Week of April 27

Keeping up

• Let me know immediately if you are having problems that prevent you from completing the work in the class. Such as: no internet, no computer, sharing computer with brothers or sisters or parents who need to work. 
• Let me know immediately if you cannot log on to your metroed.net account.
• Let me know immediately if you cannot log on to Canvas.
• Your home schools are monitoring both Hangouts and Canvas to see if you are doing any work.
• We are also filing attendance reports indicating whether you participated in Hangouts and Canvas. Your counselor with follow up with you.

Assignments this week

Assignment 1: Checklist for finishing your final app.

Assignment 2: Prototype sketches for your final app.

Next week we may create electronic prototypes. If you want to start playing around with them now, you could look at these web sites.

• InVision
• FluidUI
• Balsamiq

Our board members indicate that InVision is the one most used by large employers in our area. We will probably do our assignments using InVision.

Assignment 3: Canvas

On Canvas, you'll discuss your app and its target audience. Also comment constructively and insightfully on the other apps being discussed. Refer to App Journal #13 and the other documents for more information about target audience.

Assignment 2: Prototype Sketch

Your assignment this week is to make a paper prototype (sketch) of your final app. The prototype should include all the screens in your app, all the buttons and widgets, drawn on paper or cards.

This is similar to what we did for the Pizza Workflow, except that you'll draw the screens in more detail and very neatly.

http://mobileapps1920.svctestudents.org/book/3_9_Workflows.php

This chapter from Unit 6 about the Design Cycle will also help you understand the place of the prototype in your design strategy.

http://mobileapps1920.svctestudents.org/book/6_2_Design.php

Also think about Chapter 12 and Chapter 14 in the App Journal. You don't have to do everything that is in these chapters, but you could use this information as a guide.

http://mobileapps1920.svctestudents.org/materials/appjournal.html

Chapter 12: It asks you to sketch at least three views, but you should sketch all the screens in your app. It asks you to think about navigation and count the number of taps it takes to perform a specific task the user might want to complete.

Chapter 14: It asks you to actually test your app interface, but we'll save that for next week. However, if you think now about making your sketches in pieces that you can cut out, then you'll be able to use them for two separate tasks:

1. Lay them out on a board and use arrows to show the navigation and workflow.
2. Hold them like cards and let a user try to navigate your app (next week).

There are some examples of prototype sketches on the materials page:

• Example sketches
• Example storyboard with navigation

To turn this in, you could just take a photo with your phone and submit it on the homework page. You could take photos of each "card" if you like, but you need to turn in the storyboard that shows all the cards and the navigation.

This assignment is due on Sunday, May 3 at 11:59 pm.

Assignment 1: Checklist

Make a checklist of everything you'll need to do to finish your final app project. This should be some kind of bullet list or numbered list. If you do this correctly, your list should be about TWO PAGES long. If you don't do it correctly, you'll probably forget something that will make it impossible to finish your app. This checklist will remind you of everything you need to do so you won't forget something.

There will be several parts to your checklist.

1. You need a list of every screen in your app. You're going to plan out all the screens in a separate assignment. How are you going to connect between the screens? Tab navigation? Navigation controller? Other? You'll draw the screens in a separate assignment. For now, just list them.

Will there be an "about" screen where you display your email address and a way for people to pay you?

2. You need a list of every "asset" you'll need in your app. This includes all images, sounds, video, and other media. For each asset, list how you are going to create the asset.

• Images: remember, you have to make them all yourself using Illustrator or other program. You are not allowed to use images you find on Google. You might ask, "What if I get permission?" I will tell you frankly that it will take longer to get permission than to just draw them yourself. You might ask, "What if they are royalty free?" I will tell you that even royalty free images require permission.
• Sounds. You can create these yourself using Adobe Audition. You may not use sounds you find on Google. You might find some "free" sounds. Apple will probably reject your app from the app store if you can't provide written certification from the creators of the sounds. So it's quicker just to make them yourself.
• Videos. The best way to record a video for your app is to use your phone. Phones have higher resolution than most cameras and video cameras.

 Don't forget that images also includes your app icons.

3. You need a list of every code you have to write. This includes every Swift file, every function, every piece of code you'll need. You can pretty much plan that every button needs to have an action associated with it. Every piece of data needs its place in the code, some struct or class in some file.

4. You'll need a list of all the data you'll need. This is part of the code, but you should list it separately. This could be a list of every color your users will learn, every food they will eat, every exercise they will do, every word they will learn in sign language, etc.

