[09/30] My laptop experience

I have often used Open Office on the laptop. I questioned its compatibility at first. But, Open Office is installed on all computers in the library, and compatible with Microsoft Office. I installed it on my own laptop and am using it.
Because the laptop is too heavy, I could not carry the laptop to school so I did not use it so much. Also, it is working very slow, and often stops for a few seconds when I am doing some works on the laptop.
But, I like Ubuntu. I think that Ubuntu has a great interface that is simple, convenient and easy to use. Although it was my first experience of using Ubuntu in this class, I was not confused with using it except installing. The interface of Ubuntu may be better than Mac’s or Window’s interface.
In spite of these merits, I do not positively think about using Ubuntu after this class, because on the Ubuntu system I cannot use my favorite software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and other Korean freeware that do not offer a version for Ubuntu. However, I would like to recommend others to use Ubuntu.

[09/30] My Software: NVU

• Application Name: NVU
  
• Application License: tri-license MPL/GPL/LGPL
  
• Description: NVU is an open source HTML editor. The interface is similar to word process programs so that beginners may familiar to NVU’s interface. Also, It includes its own FTP so it is easy to upload files.
  
• Features: I could not find the official homepage of NVU. The domain may be changed some days ago. So, I linked Kompozer’s website which is Nvu’s unofficial bug-fix release.
  
• Link to lesson for teaching in class: Nvu Video Tutorials Text Tutorials
  
• Link to lesson plan for using in your own class: This is 4 weeks lesson plan for creating a web page. => Go to the Lesson Plan

[09/23] Delicious.com

I tried “Delicious” that is a social bookmarking tool. http://delicious.com/ssony97

I can save my bookmark list on the on-line bookmarking site, and then easily visit all my favorite sites in anywhere. Although I have a laptop, I do not like to bring it out of my home because it is heavy. Therefore, when I use other public computers in school or workplace, “Delicious” will be very convenient tool.

Also, in the class students can access to my delicious page and visit the useful sites that I chose for their homework. They also can share their bookmark lists each other and search the websites that they need from other’s bookmarks.

[09/23] Using Moodle in the art class

After finishing each artwork in an art class, students can take a digital picture and upload their output on Moodle forum. Through this, all students can see not only classmates’ artworks but also other students’ things in other classrooms. They can respond to the output of peers on the web. It may be more effective than the presentation in the classroom.

When I tought art classes, some students required computer files of the materials though I already gave them hard copies of the materials. Because colors on the hard copy were not clear. It is important to show many visual images and real colors of a work in an art class. A teacher can share the digital images of works that are needed for the class or a color chart on Moodle instead of giving them a hard copy of images.

Projects Ideas

Here is my plan for all projects;


Use Only Portable Apps - 10 points

Moodle Cource - 20 points

Webliographer - 15 points

Maintain Blog - 5 points

* Total - 50 points

[09/16] First Project

The First Project: Use Only Portable Apps (10 points)


Actually, I had never heard about a portable application. So, when I knew about this in class, it was great news to me. I had always felt uncomfortable to use other computers because I should install my applications everytime. This is the reason that I chose this as my first project.

Here is my log;

1. Once I went to the web site, http://portableapps.com/apps, and searched some applications that I really need.
   
2. I downloaded these 6 applications(Firefox, FileZilla, GIMP, Lightscreen, TaskCoach, and Notepad++) on my USB drive. The installing procedure is same as a local drive. I just chose my USB drive for the destination folder.
   
   
3. I tried to use all the applications. In the process, I especially gave care to the operating speed. As a result, I realized that the simple applications like notepad++ normally operated. But more complicated applications such as GIMP(image editor) on USB drive took longer lanuchning and finishing time than those programs on local drive. Also, the internet speed was quite slow when using the portable Firefox. I guess that the reason is for the lack memory of my USB drive(just 1GB).
   
   
4. So, I decided to remove some applications I do not need to use anymore. I went to "Add or Remove programs" in the control panel on start menu. But, I could not find those portable programs.
   
