Mrs. Fairlie's Technology Class

Our Global Issues Focus

2011-08-31T21:25:00.001+02:00

So, we have decided to create a prototype of a visual cue that will affect how people behave. In order to generate great ideas, we need to become experts on our chosen issue. To help you out, here is a list of the issues you have chosen and who else in class is focusing on the same ones. You could get together and share thoughts.

Global warming: Adriana, Karla
Fisheries depletion: Min A
Deforestation: Cristina, Rodrigo
Water Deficits: Alexandra, Georgia, Fernando, Sebastian B, Alan, Sebastian G
Maritime safety and pollution: Natalie

Peacekeeping, conflict prevention, combating terrorism: Alfonso, Pope

Logo design checklist

2009-05-28T10:20:00.006+02:00

I have decided whether to present in writing or orally.
Logo does not belong to another product or person.
Logo is of my own design.
I used Power Point OR Photoshop for at least one of my logos.
I have at least 3 logo designs.
My 3 designs are all a different type of symbol.
One of my logos is animated.
All my logos are on paper.
All myy logos are posted outside.
If presenting in writing: the analysis (explanation) of my logos is written and posted outside.
If presenting orally: I have already separated a date with Mrs. Fairlie. Remember: No presentations on June 4.
The analysis (explanation) includes the justification for EACH logo.
Each design must indicate the type of symbol it is (pictogram, brand, logo, etc...)

Logo design

2009-05-21T10:03:00.001+02:00

Logo Design Instructions

For this project, you are required to design a minimum of 3 symbols that represent yourself.

Types of symbols

Pictogram: an image that represents an object
Rebus: a pictorial image that represents a spoken sound
Ideogram: a symbol representing a complete idea without expressing words for it.
Trademark or Brand: Marks to signify information about the origin and/or content of a product
Monogram: a graphic symbol consisting of 2 or more letters combined (usually your
initials); printed on stationery or embroidered on clothing.
Coat of arms: the official symbols of a family, state, etc
Logo: a mark or symbol that identifies a company or product

Design specifications:

One of the symbols must be animated.
Your 3 symbols must be all a different type of symbol. For example, you can have a rebus, a brand and an ideogram.
You must be able to justify (orally or written) why you chose certain colors, fonts, shapes. Example: Xerox justified its logo by saying that "lowercase letters ... seemed friendlier ... deeper red and a thicker font, to stand out better on the Web and on high-definition television... a ball to suggest forward movement and "a holistic company" A series of variously-colored "connectors" - swirled lines, reminiscent of the ribbons used to connote support for AIDS and breast cancer research - that Xerox will etch on conference rooms at its new headquarters in Norwalk, Connecticut, and that it will use to connect images and text in commercials & advertisements."
One of your designs must include the use of either Photoshop or PowerPoint.
Your designs will be displayed for all AISM students to see.
You are not allowed to use any images from the internet or any symbols that already belong to a brand (i.e: Nike), as this violates copyright laws.

Logos will be printed (or drawn) in color and posted on the wall outside the computer lab.

Deadline for all logos to be turned in and posted: 4 June (Thursday)

Homework for F period Technology

2009-05-13T15:16:00.001+02:00

Be ready to answer the meaning of this quote from Paul Rand. Will ask you next class (Friday).

"A trademark is not merely a device to adorn a letterhead, to stamp on a product, or to insert at the base of an advertisement; nor one whose sole prerogative is to imprint itself by dint of constant repetition on the mind of the consumer public. The trademark is a potential illustrative feature of unappreciated vigor and efficacy; and when used as such escapes its customary fate of being a boring restatement of the identity of the product's maker."

Investigation Report

2009-05-05T10:13:00.004+02:00

You asked me in class, what does the report need to include? Here is the answer.

Your report should:

Show that you have a clear idea of what you Investigated. Usually, an investigation is guided by a question. Let me know what your question is.
Show that you have used the right techniques to find what you needed to find (ask people, web searches, using the library, etc)
Show what you found out (the most important part!)
Show that you have thought about what you have found out. (What is your opinion on your findings?)
Show where you found information out (use a bibliography for this: MLA format)
Have a minimum length of 2 pages.

This report is due Friday, 8 May before midnight. To be shared with me via Google Docs.
For F period students, the due date is Tuesday, 12 May, before midnight.

Flip Book Evaluation

2009-05-04T07:40:00.003+02:00

Answer these questions honestly and thoroughly. Read over your answers once you have finished each question and make sure it makes sense. Watch your grammar and spelling.
For now, answer these questions in word and save them on your computer. You will submit them to me next class.

How satisfied are you with your FB? Explain.
How satisfied are you with your partner's contribution towards the FB? Explain
How was your planning? Was your schedule realistic? Were you able to follow it?
What problems did you encounter and how did you overcome them?
What did you think of this project?
What did you learn while doing this project?

Flip Book Due this week!

2009-04-22T12:11:00.001+02:00

Remember your Flip Book is due at the end of the month. This means 30 April!

What I will check this weekend

2009-03-24T11:41:00.004+02:00

Create a Google Doc with the Title: So and So's Flip Book Plan
Invite me as a collaborator of your Doc.
Start your plan: specific tasks, with steps, resources and time.