It's best to write this up in Google Docs.

Update

5. Make a list of all your tasks, including storyboard, actions, outlets, collecting data, making images, etc.

Here are some sample checklists you might refer to:

• Geography app checklist
• Map app checklist

Video problem

Update: New Video

https://youtu.be/vP7jS7NDRtI 

I recorded a new video. It's about 15 minutes long. If you're having problems, this video may help.

Because of the delay, I will extend the deadline on the "resume in portfolio" assignment until Monday, April 27 at 11:59 pm.

There is apparently a problem with the resume video. I might have to record it again. There were errors when I saved the video. This is the first time I recorded a video after reinstalling my whole computer. :-(

How can I help?

I asked how you might be able to help in the current virus situation using skills you have learned in this class. Geno in the AM class and Leanne in the PM class contributed a helpful flier and web site. I've posted them at http://mobileapps1920.svctestudents.org/projects/.

Thank you to Geno and Leanne! I will make the administration aware of these projects and they may broadcast them on the school's social media. They may also forward to your home schools. And I will publicize them on my personal social media as well.

If you wish to contribute a useful project, submit it under "random stuff" (or any other assignment, I'll find it eventually).

April 20–24

Google Hangouts

• AM class: Tuesday & Thursday at 8:00 am
• PM class: Monday & Wednesday at 12:30 pm

Assignment 1: Final App Ideas

Share your final app ideas on the Canvas discussion forum. Share your one best idea. The idea is to come up with something realistic and useful. I may have already given you feedback about which of your ideas is best or most realistic.

If you didn't turn in three final app ideas to me already in Google Docs, then you are way behind. Turn those in right away.

See the separate post and Canvas for more detailed instructions. Due Friday 4/24 at 11:59 pm.

Assignment 2: Resume in Portfolio

I am uploading a short 15-minute video that shows you how to do this properly. Check back later on Monday afternoon for the video. There is an outline of the process in a separate post. When finished, zip up your portfolio and turn the whole thing in. Due Friday 4/24 at 11:59 pm.

Look at your portfolio on the web site:
http://mobileapps1920.svctestudents.org/portfolios/

If your portfolio does not look good, think about fixing it. You don't have to do this by Friday.

Assignment 3: App Journal #7 and #9

The App Journal is posted here:
http://mobileapps1920.svctestudents.org/materials/appjournal.html

App Journal #7. Come up with new ideas how you could use one or more of these features in your app.  If your app doesn't need any of these capabilities, what other app idea might use them?

App Journal #9. Look up your app in the App Store. Find your competition. How could you make an app that is better?

There is no such thing as an app that has no competition. Even if an app doesn't do exactly the same thing as yours, you will find something similar if you look. If you don't find something on the Apple store, look on the Android store.

You can put both of these App Journal entries in one Google Doc and share it with me at mbrautigam@metroed.net. Due Friday 4/24 at 11:59 pm.

Adding your resume to your portfolio

I am going to make a short video how to do this. These are the steps you need to follow.

NEW LINK: https://youtu.be/vP7jS7NDRtI   
Before you start you need ...

1. A resume in HTML format ready to go.
2. An icon that coordinates with your portfolio home page.
• I strongly recommend that you don't use a screen shot. 
• Look at the various portfolios, and I think you'll agree that the ones that use screen shots for icons don't look as good as those that use custom hand-made icons.

The process:

1. Put your resume (probably in a folder) into your portfolio folder. 
   • If your resume has a background image, it will definitely be in a folder.
   • If your resume does not have a background image, then it may just be a resume.html file loose in your portfolio folder.
2. Add a link to your resume to the index.html page of your portfolio.
3. Add the icon to the index.html page of your portfolio.
4. Add the navigation icons to the bottom of your resume.
5. Add the resume page to your navigation.js file in the appropriate sequence.
6. Remember to test and make sure everything works!
   • Link from index.html page
   • Forward navigation
   • Reverse navigation

Discussion: Realistic App Ideas

Log on to Canvas and contribute to the discussion forum.

Most of you sent me some ideas for your final app. I probably gave you some feedback on your ideas. We need to make sure your idea is suitable for the class. There are a few things that make your idea suitable:

1. It must be a useful app that hasn't been done before in the app store.
2. It must be something that you could realistically finish in the time we have left.
3. It must be something that you could realistically do using the skills we have learned in this class (plus any new techniques you have time and capability to learn).
4. You must create any graphics and sounds that go in your app.

In general, #1 means your app cannot be a video player, music player, or game (except educational games for children).

