting to be held on Wednesday (20 January 2010) at 15H30 at the Old Edwardian's Society in Lower Houghton.
The meeting is for teachers from High Schools interested in joining the official school structure for computer gaming.
Please take the time to join us for the meeting, tea and snacks will be provided.
If you would like to look at http://www.mssa-cgboc.org/ for more information regarding Mindsports.
Our school website http://www.northcliffhigh.co.za/ contains information regarding our pupils participation in the Gauteng LAN of 2009 and we also really enjoyed hosting the National LAN in 2009.
I used the blog as it is the only way I know to reach the CAT teachers. :)
Noelene du Toit
Friday, January 15, 2010
Grade 11 PAT in 2010
- Sign up for Facebook
- Create a Facebook profile
- Join group Grade 11 CAT at PHS
- On own Facebook create a new Photo album
- Upload pictures (at least 2) on that topic to Facebook, tag the photos, comment on them
- Post something on your wall
- Click Like on a Friend's posting/wall
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Grade 10 Input Output Storage Processing - Page 19
My Grade 10s all have to have someone take a photo of them using computer technology using a digital camera or cell phone. (The picture must somehow be transferred to a flash drive at home as cell phones are not permitted at school and we have no SD card readers on our computers.) When the pictures have been brought to school and transferred to the computer, each learner has to create a screensaver of themselves using computer technology using their own photos. I also expect them to know how to display a screen background picture. This extension activity linked to Activity 1 on page 19 so nicely.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Changes in ...
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Value of CAT


What is CAT? Where does the PAT fit in?
As I stood looking at the Library of Alexandria in the developing ancient country of Egypt, I was able to put into words where the developers of CAT were going. CAT is to teach young people to make meaning of information such as that found in books, the Internet and people using the tools currently available, i.e. paper and computers, and present that information. Look at the books, computer terminals and people in the pictures! The PAT teaches how to put the computer skills together to achieve the goal of making meaning and presenting. We teach such an important subject!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Grade 11 PAT in 2010
Grade 11 PAT in 2010
Read these articles in preparation for the Gr 11 PAT in 2010. Also look at all the links in the articles.
- Anti-Social Media: A Rising Rebellion Against Web 2.0? - http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/anti-social-media-a-rising-rebellion-against-web-2-0/19299590/
- To Deal With Obsession, Some Defriend Facebook - http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/21/technology/internet/21facebook.html?_r=1
Monday, December 7, 2009
Comments on the blog
One of the nice things about this blog is that people can comment anonymously. However that wonderful facility has enabled spammers to post their material to the blog. These school holidays I will be away and not able to monitor and remove the spammers' material. So for this holiday, while I am sailing in a felucca and beyond the reach of the Internet, I will remove the Anonymous facility. Now you will have to have a Gmail account. Sorry, but it is only for the holiday period while I am in … (send the place as a comment!). The feature will be restored when I am near a computer. Have a wonderful holiday.
Social networking and Facebook
The Grade 11 PAT for 2010 on social networking is something that I really need to get to grips with. I will use Facebook to help me teach about Facebook, as Facebook is so now. Hopefully the learners and I will learn together with me guiding them and them showing me (up). Oh well! I have so much to learn about Facebook!
I have created the Grade 11 CAT at PHS group where the learners will have to discuss matters about Facebook. (Go to my Facebook called Pam Miller and ask to join the group. You will be able to see it but I will probably remove teachers in January.) I am not sure how I will force the learners to contribute to the discussion – maybe adapt the given rubric – which I am sure we are permitted to do. I have found the page Facebook in Education http://www.facebook.com/education very useful.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Recommendations of the Minister
I read the recommendations for education on http://www.saou.co.za/SAOU/56/A/202/News.html It is almost too good to be true. If I interpret correctly:
- Teachers have the freedom to decide what to do in their tests during the year, as actually spelt out in the LPG and SAG.
- Teachers can follow an approved textbook, with its documentation, its order and activities, etc..
- There is only 1 cluster meeting a year. What about moderation?
- Circulars/documents/letters may only go out once a year in September (for the following year). So we are free from forms for the coming year?
