About Me

Your About Me Page….is all about you. As you get more comfortable with it, it is an opportunity to express who you are, and share the things you like to do. But more so, this is where you can share your growth and experiences at Dr. Charles Best.

About Me Page

You are going to work through the different steps on your About Me Page, and become more comfortable working with your blog and learning some important skills. Take some risks 🙂 You won’t break anything.

Step 1) To begin editing your About Me Page, click Edit Page, located at the top of the screen.

Step 2) Familiarize yourself with all of the features on your page, when you are done editing your page, simply press Update on the far right side of the page. You have the ability to add pictures and videos, change fonts, hyperlink etc.

Step 3) Create a heading on your About Me Page for each of the tasks below. Try each task at your own pace and build your page.

About Me Page – Tasks

1) Add a Quote: Find your favorite quote, or one that is meaningful to you. Copy and paste it, or type it into your page. Explain why you chose it, and remember to record who said it! Use different fonts and sizes to become comfortable with the tool bar.

2) Add a Video: Find your favorite YouTube clip, add it to your blog. Explain why you chose it. Add any clips that show some of the amazing things you’ve done. The easiest way to place a YouTube clip on your blog is to find a video you like, copy the URL of the video, and paste the URL exactly where you want it on your page.

For more detailed information about how to embed click here

3) Add a Picture: Find a picture that you like, dislike, has inspired you or is meaningful to you for some reason. Find a picture that is powerful to you. Insert the picture into your page, and explain why you chose this picture. If you have a picture saved on your computer already, simply go to the Add Media button located on the top of the page, and follow the steps to upload your picture. If you have Googled an image, click on the image, then click the View Image button, then copy the URL, and either add the URL in the Add Media button or paste it into you blog.

For more detailed information how to insert images click here

4) Add a Hyperlink: Create a hyperlink to a website that is meaningful to you. Explain why you chose this site. To hyperlink text or pictures to a website, simply high-light the word or select the picture you would like to hyperlink to, then look for the chain link button located in tool bar and click it, then paste the URL in the website area and click Apply.

For more detailed information how to create a hyperlink click here

Customize – Tasks

1) Blog Theme: You are going to personalize your blog. From your Dashboard -> Appearance -> Themes, located on the left hand side of the screen. Choose a theme that is mobile friendly, and apply it.

For more detailed information how to customize your blog’s Appearance and Theme click here.

2) Blog Appearance: You are going to personalize the appearance of your blog. From your Dashboard -> Appearance -> Customize, located on the left hand side of the screen.

a) Site Identity – This is where you can edit the title of your blog. Please choose an appropriate title, that does not have both your first and last name in it. You can also edit your tagline. Your tagline is a very short sentence that gives the viewer a snapshot.

b) Colors – Edit the color scheme of your blog.

c) Header Image – This is where you can add and change the picture that is being used in your header.

d) Background Image – This is where you can adjust your background image.

e) Menus – You can create multiple menu structures. For simplicity, lets stick to 1. Make sure you select Menu Location -> Primary Menu -> About Me. Then click Save. This will ensure your menu stays the same, even after adjusting the theme.

f) Widgets – Locate and see all the widgets on your blog.

g) Static Front Page – Front Home Page Display is set to -> Static Page and Front Page is set to -> About Me

Optional – Your First Post: You are now going to create your very first post. At the top of the Dashboard -> New -> Posts.

1) Title – Create a title for your blog post. Your title will be: Things I am Excited About this Year.

2) Body – This is where you place your content of the post – text, videos, pictures, etc. Write a short paragraph about what you are excited about for this upcoming year at Dr. Charles Best. What are some things you want to get involved with? How will you become a part of the Blue Devil community?

3) Tool Bar – In your toolbar you can Add Media and Add Documents into your posts, this is the best way to create visual representations. You can also change fonts, hyperlink, etc.

4) Publish – Here is where you control what items are public and private. You can also control when they are published to your website.

5) Categories – Here is where you choose where you want your post to go. This is your digital binder with all of your subjects. Categorize -> Portfolio.

6) Tags – Here is where you create tags, these tags can help you find things quicker on your blog and help you stay organised. Tag -> Portfolio.

7) Publish – When you are done! Publish it.

My BLK 4 class this semester is Science. This assignment was about coding and electrical circuits, where we were tasked to create a game (with or without a partner, I did with), using circuitry and coding/programming using a Microbit. A Microbit is a mini-computer that processes information you program it to receive. For this project, if we connected a wire with a charge to the Microbit, and we programmed it to sense that and display a smiley-face, it would do so. My partner and I’s project/game was a evolved labrynth, where you need to make it from one end to another, without touching the corners!

Connecting Core Competencies:

The core competency that I demonstrated during this assignment and the game is Critical Thinking. I showed this due to the evolution of my project and my view of the different components of it. Firstly, I have never done coding before this project, so I already have that going against me. Throughout the project, my partner had to guide me through the understanding of how the coding works (shoutout to him). By the end, I could easily understand the concept, and in the video, I believe I explained it quite well. Secondly, my partner and I had to do a lot of planning for our initial build. The time frame for the project was a little constricting, so we had to work efficiently. By the end of the first block, we had our design ready to create. By the end of the next, we had our base. Every single block, we continued the design process of our labrynth, developping its circuitry, collaboration/input with the Microbit, and the overall structural integrity of the game. Lastly, my partner and I had to undergo (like they say science is) lots of trial and error. We had a good start, completing the labrynth itself, but as we neared the steps of setting up the circuitry, we hit a speed bump. We had numerous attempts at how to make them connect, while testing each version. We learned through each one of those versions, also further proving my first point, and we eventually came through with a pretty consistent circuit, along with a good consistent input to our Microbit.

Learning from Digital Tools:

The Digital Tool we used for this assignment was the Microbit. BOY, was it an experience, and a challenge! Never have I used a Microbit, heard of a Microbit and seen a Microbit. For the introduction block, where we learned the basics behind the Microbit, I was completely lost. When they told us to create a code using a video demo on Microbit’s website, I was completely dependant on it, following every word given by the Microbit. It worked, but it was a challenge then stepping into the utilisation of it INDEPENDENTLY! It’s a benefit too though, as I learned the different ways of coding (at least the terms, I only did block code) and how the programming works. It isn’t the same level of importance in terms of a digital tool compared to the Microbit, but I also had to make a video to explain my game, which had me learning how to use Clipchamp, a simple video editing software. I was definitely challenged as I don’t do much media-making, but by the end I managed to catch on and figure out how to use it pretty well.

Application in Other Courses:

It would be possible to use the Microbit for other things other than a science class, but it wouldn’t be as effective or often, out of just complexity, convenience, and the fact that most pieces of science could it in more ways than other subjects. hHowever I can use the Microbit for other coding related things. For example, I could use in socials to tell a story, using code to link specific triggers to different graphics during a presentation. I could also potenitally use it for any quiz from any subject too, making flashcards out of code also.

VIDEO:

MatthewH.'s Site

My Charles Best Digital Portfolio

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