Here are a few quick steps to take when you first notice a problem. 

1.   Quit. Quit all running programs (see the tip on using Ctrl-Alt-Delete below). If the problem persists, restart the computer.

2.   Turn on. Make sure everything is turned on. This means your computer, monitor, speakers, printer, and anything else connected to your computer. Many mysterious crashes are solved when users check the on switch. If you’re having problems with a peripheral (printer, scanner, modem, and the like), try turning everything off, then turn the peripheral on before turning on the computer.

3.   Check the plugs. Get behind your computer and get to know the cable spaghetti back there. Make sure all the plugs are securely seated.

4.   Check the hardware settings. Is the volume turned all the way down on your speakers? Is the contrast on your display turned all the way down?

5.   Check the software settings. This is a little more complicated, but if you get to know your Control Panels, you can fix many problems. 

6.   Clean house. Give the computer a good cleaning, inside and out. A can of compressed air (available in the Computer Lab) is great for getting rid of dust.

If the steps above didn't solve your problem, try to identify the problem yourself.  

1.   What has changed? Your computer used to work, now it doesn't. Is it something you changed? Did you add hardware? Install new software? Can you undo the change?

2.   When does it happen? Try to pin down exactly what makes the problem occur. Does it only happen when you’re using a particular application? Only when you’re saving a document?

3.   What’s the real problem? Make a list of the symptoms without trying to guess the problem. Now try to take a fresh look at the list to see what the problem might be.

Example: Suddenly your computer "freezes"; nothing you do can make the computer go. Looks like something serious is wrong with the computer, but probably the computer is fine, and someone has knocked your keyboard and mouse cables loose.

Keys to Happiness
There are a few key combinations that sometimes help solve problems.

• Esc: This key is located in the upper left-hand corner of the keyboard, and is called the "Escape" key. Tap this key once, and whatever application you’re running may stop what it’s doing. If nothing happens, tap it a few times.

• Ctrl-Alt-Delete: The Ctrl (called "Control") and Alt (called "Alt") keys are located on either side of the space bar. The Delete key is located to the right of the main keypad area, below the Insert key. Hold down the Ctrl and Alt keys and tap the Delete key. Windows will bring up a list of everything it’s doing. Click on the application you think might be causing you problems, then click on the End Task button. Windows will throw that program out.

From:
http://www.techtrain.org


Another good source for basic PC troubleshooting: http://www.internet4classrooms.com/support.htm

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Quick IT Tips

TO RECOVER DELETED DESKTOP RECYCLE BIN

1.      Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

2.      Click Appearance and Personalization, click Change desktop icons.

3.      Click to select the Recycle Bin check box, and then click OK.

Quick Typing Assessment!

 

Click on the link below and take the typing check up. 

When you are finished, enter your score on your blue Keyboarding Record sheet.

Turn your Keyboarding Record in to your class box and highlight your name on the class list. 

Click Here for Typing Check Up

Example Keyboarding Record Entry:

    Tri       Date        Typing Program/Site      WPM    Accuracy

 3      5/24/12    Final Typing Check Up       ??            ??%

Good Luck! 

Glogster!

What is a Glog?

A glog is an interactive multimedia poster loaded with text, graphics, music, videos, and more! Our 5-6th graders are discovering how to upload and download graphics, video, and sound files as they discuss the topics of copyright and fair use. Here is a quick example . . .

Pete the Cat

My favorite book this week! 

   

Celebrating National Robotics Week!

Your challenge this week:

First, do some background research using the links below. 

Second, design and create a robot using either . . . 

• Google Sketch Up
• Scratch
• GIMP
• Microsoft Power Point
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Publisher
• Legos
• SAM Animation

Save your robot it in your folder. Please name it - Robot1

(If you build it out of legos, turn it in to Mrs. Larson.)

Third, using Microsoft Word, write a brief description of your robot.

• Give your robot a name.
• Describe what it looks like and what it would be made out of. 
• Describe what your robot's purpose is - what does it do?

Be sure to edit your work. Save this document as - Robot2

What exactly is a robot?

As strange as it might seem, there really is no standard definition for a robot. However, there are some essential characteristics that a robot must have and this might help you to decide what is and what is not a robot. It will also help you to decide what features you will need to build into a machine before it can count as a robot.

A robot has these essential characteristics:

• Sensing First of all your robot would have to be able to sense its surroundings. It would do this in ways that are not unsimilar to the way that you sense your surroundings. Giving your robot sensors: light sensors (eyes), touch and pressure sensors (hands), chemical sensors (nose), hearing and sonar sensors (ears), and taste sensors (tongue) will give your robot awareness of its environment.
• Movement A robot needs to be able to move around its environment. Whether rolling on wheels, walking on legs or propelling by thrusters a robot needs to be able to move. To count as a robot either the whole robot moves, like the Sojourner or just parts of the robot moves, like the Canada Arm.
• Energy A robot needs to be able to power itself. A robot might be solar powered, electrically powered, battery powered. The way your robot gets its energy will depend on what your robot needs to do.
• Intelligence A robot needs some kind of "smarts." This is where programming enters the pictures. A programmer is the person who gives the robot its 'smarts.' The robot will have to have some way to receive the program so that it knows what it is to do.

So what is a robot?

Well it is a system that contains sensors, control systems, manipulators, power supplies and software all working together to perform a task. Designing, building, programming and testing a robots is a combination of physics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, structural engineering, mathematics and computing. In some cases biology, medicine, chemistry might also be involved. A study of robotics means that students are actively engaged with all of these disciplines in a deeply problem-posing problem-solving environment.

More Background Knowledge About Robots . . .

Find out what a robot is, what kinds of tasks robots are good at and how they work. 

1. http://www.galileo.org/robotics/
2. http://www.essortment.com/all/whatisrobot_ojq.htm
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_robot
4. http://www.thetech.org/exhibits/online/robotics/activities/page05.html

What kinds of robots are already used in our homes? 

1. http://www.irobot.com
2. http://www.service-robots.org/applications/cleaning.htm
3. http://www.readybot.com/

Other Links

• Robots 101
• Stem Works - Robotics
• Robot Challenge Info
• Books on Robots

A little friend I met in Seattle at the NCCE Conference. ")

Google Forms Intro