Communication Systems, File Extensions, and the Design Process

Over the last few classes we have been learning about processes and terminology that we will be using and referring to for the remainder of the course. We spent a couple of classes talking about Communication Systems, one class discussing File Extensions, and have spent the last couple of classes talking about the Design Process.

They were told to take notes of these classes and to keep them in a technology folder for future reference. Notes can also be found on their Kidblog site. All of their work is kept on their Kidblog blog, so at any time you can go there and see what they've submitted, just ask them to log in for you. You will be able to see your student's work and my posts, but no one else's. To get to their blog, go to the Links page on www.lakeacademy.ca. On the right side of the screen you will see links to Class Blogs.

The Design Process is going to occupy all of our remaining class time with brief interruptions for learning some more basic skills. They will have to carry a project (hopefully 2) through the entire process and document each step as they do. This will be group work. It will be worth 60% of the course.

Right now, we are going through each step as a class. We talk about what each step is and what it involves as a class, and then they document that step. Mr. Forsey's class has just completed the first two steps: Identify the Problem and the Design Brief. They have to have a Design Brief written for next class. The problem and many of the notes are at Kidblog.

Monthly Reports - October/November

I did get the monthly reports done up on our first snow day of the year. They were sent home last Friday. A couple of students only received them this week. Your child was asked to show them to you and have you sign them as confirmation that you know what's going on.

There are 4 assignments that should have been completed:

1. A set of questions that can be found on our Kidblog.
2. A poster describing the evolution of a certain piece of communication technology (they were given a list to choose from).
3. A Scholastic book fair poster
4. and a PhotoStory about mysteries, using the pictures they used in Language Arts

All assignments have been described in blog posts by me on Kidblog. All assignments should have been posted there. I took time in several classes showing them how to do that. 

They have had more than enough time to finish all these assignments in class. They should have been completed by the first week of November. Many still have not been submitted.

First term report cards come out next week. The mark on their report card is based on the marks on their monthly report. There should be no surprises. Assignments that were not passed in received a mark of 0%. I will still accept these assignments but no more class time will be given (we've spent way too long on them as it is).

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to call met the school or email me at heatherchaulk@esdnl.ca.