- One project, i.e. only the PAT as 'the' project. No more tasks?
- One teacher portfolio.
- Role of subject/curriculum advisors still to be specified.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Value of CAT
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Passwords
If you communicate on the blog, keep in mind that EVERYBODY can see ALL messages.
One of the people requesting a password in a message said that she was from a certain school and when I checked, it turned out that there was no such teacher at that school – maybe a learner? Luckily I always check my list before giving out passwords. Sandra
Errata Gr 11 Theory Memo
You have probably picked up these mistakes as well, but if you have not started marking, please note:
5.2.1 and 5.2.2
The answers for 5.2.1 and 5.2.2 on the memo have been swopped around.
6.4 The criteria for Previous_Experience in the memo should be the opposite of what is given in the memo. Please have a look and correct.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Grade Eleven November examinations
Errata Gr 11 Practical Exam
V1.5 e) Let mooi op die inlynstelling en oriëntasie van die teks in elke deel van die kaartjie.
ks vertikaal soos aangetoon.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Exam papers
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Internet


The internet is wonderful! Last week I could not walk my dogs properly as one is just too old to keep up. Having one dog pulling and one who cannot walk and needs to be carried, is not fun. I recalled what the vet physio had told me to do some months ago to do – buy a pet stroller.
I went online to search for one and found some on Gumtree. I did a further search and found an online shopping site http://www.apetslife.co.za/ for pet supplies. I found what I wanted on the site. Recalling the PAT and trustworthiness I looked for details - the site did not look ‘smart’ so … I phoned them and a voice replied – yes it was an active site. I had to pay – I looked for signs of security – I paid by EFT although the Thawte key was there. It was delivered to Cape Town and I received a call to fetch (save on delivery costs). Well it costs about the same as a wheelchair, but we can walk. And we have walked! She is picked up and put in the stroller at home, and walked to a quality place to play, where she is lifted from the stroller, for play time. Look at the pictures a friend and I took. She was happy from the first day.
The lesson – get it online!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
PAT
My grade 10s and 11s are doing so much better at their PATs than the grade 12s mainly because of me, and because I learned from the grade 12s.
Today the Gr 10s started on Phase 3 and are sailing through it. They are sailing through it because they have everything at hand.
- All information was collected in a folder (phase 1).
- In phase 2 they evaluated the information and created a document with cross referencing to help with easy access. In phase 2 I also made them create graphs, copy the graphs into Word, add captions and describe what was displayed in the graph. In the planning document they had to indicate where each graph and picture would be used.
- Now, in phase 3, they take the planning document and just slide information under headings, drop in graphs and pictures where planned and put it all together.
I have made PPTs as I went along explaining everything so carefully so that next year it will be so much easier. I have spent a great deal of time doing it in class and hope that the investment of time will show dividends next year. The only problem I have had with the rubrics is in phase 1 where too many marks, I thought, were given for the levels of questions.
And the learners have seen the value of doing a research project this way!
The Gr 10 and 11 PPTs which I am using for teaching are available here.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
ICT Expo
http://www.thutong.doe.gov.za/computerapplicationtechnology/Home/Blogs/tabid/2236/Default.aspx
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Gr 10
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Gr 12 Practical exam
The Gr 12s have just finished writing their practical exam. Thank goodness we have spent the last 5 weeks going over the 3 old papers. I just hope it helped the learners. We will find out in January 2010!
Friday, October 2, 2009
District 9 and Copyright
Friday, September 18, 2009
Grade 12 Practical Revision en Hersiening - Perez
- Data files
- English question paper and memo
- Afrikaans question paper and memo
- PowerPoint to explain tricky bits using Office 2003
Friday, September 11, 2009
Gr 12 PAT
I am so angry. I have just finished marking Phase 3 of the Gr 12 PAT. The poor marks are not my problem. I taught the PAT well, however many learners spoke through my classes, checked e-mail while I was explaining and just ignored me.
I am going to take the points below and incorporate them in the assessment of the Gr 10 and 11 PATS. And when I make MY Gr 10 and 11 EDITED rubric I will not give ANY marks for ANY things if they are meaningless, i.e. no being nice. I am irritated by stupidity and plain carelessness.
