Syllabus Oct 4-11

Do everything all over again

Syllabus Science 7 Sep 27-Oct 3

This is step one
This is step 2
read your book
do your homework

Why does my video look bad?

We have had several issues in this first week of school with pictures, documents, or videos that look fine on your computer, but then they look bad when they are projected onto a screen.  Do you remember trying to see the pictures on the Harford Day home page during our opening meetings in the library?

Have you asked CyberHead to set up a projector for you in the MS Commons or the MPR only to find out that it looks blurry or is too dark? Well, maybe you didn't do anything wrong, but it's still not something we can fix.

The basic answer is that things look different on computer screens than they look when projected onto a screen. When you see something on your computer, you are looking at direct, illuminated light. But, when you use a projector and a screen, you are looking at reflected light off the screen.  If you are creating content to show to an audience, either your class or a faculty meeting, there are some basic lessons to remember.

• Most pictures projected onto a screen will look darker than they did on your computer screen. If brightness is critical, test it on a projector before your actual presentation.
• When you are creating slides or documents, always start with black text on a white background. Remember that you are displaying content and you want people to read without eye strain. You are not trying to impress people with fancy fonts and colored backgrounds.
• You computer screen probably has a more detailed resolution than what you see displayed from a projector. Text that looks fine on your computer will look fuzzy during a presentation. If you are printing onto paper, use a serif font such as Times New Roman for the best look. But, that same font looks fuzzy during a presentation. When displaying text on a computer screen or from a projector, you should use a sans serif font such as Arial.
• People will develop eye strain much faster when looking at a screen compared to reading from a printed sheet of paper. Use a larger font that you think is necessary and write in short, but complete, sentences. If you have entire paragraphs for your audience read, either distribute printed copies, send it by email before the class, or display it on the screen and step aside quietly and allow your audience to read to themselves.

The basic takeaway message is that things look different on your computer screen than they do when displayed from a projector during a presentation. The HDS Tech Team can guide you toward reducing problems, but we can't fix bad design. Test your presentation or your video on a projector in time to make changes if things don't look right.

~The HDS Tech Team

This message is archived with other tech tips at the CyberGofer blog.

Why should I teach my kids about a database?

Many of you received new computers or iPads over the past year. As the HDS Tech Team, our job is to keep track of all this new equipment. We are using the online database Grubba to keep track of it all. Because it is an online database, We do not have to be at any particular computer to see the information we need. We can even walk around the campus with an iPad and check the status of your MacBook or iPad.



You can do the same thing with your students.  Creating an account at Grubba is free and took just a minute or two.  Your students can create their own forms using the fields that they identify themselves. Using databases to teach curriculum can align with ISTE's National Educational Technology Standards for Students. Understanding and being able to use databases directly maps to Standard 3: Research and Information Fluency, and Standard 6: Technology Operations and Concepts.

Getting kids to use a database is important in itself just to learn what a database is. Entering data is also a good way to get kids to interact with a computer, a laptop, or an iPad to learn how to use the device. But, a database is also an important concept for understanding the world around them. Beginning with our youngest kids here at Harford Day School, we teach them about categorizing groups and sets.

If you want to learn more about using a database, we would be happy to set up a workshop on the topic. Or if you have any trouble creating an account, just let us know at Cyberhead.

Thanks,

HDS Tech Team

using Harford Day GMail offline

If you are happy with everything about your GMail, you do not need this message.

Also, GMail Offline works best with the Chrome web browser. I've included a link below if you prefer using IE or Firefox. If you are stuck on Safari, you should probably skip this feature.

There is a new service from Google that allows you to use your Harford Day GMail (or any GMail account) even when there is no internet connection.

If you are using the Chrome web browser, you can Get Started Now.

You might want to use this service if you do not have broadband internet service at your home. GMail Offline will copy all of your email messages before you leave school and allow you to read and respond normally. When you return to school, as soon as your computer detects an internet connection, GMail Offline will synchronize your account by sending any messages you composed and downloading any new messages.

Another reason you might prefer GMail Offline is to avoid messages telling that there is no connection available. Sometimes you might see this message if there is a delay somewhere in our campus network, a delay with the Verizon connection, or simply a general internet delay somewhere in the world. 

Some people prefer the simple interface of GMaill Offline compared to the full-service GMail. If you are comfortable checking email messages a few times a day and you don't like the constant notification of incoming messages, you might prefer GMail Offline for all your email use.

If you want to read more about GMail Offline, here is a good article from PC Magazine.

Gmail Offline for Internet Explorer and Firefox

If you are interested in a workshop session to learn more about using GMail Offline, please send a message to Cyberhead and we will schedule it for you.

This message will be archived in my HDS CyberGofer blog. 

Daniel