Xbox Series X vs. PS5 by Teigan

The long battle between Xbox and Playstation has continued into a new console generation.  In this blog, I will predict which console will have the better sales and I will determine that by 3 things: the specs, the fan base/exclusives, and the hype.  

First, let’s talk about the hype.  Hype is an important part of a console’s success.  Hype is the thing that a console uses before it comes out into the market to get people excited about it.  However, hype can be a double-edged sword.  If a console promises something, and they don’t follow through on that promise, or the promise falls short, it can hurt the success of the console tremendously.  Let’s start with the hype (promises) from Xbox.  Xbox has promised full ray tracing, enhanced I/O capabilities, full 4K, 120 FPS, the ability to switch between games effortlessly, low prices, SSD, and many more.  The list of promises from PS5 is definitely shorter but what it lacks in length, it makes up for in content.  The list includes partial ray tracing capabilities, SSD, IRMF audio, and enhanced I/O capabilities.  

The next thing to consider is the specs. Let’s start with Xbox’s specs with its CPU being 8x Zen 2 cores at 3.8GHz(3.6 with SMT) and its GPU being a custom RDNA 2 at 12 TFLOPS, 52 CU’s at 1.825GHz. Also, its process is TSMC 7nm enhanced and its memory is 16GB GDDR6. Internal storage is a 1TB custom NVMe SSD with a 1TB card expansion slot. Another thing to consider is IO throughput at an amazing 2.4GB/s(raw) and 4.8GB/s (compressed) and the optical drive being a 4K UHD Blu-ray drive. All in all, it runs at a smooth 4K at 60FPS-up to 120FPS. Now onto PS5’s specs. Its CPU is 8x Zen 2 cores at 3.5GHz (variable frequency) and its GPU at 10.28 TFLOPS,36 CU’s at 2.23GHz(variable frequency) and the architecture being an RDNA 2 custom. Memory interface is 16GB GDDR6 and internal storage being a nice 825GB SSD. IO throughput is 5.5 GB/s(raw), typical 8-9 GB/s(compressed). Optical drive is the same as Xbox’s. Sadly, we don’t know the exact FPS range as PS5 hasn’t released a test video but we can assume it’s around the same as Xbox’s. Even though Xbox’s specs are technically better on paper, the difference in game is so small it’s unnoticeable. That makes them tied in this department.

The final thing to consider is the player fan base and the exclusive games on each console. A console is nothing without its players and what makes the players stay on that console are the exclusives. Sure, their specs are something to consider, but let's face it, only nerds (a.k.a me) look at the specs and most people only buy a console for its exclusives. So, let’s see what each console has. First, let's start with PS5. PS5’s exclusives include God of War, Gran Turismo, Spider-man, Uncharted, BloodBorne, and Horizon Zero Dawn and you can expect to see new titles released for most of these franchises within a year or two of launch. Now, onto Xbox’s exclusives. Xbox’s exclusives include Gears of War, Halo, Senua’s Saga, Scorn, and a few unannounced titles from sub companies of Microsoft.

Now, onto the part you have all been waiting for . . . which one has the best chance to emerge victorious in future sales and success?  Given the previously listed data, one would have to assume that PS5 might come out on top.  However, if (and I don’t think it will be too big of a stretch for a company the size of Microsoft) Xbox can add a few more confirmed exclusives and if they can boost their hype and if they can fulfill all their promises, I would predict that it would be an easy win for the Microsoft giant.

How to Make a Kahoot Quiz by Landon

How to create kahoot quizzes 

By Landon Farley 

If you're wondering how to create a kahoot quiz you’re in the perfect place because we are going to go step by step on how to create your very own kahoot quiz.

First off let’s start by going to create.kahoot.com and login.

Then go to the top left Corner and click create.

Now you should see this screen which is just a completely blank quiz

Now the first thing you're going to want to do is think of what you want your quiz to be about and the first question. Finally put your first question in the biggest box above just like me. I have decided to do mine about Tasmanian devils.

Next you want to adjust the time by clicking the circle that says 20 seconds one you have done this a scroll wheel will appear and you can pick the amount of time you want the question to last.

Next drag the little oval with a 1000 in it to either increase or decrease the amount of points that the question will give a person.

Next if you click the single select and you can either select single select or multi select. Multi select will allow more than one answer to be correct. Single select means just one answer is correct.

Next fill in all the questions and remember to check one correct by pressing the button below the questions

Finally you need to add a picture, click the biggest box right in the center of your screen and three options will appear.

If you click “image library by Getty Images” then this is where you may find any free images from kahoot sorted by category.

You could also pick “upload an image” from there you can upload an image from your photo library.

The final option is “add YouTube videos” from here you just put in a YouTube link in the box and you can play a video on your kahoot

I am going to select a picture from my camera roll now we’re done with this question. Click the “add question to the left'' then select either ''quiz” or ''true or false” quiz is the question we did before and true or false is the same just true or false.

Next continue to make as many questions as you like until you're done at which point you will want to click the done button in the top right corner. Finally give your quiz a name, thumbnail, and description.

CONGRATULATIONS you have now made your very own kahoot quiz. I hope you found this article helpful for this is landon from the columbine ihelpu center saying goodbye.

Remote Learning Tips by Carlos T.

Carlos created a Google Slides slideshow about tips for students to be successful in remote learning.  To see the slideshow click on the link below.

Remote Learning Tips Slideshow

Keynote by Ayla

Keynote

    Keynote is a presentation app developed to design and personalize a presentation.  Keynote helps you create, edits, and give stunning presentations straight from your iPhone or iPad. It has smooth transitions, a sturdy layout, and easily adjustable settings. Make anything possible with keynote.

     The layout of Keynote is smart, you can put awesome transitions, change to cool backgrounds, mess with the font, etc.  Nonetheless, Keynote is cool because it has way more opportunities than Google Slides. It is more fun, easy and just better to use. All in all, I love Keynote and use it for everything.

Pros!

• All available features are very intuitive.

• This program includes animation, video and audio options.

• It works smoothly with iCloud.

• There are many beautiful themes available.

• The program is not expensive compared to similar ones.

• It has been built for iPad.

Cons

• There may be some problems with opening native documents of Keynote.

• The process of documents importing is a bit slow.

• You have to purchase other programs for iWork if you want to use them with Keynote.

• The timeline for animation can’t be displayed.

• You can’t run Keynote on Microsoft

    For classroom use you can have all of your students make a presentation for either practice, fun, or a certain unit. For practice pick a broad subject and have everyone make a presentation, then compare. My ELA/reading teacher, Mrs.Osborn, had us do genius hour. A genius hour is when you have everyone pick a topic that they are interested in, give them a few weeks to brew up a presentation then have everyone practice public speaking by having everyone present. Or maybe you want to see what your classroom learned during this past unit. Throw them a random topic from that unit and see who was listening. For example if you teach a reading class and you had just finished a book, you could have everyone make a keynote about that book. You can have requirements or have random groups pick a topic on the book.

     All in all, Keynote is an amazing app that was produced by Apple. I would fully recommend it. It is simple, yet interesting. It is one of my most used apps. Enjoy your time withKeynote!