In general, #3 means your app cannot be a collaborative app such as crowdsourcing or communication between phones. (Think multiplayer games.) This involves some server programming that we have not learned in this class. Server programming is covered to a small extent in Unit 5, if you care to look at it. But even Unit 5 does not teach you everything you need to know to set up the server.

Example of something that might need a server: A list of all the barber shops in your area. The list has to be stored somewhere and searchable. There are too many to put on the phone. So we put the list on a server and the phone requests the ones that are closest to the current location. Giving the phone access to the server is easy. Creating the server itself and putting all those locations in the

#4 means you are not allowed to use copyrighted graphics and sounds found on the internet.

As the week progresses, I will post ideas that people have had in the past.

8th grade student uses 3D printer to make face shields for food bank workers

Putting his newly purchased 3D printer to work, an eighth-grader at Milpitas Christian School created face shields for workers at the Milpitas Food Pantry who are distributing meals during the coronavirus pandemic.

Terry H. (no last name given) undertook the project after learning about the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline workers.

“I wanted to help others,” he said in a statement. “I researched YouTube videos and adapted a face shield design using available materials.”

Terry printed the parts of the face shield in about six hours and worked late into the night to assemble all the pieces. In less than 24 hours, Terry had completed two face shields, which he donated to the food pantry.

The Milpitas Food Pantry is a faith-based, nonprofit organization that distributes emergency food and food assistance to more than 3,500 low- and fixed-income people. The majority of their clients are families with children and seniors.

The eighth-grader said it was easy for him to visualize the shields’ creation in 3D.

“Even people with limited experience can easily research the problem, find a design and create a solution that can help people,” he added.

Head of School Clark Gilbert credits Milpitas Christian’s emphasis on STEM curriculum—science, technology, engineering and math—for helping Terry develop his design.

“While our classrooms are closed during this public health crisis, students like Terry continue to learn remotely and put their knowledge into practice. They are true community contributors who use their talents and abilities to benefit the communities they live in.”

https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/04/12/milpitas-christian-student-makes-face-shields-for-food-pantry-workers/

Spring Break April 13–17

We will be on break April 13–17. I will still mostly be available via email and Canvas discussion forum.

I posted a new Canvas forum for the week of April 13–17 but it is not mandatory to post there.

There will be no Google Hangouts meetings this week, but we will resume the normal schedule on April 20.

• PM class Monday and Wednesday at 12:30 pm
• AM class Tuesday and Thursday at 8:00 am

Send me an email or post to the discussion forum ...

• If you are having a problem and you'd like help.
• If you have specific ideas what you'd like to cover in the live online class.

It might be a good idea to catch up on the work over break if you are behind. But take some time for yourself if you are finding school work overwhelming. I am aware that you have other demanding classes.

Updates Wednesday April 8

I have sent each of you a link to a zip file that has all the files that were on your desktop in the classroom. Please let me know after you have downloaded the file, so I can remove them from the server to save space.

Don't forget to log on to Canvas each day unless we are doing Google Hangout that day. Every day, you need to log in either to Google Hangout or Canvas.

I added an Xcode/Mac discussion forum to Canvas. This will let those of you who have a Mac discuss Mac issues without bothering the others who don't have a Mac.

I posted some suggestions for buying and/or configuring a Mac if you have one.

Don't forget to log on to Infinite Campus at least once a week to view your grades and see any comments I have about your work.

Mac Instructions

Buying a Mac 

I don't expect anyone to buy a Mac for the purposes of this class, but you may be thinking about it. If so, my current suggestion is to get the MacBook Air 2020. It just came out. Here is a review: MacBook Air 2020 Review

The Pros

• Scissor keyboard, more reliable
• Comes with at least 256GB of SSD
• More powerful processor than the MacBook Pro 2019 
• Base price $999

The Cons

• Ships with Mac OS Catalina (see below)
• Comes with USB-C ports, incompatible with USB-A/USB-3 drives without an adapter. (Adapters are very inexpensive on Amazon.)

Be Aware

• Don't buy the 2019 model of anything. Bad keyboard. 128GB of SSD is not enough.
• 8 GB of RAM is tight. Consider upgrading to 16 GB if you can afford it.
• You may be able to get an educational discount.
• If you order from the Refurbished store, you'll get last year's model with inferior keyboard, processor, and RAM.
• If you order a computer with only 128GB of SSD, you probably won't have room for both Xcode and Adobe.

