Week 1: Lesson 2: Learning & Understanding XML Layout-Introduction To Java For Android Course Blog

Lesson 2: Learning and Understanding XML Layout

INTRODUCTION

In this lesson you will be introduced to the folder structure of the IDE Eclipse environment and understand the difference between Relative and Linear Layouts using XML with Java for Android applications. You will also be introduced to the process for changing, viewing and manipulating the text in various XML layouts.

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson you will be able to:

Section #1: What Is XML?

1. Identify the XML language and how you may use it to develop your app
2. Determine the best way to complete design and development tasks while working within the structure of the IDE Eclipse environment

Section #2: What Can XML Layouts Do for Android?

3. Examine XML Layouts in Android Development

Section #3: Differentiating between Relative and Linear Layouts in XML

4. Discern the difference between Relative and Linear Layouts using XML with Android

Section #4: Video Demonstration

5. Demonstrate how to edit and change XML code
6. Use XML code to develop the desired layout for your app project

LEARNING SEQUENCE

Required Reading	Reading the following: What is XML? by the W3C, the Internet leaders in setting standards for the Web Android Developers Layouts by multiple authors. Read down the full page to review all topics from Layouts to Filling an adapter view with data Creating an Android UI in Java Code by multiple authors. Read down the full page to review topics from Java Code vs XML Layout Files, to the final section and summary Building Menus in Android with Java and XML by Abbas Suterwala. Read the full page from Creating Menus with XML to the conclusion
Resources	View and follow the steps to the following: 1.  Eclipse (Integrated Development Environment) 2.  Android Development Tools (ADT) 3.  Video Tutorial: XML Video Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91K25FRKScA Java For Android 1: Introduction To The Eclipse/Android Development Environment
Assignments	Complete the following: Video Tutorial: Java For Android 1

INSTRUCTION

Section #1: What Is XML?

In this section you will be introduced to the XML language and understand its power to support Android development.

Read: http://www.w3.org/standards/xml/core

In this reading you will be provided a definition of XML as a language and its main purpose with programming. There is a sample of the code included with descriptions for how the language is formatted. At the conclusion of reading, you will understand the benefits of using XML language and how to write it.

Section #2: What Can XML Layouts Do for Android?

In this section you will be introduced to XML layouts and the options for using them in the development of a layout for an Android application.

Read: Describe the XML for layouts used in Android Applications using Java.

http://developer.android.com/training/basics/firstapp/building-ui.html

Section #3: Differentiating between Relative and Linear Layouts in XML

Read: Android Developers Layouts

Read: http://www.techotopia.com/index.php/Creating_an_Android_User_Interface_in_Java_Code

Read: http://www.sitepoint.com/menus-in-android/

Section #4: Lesson Project Tutorial (video) XML Video Tutorials

In this video demonstration and tutorial, you will learn what the default XML code is, how to edit it, and how changing the code will impact your project. Please pause and review the video, as necessary, to complete tasks and meet these objectives:

• Recognize default code in XML
• Create your own code for the XML
• Understand what the new code does in the XML

Complete Section #4: The video will lead you through the following steps:

1. You’ll than want to begin typing what is on screen, starting with the xml version and then continuing downwards
2. The LinearLayout is the home of how your app will be set up. ‘android:orientation’ tells the device that the application will be vertical, meaning it locks the accelerometer, you can change this to being horizontal for future apps
3. ‘android:layout_width’ and ‘android:layout_height’ both control where your app is positioned. ‘Fill_parent’ describes that the app will fill the whole screen, not leaving any space on the outside of the app
4. ‘TextView’ is the code for displaying what the text in the app shows. ‘wrap_content’ describes that the text will expand to as big as the text will be, so it leaves space for the other parts of your app
5. ‘android:textSize’ describes how big you want the text to be. For this you
6. can type out px for pixel or dp for density independent pixels which is a ratio for the pixels to the screen size of the phone. Allowing the text to scale up or down depending on if you have a big size phone
7. the ‘layout_gravity’ and ‘gravity’ refer to the position of the app. The ‘layout_gravity’ tells the text where it is located on screen, it defaults to being at the top of the app, and centering it will make it in the center of the top of the app. ‘gravity’ describes that the text will be centered in the middle of it’s home in the app, which is at the top of the screen.
8. ‘id’ describes the identification of the ‘TextView’ in the Java, allowing it to be used and changed in the Java
9. The coding in the button portion of the app is the same as the ‘TextView’, just changing the ‘Button:Text’ and the ‘Button:id’ to distinguish which is adding and which is subracting
10. You have just successfully created the layout of your app. Congratulations.

