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Grade Cluster 7-8 Task # 1 |
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The Grade Cluster & Task #:
Grade Cluster 7-8, Task # 1 The Product/Performance: Newsletter The Components: Online
Research, Scanners, Paint/Draw, Desktop Publishing, Email The Task: The students will create a newsletter about the
complex system they are studying that will be saved in a universal file
format and emailed to their teacher. After consultation with their teacher, students will
select a research topic. They will use a variety of electronic resources
including the Internet to locate information. They will use a digital camera or scanner to capture
images and import them into a paint/draw application where they will be
modified. They will also create
an original illustration using paint/draw tools, and include all in a visual
organizer document that represents a complex system (i.e., food chain, passing
a bill, natural processes such as volcanoes or digestive system). As a part of the newsletter, students will present
documentation that cites resources used applying copyright/fair use
guidelines, and reference the accuracy and relevancy of their content. Finally, using proper keyboarding techniques, they
will create a newsletter that includes the visual organizer “image” and text.
They will convert the newsletter file into a universal file format, and send
it via email (as an attachment) to a selected individual. The Rationale: Using a variety of written
formats for expressing views and delivering information can enhance any
literacy program. Creating a
newsletter with a word processor or desktop publishing program allows
students to create a “professional looking” document. Graphics, drawing
elements, and formatting are easily incorporated and add meaning and
creativity to the project. Creating a banner and columns allows for an
attractive layout yet easily editable document. Putting together the
newsletter as described above will involve many complex steps which will need
to be broken down into manageable components. Locating information from electronic resources will
offer the students a variety of informational sources. Justifying their use
of a particular source will cause students to think carefully about the
information, source, relevancy, and reliability of the information. |
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IT1 - Basic
Operations & Concepts |
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Using effective
keyboarding: o
--posture (i.e., back
straight, body leaning slightly forward, etc.) o
--techniques (e.g., eyes on monitor or
copy-not the keyboard, etc.) o
--attitudes (e.g.,
willingness to change habits, persistence and diligence and key with speed
and accuracy (e.g., 30 words/min with 90% accuracy) ·
Using digital tools to
capture images and other information (e.g., temperature, light, sound, etc.)
and import them into a computer. ·
Saving documents in
multiple formats (e.g., .doc, .jpg, .pdf, .rtf, source and txt).. |
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IT2 - Social,
Ethical & Human Issues |
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Documenting sources of
information obtained through electronic resources using acceptable
formats. ·
Applying
copyright and fair use guidelines in student work. ·
Explaining the
accuracy and relevancy of the content ·
Comparing and
contrasting information found on the internet for relevancy, accuracy,
and reliability. |
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IT3 - Productivity
Tools |
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Manipulating styles
and formats (e.g., headers, footers, borders, page breaks, tabs and margins,
multiple columns, text boxes) linking text blocks, span multiple columns,
masthead). ·
Using spell check,
thesaurus and grammar check. · Creating a table · Importing/Inserting objects from other sources · Selecting and using a draw or paint
application appropriate for the task. · Modifying a digital image using flip, rotate,
resize, crop, select, copy and paste ·
Selecting and saving
images in the appropriate format (e.g., jpg, tif, gif) ·
Illustrating a variety
of relationships, ideas and topics (e.g. cause and effect, Venn diagram,
organizational charts, flow chart). ·
Importing an
illustration . ·
Linking an element to
appropriate files and URL(s). |
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IT4 - Communications |
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Attaching a file to
an email message and noting in the body the file format. |
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IT5 - Research,
Problem Solving & Decision Making |
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· Comparing and contrasting: directories,
search engines, and meta-search engines. ·
Implementing a search
strategy using Boolean logic (e.g., and, or, not, near). |
Glossary:
File Formats: Files have different ways of being saved depending
upon how they will be used. For example, a Microsoft Word document is typically
saved as a Word file… it has an extension of .doc. The same document can also
be saved as a web page with a .htm extension. This document would then be
viewable on the web. The same document can also be saved as a text file (.txt)
allowing other word processing programs to view it.
In the graphics world, file
formats are also important and a variety are available. For example, if you
have a picture that you want to use on the web, you would typically use a .gif
or .jpg format. These file formats
are accessible by almost any computer. Other graphic formats are also available
such as .bmp, .tiff and .pic.
Boolean Logic: Use such operators as AND, OR, NOT to control the
search in a more finite way.
Fair Use Guidelines: Educators and students are allowed a wider latitude
in using text, images, videos, etc. for educational purposes. But there are
still limits. Visit the resource
below to learn more about “Fair Use
Resources:
Acceptable Use Formats
http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/citex.html
http://www.hcc.hawaii.edu/education/hcc/library/mlahcc.html
http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/KeyMS/library/bibliography.html
Fair Use Guidelines
http://www.adec.edu/admin/papers/fair10-17.html
Search Engines –
Comparison
http://www.pandia.com/goalgetter/
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/ToolsTables.html
Boolean Logic
http://www.ithaca.edu/library/course/expert.html