Other Options

• iMac (like we have in the classroom) is a powerful computer. The 21-inch model starts around $1100. (That is smaller than our classroom computers.)  
• Mac Mini starts at $800. You need to provide your own keyboard, mouse, and monitor. The version with i3 processor is relatively underpowered, so you'll probably want to get a more expensive model. The Mini used to be a good deal but now you can get better specs at the same price in an iMac or MacBook Air 2020.

 

Recommended Installation

• Mac OS 10.14.6 (Mojave)
• Xcode 11.2.1

I do not recommend you install Mac OS 10.15 "Catalina." It is very buggy and the latest version crashes a lot. Also, it will slow down your computer much more than earlier operating systems. This will be particularly noticeable on an older Mac. Also, Catalina may be incompatible with Adobe. You may not be able to run Adobe if you have installed Catalina.

We are using Xcode 11.2.1 in the classroom. If you attempt to install Xcode from the App Store, it will want to install the latest version, 11.4. I am unaware of any showstopper bugs in Xcode 11.4. If you are running an earlier operating system such as Mac OS 10.13 "High Sierra," you may not be able to install Xcode 11 at all. If you install Xcode 10, you should still be able to do the projects in the textbook, which is written for Xcode 9 and 10.

If you use an Xcode version other than 11.2.1, there may be small incompatibilities that prevent my running your code. If this problem comes up, I will give you instructions at that time how to fix it. Otherwise, don't worry about it.

You can download older versions of Xcode from the Apple Developer web site. You'll need to sign in with your (free) Apple developer account. We signed up for this account in class. This account is the same account you use for other Apple-related stuff, such as App Store and iTunes. Go to this link:

https://developer.apple.com/download/more/

Then search for 11.2.1 in the list, or whatever other software you are looking for.

When you run Xcode for the first time after installing it, it will ask you to install additional tools or components or command line tools. Enter the administrator password for your Mac and install those tools. Your Xcode will be crippled if you don't install them.

Clarifications April 6

How can I help?

Your assignment is to come up with ideas how you can help. You'll get full credit for thinking up unique and useful ideas.

Whether you choose to follow up on these ideas is up to you. If you choose to create some kind of poster, web site, app, or other communication tool, there is no deadline on making that happen. If your implementation is good, I will give you extra credit. Also, I will send your products to the school so they can post them on our district's social media, with credit to you. From there, your home school may re-post on their social media.

Assignment 5: Log in to Infinite Campus

Several of you have not logged in to IC for three weeks or more. If you don't log in, you won't know what assignments you might have forgotten or what comments I had on your work.

Therefore, I am going to check how often you log into IC. If you don't log in to IC for a whole week, your Career Readiness grade will go down. Your assignment is to log into IC at least once per week. (More is better, but you don't need to log in every day.)

April 6–10

Prerequisites to this week

Before you can even start working on this week's homework, you need to do several things.

1. You need to log in to your metroed.net email address. I posted instructions how to do this on March 25. That was two weeks ago. Several of you have not done this yet. 
2. You need to download Adobe Illustrator. Using your metroed.net email address, you should get the special deal where you can use Adobe Illustrator for free for the rest of the school year.
3. You need to create a list of app icon sizes in Google Docs and HTML. This was due a long time ago.

Assignment 1: App Icon Export

You will learn to export an app icon in several different sizes for use in your app. I give you a sample icon you can use for this assignment. You could work on an icon you think might be appropriate for your final app, but at this point, we don't really know what your final app will be. If you have Xcode, you could also insert your app icon into an app project.

There are short videos that show you how to do all this. This assignment should take you only 20 minutes or less to finish.

Assignment 2: Resume in HTML

You will put your resume into an HTML page so you can insert it into your portfolio. (Bonus question: why can't you just insert your Google Doc resume into your portfolio?) There are videos that show you how to do this. This assignment may take from one to two hours depending on how complicated your resume is and how much detail you wish to have in the styles.

Assignment 3: Participate in Google Hangouts

We will hold class virtually. Each class will meet two times for 90 minutes.

PM Class	Monday	12:30–2:00 pm
AM Class	Tuesday	8:00–9:30 am
PM Class	Wednesday	12:30–2:00 pm
AM Class	Thursday	8:00–9:30 am

Your participation in the Google Hangout is just like your participation in our normal classroom. It is required, and we will take attendance. Your absence will impact your grade negatively and will be reported to your counselor and home school.

I sent a hangouts invitation to your preferred email. If you did not receive the invitation, let me know.