SUMMARY

Additional Information Discussed In Class

JQuery Layouts

Responsive Web Apps

HTML5

Phonegap

API's

Questions for Posting on this blog:

Week 1: Lesson 1:Introduction To Java For Android Course Blog

Welcome to class!

Main Course Document
http://bit.ly/javaforandroid

Lesson 1: Introduction to Java for Android Development Environment

INTRODUCTION

In this lesson you will consider the mobile marketplace and specific tools used to build mobile applications. You will be introduced to the components of the Android Operating System and the development tools used to create Android applications. The readings will provide an overview of the Android Operating System, and the video tutorials will walk you through the necessary setup and downloads to get started with development. In this lesson you will use the Eclipse IDE (Integrated Development Environment) and Android Development Tools (ADT). You will download the development environment onto a removable media device for easy access and use.

LESSON OBJECTIVES

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

Section #1: Why Develop Mobile Applications For Android?

1. Describe market and labor forces and trends that drive demand for skilled programmers.
2. Recognize and identify basic concepts and the language used for Android Mobile Application development.

Section #2: Understanding the Components Of The Android Mobile Application

1. Differentiate the basic components of the Android Operating System.

Section #3: Video Demonstration of Development Tools & Resources

1. Demonstrate how to download and install the Eclipse Development Environment and Google ADT (Android Development Tools).
2. Demonstrate how to open the ADT and set up a workspace (Android Development Tools).
3. Demonstrate how to organize and start a new project using ADT (Android Development Tools).

LEARNING SEQUENCE

Required Reading	Read the following: ·      Section #1: Your next job? Mobile app developer? Application Fundamentals ·      Section #2: Introduction to Android Device Compatibility ·      Section #3: Lesson 1, Part 1 Lesson 1, Part 2
Resources	View the following:  ·      Eclipse (Integrated Development Environment) ·      Android Software Development Tools (SDK) ·      Sample Code ·      Video Transcripts
Assignments	Complete the following: ·      What’s Your Place in the Mobile Market? ·      Uncovering the Basic Tools, Concepts and Processes of Android Environment

INSTRUCTION

Section #1: Why Develop Mobile Applications For Android?

In this section you will be introduced to the fundamentals of Android apps written in Java code. You will also learn about the Android Development Tools (ADT) and Software Development Toolkit (SDK). Additionally, you will identify market forces with the ever-changing demands of and for mobile application development by questioning and interpreting information resources used to discuss the relative value of Android development tools. Finally, you will consider your own level of knowledge and interest in mobile app development for Android. 

Step 1.

Read: Your next job? Mobile app developer?

This article discusses market demands for mobile app developers, making specific reference to salaries and lists both necessary and desired skills. The article also provides specific examples of how companies, both big and small, continue to define their hiring needs in the ever-changing mobile market.

Step 2.

Read: Application Fundamentals

This reading introduces you to the fundamentals of the secure environment of an Android applications environment. The core framework of the application, manifest file and resources for a variety of device configurations are described. Read through the introductory section on Application Fundamentals, then review the heading topics: App Components, Activating Components, The Manifest File, Declaring Components, Declaring component capabilities, Declaring app requirements and App Resources. With this overview, go back and read through the sections on App Components, Activating Components and The Manifest File to solidify your basic understanding of the core framework for the Android application.   

Step 3.

Complete Assignment 1: What’s Your Place in the Mobile Market?

Section #2: Understanding the Components Of The Android Mobile Application

In this section, you will be introduced to the fundamentals of Android app framework. You will also learn about the importance of device compatibility in designing your app for a variety of devices and audiences.

Step 1.

