April 8th

Hello!

In case you didn't notice, we didn't have class Friday (oops I forgot)-which means this is our last class before our summative on Wednesday! You should treat Wednesday's class an an exam, if you will be away for any circumstance, you must contact me immediately. You need to write this test to pass the course. Today is your last day to submit any unsubmitted work (although past Blog Posts/participation marks have already been recorded). There will be no exceptions to this.

Today we will review our knowledge of GIMP and finish working through the images that were posted on the blog last Wednesday (New York Times image and Celebrity hybrid). When you are done these, be sure to post them on your blog and ask lots of questions for clarification! If you finish this, I'd like you to work through the questions on the review handout that I submitted to you last class. For the test, you will be editing an image using GIMP without any support from tutorials, the internet, etc. You will need to be familiar with the layers tool, the selection tool, move tool, paint bucket tool, text tool, eraser tool, scale tools, and drawing tool. Practice using these tools in class if you've completed all of the above!

April 3, 2013

Hello and welcome back,

   If you can believe it, it's April 3rd. This means we only have 4 classes left together (including today) and our summative will be next week, April 10th. In class today I will give you a handout that will be information that will be testable information. This test will be worth 30%, but only for this section of the course. That means if you're in the M, W, alt. F section it is worth 15% and if you're in the period 3 section, it's even less. I encourage you to study ahead and begin preparing now, reread through the tutorials posted and good luck!

At the beginning of class today, you will have some time to do your final edits and send them my way. You will not get long to do this, so use your time wisely. After this I will give you a demonstration/tutorial using GIMP. GIMP is a graphic editing/creating software that has A LOT of potential. It is similiar to Photoshop in it's capabilities, but free and you can download this at home! If you are interesting in design, photography, layout, communications, etc. I highly encourage you to get familiar with this kind of program-you will need to be comfortable with graphics for these types of career.s

After the tutorial, I would like you to create your own "layers sandwich" and show this to me. No need to email it, I will come around and check. After, I'd like you to do the following mini assignments:

Assignment A.)
Manipulate the following image to create a monster attack on Times Square. Use google search to find a monster image, or if you are feeling creative, draw your own. If you use an image from google, you must manipulate the colour or another component. There are an artist behind this drawing and we need to be respectful of this and not copy it directly!Try manipulating a billboard, changing the colour of the car, etc. When you're done, post the jpeg onto your blog. 

Assignment B.)
  I'd like you to create your own celebrity hybrid image! Celebrities are photoshoped all the time to add/subtract parts of them and place together. I'd like you to combine 3 celebrity images together to create a new person. Feel free to manipulate the images as much as you'd like. You will need to use your selections tool to do this! Here are some images to get you started.

March 27th

It's early dismissal day!

The first priority is to finish your video, and complete the edits using iMovie HD. These videos must be submitted to be by the end of the day.

After you have completed your edits, you can work on the following:

Part A

Part of the ComTech curriculum is to take a look at what jobs are available in the high-tech sector.

Brainstorm job sectors and key words to research employment in our area ( we will do this as a class)

After our discussion, use popular job sites (monster.ca, workopolis.ca) to research available jobs.
Find 4 jobs and summarize them in a posting on your blog:

1. Job Title
2. Job location
3. Job description
4. Qualifications needed
5. Pay (if provided).

Part B
Another part of the ComTech course is to be familiar with current high tech news.

Your task

1. Find two current articles about the high-tech sector that are published online. Pick ones that you find interesting and that are relevant for Canadians. (Hint: try CBC.CA as a good starting place-also try Canoe, and Google News).

2. Summarize the articles in your blog using point form (around 5 points per article). Be sure to also include the author, source (website name and URL, and date). Be prepared to share one of your articles with the class.

March 25th

Hello,

     Today in Comm Tech we will be filming our final video.  I would like to conference with all of you to find out what you are doing for your Final Video project and discuss any potential issues. It is essential that you are finished this project by Wednesday(including Wednesday)-I am unable to give extra class time due to our very short number of classes left together! We will also view any final stop motion projects that we have not seen as a class. If you are finished your video before the end of today, please speak with me.

*It is essential that you keep up with the blog posts, there are MANY of you who are not doing this. You are loosing marks each time you don't respond to these blog posts in a timely manner.

March 20th

Happy Wednesday!