Assignment 4: Participate in Canvas

We are going to be using Canvas as a chat room. You may have received an invitation to Canvas and you may have had a problem logging in. So here are the most recent instructions, which seem to work for several classes. (Thank you to Chris for being the test subject in our class.)

1. Visit this link: http://svcte.instructure.com/
2. You do not need to sign up.
3. You need to log in using your metroed.net email address, not any other email address.
4. That's all!

After logging in to Canvas, you really should see only a few things. You may see some announcements. And you should see some discussion forums. Your assignment is to log in to Canvas every day (except Hangout days) and contribute something to the discussion. Let us know how you are doing. Let us know what you are working on. Let us know if you are having a problem. Help someone else solve their problem.

AM Class	Monday	Wednesday	Friday
PM Class	Tuesday	Thursday	Friday

Your participation in Canvas is just like your participation in our normal classroom. It is required, and we will take attendance. Your absence will impact your grade negatively and will be reported to your counselor and home school.

Make sure to let me know if you have any problems logging on or if you can't find the discussion forums.

How can we help?

At least one person in the PM class sent me a full-blown HTML web page with helpful hints and links. At least one person in the AM class sent me a poster/meme to benefit homeless people. I definitely want to see how you can take the skills you learned in this class and use them to help others at this difficult time.

Spring Break

Our spring break will be next week, April 13–17. For this reason, all your work this week is due at 11:59 pm on Friday, April 10.

Your Resume as an HTML Page

You will move your resume from Google Docs into an HTML web page so you can add it to your portfolio.

Prerequisite: you must have a resume in Google Docs or other document processing program.

Materials required:

1. Brackets text editor
2. Web browser (Firefox, Chrome, or Safari; Internet Explorer not recommended.)

The process:

1. Copy your resume from Google Docs or other program.
2. Paste into Brackets.
3. Edit HTML and styles until it looks good.

Videos:

1. Resume part 1: Basic styles (22.5 minutes)
2. Resume part 2: Adding background color or image (7.5 minutes)
3. Resume part 3: Adding a second column or sidebar (11 minutes)

This assignment is due on Friday, April 10, 2020 at 11:59 pm.

App Icon Export

Prerequisites

1. You must have a metroed.net email address
2. You must have downloaded Adobe Illustrator
3. You must have completed the list of app icon sizes

Note: two of the above three are previous assignments. You must turn them in to get credit.

Instructions

I created two videos for you to follow. The video cut off in the middle so I had to finish it in a second video. In this project, you will:

1. download an Adobe icon I made previously, 
2. export it in many different sizes, and 
3. if you have a Mac and Xcode, you will create an app project that incorporates your exported icons.

Videos

1. Video 1: 10 minutes
2. Video 2: 3 minutes

This assignment is due on Friday, April 10, 2020 at 11:59 pm.

Hand Washing App

Someone made this hand washing app. Could you make something like this?

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/semmelweis/id1503031837

A raywenderlich reader,@lean4nier, has made this cool (and free!) iOS app teaching people how to properly wash their hands. 

 

This app showed me I definitely wasn't using proper technique. Nice design and illustrations too - check it out!

 

Keep your hands clean and safe from virus and bacteria. This app will guide you to the process of hands cleansing, following the recommended instructions. You'll also learn about the importance of keeping your hands clean. For you, for your loved ones and for your community.

• With the about-1-minute walkthrough, your hands will be clean and safe.
• Step by step animations.
• Instructions on screen.
• Listen to the instructions or mute them.
• Choose a song to listen while cleaning your hands or mute it.
• "Add to Siri" built-in button to add a Siri shortcut so you don't even have to touch your device to start the tutorial.
• Setup reminders.
• Access to educational material.
• Dark mode.

Completely free. Spread the word and keep your loved ones safe.

***** 

Very useful for self education or to teach your kids how to properly wash your hands specially at this time of our history!

***** 

This is one of the best apps i have found till now. Appreciated your hard work.

 

Update Thursday April 2

School Year

Yesterday the governor made the announcement that we will not be back in the classroom this year. We will continue to work online until the very end. This course ends on Wednesday, June 3. So far, our administration is not making any changes. We will have our Spring Break the week of April 13–17. I won't assign any work that week. But you could certainly use that time to catch up if you are behind. There is more information at www.metroed.net.

Due Dates

This week's assignments are due at 7:30 am on Monday, April 6. If you turn them in after 7:30 am on Monday, I will count them as late. However, you may have noticed that there is not any penalty for late work. I just need to get you started on another week's work on Monday, so it's hard if I'm also grading a lot of late homework.

