Bike to School 2010

bike to school 2010Imagine combining  a series of simple machines (lever, wheel & axle, screw, plane) that would allow you to travel faster than a human can run with less effort involved. And what if this new technology had close to no impact on the environment once it is built?

Well, the future is here! 13  students (13%) and 5 faculty/staff (17%) participated in Bike to School day today – flexing their understanding of technology and their muscles to brave the weather and power themselves to school.

Thanks to everyone who participated this year, and to the Cascade Bicycle Club and Gregg’s Greenlake cycle for the organization efforts.

Summer technology opportunities

Summer is fast approaching and students have been asking about technology and computing opportunities around town.  Of course summer is a time to get away from a screen and explore a world of sunshine…that said, here are some offerings to compliment fresh air and exercise:

Lego Robotics @ Billings: Billings Middle School has our very own Seattle Lego Robotics camp, presented in conjunction with the amazing educators at EdLab.  2 sessions – August 2-6 and 9-13.

iD Gaming Academy: Held at the University of Washington, this 2-week overnight game development camp is a great opportunity to learn about video game creation.  6th grade student Gray says “you get to make your own unique game and play it as well as play other peoples games.”

911 Media Arts: Classes in making movies, digital storytelling, website design, and more.

Reel Grrls: Get hands on with animation and video production day camps – girls only!

TechReach: SeaBots – Dive into science. This girls only one-week camp is a great intro to programming and Lego robotics.

Youth in Focus: Intro to digital photography classes are offered 2x a week. Applications are due end of May.

Art: showing vs. telling

When Annie, the Billings visual arts teacher, wants to get students excited about a new journaling elective, she uses Google’s online Presentation tool to show instead of just tell. The idea worked – the class is full and students are excited!

Facebook account settings link

Important Facebook privacy changes

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled plans to connect Facebook accounts with other companies all over the internet, from CNN to Levi’s and further.  The changes to how other companies can use YOUR Facebook information are a big deal – please take a few minutes to follow this step-by-step guide to protecting your digital identity.

  • Who: Facebook and advertising partners
  • What: changes to how Facebook shares their information about you (photos, videos and information)
  • When: now & forever (unless courts or public advocacy shuts it down)
  • Where: not just on Facebook but on the websites of anyone that wants to use Facebook’s info
  • Why: benefit to Facebook and partners: money, supposed benefit to you: personalized experience.  It’s easier for Levi’s to sell you a pair of jeans if they have a list of 5 of your best friends that have already purchased them.  Levi’s can even tell you how much your friends spent and what size they bought!
  • How: Facebook partners can store your information and share it with your network. There are currently no limits on how long they can keep the info or where they can use it.

To protect yourself from this new system, follow the screenshots below:

1. Login to your account. From the dropdown list under “Account” (top right corner), click on “Account Settings.” (screenshot below)

2. There are a number of tabs at the center top of the screen (settings, networks, notifications, etc).  Select Facebook ads. On the next screen, change “allow ads of platform pages…” to “No One” and hit “Save Changes”. (screenshot below)

Facebook - no platform advertisements

3. Back to “Account” in the top right corner of the page, click on “Privacy Settings.” You’ll end up on a page that looks like the screenshot below.
Facebook privacy settings4. Click on “Applications and Websites.” On the next screen (screenshot below) you’ll see “Instant Personalization” at the bottom of the list.
Facebook applications and websites page privacy
5. Click on “Instant Personalization” on the next page, look for and UNCHECK the tiny check box at the bottom that says “Allow selected partners to instantly personalize their features with my public information when I first arrive on their websites.” (screenshot below)
Facebook - instant personalization6. You’ll get a pop-up that tries to convince you not to uncheck this box.  Click “Confirm.” (screenshot below)
Facebook confirm instant personalization7. Head back to “Accounts>Privacy Settings” (step 3 above). Click on “Applications and Websites”.  From the screen, choose “What your friends can share about you” and uncheck everything. Click “Save Changes.”
Facebook privacy
The above steps will help you stay in control of your information.  As always, the best way to keep data safe is to not post it online in the first place. For more information about how to configure your Facebook settings, please reference our previous post.