At the beginning of class today I will give a demonstration using iMovie HD. This is an older version of imovie but works well with our network and has some great features. When using iMovie HD please remember that you need to SAVE TO THE LOCAL HARDRIVE in the movies folder. This means that you MUST WORK ON THE SAME COMPUTER. After the presentation, please do the following:

1. Edit your matched action video. Each person must submit a video to me. You must edit your video to create the most effective sequence/matched action as possible. Try to add in some sound effects and a video effect-it's cheesey but fun!

2. Once you are finished this please do the following 2 tutorials on Sound and Lighting. The blog questions below for these will be due on Friday.

Here's the URL for the next lesson (click on SOUND):  http://video101course.com/

Questions to Answer

1. What does a TV company spend more time on - video or audio? Why?

2. Make a point form list of all the types of microphones discussed in the lesson and how they are used/different from one another.

3. What is automatic gain control and how it is a problem for audio recording?

4. What is equalization?

5.  List and describe the four sound technique rules described in this lesson.

March 18th

Videography Assignment One: Matched Action

Along with your group, you will storyboard, film and edit a four shot sequence of someone going through a door. Consider what is on the other side of the door to add expression and narrative. This mini-assignment will be due at the end of class of Wednesday, March 20th.
Your video must contain:

• a wide shot, to establish location
• a medium shot, to establish character
• a close-up for detail
• excellent matched action (tip: be sure to cut DURING the action, instead of before and after). Pay attention to detail so that they match in both shots.

You will plan and film the segment in your group, but you will edit the assignment individually.

Part One: Planning

1. Find a suitable location with your group. Visit the site and discuss your plans for each shot. Be specific.

2. Storyboard each angle/shot type on the handout provided. Be as specific as possible. Part of your mark will be how closely your storyboard matches your final product. NOTE: Each group member must submit a storyboard.

3. Hand in your storyboard sheets.

Part Two: Shooting

1. Assemble your equipment: camera, tripod, memory card

2. Shoot your footage. You might want to consider shooting each shot twice.

Part Three: Editing

1. Copy the footage to each group members account.

2. Edit the footage to create the most seamless matched action sequence as you can.

March 6th

Today, we are going to start our unit on videography. To begin, we will watch this humorous but informative video on vimeo:

Shooting Basics

Then we will review the information that was on the site from last class on Editing, and also discuss lighting and subject placement.

After our lesson, I'd like you to respond to the following:

1. What is your experience with video, if any?

2. What film (blockbuster or independent) have you seen that you thought had successful videography and why? I.e. think of how the frame affected the scene.

3.a.)  Look at the following film stills on major motion pictures. Why do you think these frames are successful? Consider the main areas of video discussed today (line, light, composition).

b.)    Find one of your own and post on your blog with details as to why it is successful.

After this, you may finish editing your stop-motion videos and send these to me.

If you have completed this, I'd like you to begin this tutorial on shooting.
 Shooting Tutorial

March 4th

As promised, here is the remainder of the audio editing clip.

iMovie Audio Tutorial

March 4, 2012

Happy March Monday to you all,

   Today will be a catch-up day before moving on to our new unit. If you have not finished shooting your stop-motion, it is essential that you do that right away. After this, you will edit your video and submit it to me by the end of class. All assignments are due at the end of class today (if that means that your video will be shorter than originally planned, then do so).

Once you upload your photos, edit your clips to include audio, a title and credit slide. Try playing with the effects on some of your stills, if they work well with your video, add it in. When you are finished, export it and e-mail it to me as a medium or large video. Please only send me 1 video per group, but I encourage group members to create their own videos and decide at the end, which video works best.

If you have finished this, then do the following tutorial on video Editing. I would like you to read through this article and finish these questions for Wednesday. This is for homework if you do not get to it in class today.

February 27th

Good day!

 At the beginning of class today I will hand back your stop-motion project 1 assignments and then you may finish shooting for your final project. You must get all your photos done today so that Monday you can edit (try adding effects to your stills), we can view and discuss the videos and then move onto our video unit!

Feb. 25th

hola

Today will be a work period for your final project. Please use this time wisely. This project will be due Monday, March 4th. 

February 22nd

Today we will begin our focus on the final project. For this project you will have free reign over your choice of topic. This project will require considerably more planning then the other as I'd like you to consider the following:

-min. of 450 photos
-improvements from last video, i.e. stability of tripod, lighting, smooth transitions, choice of music, concept, etc.

