Grade 7 Automata Links
Here are two websites for you to reference when brainstorming your Automata projects:
« May 2005 | Main | February 2006 »
January 30, 2006
Nintendo's Revolution offers hope for disabled gamers
Via Joystiq:
"With the possibility that many Revolution titles will be controllable with one hand, comes hope from disabled gamers like Travis Taft. Taft, who suffered a spinal-cord injury while body surfing, retains strong use of his right hand, but he is unable to use a standard two-handed gamepad because of his left. Taft is confident that when the Revolution is introduced into the market (presumably later this year), he'll be able to resume his lifelong passion for gaming."
Kazu's Guide to Sketching
Kazu, the comic book artist has put up a step-by-step detail of how his cartoons go from pencil sketches to ink to computer. Any of you 6th graders who are storyboarding your VisiBadge will find this of interest.
That Honda Commercial
Just for your amusement I found a link to the Honda Ad we looked at in class today. It doesn't tell a story, it doesn't seem to convey any facts about the new Honda Civic - I'm not quite sure what the purpose of the ad is - but it has my complete and undivided attention!
You can find a link on Honda's Website - along with a short film showing the Choir rehearsing - hilarious.
January 26, 2006
Design Technology Links
To help all grades, here are just a few links to some very useful DT sites that I have found. If you find something that you think is cool, then let me know!!
Technology Student: A fantastic site by V.Ryan.
Design Technology Department: Some good project specific stuff here and good links.
DT Scan: Design Technology search engine.
BBC Bitesize: As always, Bitesize has some good general info.
DT Online: Worth checking out.
Electronics Club An excellent electronics site suggested by James, G6.
Ballistics Task
Design Task:
Create a compact device standing on the ground, which can repeatedly deliver a small projectile (weight between 3 and 5 grams) through the air, as close as possible to a target point located on the ground 10 meters from the device. The device can use only natural forces such as the tension of materials and or gravity (no chemical propellants) the use of propulsion should be predictable enough so that aiming the device is possible
Click on this link, Download file, to get the task sheet.
Here are some links to get you started.
Catapults in the Classroom
This Trebuchet simulator is quite cool...great for you mathematics geniuses
Trebuchet Page
How to build a Trebuchet
Facilities for Users with Disabilities
Oxford University Computing Services has a rather comprehensive list of it's facilities for users with disabilities, including monitors, height adjustable desks and other ergonomic equipment. From their website:
"Oxford University Computing Services aims to make reasonable adjustments, where possible, for anyone with a disability or condition in order for them to access our services. In particular, the lecture rooms and Help Centre at OUCS have a comprehensive range of enabling technology and other equipment."
This is of particular interest for Grade 8 students who will be working to design a database interface for disabled users this trimester. Students: Can you find any resources like this and comment on this post?
Update: Here's another link to a list at the National Centre for Technology Education.
Statement of problem and design brief
Statement of Problem & Design brief:
You should begin by explaining the task you have chosen or the problem you hope to solve by designing and making your product. One way of doing this is to clearly explain the factors you need to consider when designing your product.
- The purpose of the product.
- The type of people who would use the product.
- The environment the product would be designed for.
- Any constraints or special considerations which will influence your design.
- How the product would be manufactured commercially.
When writing a design brief chose the words that you use carefully. It is best not to make your design brief too detailed because this can place restrictions upon your design.
For example, instead of writing:
“Design and make a pencil box”it would be better to say something like:
"Design and make a small storage container for writing equipment”
Specification:
A specification is a statement that tells the designer exactly what the product has to do and what the design requirements are. A specification will always:
- Describe what the product has to do.
- Describe what the product will look like.
- Include details of any other requirements.
A detailed specification should include the following:
- The function of the product.
- The overall dimensions of the product.
- The main materials to be used.
- An outline of the appearance of the product.
- User requirements and target market.
- Technical details needed.
- Anthropometric and Ergonomic considerations.
- Safety and environmental considerations.
- Approximate cost of the product.
Death of the Light Bulb
LED's (light emitting diode) are taking over the world!
Read this article Download file and check out this cool London flat
FM Radio Task
Design Task:
Recent events such as the Tsunami in Indonesia and hurricane Katrina have demonstrated the devastation that can be wrought by natural disasters.
Even in a developed country like America, all communications were completely wiped out by Katrina and the government had no way to communicate with the people stranded in the area.
There is a need for a small emergency F.M. Radio that utilises an alternative power source, to enable communication after a natural disaster
Click Download file for a copy of the Design Task sheet.
January 25, 2006
Stop Frame Animation
Just so you can see it again, here's the link to Peter Gabriels Sledgehammer from 1986. 20 years on, you can see why it has won more Video Awards than any other Music Video.
You'll be using a program called I Can Animate. It works with an iSight Camera and we have ordered a couple of Griffin Sight Lights ... hope they arrive soon!
If you need to be convinced of what you can do with something as simple as Lego, have a look at either Oblong Pictures or Brick Films.
Exciting Lighting!
Various rooms in the home need lighting that is affordable and original. Your brief is to design and make a light for a contemporary room. It could be a desk lamp or a ceiling light.
Check out this site for inspiration
January 24, 2006
Solar Powered Hearing Aid
This is a solar-powered hearing aid for use in sub-Saharan Africa.
"The SolarAid is a hearing aid designed and built by Godisa Technologies, a Botswana company founded to make low-cost hearing aids for the developing world. The SolarAid system combines a small hearing aid and a lightweight solar charger; Godisa developed the first No. 13 rechargeable button battery for the system. Godisa is Africa's only hearing aid manufacturer, and the only one in the world making hearing aids specifically for the sub-Saharan Africa environment. "
January 23, 2006
Flying Toy for Dogs
The Grade 8 Trimester One project of creating a flying toy to encourage obese children to get out and exercise seems to be a reality - at least in the pet world.
The SnackShotz is a pellet-gun that fires dog-treats that your pup can chase and eat. The idea is to combat canine obesity by turning treats-time into exercise hour.
Link (check out the demonstration video!)
January 20, 2006
Undercover
New Mac Book Pro's have a built in camera. I'm sure this will spawn some interesting applications. Undercover seems to be a prime example of an application born from an innovative design.
"Undercover is capable of recovering any stolen Macintosh. It works by transmitting the internet location of the stolen Mac, and by sending screenshots, in order to easily locate the Mac. We will then work with local police and/or law enforcement to recover the stolen Mac. If things go wrong, Undercover switches to plan B and simulates a hardware failure, forcing the thief (or someone who bought the Mac) to return it to an authorized reseller. To alert the reseller, Undercover will start displaying full-screen messages and it will shout that the Mac has been stolen."
My Bionic Quest for Boléro
This article tells the story of a man who hacked his own cochlear implant in an attempt to extend his hearing range beyond that of standard speech recognition. From the article:
"When the device was turned on a month after surgery, the first sentence I heard sounded like "Zzzzzz szz szvizzz ur brfzzzzzz?" My brain gradually learned how to interpret the alien signal. Before long, "Zzzzzz szz szvizzz ur brfzzzzzz?" became "What did you have for breakfast?" After months of practice, I could use the telephone again, even converse in loud bars and cafeterias. In many ways, my hearing was better than it had ever been. Except when I listened to music."
January 19, 2006
iPods for the Visually Impaired?
This article, "Can everyone do the iPod shuffle?" (published by the American Foundation for the Blind) is a review of the interfaces of the iPod, and how they can be used (or not used) by the visually impaired.
Should companies who mass-produce luxury items have a social/corportate responsibility to provide interfaces for those with impairments?