   
5. I looked for 'how to uninstall apps" on the portableapps web site. Here is the answer; "to uninstall a portable app, you can just delete it".
   
   
6. I "just" deleted some applications.
   
   
7. I tried to use those portable applications with the USB drive on other computers in UT library. It operated normally.
   
   

In my opinion, portable applications are very easy to install, use, and remove. I can always use my favorite programs with my portable drive without installing on every computer. Also, it is totally free. I do not even need to sign in the web site. However, there are not many applications that are possible to download on the portableapps.com. Also, slow internet speed and long launching and finishing time on the USB drive which has not much memory are faults of portable applications.

[09/16] How to use a word processing program in the classroom

I looked for this article on Google. The keyword is "how to use word processing in the classroom".

URL: http://esl.about.com/library/lessons/bl_wordprocess.htm

Level: ESL students on all levels

Aim: Group production of high quality computer generated reports

Activity: Developing a report in English created on the computer with a word processing program. This report should be thought of as a project to be completed over a number of weeks.

First of all, a teacher divides students into several groups. Each group should include 2 computer savvy students and two students who are not comfortable using the computer. Each group should choose one topic, research and present about it, and then give the final printed-out product to other group members. In this process, students would use various computer tools such as spell-checking, on-line dictionary, thesaurus capabilities, and grammar check. Also, skilled students at using a word program would help unskillful students, so that they can learn the skill from their peers.
Although this lesson plan is basically for ESL students, I think it can be applicable to any classes. If I were to use this lesson in my art class, I would use it for some projects such as researching a famous artist or a specific art trend, designing an art exhibition, and planning a group art work.

[article] Using a Word Processing Program in Class

Using a word processor such as Word for Windows to develop a class project can stimulate learning in a number of areas and provide motivation through the students' sense of accomplishment at producing a high quality document in English. The main challenge in working on this type of project is that of making sure that each student is involved. Here are some general guidelines for using the computer in class:

The computer should always be turned on, booted, and the program loaded (preferably the exercise chosen) before the class begins. In this manner, students focus on doing the task at hand rather than getting to the point where they can do the task.
Students who are not comfortable using computers should be placed with students who are. These students should not be forced to use the mouse or type at the keyboard. As they become more familiar with the technology, they will often begin to play a more active role - even if they don't, the ability to use the computer is not the issue.
Students more comfortable with the computer should be strongly discouraged from using other resources available in the program itself, or in other programs. These students should be encouraged to explore these resources on their own by taking advantage of self-access programs.

Use of the computer should be phased in; instead of introducing a complex series of exercises to be done for a lesson, teachers should begin by doing a limited amount of work with the computer (i.e. one listening exercise followed by an interactive quiz).

his plan focuses on developing a class writing project over a period of time and is therefore designed as a general outline to such a project. Some of the advantages to having students develop a report on the computer are: 1) improving fluency through discussion of an "authentic" task 2) improving spelling, grammar and lexical skills through the use of various computer tools 3) deepening student knowledge and communicative ability in one subject which the student enjoys 5) increasing vocabulary knowledge specific to chosen topic 5) indirectly improving computer skills through the "hands-on" aspect of the exercise.

Aim: Group production of high quality computer generated reports

Activity: Developing a report in English created on the computer with a word processing program. This report should be thought of as a project to be completed over a number of weeks.