Title: So and So's Flip Book Plan
Introduction: We have decided blah blah. Fulano is very good at blah blah and Mengano's strength is on blah blah, so blah blah

Make a table where you will fill out your plan: (Identilfy at least 10 tasks)

Task	Resources needed	Will finish by (date)	Person in charge

Flip Book Project Intro

2009-03-24T11:37:00.002+02:00

For this project, your group is required to produce a paper flip book made from digital photos. You will work in pairs.

Design Specifications

Made entirely at school. Students may not work on this project at home.
Involves the use of a digital camera or cell phone.
60 pictures minimum.
120 pictures maximum.
book is rectangular
Book cover is strong
Pictures are school appropriate.
The cover of your book can be made by hand

Keep in mind

When printing, print at least 3 pictures at the same time (to save paper).
The file size of each document you print should not exceed 1Mb, otherwise the printer cannot handle it.
Keep a space to the left of your pictures, for the binding.

Evaluation

2009-03-10T08:08:00.002+02:00

Find your evaluation form here.

This form will be scored under Evaluate.

Go Fly a Kite!

2009-03-03T09:53:00.002+02:00

Day of the Contest has arrived!

Schedule:

83o (930) meet in the lab, greet, get kites ready for inspection
835 (935) Mrs. Fairlie inspects kites
840 (940) Picture time: each group with their kite
845 (945) All to field
Students have 20 minutes to get their kites to fly.
Kites to remain in air for 15 minutes.
925 (1025) pick up and back to lab
930 (1030) class dismissed

Technology Self Evaluation

2009-02-25T07:09:00.002+02:00

This self evaluation has 2 purposes:

1. It will prepare you for student led conferences
2. It will count as an assessment for criteria E: Evaluate. Your score depends on the deepness of though reflected on your answers.

Find the form by clicking here.

Blog check #2: Evaluate

2009-02-13T08:51:00.003+02:00

Maximum score = 6

Students are expected to evaluate the product/solution against the design specification in an objective manner based on testing, and to evaluate its impact on life, society and/or the environment. They are expected to explain how the product/solution could be improved as a result of these evaluations.
Students are expected to evaluate their own performance at each stage of the design cycle and to suggest ways in which their performance could be improved.

To obtain a 6:

1. Evaluate the kite against the design specification in an objective manner based on testing.
2. Explain how the kite could be improved as a result of these evaluations.
3. Evaluate your own performance at each stage of the design cycle and suggest ways in which your performance could be improved.

Blog check #2: Create a blog

2009-02-13T08:42:00.004+02:00

Maximum score = 6

Students are expected to document, with a series of photographs or a video and a dated record, the process of making their product/solution, including when and how they use tools, materials and techniques. Students are expected to follow their plan, to evaluate the plan and to justify any changes they make to the plan while they are creating the product/solution.
Students will sometimes embark upon a very ambitious project, or they may encounter unforeseen circumstances. In some circumstances a product/solution that is incomplete or does not function fully can still achieve one of the levels awarded for this criterion.

To find the blog requirements, click here.

Tips for using Blogger

2009-02-06T08:10:00.002+02:00

1. Try to use a different browser than IE (Firefox, Safari, work better). If you see that yellow triangle that says Error on Page, try again later.

2. For uploading pictures, you can:

a. download the pic to your computer. The picture should be limited to 100kb before you try to upload it. You can resize it on blogger too. Pictures on cameras definitely NEED to be compressed.

b. take pictures straight from the web by pasting the URL. Be careful with this option as it can cause copyright issues.

3. Try working straight on Blogger, instead on Word first and then pasting on Blogger.

To accomplish by the end of the week (6 Feb)

2009-02-02T09:05:00.003+02:00

* build your kite according to your design.

* Make a plan for where and when you will:
1. gather materials
2. construct the kite (at home? school?)

* I want to see your kites this Friday 6 Feb. You can show me your kite by bringing it to school or by taking a picture of it. If you take a picture of your kite, I want to see YOU in the picture as well. Email your picture to me.

* make a plan for flying it when the weather conditions are right and when your group mates can be present. Kite flying must happen before 13 Feb.

Criterion B: design

2009-01-28T13:37:00.003+02:00

Maximum score = 6

Students are expected to generate several feasible designs that meet the design specification and to evaluate these against the design specification. Students are then expected to select one design, justify their choice and evaluate this in detail against the design specification.

Generate ONE design that meets the design specifications.
The design must be very specific and include materials, color, dimensions, etc.
In some cases, you might need to clarify certain things that are not apparent on the sketch (for example: the string is attached to the wood with a staple).
I should be able to build the kite just by looking at your design and your notes.
The design should be posted on the blog.

Criterion A: investigate

2009-01-28T12:23:00.003+02:00

Maximum score = 6

Investigation is an essential stage in the design cycle. Students are expected to identify the problem, develop a design brief and formulate a design specification. Students are expected to acknowledge the sources of information and document these appropriately. The student explains the problem, discussing its relevance. The student critically investigates the problem, evaluating information from a broad range of appropriate, acknowledged sources. The student describes detailed methods for appropriate testing to evaluate the product/solution against the design specification.

1. Identify the problem: State the problem you are trying to solve and what variables are part of the problem (weather conditions, resources, materials, etc...)
Acknowledge the sources of information and document these appropriately on the blog.

2. Develop a design brief: How do you intend to solve the problem you have been presented with?

3. Investigates the problem, evaluating information from a broad range of appropriate, acknowledged sources. How are kites important in your culture? Why did you choose a particular design over another?

