newsletterteachertech.rice.edu/participants/mshaw/techtips/apr_99.doc · web viewapril 1999....

Tech Tips from Lago Vista I.S.D.

April 1999Volume 1, Issue 1

If you’re interested in submitting questions about your computer, would like to contribute to this newsletter, or have any suggestions, please send them to:

Lago Vista I.S.D.Instructional TechnologyP.O. Box 4929Lago Vista, Texas 78645

Inside this Issue

1Reasons Educators Use

Computers

1 – 2 Troubleshooting Tips for Everyone

2 Microsoft Word

2 – 3 Microsoft Powerpoint

3 Questions and Answers

3 HyperStudio

3 Microsoft Excel

4 Kid Pix

4 Microsoft Access

4 - 5 Web Sites

Created by: Miriam Shaw Instructional Technologist

Lago Vista I.S.D.

Reasons Educators Use ComputersMiriam Shaw District Instructional Technologist Lago Vista I.S.D.

1. A major reason that educators use the World Wide Web is that it is considered to be a gathering place for major facts.

2. Secondly, one can find up-to-date information that applies to real life.

3. Teacher-Created Lessons can be located online.

4. Student-Created Projects can be found online.

5. The Internet/World Wide Web provides an opportunity to bring both community and education, together.

6. The Internet/World Wide Web motivates.

7. The World Wide Web is like a book, you can go anywhere in the world.

8. Teachers have the ability to associate with other teachers that have the same interests.

9. More opportunities for Problem-Solving and Discovery Learning.

10. Lastly, students, community and educators have a ‘window of opportunity’ to become published at a young age, or middle age or even as a mature learner.

Troubleshooting Tips for Everyone:

(PC’s and Mac’s)Miriam Shaw District Instructional Technologist Lago Vista I.S.D.

Troubleshooting Tips for PC’s:

Windows ’95 or Windows ’98 Application Removal

If you are considering removing an application from your Win’ 95 or Win ’98 computer, go to the ‘Start’ button at the bottom left hand corner of your computer (click and hold) then select ‘Settings’ (highlight, keep your mouse button down, still) and then go to the ‘Control Panel’ (highlight and click). You are now ready to Click Click or double-click on ‘Add/Remove Programs’. Look for the application you want to remove and click on it (highlight it) then click on the ‘Add/Remove’ button. By deleting your applications in this fashion, you are more apt to keep your computer running smoothly.

Your application was not there? Another way, once you’ve dissolved that you can’t do the first, is to Click Click or double-click on ‘My Computer’ then Click Click or double-click on the ‘C drive’. You’ll either see the folder that has your application in it, immediately or you’ll find it in the ‘Program Files’ folder. Just Click Click or double-click on in the ‘Program Files’ folder and then click one time on your application folder and then press the delete (Del) button on

1

Tech Tips from Lago Vista I.S.D.your keyboard. A pop-up window will come up asking you if you are sure you want to do this. If you are sure, click ‘Yes’, if not, click ‘No’. If you decided ‘Yes’, make sure you go to the ‘Recylce Bin’ icon on your desktop and empty it. Click Click or double-click on your ‘Recycle Bin’ icon and then go to the word ‘File’ on your menu bar, click and hold your left mouse button down, keep it down, and then click (highlight) ‘Empty Recycle Bin’ and let go of your mouse button. If you don’t empty your recycle bin every once in a while and you still delete files or applications, those files or applications are still taking up memory on your hard drive.

Troubleshooting Tips for Mac’s:

Rebuild Your Desktop:

The word of advice from experienced Mac people is, you should ‘Rebuild your Desktop’, once a month. Why do you need to rebuild your desktop? Icons turn to a generic icon, you have a chance of finding lost files and it should help your computer run faster and smoother. How do you rebuild your desktop? Just restart the computer (go to Special on your menu bar and choose Restart). When the computer ‘boots’(starts up) hold down the ‘Option’ and the ‘Apple’ keys on your keyboard. Hold them down until the Mac asks you this question”Are you sure you want to rebuild the Desktop file…?” Click OK. Your Mac should have the correct icons that go with the different applications (ClarisWorks, HyperStudio, KidPix, etc.) and be running faster and smoother. If you still have generic icons, try rebuilding it again. It is possible you might have to rebuild several times.