1. If you have not sent me a final video for your last project please do so at the beginning of class today. I will be marking these videos over the weekend. I will be assigning 1 mark for the group, but if you would prefer me to mark the video that you edited (if there is more than 1 in the group) please let me know.

2. Begin planning with your group today! I would like you to write a proposal for your project that is one page in length on google docs. *EACH GROUP MEMBER MUST WRITE THEIR OWN.
The proposal must include: materials you will need
                                            where you will be shooting
                                             a full outline of your concept and how you chose it
                                             a few examples of other ideas you considered
                                             possible complications a long the way

I'd also like you to make a list of 10 ideas. Generally our first idea is not our best and can always be improved.

3. After the planning stages you can begin shooting your final project! It will be due on Monday, March 4th. 

Feb. 20th

Good day!

Today we will be wrapping up our projects from last class and reflecting on them. The first thing I would like you to do this edit your videos to the most effective frame rate and add music. With 150 photos it should be around 15s. Once your group has edited your video, I'd like you to send me 1 copy of your video (or you may insert the video as a blog post). Once you had done this, please reflect on the following (keep in mind you are being marked on this reflection).

1. Overall, how did you find the process of creating a stop-motion video? Was it easier than thought, harder, etc.? What part was the most enjoyable?

 2. How did the final product compare with how you initially thought it would turn out?

3. What part of your video are you the least happiest with? How was the lighting, sound, etc.

4. If you were to reshoot this video, what would you change? Why?

5. If you could give your video an honest percentage mark, what would it be? Consider the rubric that was shared with you in google docs for the assignment.

PART II

This part will be completed after we have watched and discussed the videos in class.

Please choose one video that was watched in class and response to the following questions.

1. Why do you think the video was successful? I.e. plot, technique, transitions,  frame composition, etc.

2. What areas of the video could have been improved on?

3. Did you find anything in this video that you'd like to try in your own?

PART III

FINAL PROJECT

Next class we will begin our final project for stop-motion. Now that you know the basics of stop-motion, I'd like you to create a minimum of 45s clip video on a topic of your choice (that means at least 450 shots). You will work in groups again (no more than 3-4), and if you would like to work in a smaller group, consider bringing in your own digital camera. The topic choice is open, but please consider that the majority of the shots must be taken at school during class. Start brainstorming ideas of your video!

February 11th

Hello,

      I hope you all enjoyed your snow day on Friday. Today we will begin our first stop-motion animation project. I believe we have worked out the bugs for imovie so you should be able to export your movies in iMovie today and use iphoto. You will be working in groups (number to be determined in class). I will start the class by giving you a demonstration of the cameras and tripods and then you will begin planning. Here are the details about the assignment:

For this assignment, you will create an approx. 15 second (150 photos) stop motion animation that
depicts a conflict and resolution. You may approach this concept in whatever way deem
appropriate. Your finished piece may be linear or non-linear, abstract or representational,
explanatory or disorienting, etc. You may use any material or combination of materials to create your animation: found objects, people, paper, cars, plants, string, drawings, paintings, food, hair, water, newspaper, or anything else you can imagine! Great consideration should be given to the concept behind your animation and how best communicate your ideas visually.

Step 1:
 First, create a simple storyboard for your animation (8 drawings is sufficient). Storyboards are a tool you can use to plan out the sequence of events in your time-based work. Your storyboard should convey some of the following information:
What is in the frame and how does it move?
How do the elements in the frame interact?
How much time has passed between the last frame of the storyboard and the current one?
Where is your camera in the scene? Is the camera close or far away? Does the camera
move between frames? Remember to plan out a title and ending sequence as part of your animation.

Step 2:
 Each group member will answer the following questions on their blog, in full sentences:
1. Who will you be working with? What will everyone's role be?
2. What is the plot outline to your story? How did you choose this?
3. What materials will you need/be using? Animate, inanimate, etc.
4. Do you anticipate any issues with this project? i.e. 150 shots, etc. 

Step 3:
Prepare your camera.
• Check your ISO
• Choose a FILE TYPE and QUALITY SETTING
• Choose an appropriate EXPOSURE MODE
• Make sure your flash is OFF (unless desired)
• Make sure your memory card is clear and ready to receive many images

Step 4:
 Think about lighting. If you do not want the lighting to change throughout the animation, then
plan to create the animation in a location with consistent light.