4. Formulate a desing specification: "A detailed description of the conditions, requirements and restrictions with which a design must comply. This is a precise and accurate list of facts such as conditions, dimensions, materials, process and methods that are important for the designer and for the user." Mrs. Fairlie already started the kite's design specification, but you need to complete it / adapt it with your own design requirements.

5. Describe detailed methods for appropriate testing to evaluate the product, with test dates.

To accomplish by the end of the week

2009-01-26T07:21:00.005+02:00

By the end of the week your group and you should...

Your group's blog must be created. URL email to Mrs. Fairlie. See blog requirements here.
Each member of the group must come up with a different kite design. Kite design research will contribute to INVESTIGATE score.
Sketch the design with as much detail as possible (dimensions, materials, colors, etc...) Sketch will contribute to DESIGN score.
Post a picture of your desing on the blog.
Make a work schedule with tasks and expected time to accomplish the tasks. Post it to your group's blog. Testing for your kite design must be posted. If you decide to test your kite during class, you will need pre-approval.
Kites in your culture. What is the significance of kites in your culture? Post your response in your group's blog. This will contribute to INVESTIGATE score.
Keep a bibliography. This too must be posted in the blog. This will contribute to INVESTIGATE score.

You will receive 2 individual scores based on all these things above when I check your group's blog. I will check blogs on Monday 3 Feb and assess criteria A and B (Investigate and Design).

Kite design specifications

2009-01-25T21:39:00.003+02:00

Must fly.
Kite stays in the air for at least 15 consecutive minutes.
Kite has alternate feature (besides flying)
No restriction on materials.
Kite takes no more than 20 minutes to be in the air.
Kite has a name.
Kite submitted on day of contest must have never flown before.

Steps to final product

2009-01-22T11:26:00.001+02:00

Click on this link to see some of the steps we as a class thought of to reach the final product. Remember you must put them in order.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dg3xx4jg_83cf8dtzg5

Kite sites

2009-01-21T13:54:00.002+02:00

Some general knowledge about kite flying:
http://www.gombergkites.com/howgen.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_1289_fly-kite.html

All about kites:
http://www.hwusd.k12.az.us/WebQuests/Kites/index.htm

Best site for all things kites: why, the history, design, science, etc...
http://www.gombergkites.com/nkm/index.html

The science of kites:
http://www.idemployee.id.tue.nl/p.j.f.peters/kites/fak/science/science.html

Task: Create a Blog

2009-01-21T11:23:00.005+02:00

Your blog will replace the process journal and design folder, so it should contain all of the things that normally go in there. In other words, your blog is where your group will record the results of your investigations, your various designs, plans and evidence for creation, your reflections during the creation stage and your evaluations of the final product.

Blog layout requirements

One blog per group.
You may use Blogger or Edublogs to create your group blog.
Blog must be in English.
All members of the group must post in the blog. This means that all members of the group must be authors of the blog (with admin permissions).
Password protected (Edublogs) or by invitation only (Blogger)
Must be easy to use: easy to navigate, find information, easy to read
Must be easy on the eyes (visual appearance)
Must include a space to record information on all aspects of the design cycle: Investigate, Plan, Create, Evaluate
Blog must allow Mrs. Fairlie to post comments

Remember to K.I.S.S. (Keep It Super Simple)

Design Priciples

2009-01-16T10:17:00.002+02:00

Questions that I will ask you when you are done reading:
1. What is the difference between Art and Design?
2. Why are design and technology so related?
3. What constitutes good design?
4. Why is bad design so obvious?
5. What does it mean that simplicity is the ultimate sophistication?

taken from:
http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/webbuilding/page7396.cfm

Technology serves humans.

Too often people blame themselves for the shortcomings of technology. When their computer crashes, they say, “I must have done something dumb.” If a Web site is poorly designed, they say, “I must be stupid. I can't find it.” They might even turn to a book for Dummies to get it right.

This is horrible! People should never feel like a failure when using technology. Like the customer, the user is always right. If software crashes, it is the software designer's fault. If someone can't find something on a Web site, it is the Web designer's fault. This doesn't mean that the designer has to hang their head in shame ... they should see this as a learning opportunity! The big difference between good and bad designers is how they handle people struggling with their design.

Technology serves humans. Humans do not serve technology.

Design is not Art.

Art is about personal expression. It is about the life, the emotions, the thoughts and ideas of the artist. It matters very little what observers do; their activity is not required, only their appreciation. The practice of Art doesn't require them. It is a necessary activity for the artist and the artist alone.

Design, on the other hand, is about use. The designer needs someone to use (not only appreciate) what they create. Design doesn't serve its purpose without people to use it. Design helps solve human problems. The highest accolade we can bestow on a design is not that it is beautiful, as we do in Art, but that it is well used.

Unlike Art, Design is always contextual. It matters when a design was created because of the context of its use: What problem is it supposed to solve? And for whom? At what point in time? This is why design is so related to technology; because technology changes so quickly, so must our designs. A design that worked 10 years ago might not even be worth considering today. History is littered with wonderful designs that are no longer necessary.

Great Art, on the other hand, is always in style. We appreciate Michelangelo's David even though we could recreate a million of them because it was the toil and expression of a single man. That will never fade. Great Design is dependent upon the age in which it is made and the problem which it is meant to solve. But not Art. Art is timeless.

The litmus test? When people enjoy Art, they say, “I like that.” When people enjoy Design, they say “That works well.” This is not by accident. Good Design is something that works well.