It does not take that long and the benefits will be worth your time.

Macintosh Printing Problems:

“Printer could not be opened.” or “Printer could not be found.”

If you get these messages when you attempt to print something and you haven’t turned on the printer (or the printer has not had enough time to warm up); try turning the printer on, wait a couple of minutes and try again.

If the first solution did not fix it, go to your Chooser (under the Apple Menu) and make sure your printer has been chosen.

Well, the first two solutions haven’t worked, what now? Check your cables and where they plug into (computer, wall sockets, etc.) and make sure nothing is loose.

You Get Tons of Copies:

One only has to send the document to the printer once. Try to be a bit more patient (not my virtue ). Sometimes or maybe a lot of times, when we get impatient, we tend to send the document to the printer, over and over, thinking that the computer or the printer didn’t get it the first time. Give your computer and Print Monitor a little time more time to think.

It Printed But Nothing Comes Out:

Go to your Chooser and make sure that your printer is there.

Check the paper in the paper tray and make sure it has been placed in the tray correctly.

Sometimes, we place some complex graphics and/or fonts within our document and the computer and/or the Print Monitor get confused and lock up the printer. Check the Print Monitor before turning the printer off and on again.Try sending one page at

a time or take out some of the complex graphics and fonts.

Printer Monitor Won’t Go Away:

Print Monitor automatically comes up when a print job is sent to it and if you have selected Background Printing in the Chooser. Here are some reasons why your Print Monitor might no go away:

Your printer may need paper. Usually, the Print Monitor will make ‘beeps’ at you.

If you have previously sent a print job or jobs to the Print Monitor, it automatically shows up.

Once again, patience is a virtue, here. Wait a couple of minutes and see if your Print Monitor will automatically close. Usually it does once it has finished all of the print jobs you have sent it

Microsoft Word Tip:

Have you ever made a mistake, while in Microsoft Word and immediately realized it? Then thought, “Oh no, what do I do?” As long as you don’t do anything else, you have 3 options:

1. Press Ctrl + Z on your keyboard.

2. Go to Edit on your menu bar (keep your left mouse button down, don’t let go) and then select (highlight) Undo.

3. Click the Undo button on the Standard Toolbar (Menu Bar).

Microsoft PowerPoint:

Adding WordArt

One of my favorite tools to use in Microsoft Office ’97 is WordArt. It helps you create a way to make fancier and more eye-appealing text. On your ‘menu bar’, you will find the WordArt button , click one time on it and you should get another window.

2

Continued from Page 1

Tech Tips from Lago Vista I.S.D.You are now in the WordArt Gallery, choose the WordArt Style you would like to use and click OK. This will then put you in the Edit WordArt Text window, type in the text that you would like in your document. Be aware that you can also change the font (what the text looks like), the font size (the size of your text) and the font style (whether your text is italicized, bold, or underlined). Click OK. If you want to make any changes to your WordArt, use the buttons on the WordArt and Drawing toolbars. My WordArt and Drawing toolbar is located at the bottom of my window. Have Fun!!!

Questions for the Tipsmaster?This is an area in Tech Tips from Lago Vista I.S.D., where, you, the reader becomes actively involved. We will be glad to answer any questions that you have pertaining to technology. If we don’t have the answer, we will find someone who does have an answer (we hope). So please send us you questions. Our address is on the first page of this publication, you can e-mail us at [email protected], or you can call 267-8376 and talk to us or leave your question on the answer machine.

HyperStudio:What’s the difference between a graphic object and a clipart object?

You didn’t know there was a difference? Guess what! There is. A graphic object floats over the card and you cannot erase it with the Eraser tool. They can be deleted with the Arrow tool. One can also resize the graphic object, move the graphic object and edit the graphic object using the Arrow tool.

Why should I use the Graphic Object?

You can be hidden and then shown with the click of a button using Hideshow NBA.

A graphic object can be dragged across the screen with the Browse button.

It can be used in stacks that use Group Cards (where you have several cards with a common background but different images on each card.

As stated earlier, graphic objects can be moved with the Arrow tool thus making them a better choice to use when working with a more complex background (example: taking a painted text title and turning it into a graphic object so it can be used later with a card that might have a picture as a background. Horizontal lines are also an example of this (it is easier to place them where you want them on your document).