Level: All levels

Outline:
In a group session, have students do a brainstorming session on topics which might be interesting/useful for them.
Ask students to choose the five topics that they find most interesting and put them in order of interest.
Discover which students know how to use the computer and which do not.
Divide students into groups of four students. Match two computer-savvy students with two students who feel less comfortable using the computer. Try to create groups based on a matching of interests using the previously created interest list.
Have students begin their project by collecting related materials. Students who do not feel comfortable using the computer can use traditional information sources such as magazines, encyclopedias, etc. Those who enjoy using the computer can use the Internet or CD-ROMs.
Once materials have been collected, have students develop their presentation by discussing which materials they would like to use or base their presentation on - materials should include: text, pictures, sound recordings if applicable, etc.
In their groups, have students develop an outline of their presentations. This outline should be done on the computer using functions such as bullets, bold, various fonts, etc. Students who are less comfortable using the computer can quickly learn the principal functions of the computer without having to focus on developing content, thus giving them more confidence for future phases of development.
Once students have developed a feasible outline, ask the more advanced students to share their computer skills with the other students by walking the other, less computer-savvy, students through the outline process again. At this point, students should also be thinking about which text, images and other resources should be used for each outline point.
Students should now be ready to create their project. Each student does not necessarily need to type or perform the computer commands. More importantly, each student actively participates in the conversation of what should be included in the report and how it should be presented. In this way, students naturally begin to take on roles within the group while building fluency about the chosen topic.
Make sure that students use various computer tools during the creation of their reports. Possibilities include: spell-checking, online dictionary, thesaurus capabilities, and grammar check. The use of these tools will provide students with many possibilities for repetition thus promoting passive knowledge to become active.
The final product should be printed out and given to each student.
Finally, each group should prepare a short quiz based on the report they have produced.
Students should then distribute their reports to another group for reading comprehension purposes.
Students can then do the various reading comprehension quizzes and further drill their classmates on the information presented in the reports.

This Article is from: http://esl.about.com/library/lessons/bl_wordprocess.htm

[09/08] 3 Programs on the Ubuntu

(1) Splash Screen ManagerFirst of all, I looked up "splash screen" on google. I found that "Splash screen is a term used to describe an image that appears while a computer program is loading." (wikipedia)And then Downloaded an image from http://art.gnome.org; I also found this site from google.Installed the image in the splash screen manager, and then Activated it. Restarted ubuntu. During ubuntu was restarting, the splash image appeared for about 3~5 seconds.

(2) Google CalendarAfter starting this program, I could directly access to my google calendar just through sign-in.It did not need to any web browser. This program may be quite useful for people who always use google calendar.

(3) DigiKamDigiKam is a digital photo management program.This program offers the tool for the slideshow of digital photos in my computer, and helps to organize photo albums easily.The best function of digikam is that it includes an image editor that looks like a small version of Adobe photoshop. There are lots of functions such as resizing, color control, inserting text, image rotation, and various special effects.I also installed and tried to use "Language Support" and "KToon", but failed to use these programs because I could not know how to use them.

[09/08] Setting up igoogle

Here is the timeline of how I did.

(1) I already had a google account. So, I signed in my account.

(2) On the top there were several links. I clicked 'more' and then chose 'calendar' button. Put my schedule in my calendar.

(3) Clicked 'more' > 'reader' button. Subscribed some items.

(4) Selected a theme, and clicked 'Add stuff', then added calrendar, reader and other things on igoogle. I could set up the homepage by dragging and dropping each windows.

(5) Signed in Google docs. Created new document that now I am writing. Clicked 'share' button and then published as weg page.
Here is the URL : http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgv98kjq_1jwxd7qck

(6) Took a screen shot of my iGoogle page, and edit the image on Photoshop.

[09/02] Put a File on the Web

At first, I searched an uploading program which is easy to use and freeware on the google.
I found a web site, http://sourceforge.net/, for downloading various freeware, then found a FTP (File Transfer Protocol) program named ‘FileZilla’. According to users, this program is so easy to use and has simple interface.

1. I created this html file with Microsoft Word.
2. I downloaded FileZilla from http://sourceforge.net/projects/filezilla, then installed and lanched it.
3. I could see a window like the following image.

4. I put the hostname, username(my net ID), password, and port number in the blank, then clicked the ‘quickconnect’ button. (For the next time connection, you cannot put again these things. Just click the small arrow button next to ‘quickconnect’ button, then choose your server.)I found these information from UT OIT web site.
5. Then, I could see that there are Local site status on the left part and Remote site on the right.
6. I created a new folder named ‘tech521’ in the public_html folder.
7. I dragged and dropped the file that I want to upload to the server from the local site to remote site.
8. Finally, it was put on my VolSpace server.

My new blog

This is my new blog!

This blog is for my classes. I will fill this space with my assignments, resources, favorite articles, and other things I need for my class.