Read: Introduction to Android

Referencing the previous reading on App Fundamentals, you can get a sense of how Android works with the Java language. Review sections on “Apps provide multiple entry points” and “Apps adapt to different devices.” This should give you a solid foundation for how to understand Android and application development basics.

Step 2.

Read: Device Compatibility

This resource explains how Android is designed to run on a range of different types of devices, from phones to tablets and televisions. The term “compatibility” is defined, and you will understand how you can control which devices have access to your apps, and how to prepare your apps to make sure they reach the right audience. Read through the first three sections of this web page, starting with Device Compatibility, What Does “Compatibility” Mean? and “Controlling Your App’s Availability to Devices.” You will revisit these concepts and ideas throughout most of the lessons in this course.

Step 3.

Complete Assignment #2:  Are We Compatible? How to Determine User Interactions?

Section #3: Video Demonstration of Development Tools & Resources 

These two video demonstrations will walk you through the sequence of steps needed to find and download Android development resources online. At the completion of the videos you will know how to set up a new project and run the emulator successfully. Please pause and review the video, as necessary, to complete tasks. Transcripts are provided.

Step 1.

View & Practice: Lesson 1, Part 1 [4:03]

Step 2.

View & Practice: Lesson 1, Part 2 [9:22]

SUMMARY

While the mobile app marketplace continues to evolve, there are plenty of free and open-source resources and tools you can use to develop your skills. Opportunities for Android developers continue to grow, and the setup of Eclipse and Android ADT will set you on your way to creating the next killer app. Now that you have downloaded, set up and configured the tools to begin your Android project, you are ready to XXX in lesson 2.

ASSIGNMENTS

·      What’s Your Place in the Mobile Market?

·      Uncovering the Basic Tools, Concepts and Processes of Android Environment

Answer the questions below for lesson 1(include question number in response):

Question 1: How does the user interface(UI) influence user engagement with an application?


Question 2: What changes have you seen in the mobile marketplace(apps,tablets,screen-sizes) in the past  5 years? How do you think these changes influence mobile development?

Tis the Season For Google Hangouts....End Of Year Assessment Time

At this time of year as the school year draws to a close both at the High School I work at and the Community College I teach at I like to close with something new for the students. This semester I chose to use the collaborative Google Hangout for sharing of course materials,a good laugh at us on a web cam and also a new fluency in technology use and assessment. The sharing of these experiences online is beneficial from a variety of perspectives for both the students and myself.

For a long time I have found video to be a great way to share what a person learns and also how they learn. Google hangouts provide the perfect opportunity to get up to 10 students(others can watch) for a web based video collaboration which has enabled chat features and screen sharing capabilities.

For the final of my PHP programming course at Bunker Hill Community College in Charlestown,Massachusetts I asked students to go online and participate in the hangout and share their collective work for the semester. This was a small class so the format worked perfectly. Students received notification from me on their Google + page to join the hangout and shared their web pages from their chosen server and we also we able to discuss the approach we decided on for our group final project.

This students in this class really responded well to the hangout format and were anxious to share with the technology. When audio issues arrived we were able to utilize the built in messaging service inside the Hangout. This can help communicate between all participants.

I chose to do a hangout on air in which the video is live streamed to the internet and saved to Youtube. This is great for revisiting if you need at a later time.

I found Hangouts relatively easy to use except when some students I sent invites to did not receive the notice in their Google accounts. This can be a little annoying for inviting the members but usually a couple resends solves the problem. I have included the video from my PHP class if your interested in seeing one go down but it is much more fun to have your own!

In the Andover Innovation Lab which is a course at Andover High School for Independent Technology projects students have Google Hangouts as part of their final assessment. I ask that students present and their self driven projects and describe their experiences creating them. I want students to reveal their process and goals as well as the resources they used to get their product. In the video I embedded below, the student created an application using the iOS development tool Xcode and has described his experiences.

Overall the tool is powerful at creating collaboration and sharing with technology. It does take some time to get used to but in the end it can be a powerful web based assessment tool. Its great to be able to ask students to present in this way. It makes them think about their presentation in a real world construct.