Why should I use the Clipart Object?

Paint tools can be used to edit Clipart images.

If you need to scale and rotate the clipart image to fit the size and angle you’re wanting, this can be done.

If several cards have the same background in a stack, they all have to have the same images on them.

Adding A Graphic Object:

Go to Objects on your menu bar, choose ‘Add a Graphic Object’.

Click on ‘Disk File’ and click OK.

If you’re in Windows HyperStudio:

Go to the ‘ hsart’ directory and choose ‘startist.bmp’ from the ‘photos’ directory.

Click OK.

If you’re in Macintosh HyperStudio:

Go to ‘HS Art’ folder choose ‘Street Artist’ from the ‘Photos’.

Click ‘Open’.

If you’re in Windows or Macintosh HyperStudio:

With the ‘Selector Tool’ select the picture.

Microsoft Excel:

This is Microsoft’s spreadsheet application. You can use it to create documents that track and analyze numerical data, creating a gradebook, tracking your bank account, attendance, a spreadsheet inquiry activity, a demonstration budget spreadsheet, in mathematical problem solving, for a stock simulation activity and many other creative things.

Creating and Understanding Worksheets:

When you open Excel, a blank workbook is created. This workbook is Excel’s main document which is used to store and manipulate data. The workbook consists of individual worksheets. Every workbook contains 16 worksheets, although you can add more. Each individual worksheet contains 256 columns and 16,384 rows. The intersection of a row and a column forms a cell. A cell is where data is stored. When one refers to the cell address, they are talking about where the intersection of say column C meets row 5, therefore the cell address would be C5. Located at the bottom of the worksheet are sheet tabs. These enable you to know which worksheet you are working in. You’ll see them labeled as Sheet 1, Sheet 2, Sheet 3, etc. A workbook may contain up to 255 sheets. Also, in Excel, you have the ability to create, as many as, 6 different types of sheets (worksheet, chart sheet, visual basic module, dialog, Microsoft Excel 4.0 macro sheet and a Microsoft Excel 4.0 international macro sheet.

How to Duplicate a Formula:

Suppose you want to enter the same formula, in several different cells. What

3


mailto:[email protected]

Tech Tips from Lago Vista I.S.D.you need to do is select the group of cells you want this formula in and then type the formula you want in these cells. Then, press CTRL+Enter.

Kid Pix:

Oh yeah, that software application they use at the elementary school. Yes, they do use this application at the elementary school but wait til you, adults, see this program. It does animation, sound, video, special effects, photos, slide shows, and animated stamps. The single copy of this program cost approximately $49.95. If you like multimedia and animation, this software application probably will occupy you for awhile.

Tips for Kid Pix:

If you want to make a straight line, hold down the shift key (keep it down) and then choose the line tool and draw your line.

My stamp size is too small or too big; hold down, the shift key, the option key and/or the open apple key, all at the same time and then change the size of your stamp.

Try printing in black and white and then have the kids or yourself, color the printout.

If you’re printing in color, print a smaller copy to save color ink.

How To Make a Kid Pix Template?:

Once in Kid Pix:

Choose the rectangle tool (if you want the rectangle, really square, hold down the shift key while drawing your rectangle) and create a square whatever size you want (leave enough room for a row of six squares, though).

Then select the moving van and the magnet to copy the square. Next, you want to paste and move the

amount of squares you want on your document (for instance, six).

Once again, select the moving van and the magnet to copy and paste 5 more rows.

Now, use the letter stamps to label the top row and first column.

Save your Kid Pix picture. Be sure to give it a name.

Close (Quit) out of Kid Pix.

Go to your Finder.

Click one time on your picture icon to choose it.

Go to Get Info (you can find it in the File Menu) and then save it as a stationary pad.

Microsoft Access:

What is Microsoft Access? It is a database. You can create address books, classroom databases, a literature database, science databases, a food database, states and territories database, a planet database, a sports card database or a recipe database.

URL’s in Tables:

In Access ’97, you have a new field feature that allows you to include URL’s .

Creating a field to store hyperlinks:

First, you want to open an existing table or create a new table ( in Datasheet View).

Click on the word ‘Insert’ on your menu bar and then select ‘Hyperlink Column’.

