"Article of Faith" Assignment

Please read the .pdf version of Mike Resnick's "Article of Faith." You may also listen to the mp3 file as you read. Complete the Questions for Thought either as you read and listen or after you read and listen.

Graham's Japan Video

My son Graham created this video as his class studied world's countries.

Introduction to JavaScripting

Many languages are used in addition to HTML to create web pages. One of them is JavaScript. JavaScript is used primarily to create client-side applications. This means that these applications run on the workstation, usually within the browser of the person accessing the JavaScript. The alternative is for the application to run on the web server; in this case, the application is called a server-side application.

HTML is a great language, but it is limited in what it allows a web designer to offer. If a designer wants to add interesting functionality and dynamic content, like games, animation, and interactive elements, he or she must use a language like JavaScript. One downside to the language being client-side is that malicious code (a.k.a. malware) can make its way onto client machines without the owner's consent. Once running on the client, these malicious programs can damage the computer system or can provide access to those wanting to use the machine for a variety of illegal activities.

JavaScript was originally developed by Brendan Eich of Netscape (see photo above). He called it Mocha, and the language was meant to resemble another language called Java. JavaScript began its life being used within the Netscape web browser, which evolved into the Mozilla Firefox browser. Ajax (an acronym for Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) has become a popular technique used in web development. Ajax uses a variety of languages and client-side technologies, one of which is JavaScript.

JavaScript and Java are not very similar. JavaScript is one of the easiest languages for non-programmers to understand and create. JavaScript code does not usually run independently as another file of code; it is embedded within the HTML code. JavaScript code is usually placed in both the head and body areas of a web document.

Here is a summary of the characteristics of JavaScript (courtesy of w3schools.com):

• JavaScript was designed to add interactivity to HTML pages
• JavaScript is a scripting language
• A scripting language is a lightweight programming language
• JavaScript is usually embedded directly into HTML pages
• JavaScript is an interpreted language (means that scripts execute without preliminary compilation)
• Everyone can use JavaScript without purchasing a license

A few sites where you can see and even borrow JavaScript code for your own web pages:

JavaScript Kit
JavaScript Source
Dynamic Drive

Time Saving Technology for Teachers

Tammy Worcester is the queen of finding useful web sites for teachers and sharing her ideas.  I created this blog entry following one of her presentations.

Tammy Worcester's site

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  Time saving web sites/applications for teachers:

Google Search Engine

1. Type in equation, Google will find answer (Ex. 100 x 2 (leave spaces between items))

2. Dictionary - Type the word define followed by word you want to define

3. Use the word in between unit and numeral to convert units. (e.g. 100 degrees Fahrenheit in Celsius)

4. Use Advanced Search option to find files by type (e.g. PowerPoint files)


Kathy Schrock has created a graphical tool for finding the right Google app to address a particular level of Bloom's Taxonomy with your students:

Kathy Schrock's Google Blooms Site

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Zamzar - Easily convert files from one type to another

http://www.zamzar.com

One of the most useful things about Zamzar is that is converts YouTube videos into files that you can download to your computer.  Simply visit YouTube, copy the URL (web address) of the video you would like to save, then browse on over to Zamzar.  Select the URL option in Step 1, choose the type of file you would like the final product to be, enter your email address, and wait a few minutes.  You will receive a link to download your converted file.

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Online Stopwatch - Need a quick timer? Use this tool.

http://www.online-stopwatch.com

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FlexBooks

http://www.ck12.org/flexbook/

 Build your own textbooks and share them with students in a variety of formats

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BibMe - Generate bibliographies with this tool

http://www.bibme.org

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Certificate Street - Create custom certificates online

http://www.certificatestreet.com

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Worksheet Works - Create worksheets (e.g. Venn diagrams, maps, math activities)

http://www.worksheetworks.com

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Fur.ly - Merge multiple URLs into one short URL

http://fur.ly

TCEA MiniMoodle

Attended a mini Moodle conference today. Several friends presented, including Ken Task and Michael Gras. The TCEA Moodle Hub is at

http://moodle.tcea.org/mhub/

If you want to see a teacher who is really using Moodle to do great things with her classes, check out Pam Cranford's (special education teacher at White Oak ISD) online classes at

http://www.woisd.net/view/

Login with username woteacher and password woteacher.

Webmin Training

For those of us who run Moodle servers, it is nice to have folks like Ken Task around. Ken is a retired edtech guru who lives in Victoria. He selflessly volunteers his time to help folks who are interested in free and open source projects. Ken led a training on Webmin at TCEA, which is a graphical user interface that helps folks who run Unix/GNU/Linux servers to manage those servers. Ken shared information concerning the use of custom commands within Webmin. If you are interested in getting webmin for your Unix/GNU/Linux server, check out

http://www.webmin.com/