Did you clock in? If not, let me know so I can show you how!
This is probably not going to be your typical class. Hopefully you all will gain a wealth of knowledge throughout the year. This is not a lecture-based class. Assignments will be given and you will be provided guidance throughout the year; however, the old saying “you get out of it what you put into it” is very true in this class. Hopefully you will get a lot out of it! Be sure to ask if you have questions! No one knows everything and this is especially true in the world of technology! You will hear me say “did you Google it” many times during your time in my class. Technology changes very quickly and no one single book or website can have all the answers so we will use a wide variety of resources to help you gain knowledge in the areas of graphic and web design as well as basic computer literacy and digital citizenship.
To get us started, I would like each of you to introduce yourself to the class. High school students need to state your first and last name, grade level, which high school you attend, which activities you are involved, and which hours you will be attending this class. Adult students need to state your name, which town you live in, if you are an all day or half-day student, and briefly where you are taking the class.
Today cookies will be available in the break area around 9:30 am and 1:30 pm if you are here during that time. You just can’t bring the cookies back to class!
The following is a list of things I would like you to accomplish in the next several days:
- Adult students need to complete the Student Information Form and Computer Experience Survey. Both are available from the menu at the top of my blog.
- High School students need to complete the Student Information Form, Computer Experience Survey and the High School Schedule. All are available from the menu at the top of my blog.
- Check your email and send me an email with your five favorite quotes.
- You will create a folder for your work on your computer desktop. Use your first and last name as the name of the folder.
- Create a letter in personal business format (I have emailed you an example). In the first paragraph you will provide me with some basic information about you; such as high school, grade level, parent or guardian names, hobbies (be sure to include art or drawing if it applies to you), school activities, etc. as well as if you are currently employed. In the second paragraph you will tell me what computer and work experience you have; specifically what type of computers and software you have used. In the third paragraph you will tell me what your future plans are (in the next couple of years and then within the next ten years) and what you expect to gain from this class that you can apply in the future.
- Take a photo of yourself using the Photo Booth. Right click on the photo, export it, and store it in your folder on the desktop. Then send me an email with that photo as an attachment.
- Create a front cover for your Professional Development Planner. You may use MS Word to design the cover. (Later you can use Photoshop if you wish.) Include a QR code on the front cover you design for your Professional Development Planner. The QR code will direct people to your blog. One resource you may use for the QR code is qrstuff.com.
- You will create a blog using WordPress.com. The first page or home page of your blog will include your daily posts. Create additional pages for About Me, Assignments, Projects, and Favorite Work. You will be adding to the pages as you complete assignments and projects during the year. Returning students, check with me to discuss whether you will continue with last year’s blog or start a new blog. I have some training options listed below that will help with setting up your WordPress blog.
- Create a blog entry titled “3 Truths and 1 Lie”. List three “truths” about yourself and 1 “lie”. You will present these 4 pieces of information to the class. We will try to guess which is the lie. Remember that your blog is public so be sure to use acceptable information and not personal information in the blog entry.
- Ask me for help installing and setting up Dropbox on your computer. You will use Dropbox to backup important files that you have saved on your computer.
If you have completed all of that, it is time to start a little training on the Mac environment. I will show you how to log in to the Lynda.com online training. Unless you have extensive experience with the Mac and can demonstrate all the skills required, I want you to complete the video training from a couple of courses. If you think you can demonstrate all those skills, let me know and we’ll discuss it. And… there is an “extension cable” for the headphone jack so you don’t have to turn the monitor around each day to plug in your headphones.
I want you to complete the following online training from the Mac OS Lion Essential Training:
- Ch 2 Getting Familiar with the Interface
Touring the Finder
Launching and working with apps
Sorting and starting apps with Launchpad
Organizing workspaces with Mission Control
Using trackpad gestures
Using mouse gestures
Understanding file saving in Lion - Ch 9 Safari
Navigating the web
Working with bookmarks
Using Reading List
After completing those lessons, type a short summary using MS Word of what you learned. You will later be posting this summary on your blog (once it is created).
I want you to complete the following online training from the Switching from Windows to Mac:
- Introduction
Welcome
Demystifying the Mac
Adjusting to the new Mac terminology - Ch 1 – Navigating the Mac
Basics of the Mac keyboard
Using the Mac mouse
The basics of gestures - Ch 2 – The Mac Interface
Exploring the desktop
Accessing the OS tasks from the Apple menu
Using the Dock to create shortcuts to tasks
Managing widgets on the Dashboard
Controlling Mac windows
Working with various disks on the Mac - Ch 3 – Working with Files and Folders on the Mac
Previewing files with Quick Look
Accessing and moving files with Finder
Working with icons on the Mac
Deleting and rescuing files in the Trash
After completing those lessons, type a short summary using MS Word of what you learned. You will later be posting this summary on your blog (once it is created).
If you have extensive Mac knowledge already, visit with me.
After learning about the Mac environment you will be ready to start your WordPress blog. I want you to complete the following Lynda.com course – WordPress.com Essential Training – if you are a new WordPress user:
- Ch 1 – Getting to Know WordPress
What is WordPress? - Ch 2 – Getting Started with WordPress.com
Setting up an account
Setting up a new blog or web site
Navigating the WordPress.com back end - Ch 3 – Building a Profile
Editing your Profile
Modifying personal settings - Ch 4 – Creating Posts
Understanding the difference between posts and pages
Creating a new post
Creating and managing links
Adding images and other media content
Adding categories, tags, post formats, excerpts, and other elements
Publishing a post - Ch 5 – Creating Pages
Creating a basic page
Organizing page hierarchy
Creating a contact page with a contact form - Ch 6 – The Appearance Tab
Selecting a theme
Using page templates
Using widgets
Creating custom menus
Wow…. is that enough work for now? If you have completed all that, let me know and I’ll get you started on something else!
Quote: It’s a beautiful thing when a career and a passion come together.
Digital Design 