Step 5:
Start shooting! You will have today and Wednesday's class to shoot photos. This assignment will be due on Wednesday, Feb. 20th. (Keep in mind that there is no class this Friday or next Monday due to Family Day).

Feb. 6th

Today we are going to start out unit on stop motion!! We will begin the class by looking at a few different examples. After this I will give you a demonstration on making a stop motion video and we will discuss concept in your videos. After this I'd like you to go to youtube and find an example of a stop motion video that interests you. At the end of class you will make your own mini video.

February 4th

Hello and welcome back!

I hope that you all had a good weekend. Today we are going to do the following:

PART I

The first thing I would like you to go is to open up your survey form from last class and analyze the data. I am going to demonstrate how to create a chart out of your data and I would like you to create 3 charts in your google form and post these to your blog. I've posted an example below. Once you create three charts, I'd like you to answer the following questions:

Were these results what you expected? Why or why not?

In general, do you think using technology as a means of communication has a positive, negative, or neutral impact of relationships/community. Consider this and support your answer with reasons/ examples and a minimum of 5 sentences.


PART II

I'd like you to go to the following site and look at this information about internet usage in Canada.

1. Go to the Internet Growth Statistics page, and follow the links to find data about Canada.
    - HINT: Click on "World" and drill down from there.

• What percentage of the Canadian Population is online?


• What percentage of user growth was there between 2000 - 2008?
     
  2. Read the article about Canadians Online from the Toronto Sun. (Although I am not a fan of the Sun and it's legitimacy at times, it is a good article none the less).
  
  
• How do Canadians rank in their 'Net usage? According to the author, what is the reason for this?
• How much more time are Canadians spending on social networking sites? What are the top three sites?

• What are the top three web browsers?

PART III

Introduction to stop-motion 
 

January 30th

Hello and welcome to (or back) to Comm Tech! 

This semester you will have class Monday, Wednesday, every other Friday with me until the end of term I. Once term I is complete, you will have a programming portion of the course taught by Mr. Pfisterer. Those of you taking the course everyday during period 3 will have Mr. Pfisterer Tuesday, Thursday, every other Friday as well. To begin the course I will go over the syllabus, I will have you complete a google survey, set-up your blog, and create your own google survey to find out how people around you are communicating. After you set-up your survey, you can send it to each other and complete each other's surveys. For Monday, I'd like you to have at least 25 people fill out your survey.

This is how today's class outline will look:
Part 1: Setting up a Google Survey 
Part 2: Complete the google survey I sent you, and send your own to your classmates here.

Part 3: Set- up your blog/answering questions
Part 4: Respond to the surveys that were sent to you!

 For those of you who took the course last semester, in lieu of setting up your blog, I'd like you to enhance your blog by choosing a new layout, display picture, etc. If you have the time, you could create a new avatar from bitstrips.com for your display picture!

I will demonstrate how to set-up a blog and I have posted step-by-step instructions below.

Once you have completed your blog, I'd like you to answer the following questions as your first post:
 1. What blogging experience, if any, do you have?

2. Do you generally read blogs, if so, what are they about? 

3. Please answer, in 3-5 sentences, why you took this course and what you are most looking forward to.

4. Post a link to a blog that interests you by

Steps for setting up your blog

1.      Sign into your Rockway Google Apps Account

2.      Click on Blogger (it will be in a drop down menu at the top of your screen).

3.      Choose a Blogger Profile (not a Google + profile).

4.      Your display name should be your first name and last initial, i.e. TraceyM (you should unclick receive announcements to avoid annoying spam).

5.      You have now created a Blogger Dashboard, this is where you can add other blogs to your reading list. Click Create new blog.

6.      The title of your blog should be first name and last intial, commtech12, i.e. Traceymcommtech12

7.      The address should be the same as your title.

8.      Choose your layout.

Congratulations! You have set up your blog. Now take the time to do the following:

1.Cuztomize your blog by choosing a layout of your preference. Change the colours and make it your own. Fill out your blogger profile ( don't give away any personal information including your full name).

2. Take a photo using photobooth and upload as your display picture. Play with the different settings!

January 24th

This is a reminder that your Culminating Activity must be submitted by January 28th (absolutely no later). I have uploaded the rubric to google docs if you do not have a hard copy. I have checked and there is GIMP on the library computers.