Then click click on ‘Field 1’ or whatever the ‘Field #’ is and rename the field.

Now, click in the first empty cell in that column and type the URL

address (ex.: http://educate.si.edu/ Smithsonian Education)

All you have to do is click click on the blue underlined text and provided you are connected to your ISP (Internet Service Provider), it will take you there.

Web Sites

for

Educators, Students and Families:

Here are some suggestions for some World Wide Web addresses that might be of interest to educators, students, and families.

Educators:

Busy Teacher’s Website

http://www.ceismc.gatech.edu/busyt/homepg.htm

Online Projects:

http://www.eduplace.com/projects/online.html

Gateway to Educational Materials:

http://www.geminfo.org

Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators

http://discoveryschool.com/ schrockguide/index.html

Students:

What Good is Math?:

http://www.richmond.edu/~ed344/96/ math/

Gateway to Educational Materials:

http://www.geminfo.org

The Too Cool Zone:

http://www.tcfg.com/feb99/toocool.html

4



http://www.geminfo.org/

http://www.richmond.edu/~ed344/96/math/


http://discoveryschool.com/schrockguide/index.html

http://discoveryschool.com/schrockguide/index.html

http://www.geminfo.org/





Families:

National Geographic:

http://www.nationalgeographic.com

Florida Panther Net:

http://www.panther.state.fl.us/

RollerCoaster Tycoon Game:

http://www.rollercoastertycoon.com/

The Learning Kingdom:

http://www.LearningKingdom.com

5







Sun 4

One Act Play Rehearsal Schedule April 4 –10 T.B.A.

Mon 5

Don’t forget to check your Campus E-Mail and outside E-Mail accounts

Tues 6

Six Weeks Tests

H.S. – Periods 3,4

Spanish Club Mtg. 8:10 a.m.

Special L.V.I.S.D.Board Mtg.

Admin. Bldg.

LVHS Baseball vs. Crocket JVHere @ 5:00 p.m.

Wed 7

Six Weeks Test


District 26-AA High School

Tennis Tournament at

Florence

LVHS Site-Based Decision

Making Committee Meeting 4:00 p.m. Board Room

Thurs 8

Six Weeks Test


LVHS Faculty Meeting

3:45 p.m.

District 26-AA High School Tennis Tournament @ Florence

Fri 9

End of 5th 6 Weeks

LVHS Baseball vs. Florence

There JV at 4:30 p.m./

Varsity at 7:00 p.m.

LVHS Softball vs. Granger

There 4:00 p.m.

LVHS Track Team at

Salado Track Meet

Six Weeks Test


Sat 10

District 26-AA Middle School Track Meet @ Academy (All Day)

Sun 11 Mon 12

Grades Due 8:00 a.m. (Secondary Campuses)

District 26-AA High School

Golf Tournament @ Salado

LVHS Softball vs.

Johnson City There

6:00 p.m.

LVHS Band Rehearsal 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Tues 13


LVHS Baseball vs. Salado

Here JV – 4:30 p.m.

Varsity – 7:00 p.m.

Wed 14


Making Committee Meeting

4:00 p.m. Board Room

LVHS Band to U.I.L. Competition @ Caldwell

S.T.A.R.S. to Lago Vista

Elementary Campus 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Thurs 15

District 26-AA High School Track Meet @ Academy

Fri 16

LVHS Baseball vs. Troy

There JV - 4:30 p.m.


Heart of Texas National Forensic League District Competition at Westlake

Sat 17

Heart of Texas National Forensic League District Competition at Westlake

LVHS PROMHyatt Regency8:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.

Sun 18

One Act Play Rehearsal Schedule April 18 – 24 T.B.A.

Mon 19Report Cards

Issued to Students

Tues 20


LVHS Baseball vs. Holland

Here JV – 4:30 p.m.


Wed 21


Making Committee Meeting 4:00 p.m. Board Room

Thurs 22LVHS Faculty Meeting

3:45 p.m.

First Annual Talent Show

6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Viking Hall

Fri 23LVHS Baseball vs. Academy

There JV - 4:30 p.m.

Varsity - 7:00 p.m.