The experience belongs to the user.

Designers do not create experiences, they create artifacts to experience. This subtle distinction makes all the difference, as it places the designer at the service of the user, and not the other way around. This doesn't rule out innovation; it doesn't prevent a designer to leap beyond what is accepted as state of the art. It just means that the experience of a design doesn't happen simply because the designer says it does; it happens when a user actually reports it.
The ultimate experience is something that happens in the user, and it is theirs. They own it.

Great design is invisible.

An interesting property of great design is that it is taken for granted. It works so well that we forget that creative effort was involved to bring it about. Sometimes, like with the lowly spoon, the object is so simplistic that it seems obvious, and we disregard that at one point in history it wasn't. Other times, like with the automobile, the object is so sophisticated yet easy to use that we're blinded to the fact that millions and millions of human hours went into getting it to this point. That's a shame ... every great design has a rich history. And every design has behind it a designer or designers who tried to make the world a better place by solving some problem or another.

Bad design is obvious because it hurts to use. It is awkward, difficult, and complex. In a great irony of the world, bad design is much easier to see than good design. It raps us on the head like a bully. Because of its success, great design is often invisible.

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

As Saint-Exupéry said, “In anything at all, perfection is finally attained not when there is no longer anything to add, but when there is no longer anything to take away.” Simplicity is treading a line: knowing what to keep and what to throw away. It comes across as magic when it works, because none of the complexity is transferred to users, only simplicity. That is the highest achievement for a designer.

Classroom Basics

2009-01-15T08:30:00.001+02:00

Classroom rules

Classroom procedures

Boas Entradas

2009-01-13T13:30:00.000+02:00

Welcome back to you and to me!

Loading...

Yearbooks are here!

2008-06-04T07:58:00.003+02:00

Finally! Our much awaited Yearbooks arrived earlier this week. Now that you have had a couple days to look at them, it is time to complete the Product Evaluation Form that will close the circle of the design cycle.

For those of you that take Technology during period G, this form is due to me before midnight 5 June.

For those of you that take Technology during period C, this form is due to me before midnight 6 June.

HS: Event Evaluation Form

2008-05-26T08:35:00.002+02:00

After the event you organized has passed, you must email this form to me.

Due dates (before midnight of the following dates)

Cycle race people: Wednesday, 28 May
Car wash people: Wednesday, 28 May
Party people: Wednesday, 28 May
Paint ball people: Wednesday, 28 May
Smarties people: Wednesday, 4 June
Raffle people: Monday, 9 June

Mrs. Fairlie, Simpson-style!

2008-05-16T12:56:00.004+02:00

Ahh, the fun things we can do with Technology...
I look way better as a cartoon!

Simpsonize yourself by going here:
http://simpsonizeme.com/

(the page takes a while to load)

Mayfair needs your help! hint, hint HS students

2008-05-14T07:11:00.003+02:00

Mayfair needs the following items for the smoothie bar:

1. Blenders (at least 5)
2. Cutting boards
3. Sharp knives for cutting fruit
4. Serving/stirring spoons

All items need to be here on Friday.

Just bring the items to school (with your name on them), and give them to Mrs. Fairlie first thing in the morning.

MSM May issue Feedback

2008-05-13T06:12:00.006+02:00

Comments made by the 8th grade. Taken from your MSM Evaluations.

The good:
"There is a lot of colour and it looks really good and pretty professional"
"good information about the field trips and events going on around the school"
"The content was excellent and the appearance was well thought out. There was a lot of color which made the newsletter more eye-catching, it also had a lot of pictures making it more fun to read! The information was well set out and easy to read. It was also very informative as it highlighted most of the events that happened during April and May. "
" it was run by students."
"the layout was done very well"
"the students will be able to enhance their ability in writing, their creativeness in organizing and presenting data. It was an opportunity for them to learn how to become young journalists."
" very well organized and decorated. The information given was pretty much accurate... very interesting to read and find about the experience of others within the process, such as the field trips, the soccer matches and the art exhibitions."
"The articles were easy to read and very informative, [they] were short and would appeal to anyone, because none of them had really sophisticated language.... it also gave us a look in to publishing and how to collaborate a news letter."
"it was all formatted well - as in all the fonts and headings were the same - and it looked like a real newspaper... we saved the MSM from being boring. Just the fact that our own Eighth graders wrote the entire thing makes people want to read it."
"It came out on time"

The bad:
"advertisements on the front page"
"we didn’t really have enough time and we rushed through everything."
"came out looking really disorganized and had a lot of wrong information in it."
"some grammatical errors on it, and the birth date was wrong on the 8th grade list."
"there aren’t many articles that introduce the issue"
"Spelling errors"
"New student section was not included"

Improvements:
"include a games page with Sudoku and more activities that people enjoy doing."
"we should have been more prepared as a whole"
"more articles"
"organizing our time better"
"more pics"
"next time we should all check through the articles because there were a few grammatical mistakes."
"more things that students do during school"
"think about the jobs properly and do it even better"
"be more careful with the handling of the documents."
"put in someting like about us the students who made this newsleter, like a personal article, or like an advice column or somehting ."
"Include schedule of soccer games"

Baby update, week 28

2008-05-12T07:07:00.003+02:00

Message for 6A and 7A:
Last class you had the chance to play around with Publisher and find out what types of things it can do. This class, you will need to make something in Publisher. It can be anything you want: a copy of your schedule, a poster for your bedroom, a brochure, business cards... I will allow you to print these in color (next class) so make something really nice, something that you are proud of and would like to show off.
Things to keep in mind:
* when you start your project, make sure the page size is set to A4
* next class, we will print your projects and you will present them to the class
* project is limited to one page only
* save project in your "My Documents" folder

To Do Monday - High School

2008-05-11T18:48:00.005+02:00

Hello everybody! I am still taking it easy at home, but I expect to be back at school on Tuesday. I hope you have been doing your work and behaving well.

