Using Technology in Mr. White’s Class

1. Using Technology in Mr. White’s Class Mr. White’s Class

2. What We’re Going to Learn • After this period, you should: • Know Mr. White’s expectations for appropriate technology use • How to log-in and trouble-shoot computer access • How to access Mr. White's blog and use it correctly • How to use Edublogs for Mr. White’s class • How to use your H drive at GCIT • How to use the P Drive at GCIT

3. My Expectations • I expect that you will: • Show respect to yourself, GCIT, and others at all times while using school technology • Use GCIT technology only for school-related work • Treat all GCIT property with care

4. How to log-in and troubleshoot computer access Part I

5. Using Laptops in Mr. White’s Class • When we use laptops in Mr. White’s Class, we must first sign them out. • At this time, I will call tables up to the laptop cart. Please: • Remove the laptop from the tray • Disconnect the power cable • Please sign-out the laptop in the sign-out book on top of the laptop cart

6. Logging Laptop Problems • Make a note of any problems with the computer related to its functioning properly, and write them down in the sign-out book • Missing hardware or parts • Non-functioning hardware, parts, programs, or features • Slow computers still function – please see Mr. White if your laptop is extraordinarily slow • You are responsible for any damage that you do to the laptop

7. Logging In To School Computers • To log in to all school computers, you have a log-in name and password • I will issue you your log-in name and password now • Please memorize or write down your log-in name and password! • When you have your log-in name and password, please type them into the log-in screen that appears when you turn on the computer • When the second, smaller log-in screen pops up, simply press “enter” or click “OK.”

8. Can’t Log In? • If your log-in doesn’t work the first time, STOP. Do not continue to attempt to log-in. • Take a deep breath. • First, check the small wireless switch on the right-hand edge of the laptop – make sure it is switched toward you. If it isn’t, flip it. • Did you type in your log-in correctly? If you think you didn’t, carefully type in your log-in information one more time. • If you did type your log-in correctly, or your second attempt didn’t work, flip the wireless switch back and forth, then turn off the computer, and turn it on again • If all these fail, please see Mr. White

9. Using mr. white’s blog Part II

10. Mr. White’s Blog • Once you have successfully logged in, please open Internet Explorer. • Internet Explorer will ask you to log in again to access the internet • Once you’ve done this, please go to: • Dwhitejr.wordpress.com • This is Mr. White’s blog page

11. Mr. White’s Blog • On Mr. White’s blog you will find: • All make-up work, posted electronically • Class updates and assignments • Links to important sites for Mr. White’s class • Links to Mr. White’s class calendar • With Mr. White’s blog, you will also: • Post comments to respond to class assignments • Post the link for your own blog so Mr. White can access it • Take some time to look around the blog and locate these things!

12. Using edublogs Part III

13. Edublogs • Once you’re familiar with Mr. White’s blog, please go to: • www.edublogs.org • Here is where we’re going to create our own blogs for the classroom • Click on the green panel that says, “Free”

14. Edublogs • On this screen, you will create your own blog • Create a username and password for your account. Please write them down so you don’t forget them! • You may provide your e-mail address if you like, but you don’t have to. • Once you have completed this page, and read the terms of service, click “Go to Step 2” to move on • On the next page, you will create a name for your blog and add other information for your blog.

15. Posting Your Blog to Mr. White’s Blog • Very often, I will have you use your blog to complete class assignments • When I post assignments, all you need to do is post the link to your blog in the comments section of Mr. White’s blog • The nice thing is that you can do this before you finish the assignment – you won’t forget to do it at the end!

16. Posting Your Blog to Mr. White’s Blog • Go to Mr. White’s blog and find the “Welcome Back!” post. • Copy and paste the address from your blog. Only copy the main part, which will look like this: • Dwhitejr.wordpress.com • Now your blog is posted, and you can work on creating whatever post you need to do

17. Using your H drive Part IV

18. Your H Drive • Now, we’re going to learn how to download files and save them to your school H drive • You should keep all of your school files in the H drive – you can access them anywhere on campus • You may also want to get a USB memory stick for yourself so that you can take files home – your choice • You are responsible for keeping copies of your files!

19. Saving a File • Go to Mr. White’s page entitled, “Student Information Sheet” • In the post, you will find a link that says, “Student Information Sheet.” • Right-click on the link and then click, “Save As” • In the box that opens, find your H drive using the sidebar or drop-down menu – click on it • This is your H drive. Save this file to your H drive.

20. Creating a Folder • Once the file is saved, go to your H drive through the My Computer icon. • Now, we’re going to create a folder with your name on it, so that you can drop files into it • In your H drive, right-click and choose, “New Folder” • Rename the folder with your name: • Last-name, first-name

21. Student Information Sheet • Once you’ve created a new folder with your name on it, open the Student Information Sheet file. • Type your personal student information into the Student Information Sheet. • When you have finished, do a File > Save As and save the file as: • Student Information Sheet; 9-9-11; Last-name, First-name • Save this file to your H drive

22. Electronically submitting files Part V

23. Electronically Submitting Files • Now, we’re going to learn how to electronically submit files to Mr. White • Please open My Computer, then open the drive labeled: Student Work. • This is the P drive. • Open the folder labeled, “White, David Jr” • Then open the folder labeled, “Classwork Drop.” • This is where you can drop electronic files for Mr. White’s class

24. Mr. White’s Magic • Double-click into the folder labeled, “New folder - always copy and rename” • Then, double-click into the folder with your class period on it. • Copy and paste the folder that you’ve created into the folder with your period on it • Then wait – Mr. White has to do some magic.

25. Submitting Your File • Now, go back to the Classwork Drop folder and look for the folder that says, “Student Information Sheets” • Copy and paste your Student Information Sheet into the correct folder for your period, with your name on it • This is how you can submit files electronically to Mr. White through the P drive

26. Warnings • Some warnings: • Do not attempt to save directly to the P drive – it won’t work correctly. You must COPY and PASTE any file that you want to submit • Do not attempt to open anything directly from the P drive – stuff won’t work correctly • Only submit work to the P drive when you are absolutely sure it is finished – like sending an e-mail, you can’t modify the file once you’ve submitted it

27. The End! • Now you’ve completed Mr. White’s short technology lesson! • With the remainder of the period, I’d like you to: • Log-in to your Edublogs account • Create a blog post talking about: • One interesting (and school-appropriate) thing that you did this summer • One thing that you’re looking forward to this school year (it can be in school, or outside of school, but again, must be school appropriate) • Feel free to mess around with the various Edublog features! Make your blog look cool.