My Gr 10 and 11 PPTs which I am using for teaching are available here.
- The graphs must be woven into the story/discussion. The graphs must NOT be in a section on their own. The graphs must help explain the discussion.
- A caption of a graph is not a story, and should not pretend to be a story. A caption is a ‘heading’ for an image. You talk about the evidence of the graph in the body of the text as part of the story and not in the caption.
- Pictures, if used, must be described or referred to in the text. They should not be in a page or section on their own.
- Tables copied from a database or spreadsheets have no place in a report. The material must be synthesized or analysed so that it gains meaning.
- There should be no need for any material in the report to come from any web site or copied from anywhere. The report is the result of an investigation into a problem. It is the ‘result’.
- The report should look professional! I have seen too many spelling mistakes, and the font in a document should be the same for all sections, and a heading 3 is smaller than a heading 1! Body text should be left aligned.
- The conclusion should draw all the findings together and is a summary of all the work, and end with a final sentence giving the verdict (slotsom).
- The conclusion must be at the end, just before the bibliography.
- Page numbers are required if you have a table of contents!
- The rubric/checklist must be read as a guide as to what is expected.
Gr 10 Introduction to Excel
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Gr 12 Practical Revision en Hersiening - Birds
- Data files
- English question paper and memo
- Afrikaans question paper and memo
- PowerPoint to explain tricky bits using Office 2007
Friday, August 28, 2009
Grade 12 PAT Phase 3
- The graphs must be woven into the story/discussion. The graphs must NOT be in a section on their own. The graphs must help explain the discussion.
- There should be no need for any material in the report to come from any web site or copied from anywhere. The report is the result of an investigation into a problem. It is the ‘result’.
- The report should look professional! I have seen too many spelling mistakes, and the font in a document should be the same for all sections, and a heading 3 is smaller than a heading 1!
- A caption of a graph is not a story, and should not pretend to be a story. A caption is a ‘heading’ for an image. You talk about the evidence of the graph in the body of the text as part of the story.
- The conclusion should draw all the findings together and is a summary of all the work, and end with a final sentence giving the verdict (slotsom).
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Word Tabs
- Type all the data, then select the data to start formatting
- Using the tab dialogue box remove default values with ‘Clear all’
- Only have ONE tab between text/things.
Excel
- Autofill where I can pull down and the program ‘picks’ up and changes the values in the cells and formulas/functions
- Absolute referencing so I do not have to type formulas/functions over and over again, and it stays fixed when formatted with F4.
PAT - Trustworthiness of sources
Monday, August 3, 2009
Gr 12 Practical Revision en Hersiening Memo
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Setting exam papers
Friday, July 31, 2009
Gr 12 Practical Examinations
Important reading about School based assessment and NO MARKS - Circular E18.
Gr 12 Practical Revision en Hersiening - Recycling
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Gr 12 PAT Phase 3
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Holiday in-service training course, PAT and Evaluating sources
With regard to the PAT these URLs supplied by another Western Cape subject advisor are great on checking web sites for trustworthiness - http://www.immunize.cpha.ca/uploads/cciap%20internet%20tips%20e%202008.pdf and information in general - http://www.virtualchase.com/quality/checklist_print.html
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Grade 12 PAT Phase 2
Access information and determine relevance
Evidence of sources is available - The learners had little ‘evidence’.
- Surveys – Most had completed printed surveys.
- Copies or screen dumps of websites – They copied the relevant information into a word document under headings/questions with a URL, BUT did not have the ‘copies of web sites’ as required.
- Photocopies/clippings from printed media or scanned information from printed media – Two out of 60 learners had pages from the telephone directory, none had anything from a book or magazine.
- Evidence of interviews conducted – One had a recording on his cell phone, and one had a paper transcript of the conversation.
- Printouts or screen dumps of e-mails – One learner had a copy of a letter sent to someone but no reply – silly.
I wonder how those teaching at less privileged schools are doing.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Budget Tours
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Gr 10 June exam papers - Theory
- English question paper and memo
- Afrikaans question paper and memo