OK, let's get started:

* check your email. I have emailed several of you with specific requests. Those must be met today if you haven't done them yet.

* Movie night people: You need to complete the "Event Evaluation" form (one evaluation per group member). To find it, go here:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dg3xx4jg_34fwth6sf7&invite=csdq53b
If you have any trouble accessing it, simply get the questions from a classmate that was able to. Email me the answers before midnight Monday.

* Raffle people: we need to start getting ready to advertise our event. I need each person involved to make one A4 poster each (I want different designs). Also, I expect the vouchers will be ready when I am back at school on Tuesday.

* Party people: I need the list of chaperones that will be there the night of the party.

* Car wash people: let me know how many teachers have signed up. Teachers have a special section on the daily bulletin just for them. Have you thought of putting a message there? If you email it to me, I can forward it onto Mrs. Christy and Mrs. Sandy.

**Reminder: I know many of you have to work outside of class time to make your event a success, so I will allow you to do classwork for another course. Anything you do during Technology class time must be educational**

Period C

2008-05-09T07:05:00.003+02:00

hi guys. i'm going to need the following from all of you:

a reflection, telling me what you've been up to in the last couple days. email to me today.

people that were in charge of bake sale: let me know who brought items yesterday.

movie night people: good luck tonight! get the popcorn from behind my desk. Mr. K will take the left over sodas from the hot dog sale tonight. pls b extra careful with the PTA's pop corn machine. did u think of taking coolers and ice to keep the soda cold? i have 2 coolers. let me know if u want to borrow them.

paint ball people: send me the date and time of your event. i forgot to write it down on my calendar. also, you need permission slips from parents (just to be on the safe side)

party people: let me know how it's going. have u started selling tickets yet?

car wash people: start signing teachers up! put me down too!

giulio: don't forget to send me your weekly report on your students and how your lessons are going. due midnight today.

nejal and ashley: print a copy of the posters you have designed and hand it to the teacher. ask her nicely to please leave them in my box.

Have a good weekend!

Yearbook Money

2008-05-08T11:06:00.002+02:00

Any money from yearbook events (Smarties, Movie Night, bake sale, etc...) should be counted, organized, labeled and handed in to Mrs. Christy in the office. Mrs. Christy will give you a receipt. Give the receipt to Jack. Jack, please file these accordingly and hold on to them until I return. Thanks!

in bed again

2008-05-08T07:27:00.003+02:00

sorry guys. my doc has ordered bed rest for me again. the baby is ok and so am i, but i need to take it really easy. i am not even allowed to get out of bed to eat!

pls forgive my misspellings... i have to type one handed and lying down, so it's hard.

be good to the substitute teacher.

i'll be leaving instructions for you here or in your e-mail.

love,
mrs. fairlie

Life Lessons from High School

2008-04-29T10:09:00.002+02:00

I found this video today and think it's awesome. The student that made it tells us about the lessons he learned in High School and I think we can all learn from him. What lessons are you learning this year?

The URL for the video is
http://students2oh.org/2008/04/28/3-lessons/

How is the Yearbook related to Technology?

2008-04-17T21:14:00.003+02:00

Some parents and students wonder why Technology class decided to take on the yearbook project. How is Technology related to the yearbook? Why did we decide to do this project? Read this to find out!

* Technology is a broad concept; not just computers.
Many people erroneously think that technology refers to computers only. The people that have this concept naturally expect a technology course to cover computer skills alone. Merriam-Webster defines technology as "...the practical application of knowledge..." In the same manner, the MYP defines its Technology course as "...essentially concerned with solving problems in an effort to stimulate students’ ingenuity and to encourage them to combine intellectual talents and practical skills."

* The yearbook project follows the design cycle required for MYP Technology
Students are encouraged to use their ingenuity and creativity to apply their knowledge and problem solve. For this purpose, they follow what MYP Technology calls the "design cycle" where the students investigate the problem, plan their solutions, create the solutions, and evaluate their work and the implementation of their solution.

Following this design cycle, the students had to work on every single aspect that goes into the production of a yearbook:

design of the book
content and layout
pictures for the yearbook (the vast majority of pictures in the yearbook were taken by the students themselves)
printing quotes and pricing
fund-raising for the yearbook
marketing and selling the yearbook

* Through the creation of the yearbook, the students are learning valuable life skills These life skills include: entrepreneurship, basic micro-economics, teamwork, organization, working with MS Publisher

* The yearbook is a meaningful and purposeful project
This goal-oriented project will produce a tangible result that the students can feel proud about.

* Hear it from the students themselves!
Recently, I asked the students to evaluate themselves and the project and this is what the had to say:

"...I am very much impressed with the job we have done so far, and I think this yearbook is something we can all be proud of."

"...I had this sense of accomplishment and it felt very fulfilling... The biggest lesson I have learnt from the yearbook project is one we are taught a lot but we only realize when we actually experience the lesson. The lesson is that if you conceive, you can achieve."