January 21st

Hello and welcome to the last class of term! And the last class for some of you.

    There are a significant amount of you who did not submit proposal's for your Scratch project. This is not acceptable. Your project's proposal is worth 10 out of the 55 marks on your rubric-this needs to be posted to your blog/shared with me on google docs immediately. As mentioned in class on Friday, I will be deducting 15% from people who did not submit their full project to me by Friday. This project was due upon returning from the break. (This does not include the few of you who asked me to look over your projects, of which I sent you all an e-mail).

Due to no Gimp in the lab last week, I will extend your Gimp culminating activity due date. You can submit your project until January 28th. This is a firm deadline as I can not accept projects from first semester during second semester. Please see the rubric I handed out in class for specifications.

January 18th

Today I will be away for the first 30 minutes of class. Please continue working on your project and I will answer your questions when I return. DO NOT FORGET TO UPLOAD YOUR FINAL SCRATCH PROJECT TO THE ROCKWAY SCRATCH SITE. There are WAY too many of you who have not done this, so please do so a.s.a.p. as I will be returning your mark on Monday. As for the final project you are currently working on, you will submit this project on Monday. The absolute last day I will accept this project is Monday, January 28th.  I will not accept anything in second term that was from first term. Please note that you need to submit all assignment to pass the course. I have spoke to a few of your individually who have had technical problems with your projects (you know who you are).

January 9th

Today we will be introduced do a new program, GIMP. Gimp is an image retouching and graphics editing program used to edit images and create media designs. It has many of the same functions as Adobe photoshop, with a few differences. Knowledge of these programs will be essential in any jobs in the Communications field, and can be applied in many different circumstances.

 Today, all logos, digital media, advertisements, etc. are used with graphics editing programs. We manipulate images into different layers, so that we have the ability to edit any part of an image. Marketing and advertisements are famous for these, as highlighted in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOBMbHbXVOg

Before we learn how to use this software, it's important to note it's implications. We'll watch this video together in class:

Killing Us Softly 4

For your summative project, you will create a double sided name card with GIMP and a double sided postcard. You will use a photograph that you have taken (either today or one previous in the course (from the photography or light painting units)) and incorporate it into the card. You will need to demonstrate knowledge of technical specifications (layers, opacity, etc.), visual appeal, readability, incorporation of photo and more. I will demonstrate the program for you in class today, and hand out a rubric. You will have the remaining 5 classes to complete this (although it should only take you 4). Please be thorough on your choice of font, colours, etc. 

January 7th, 2013

Happy New Year!

 Today will be a mix of activities as we have a lot of catching up to do before we can start our final project of the semester (and year for some of you!). At the beginning of class I will send around a checklist for uploaded projects to the Scratch website. Everyone in this class has at least 1 outstanding project (this may include people who uploaded their projects but did not include a name). Be sure to go through all of these projects and upload them to the Scratch website. In "project notes" be sure to ADD YOUR NAME. I can't mark these until I have everyone's so it is important to do this today.

Alphabet Game
Debugging Exercise (this does not need to be uploaded to Scratch, you only need to submit the sheet)
Monkey Game
3 Scene Story
Rock, Paper, Scissors
Final Project

After this, be sure that you are up to date with all the blog posts from the Scratch unit. There were blog posts on November 14th, November 26th, November 28th, December 3rd, and your Scratch final project proposal. I will not point out to you which ones you are missing, just double check all of these for yourself. Once you are finished, e-mail me a link to your blog to prove that you have done this.


AFTER YOU HAVE COMPLETED ALL OF THE ABOVE.....

All About Phising

Have you ever received a text or email message asking for personal information? This is likely a phishing attempt (watch the video) - a fraudulent email trying to trick you into giving away private information like your password.

Today we will learn about Phishing and how to protect ourselves.

Please proceed to the phishing tutorial and proceed at your own pace. IT IS NOT A RACE! You will be tested on your understanding, so don't rush through!

Phishing Tutorial

Once you have completed the tutorial, answer the following questions on your blog, in complete sentences.

1. What is phishing?
2. What are some of the tricks phishers use to get you to reveal your personal information?
3. How can you protect yourself against phishing?

Once finished, play this online phishing game to test your knowledge.
Phishing Game


Take the phishing quiz to test what you've learned.