Adobe Illustrator

Tech support has supposedly made sure that if you registered for Adobe using a metroed.net email account, your Adobe is good until the end of the school year. Make sure to let me know if you continue to have a problem.

Desktop

I will try to get to you all the work that was on your classroom desktop. If the file is small, I will send a zip file in email. If your file is large, I will provide a download link.

The Future and Priorities

• Email. You need to get a metroed.net email address as soon as possible. Send me an email from your metroed.net email address. This is an assignment. If you have a problem with metroed.net, here are instructions for resetting your password: http://mobileapps1920.svctestudents.org/materials/Password_Recovery.pdf
• Adobe Illustrator. You can use the metroed.net email address to download Adobe Illustrator. Some of you already have Adobe Illustrator using a different paid or other school account. You don't need to switch accounts, but you can keep using your existing account.
• Google Hangouts. We will hold meetings using Google Hangouts. For this activity. you'll need either a metroed.net email address or a gmail.com email address. (metroed.net is actually gmail in disguise.) We will take attendance at these meetings and it will affect your grade.
• AM Class: Tuesday and Thursday, 8:00–9:30 am, starting Tuesday April 7
• PM Class: Monday and Wednesday, 12:30–2:00 pm, starting Monday, April 6
• At the hangout, we will discuss any problems you're having, just chat, and maybe do a quick project together.
• Canvas. We will be using Canvas as an asynchronous chat platform. That means you can post what and when you want, and someone can answer your question later when they are logged in. Canvas will serve three purposes:
• It will let you ask questions of me and others.
• It will let you answer questions that others asked. This is important for you to learn.
• It will provide a way where you can check in every day and I can make sure you are keeping up with the class. (Sort of a way of taking attendance every day.)

Upcoming Assignments

• You will draw icons using Adobe Illustrator, so make sure you get the metroed.net email address first, then download Adobe Illustrator.
• Make your resume into an HTML web page. I will post a video that shows you how to do this.
• Update your portfolio by inserting your resume. I will send a zip file with your portfolio so you can modify it. 
• Draw sketches of your final app.
• Plan out your final app.
• Finish your final app.

March 31–April 3

Coding Assignments (2)

Please do two more coding projects this week. If you have a Mac, you can finish the Personality Quiz and move on to lessons in Unit 4. If you do not have a Mac but you do have a Windows computer, you can do two more lessons in the JavaScript for Kids book.

Mac Projects

For the Personality Quiz, to get full credit you need to personalize it. This means you have to ask questions other than the ones they gave you in the lesson. I need one additional or different question of each type (there are three types). You can also change the theme of the quiz.

For the Unit 4 projects, you need to turn in both the tutorial project and the lab project at the end of the lesson.

JavaScript Projects

To get full credit on the JavaScript projects, you should think about some of the Programming Challenges. For example, the Hangman project has several challenges on page 121. In this case, you should be able to add all these features to the program. Some challenges might be harder than others, but see what you can do. The ones on page 121 are all easy.

How can you help?

Please do the How can you help essay. Be serious. After you write it up, I will ask you to do what you have suggested.

Get a Mac

At this point, I am going ask you to do your best to beg or borrow a Mac that you can use for the course work. Finishing the final project in this course requires that you have a Mac. Right now about 40% of you have a Mac. You'll need a relatively recent Mac. (I have one from 2014 that works fine.) It needs to have enough room to install Xcode. Windows won't work for this project, and neither will an iPad. See if you can borrow one for the next few weeks. Let me know what you can come up with.

Adobe Illustrator

A few of you have got back to me about problems installing Adobe Illustrator. We are trying to work out those problems. If you have not tried installing it yet, please wait one more day before trying.

We only have one or two small assignments that will use Adobe Illustrator, but I need to know that you were or were not able to get access. If you didn't get back to me, I don't know whether

• you did not try installing it, or 
• you did not make a metroed.net email address, or 
• you had problems.

For that reason, I am going to make these assignments. Your first assignment is to just send me an email from your new metroed.net email address. (The instructions are elsewhere on the blog.)

Next Week

Next week, two new things will be happening. We will start using Canvas, and we will start using Google Hangouts.

Canvas

I will send you instructions how to get on to Canvas. If you haven't used it before, Canvas is similar to Google Classroom but has more features. On Canvas, I will create discussion groups so you can all help each other with your projects.

Google Hangouts

We will start having face-to-face sessions every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 8:00 am. We will take attendance. I will send you a link where you can register. I may do a voluntary test run on Friday of this week.