"...I have learnt that sometimes you have to be the one who takes initiative. In the beginning, it was me, Janny, Naira, and William who had to take initiative in the entire picture committee. We had to set the tasks for everyone else, but then eventually the other members came around and started to do work for themselves"

"A lesson I learnt from this project is that to take on a project as big as this requires a lot of organization."

"...I have learned that it is always good to know all of your options when spending any kind of money and that a huge job can be simplified if it is only organized properly"

"I am very proud to say I was part of this experience.... thanks to Mrs. Fairlie for giving us this freedom and letting us learn that sometimes you cannot always run back to check everything with the teacher, instead you have to make your own decisions. I have learned to take this risk in myself and in trusting others."

"I would consider my proudest moment was when Tiago started teaching me how to use the publisher, how to do the basic stuff, like cut the picture and bright it up and he told me to start looking for the what I needed and when he came back I was far ahead from where I started (10th grade page) I consider this my proudest moment because it shows my personal engagement and that I was really focused on using that program that was totally new to me (Publisher)."

"...if we would not have planned and subdivided this task we would probably not have managed"

"We had to decide what would be included in the yearbook and how the pages would look ... I learned about how to organize and plan ahead, and it has been rewarding to see this quality present in my work this year ... I will be able to apply this knowledge during the course of my schooling."

"...I felt successful when I looked into the binder and saw my pages ready to be printed ... I learned that big projects require some teamwork but you must fulfill your own objectives alone when you can ... [Mrs. Fairlie] helped a lot, but did not take over a student’s work as other teachers might do ... I think it is a project that should be continued in the years to come."

"...organization is communication. Without these two skills together there would have been complete mayhem ... I have learnt a lot regarding team work skills and skills that are needed in a big project. These skills include; communication, organization, leadership and responsibility."

"The biggest lesson that I learned while working on the yearbook is how important it is to have open and direct communication with your peers. This directly relates to the real world of business, being an essential part to the success of any job involving teamwork. Miscommunication is frustrating and can lead to inefficiency, duplication of work, delays and misunderstandings between coworkers. I will remember its importance later in life as I enter my chosen career field."

The Yearbook has left the building

2008-04-17T21:07:00.002+02:00

OK you guys, it's official: I handed over our yearbook to the printer yesterday afternoon. They started working on it this morning and it will be ready in approximately 1 month. We now have to focus on raising the $1,400 we still need in order to be able to sell the books for $35 each.

Modifications to yearbook pages

2008-04-02T08:02:00.033+02:00

UPDATED 11 APRIL

Let me know when these changes are done, and I will remove them from this list.

Cover: Jason
* Needs to say Upper School Yearbook somewhere

Inside cover: Director's page: done!
Page 1: done!

Page 2:
* Make it as specific as possible.
* Mrs. Fairlie will fix the numbers at the end.

Page 3-5:
Check that all teachers are listed and with correct teaching assignment.
Lighten up pix that are dark.
Some pix look streched.
Border around support staff.
Font of support staff names should be the same as font of teacher names.

Page 6: done!
Page 7: done!

Page 8-9:
* all pix need to be the same size.
* students need to be in alphabetical order.

Page 10: done!
Page 11: done!

Page 12 -13:
* needs to have 5 students per row
* students need to be in alphabetical order
* Nationalities need to be closer to names. See p. 3 and 4.
* get rid of borders behind pix.

Page 14:
* Is it finished? check with a 7th grader for suggestions.
* put another pic of Florian. The picture there is already on p. 13

Page 15: done!
Page 16: done!
Page 17: done!

Page 18: Mrs. Fairlie will do it.
* needs to be finished

Page 19: Priscila
* needs to be finished

Page 20:
* Mrs. Fairlie will add a dedication to it.

Page 21: done!

Page 22:
*needs to be finished
* put in Publisher format
* get rid of categories that have no sponsors

Page 28: done!
Page 29: done!

Page 30:
* insert missing pix

Page 31:
* insert missing pix

Page 32: done!
Page 33: done!
Page 34: done!
Page 35: done!

Page 36:
* some pix are streched out and look funny. always drag pix from corner
* needs to be finished!

Page 37: done!

Page 38:
* insert missing pix
* get rid of border behind pix
* Change “America” and/or “American” to USA
* Check Sunera's last name. Is it correct?
*most pix need to be brighter

Page 39:
* insert missing pic
* Change “America” and/or “American” to USA
*most pix need to be brighter

Page 40: done!
Page 41: done!

Page 42:
* insert Haile's pic
* Nationalities need to be closer to names. See p. 3 and 4.

Page 43: done!
Page 44: done!
Page 45: done!
Page 46: done!

Page 47: Rui still wants to make some changes to his page.

Page 48:

Pages 49-54:
The following Seniors have not yet submitted their pages
Christian
Giovanni
Celestino
Rikke
Liam

Page 55: done!
Page 56: done!
Page 57: done!

Page 58:
* put artists' names underneath each piece

Page 59:
* put artists' names underneath each piece

Page 60: done!
Page 61: done!
Page 62: done!
Page 63: done!
Page 64: done!
Page 65: done!
Page 66: done!
Page 67: done!

Baby Update

2008-03-24T08:06:00.001+02:00

Week 21.

Enjoy your break!