CIT 110 Spring Last Class Reflection

After a semester which began with missing 3 classes on Wednesday nights due to snow cancellations I had the mixed feelings of relief and also happiness to see my students in the CIT 110 course successfully navigate through the curriculum which includes the introduction to computer concepts,hardware,basic networking,web literacy with Internet Explorer and the Microsoft Office Suite of Word,Powerpoint,Access and Excel. Students are taught using the Pearson MyITLab web based software which enables students access to their learning materials in and out of the classroom. 

Students in this class responded well to the platform and could easily navigate their way through the course content. As an instructor it is a rewarding experience to sit with students and assist them at answering their questions about each software suite and also encouraging them to move through each module. I enjoy teaching this course because of the direct employability skills in the course and the ability to help students better understand the basic operations of computers and make connections to 

the navigation of the web,creating documents in a variety of formats and becoming more fluent with technology in general. 

The best part of teaching at Bunker Hill Community College  is  connecting with the diverse student body and variety needs that the school supports with its offerings in technology and beyond. Bunker Hill's Charlestown Campus is a real heart of learning and career opportunity in the city of Boston and my small role in it has been very enriching. Most of the students I have come in contact with are ready to take the next up in a career and have a great desire to learn what their next steps are and how to prepare. Each student reminds me that the greatest value a teacher can provide is to help others move forward by engaging students and developing them into lifelong learners. 

Helping students present what they have learned is a great experience. When I look back on my career I think my time teaching at BHCC will be one of the most rewarding experience that a I could have. I have a busy schedule recently where it is easy to get distracted but it is often engaging with students who are just getting back into learning that is the most rewarding parts of a busy day. 

I have a sense of real purpose showing them what I know and helping them succeed. I think this is what is missing when you take yourself too seriously, you miss the simple joys in teaching. 

There is a buzz you can get from helping others succeed when you focus on the needs of others. It also makes it easier to recognize the opportunities you have had in your life. I feel connected to these students in my own way and I have I have been with where they are. I  think we all face issues as undergraduates at some point and now I can recognize now the importance of lifelong learning in my own success. It is great experience to shake hands and tell students they did a great job on their way back out to life. I hope I did a little part in helping them frame their are next steps. It also helps me  understand that they're always needs to be a set of next steps and that is what learning is all about.

Instructional Technology Update Andover High School Week Of March 31st-April 4th Google Groups & Forms

This week was a great week of working with teachers implementing a range of Google tools for collaborating with students and collecting responses.

The first teacher I worked with was Adriana Gonzalez. I have worked with Adriana on a range of projects during the school year which  integrated technology in her Spanish classroom. In this session we created some Google Forms which will be quizzes she can use across her classes and decrease the amount of time she will need to grade her traditionally assigned quizzes by doing them online. We worked together to create the forms and make simple reusable links to share easily and edit the quizzes for each class.  It took us only about 2 short half hour sessions to get her up and running with her quizzes and she will definitely be saving time in the assessment process moving forward. Each time we work together we are able to make her classroom more web based and easier to access online materials.

Social Studies teacher Lauren Ream was looking for a way to easily have students comment in a web based thread on specific subjects in her Western Civilization course. Lauren and I have already been working on a blog and adding more web based resources to add to her ability to share with her students more easily.

In just a short 1 hour period I was able to work with Lauren and her students to provide them access to creating a Google Group. Access for students was made more easily since students had provided their emails at an earlier time and they could easily be sent the invite. The benefits of creating a Google Group are that you can keep an exclusive or open group in which you can add comments to student posts or post discussion topics. Students add to the topics and create a stream of activity. The group can also be shared with a simple link. Emails can also be sent directly to the group as well.

Mrs. Ream used the Group to enable students to comment on specific classroom topics and to share perspectives. The link form the conversations can also be added to her current blog for revisiting at a later time.

I think from an integration standpoint Google Groups are a great place to start using a web based tool as you can commit to it on any level within your classroom. You can use it for just one assignment or use it for an entire course. Additionally those who are in the group are notified when a post or comment is made in the group. I feel as though this adds the element of being connected to the classroom.

