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Viabhav Patel
Viabhav Patel
Friday, November 22, 2013
An Introduction To Net Texts Online/Flipped Classroom Learning Platfrom
The Net Texts students view on devices(Android,Ipad application) is organized and clearly outlines the course content,videos and documents. Teachers can receive emailed spreadsheets of student results in their portal as well. Like many current note taking applications Net Texts interfaces are consistent between devices and enables students to quickly add notes and find course materials efficiently.
Net Texts is ideal for districts looking for a singular interface for students to interact with course content and also streamlines how teachers organize online content. This tool is ideal for balancing the learning curve for teachers in creating a flipped classroom mode and enables sharing,content management and specific subject area materials. This tool is even more beneficial for teachers who truly know how they want to organize their flipped model and can draw their course materials from previous materials(speadsheets,docs,pdf) and have a strong plan for the organization of lessons and what resources will be necessary to teach a lesson and keep it aligned as they move forward. Newer teachers would want to plant specifically around the content they may want for their course before they fully committed to designing the course.
The application has a main dashboard which allows teachers to mange what content and what web based materials support the flipped classroom instruction. Different flipped models could be used with this tool as well and instruction could be based on singular components of media being assigned for homework and then viewed in class or a teacher could develop a hybrid based on the accessibility of tablets or computers for student access and use Net texts as tool to assit in connecting to specific material.
Ultimately it is still up to the teacher to create the collaboration this tool would bring to the classroom. Teachers need to find resources which support their instruction or have additional professional development which supports them in creating screencast videos or managing a variety of web based documents such as pdf's,images and docs.
Net texts supports the integration of OER resources(open education resources) in order to help organize teachers in developing content and choose sources. Some of these source which can benefit a Net Texts users are CK-12 for the sciences,www.net-texts.com/collections,Khan Academy and the OER Commons located at http://www.oercommons.org . Net texts is looking to assist in applying these resources to their platform as quickly as possible to assist in integration of their platform.
One of the largest benefits for this platform is the ever evolving development of trusted web based materials which teachers can search and utilize quickly to develop a new course or assist a teacher created lesson. After attending a training with the Net Texts Marketing staff I could recognize their commitment to embracing the use of the Creative Commons and building in this important component into their tool. Their staff highlighted in their presentation several videos and engaged in rich discussion about this feature. I have included links to this information as well as Net Texts youtube video.
search.creativecommons.org
Mowhawk Video video on Creative Commons
Net Texts
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Mini-Session: Mac Basics 1 11/19 & 11/21
Mini-Session: Mac Basics 1: 11/19 & 11/21
Browsers: What are they and why do we use different ones?
- What it is and what it is not. Great Video from Google.
- Safari:Browser that comes on the Mac
(looks like a compass)
By moving through the top bar of the browser you will recognize how to bookmark webpages,reduce windows,open new windows and manage new tabs.
- Located in the Dock (bottom row of icons) & Launchpad(Rocket Ship-future session)
- Explore Under “File”
New Window-Close Window-Close All Windows
New Tab/Close Tab
Open File
Save As
Import/Export Bookmarks(html file)
Share
- Edit-Primiarily Used For Copy & Paste(spelling & grammar checker)
- View-Allows you to adjust views in Safari(important if you get seeing extra things you may not want or maybe you do?)
- History-Shows tops sites and all history.
- Bookmarks(add them,create folder,add to reading list)
- Window(allows you to zoom and minimize)
Chrome:Google’s Browser
- Good for using Google Tools or Applications(Youtube,Google Docs etc.) Google owns a variety of companies and their products function better on the chrome browser.
- Many of the same features as Safari with more options for addtional applications(Google Web Apps)
- Works prmarily in a tab based format.
- Downloads appear at bottom left of screen and in download folder on your computer.
- Organizes Bookmarks across top of screen.
- Needs to be downloaded from self service(to be discussed in future sessions).