2008-03-18T10:40:00.002+02:00

Hey everybody, happy vacation! Relax. Have fun. Don't get in trouble.

Don't forget that if you have any missing assignments, you have until the end of the month to email them to me. Missing assignments count as "zero" and really bring down your grade.

Don't know if you have any missing assingments? Check your Engrade!

I might be posting baby updates here, so come back and check at the beginning of the week.

Evaluation Assignment for grade 6

2008-03-09T19:42:00.000+02:00

Looking at the green rubric for the healthy snack project, write a one page (minimum) evaluation on how you think you did on each area. This is a self evaluation, meaning that I am not interested in how you think the other members of your group did. This evaluation is about YOU.

If you run out of ideas on what else to include, here are other aspects you can evaluate:

- what things went well during this project?
- what did not go so well?
- How could YOU have made things go better?
- what improvements would you make to your snack?
- how likely is it that other 6th graders will make and like this healthy snack?
- how was your attitude towards this project?
- how did you work with the rest of your group? Were you cooperative? How much did you collaborate to your group ideas?

This evaluation is due any time before March 15 (so latest is March 14, midnight). You will email your evaluation to me: susana.fairlie@aism-moz.com or sufairlie@gmail.com.

Font: Verdana
Size: 11
Minimum length: 1 page

Bake Sale this Thursday 6 March

2008-03-03T14:12:00.002+02:00

In charge of bake sale: Lukas and Shady
Students to bring items: Netsanet, Matt, Anesu, Dimitris, Djimo, Sikander, James, Arun, Jack, Yonas.

Take your items to the tech lab early in the morning and make sure that either Mrs. Joline or Ms. Vanuza write your name down.

Lukas and Shady: remember to bring napkins, and to take the banner and price sign. Ask your teachers to dismiss you 5 min before the bell, so that you can set up.

Macs vs. PCs

2008-02-29T10:13:00.005+02:00

Ok, so I admit: I prefer Macs over PCs. Hands down. I just find Macs easier to use, I love their designs, and how I can create movies with iMovie. It makes sense for me to own a Mac, when I have an iPod, use iTunes daily, and organize my pictures using iPhoto.

Another thing I love about Macs is their ads. Check this one out (you won't be able to see this from school, as YouTube has been blocked. You can check it from home, though):

Announcements for C class

2008-02-29T08:30:00.002+02:00

Everybody: I need one person to be in charge of the grade 12 page, along with Jason from the other class. Let me know who decides to do this.

To all the people that are in charge of a page:

Stick 1 post-it (get from Mrs. Joline) on the page in the binder with the name(s) of who ever is currently working on that page. This way, other students will know which pages still need to be done on the computer.
Also, PRINT as much as you have accomplished of your page. It does not matter if it's finished or not. You will print it and stick it in the binder. Mr. K will be bringing the binder to me on Friday afternoon.
The page that you are working needs to be saved inside layout pages folder. The file name must include name of people working on it (max 2 people per page).

Cover team: I'll be back to work on Monday and I expect to see then the cover completely ready by Monday morning at 830am. Not a minute later.

Picture people:

who is doing after school activities?
The HS dance pix I saw on the network are no good. Whoever took those must have used a cell phone camera because the resolution is way too low. Resolution should be minimum 200K, otherwise when printing it looks horrible.
The senior group pix need a retake. The pictures are blurry and set at too low of a resolution.
The 8th grade group pix also needs a retake. It's blurry.

With so much work to do absolutely no one from the picture committee should be idle.

Middle School: Missing Assignments

2008-02-28T14:29:00.008+02:00

The following people are missing assignments. Log into http://www.engrade.com/ to find out which. If you cannot log onto engrade, let me know ASAP.

6A: Chantel, Elton, Joe
6B: no assignments missing. Congratulations!
7A: Laetitia, Craig, John-Alan, John, Olivia, Johannes
7B: Danika, Kiara, Lynn, Paula, Florian, Alex, Sane
8A: Josh, Alejandro
8B: Arnold, Nelisa

Announcements for G class

2008-02-27T20:20:00.002+02:00

To all the people that are in charge of a page:

Stick 1 post-it (get from Mrs. Joline) on the page in the binder with the name(s) of who ever is currently working on that page. This way, other students will know which pages still need to be done on the computer.
Also, PRINT as much as you have accomplished of your page. It does not matter if it's finished or not. You will print it and stick it in the binder. Mr. K will be bringing the binder to me on Friday afternoon.
The page that you are working needs to be saved inside layout pages folder. The file name must include name of people working on it (max 2 people per page).

Printing team: I sent you an email. Pls check it.

Cover team: I'll be back to work on Monday and I expect to see then the cover completely ready by Monday morning at 830am. Not a minute later.

Dimitris: Yesterday I took a look at the pix folder and its organization needs some work. I found pictures of individual teachers in at least 3 different places! No wonder people keep saying there are no teacher pix! They can't find them! Why is there a teacher folder inside the events folder? It makes no sense!

Picture people:

who is doing after school activities?
The HS dance pix I saw on the network are no good. Whoever took those must have used a cell phone camera because the resolution is way too low. Resolution should be minimum 200K, otherwise when printing it looks horrible.
The senior group pix need a retake. The pictures are blurry and set at too low of a resolution.
The 8th grade group pix also needs a retake. It's blurry.

With so much work to do absolutely no one from the picture committee should be idle.