This week I was also able to continue working with Art teacher Teresa Consentino on the development of her blog for her Art Foundations course. This week we worked at getting her older lessons created into PDF form on the scanner and adding the to her Blogger Blog. Creating her blog has been a process of selecting the most important lessons and what will work best being put online. With art it is also a challenge to choose art pieces which reflect a high quality of work and those which show the concrete concepts. We are working to develop her unit on 2 and 3 Dimensional Perspective Drawing. This process has been rewarding as it is a real model of transforming exciting art concepts into web based lessons and easy to navigate links.

On Thursday I had the opportunity to be a Judge at the West Middle School Science Fair. This was a great experience as I got to meet the students and find out more about their projects and what drove their scientific investigation. I spoke with students who did projects related to insulation efficiency,beach erosion and even the strength of spider webs.

I think a great component built into this fair was the integration of the "Green" projects. This really helped students choose to look into environmental issues in their science project and try to solve them. As an Instructional Technology Specialist it was great to visit and view the perspective of the students and their technology,engineering and science integration into their projects.

“Lead With Your Strengths" Program: Mobilizing Students As Leaders At Andover High School

In the Andover High School library today the first meeting of students dedicated to developing their leadership skills met to

begin the vision of Candace Hall the Director Of Human Resources for the Town of Andover. Candace has for a long time wanted to see a dialogue opened between students and community about the issues related to race,ethnicity,diversity and multiculturalism. Candace expressed that the “Lead With Your Strengths “ program has been a long term goal of hers "to see the goal of Martin Luther King fulfilled”.

Students met from 8 am till 11:30 on their half day of school to participate in the program implemented by Dr. Luz Valverde Assistant Principal at the high school, Aixa de Kelley Director Of Guidance and  Dr.Jorge Allen Program Advisor for the World Languages Department. Assiting Dr. Allen and Dr. Valverde was Roberta Hantgan a Fellow from Merrimack College and Digtial Learning Specialist Daniel Downs, Ed.D.

The program included having students complete web based “Surveys Of Character” which helped them self assess their leadership skills,elements of character and reflect on how they can become leaders in their school and beyond. Students engaged in meaningful discussions on expressing their strengths and shared visions for how this program could evolve. All students shared their self-knowledge on a blog dedicated to the cultivation of their ideas and personal perspectives related to their skills and experiences with leadership. 

The blog was implemented to digitally capture student reflections and carry the experiences from this meeting to future participation.

The students had a keynote address from community leader  Pavel Payano who spoke to the students about the importance of setting goals and how to create change in your community by taking a leadership role. Mr.Payano described his experiences working with Student Activities at the University Of Massachusetts in Amherst. Mr. Payano described his experiences using the skills working in his college environment to creating change in his hometown community.

This program has developed out of a vision as part of the “One Andover” project and hopes to create new opportunities for students to develop themselves and become mentors in school and the greater community. The program will also bring awareness to the diversity of culture within the community and present opportunities for student ambassadors to connect with town leadership.

Instructional Technology Update March 24th-28th 2014 Andover High School Andover, Ma Daniel Downs

On Monday of this week I was able to speak with the English Department about the acquisition of District Google Accounts for their department. Their adoption of these tools will enable them to embrace the collaborative tools like shared documents,spreadsheets,forms and drawing tools. Several of the teachers are already using Google to do collaborative work with Google Documents and also using the Drive feature to back up existing documents.

On Wednesday I worked with Jorge Allen on the development of the website for the distrcit world languages department. We decided to go with the blogger platform so that district links and releases could be shared easilly and to improve department communication. Jorge has been collecting resources to share out through this platform.

Here is the link to check it out!!!!

Click Here

On Thursday I had the opportunity to visit the UTeach Program at UMass Lowell with the TSTT(Today’s Students Tomorrow’s Teachers) students from Andover High School. During this day students met with the UTeach Programs Director about how the program at UMass Lowell helps prepare students for teaching in a variety of classrooms and also the licensing needs of teachers in Massachusetts.

This was a great opportunity to visit the UMass Lowell Campus and become acquainted with this great program which really helps assist students who want to become teachers learn not only what skills they will need in the classroom but also what licensure requirements will be necessary.