Finding & Organizing Files On Your Computer
One of the best ways to find files on your computer is to search for them by name or file type using the “search magnifying glass”.
- Using the search light(magnifying glass in the top right of your computer)
- Recognizing File Types and locations to help search for documents.
Common file type extensions:
.doc (what’s the difference between .doc & .docx)
.jpg Image File(Joint Photographic Expert Group)
.txt Text File(From text editor)
.png Reduced Size Image File(on websites for faster loading)
.pdf Portable Document Format
.ppt (or .pptx) Powerpoint File
.mp3 Sound/Audio File
.wav Sound/Audio File
.mp4 Video File
Saving Files: Saving To Different Parts Of Your Computer
(the good and the bad)
- Saving To The Desktop(File>Save As>Desktop) Will be lost if you have issue with computer.
- Saving to Faculty Drive On Shared User Drive(Drive which shows on desktop when connected to network,cannot access at home,drag and drop files into your folder,it has your name on it).
- Saving to My Documents (File>Save As> Documents) View other options available.
How To Download Files & Retrieve Them
How do I find files that I know I have chosen to download?
- Look in the top right of your safari browser window. You will see a small square with a circle with a arrow pointing down. This is where your downloads are. When you click on this a list of your downloads should appear. You can the click on them to choose to “open” or drag and drop them to your desktop.
- Your downloads can also be seen in the “downloads” folder in the safari browser. Go to the “finder(smiley face) on the “dock” the area along the botton and open. Along the left side you will see a list of locations choose the “downloads” and your files should be inside.
Optional Activities:
1.Opening a new word document and save it to your documents. For another challenge move it to the faculty drive.
2.Finding a .jpg image on your computer.
3. Go to the link
Choose the first Sanborn Weekly Article & Click On It>>>Locate this download on your computer.
4.Add a bookmark to your favorite website.
5.View the the last 10 websites you visited using Safari(Where do you need to go?
Sunday, November 17, 2013
What Is The Andover Innovation Lab?
What Are We About!
The Andover Innovation Lab is a unique opportunity for students who wish to develop their own independent technology driven project. Students have the opportunity to come to the Innovation Lab and create a proposal for a self driven project. Students are also mentored and supported by experienced technology educators who can assist them at finding the resources and tools to complete their projects and create real world experiences. This includes reaching out and making real world connections for potential internship experiences,professional connections and personal growth.
If you are a student in Andover High School or you know a student who would benefit from the great benefits of a personalized,self directed and technology rich experience let them know about this opportunity. The students participating in the Innovation Lab also serve as the first line of support for the student run help desk. Students can expand knowledge in the areas of networking,hardware and also troubleshooting technical issues.
Potential Independent Projects Include:
The Andover Innovation Lab is a unique opportunity for students who wish to develop their own independent technology driven project. Students have the opportunity to come to the Innovation Lab and create a proposal for a self driven project. Students are also mentored and supported by experienced technology educators who can assist them at finding the resources and tools to complete their projects and create real world experiences. This includes reaching out and making real world connections for potential internship experiences,professional connections and personal growth.
If you are a student in Andover High School or you know a student who would benefit from the great benefits of a personalized,self directed and technology rich experience let them know about this opportunity. The students participating in the Innovation Lab also serve as the first line of support for the student run help desk. Students can expand knowledge in the areas of networking,hardware and also troubleshooting technical issues.
Potential Independent Projects Include:
- Developing A Mobile Application or Web Based Application
- Creating A Website Or Blog For A Business or Personal Interest
- Developing A Game or Multimedia Project
- Developing A Network Design Plan
- Building Computers or Studying Hardare
- Learning More About Social Media & Professional Networking
- Using Lab Time To Work On The Technology Centered Components of Another School Projec
Follow Us @AndoverTechTeam on Twitter
Be sure to follow us on twitter at the username
@andovertechteam !
Visit our twitter for current updates on student projects,news,educational technology information
and tutorial videos.
A great place to make cool technology connections!
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