Announcements for G class

2008-02-26T08:26:00.003+02:00

Everybody: Log on to engrade.com and check your Citizenship. Let me know of any additions or modifications I need to make.

The following people are in charge of bringing an item for the bake sale this Thursday: Djair, Jason, Mishal, Lukas, Filipa, Tyler, and Jo-Anne (plus 2 other people from the other class).

Tyler: I have not received any help from you yet regarding deadlines. Could you please send me some sort of timeline we could use. It now seems that we have to allow more time for printing, so maybe we need to move up our final due date of May 1st.

Djimo: Contact all the sponsors this week and make an appointment with them so that we can have the money. Don't forget to Cc me on the emails. Also send me your excel file where you have the names of the sponsors, the titles, their contact info and the amount they are donating.

Jo-Anne: The email for the senior parents is on its way. If I get any replies, I will forward them all to you. Lets see how this goes before sending out the email to the rest of the parents.

Everybody: How are you doing without me? Are you able to manage on your own? Or do you feel desperate and lost? Is it better now that I'm not there? How do you feel the yearbook is coming along? Will it be the best yearbook we've ever had?

You can respond to these questions on this blog itself. Just add a comment. Otherwise, find me on Gmail chat or email me.

Announcements for C class

2008-02-26T07:43:00.003+02:00

Hi guys. Hope you enjoyed my video!

Announcements:

Everybody: Log on to engrade.com and check your Citizenship. Let me know of any additions or modifications I need to make.

The following people are in charge of bringing an item for the bake sale this Thursday: Ricardo and Jonathan (plus 7 other people from the other class).

Anybody that is working on individual pages: (Felipe, this means you) If you think you are done, ask a peer for feedback on your page. If your classmate also agrees that your page looks awesome, send it to me. Because of the size of each file, sending the pages via email is impossible. You will have to use this website:
http://www.yousendit.com/
This cool service will allow you to send files up to 100MB. Let's see if it works for us. Please only use it once you are absolutely sure you are finished.

Cover committee: The cover is due really soon. Have you guys already organized the people for the picture and all that? Keep in mind that after you are done with the pictures, you will still need time to tweak it and put it together for the cover...

Senior assistants: by now you should have already contacted your senior, who already knows what to do and you should have given him/her a due date. You need to email me the due date you gave your senior.

Shermeen: who is in charge of the bake sale this week? Also, how much money do we have?

Everybody: How are you doing without me? Are you able to manage on your own? Or do you feel desperate and lost? Is it better now that I'm not there? How do you feel the yearbook is coming along? Will it be the best yearbook we've ever had?

You can respond to these questions on this blog itself. Just add a comment. Otherwise, find me on Gmail chat or email me.

Announcements for G class

2008-02-25T09:03:00.002+02:00

Hi guys. Hope you enjoyed my video!

Announcements:

Anybody that is working on individual pages: If you think you are done, ask a peer for feedback on your page. If your classmate also agrees that your page looks awesome, send it to me. Because of the size of each file, sending the pages via email is impossible. You will have to use this website:
http://www.yousendit.com/
This cool service will allow you to send files up to 100MB. Let's see if it works for us. Please only use it once you are absolutely sure you are finished.

Dedications team: I have not heard back from Mrs. Heatherington regarding emailing the parents with the ad for the dedication. Jo-Anne, please go to her office and ask her in person.

Tyler: I have not received any help from you yet regarding deadlines. Could you please send me some sort of timeline we could use. It now seems that we have to allow more time for printing, so maybe we need to move up our final due date of May 1st.

Djimo: I forwarded you the couple more sponsors we received. You have to contact them this week and make an appointment with them so that we can have the money. Don't forget to Cc me on the emails. Also send me your excel file where you have the names of the sponsors, the titles, their contact info and the amount they are donating.

Sikander, James and Yonas: check your Citizenship on Engrade. Have I forgotten something? Because according to that, you are not doing anything, and that is not acceptable.

Baby update! Week 17

2008-02-24T08:55:00.000+02:00

The website for this blog is mrsfairlie.blogspot.com

Mrs. Fairlie's Technology Class

Our Global Issues Focus

Logo design checklist

Logo design

Homework for F period Technology

Investigation Report

Flip Book Evaluation

Flip Book Due this week!

What I will check this weekend

Flip Book Project Intro

Evaluation

Go Fly a Kite!

Technology Self Evaluation

Blog check #2: Evaluate

Blog check #2: Create a blog

Tips for using Blogger

To accomplish by the end of the week (6 Feb)

Criterion B: design

Criterion A: investigate

To accomplish by the end of the week

Kite design specifications

Steps to final product

Kite sites

Task: Create a Blog

Design Priciples

Classroom Basics

Boas Entradas

Yearbooks are here!

HS: Event Evaluation Form

Mrs. Fairlie, Simpson-style!

Mayfair needs your help! *hint, hint HS students*

MSM May issue Feedback

Baby update, week 28

To Do Monday - High School

Period C

Yearbook Money

in bed again

Life Lessons from High School

How is the Yearbook related to Technology?

The Yearbook has left the building

Modifications to yearbook pages

Baby Update

Enjoy your break!

Evaluation Assignment for grade 6

Bake Sale this Thursday 6 March

Macs vs. PCs

Announcements for C class

Middle School: Missing Assignments

Announcements for G class

Announcements for G class

Announcements for C class

Announcements for G class

Baby update! Week 17

Mayfair needs your help! hint, hint HS students