Regional Lincoln Douglas

Debate, Interp., & SpeechTournament @ SWTSU

Sat 24

Regional Academic Meet @ SWTSU

Sun 25 Mon 26

Regional Golf Tournament

LVISD Regular School BoardMtg. Board Room7:00 p.m

Tues 27Regional Golf Tournament


TAAS Exit Level Exam

Writing

Grades 11 – 12

LVHS Baseball vs. Johnson

City Here

JV – 4:30 p.m.

Varsity - 7:00 p.m.

Wed 28

TAAS Exit Level Exam Math

Grades 11 – 12

Regional Tennis Tournament


Making Committee Mtg.

Board Room 4:00 p.m.

Thurs 29

TAAS Exit Level Exam

Reading

Grades 11 – 12

Regional Tennis Tournament

Fri 30

Regional Track Meet

Sat May 1

Regional Track Meet

LVHS Band to Schlitterbahn

(All Day)

Sun May 2Lago Vista Bands

Spring Concert

Viking Hall2:00 p.m.

Mon 3 Tues 4 Wed 5 Thurs 6 Fri 7 Sat 8


One Act Play RehearsalSchedule April 11 – 17T.B.A.

One Act Play Rehearsal Schedule April 11 - 17 T.B.A.

6


Sun 4 Mon 5 Tues 6

LVMS Boys Golf Team at

Belton JH Tournament 3:45 p.m..

T.E.A.M. 2000 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Library (Viking Hall)

Parent Council Meeting –

LVMS 7:00 p.m.

Special L.V.I.S.D.

Board Mtg.Admin. Bldg

Wed 7

Six Weeks Test

Middle School

Language Arts/Fine Arts

MS Faculty Mtg. – Room 211: 3:45 p.m.

Thurs 8

Six Weeks Test

M.S. - Language and Fine

Arts

Patsy Torres

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

LVMS Girls Golf Team at

Belton JH Tournament

3:45 p.m.

Fri 9

End of 5th 6 Weeks

Six Weeks Test

M.S. – Science, P.E. &

Social Studies

Sat 10

Sun 11 Mon 12

Don’t forget to check your

Campus E-Mail and outside E-Mail

accounts

Tues 13 Wed 14 Thurs 15 Fri 16 Sat 17

Sun 18 Mon 19

Report Cards

Issued to Students

Tues 20 Wed 21 Thurs 22 Fri 23 Sat 24

Sun 25 Mon 26


Tues 27

TAAS Tests

Wed 28

TAAS Tests

Thurs 29

TAAS Tests

Fri 30

TAAS Tests

Sat May 1

Sun May 2 Mon 3 Tues 4 Wed 5

Thurs 6 Fri 7 Sat 8


7


Sun 4 Mon 5 Tues 6

T.E.A.M. 2000 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Library (Viking Hall)

PTA Meeting – LV Elem. 7:00 p.m

Special L.V.I.S.D.Board Mtg.

Admin. Bldg

.

Wed 7

Elemen. Faculty Meeting – 3:10 p.m.

Thurs 8

ARD’s - Elementary

Fri 9

End of 5th 6 Weeks

Sat 10

8:30 a.m. – Blue Planet

Sun 11

Don’t forget to check your Campus E-Mail and outside E-Mail accounts

Mon 12 Tues 13

SBC – 3:30 p.m.

Wed 14

S.T.A.R.S. to Lago Vista

Elementary Campus 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Thurs 15

ARD’s – Elementary

Frameworks Inservice

2:30 p.m.

Fri 16 Sat 17

Sun 18 Mon 19

Fourth Grade Field Trip

Report Cards

Issued to Students

Blue Planet Follow-Up

at Elementary4:00 p.m.

Tues 20

May PTA Meeting –

Elementary

7:00 p.m.

Honors Choir Program at Viking Hall 7:00 p.m.

Wed 21

CIP meetings –

Elementary 3:10 p.m.

Thurs 22


Fri 23 Sat 24

Sun 25 Mon 26


Tues 27

TAAS Math Elementary

Wed 28

TAAS Reading Elementary

Thurs 29


Fri 30 Sat May 1

Sun May 2 Mon 3 Tues 4 Wed 5 Thurs 6 Fri 7 Sat 8


8


9

newsletterteachertech.rice.edu/participants/mshaw/techtips/apr_99.doc · web viewapril 1999....

Documents