Tech Tip of the Week
This week’s tip is a sample activity from my most recent book, “Google Spreadsheets & Forms.” It sounds rather complicated, but it can easily be completed with students in 15 minutes or less!
Note:
The teacher will need to have a Google account to do this activity, but the the students will not need accounts.
Overview:
Digital pictures are made up of lots of tiny pixels that are aligned in a grid. Today’s digital cameras capture more than 5 million pixels in a square inch! In this activity, students will work together to create a pixel picture.
Using the provided patterns and a Google Form, each student will enter a row of colors. Once the colors are collected in a spreadsheet grid, the teacher will sort it, and like magic, a picture will appear!
The Teacher’s Job:
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1.Use the “Pixel Picture 2” template created by Tammy. (You’ll find the template below, or you can also click here to find it in the template gallery.)
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2.Print and cut apart the pattern sheet:
Click here to download the PDF pattern sheet! -
3.Give one (or more) pattern slip to each student. Make sure that ALL patterns will be entered!
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4.Make the form available to the students. (You’ll find the url of the form at the bottom of the form-editor page.)
Note - You might want to use a tool like tinyurl to shorten the url.
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5.Provide time for the students to enter their pattern into the form. (See the student instructions below.)
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6.Go to the related spreadsheet. (In the form editor window, pull down the “See responses” button to “Spreadsheet.)
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7.In Column B, sort from A – Z. (Pull down the triangle above the “B” in the header area.)
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8.Watch the picture appear! (Resize the columns and rows to make the picture larger or smaller!)
Student Instructions:
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1.Use the slip of paper your teacher gave you to enter your pattern into the provided form.
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2.Enter your name.
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3.Enter or choose your row number. Be sure to check this twice. It is very important!
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4.Use the pull-down menus to choose the colors as indicated on your pattern. Leave all others at white. Note: T – W = T, U, V, and W.
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5.Double-check to make sure you have entered all colors correctly. Maybe have a classmate check it too.
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6.Click the Submit button.
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7.If you have more than one pattern to enter, press the “Go back to form” link, and repeat the process.
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8.Your teacher will show the spreadsheet on a large screen. At first it will look very strange since the rows will be out of order. But once your teacher sorts it to put the rows in order, you will be able to see the picture!
If you like this activity, be sure to check out Tammy’s “Google Spreadsheets & Forms” book. It includes four more pixel pictures and dozens of additional student and teacher activities1