Week 9

This week we had a speaker, He runs the IT room in the library and showed us how to use word press to create a webpage. I really liked the simplicity of word press, and liked the option to pick a template of the look you like and it applies it all, however in comparison to DreamWeaver, or another option it does seem like it has taken a little away from the creative side for simplicity. I like the idea of being able to set up my whole webpage's look with just the click of a button by what they give me, but I also like the idea of being able to tweek all that I want to do from scratch.  We learned how to link to an outside page, imput a picture, and also link a couple pages within the site.
After the speaker was done Denvy also stressed that most of the students picked Wordpress to work with, and he wanted to show us a little more about DreamWeaver. He showed us CSS and how to create a more personalized look with using the a grid system where you can break up a screen in to sections and you can add several of the grids together, or break on down into smaller sections. As you add your material to your grid it automatically adds to the size of that section and keeps the whole page very symmetrical.

Week 8

This week we started learning about making a webpage. I am completely new to doing this. I was happy that I was able to go to the webpage and build the patterns with Elsa and Anna to learn how to use HTML and group them together. I understand a little more about the application of codes, although I would still need more help to efficiently use the codes, but it is a vast improvement from not even knowing were to start beyond what MYSPACE allowed way back in the day.

After working with Elsa and Anna, Denvy had us set up a dreamworks sight and we were able to imput a picture, and add a link to another page. I am quite proud of myself to be able to do just the simple things for web designs. I am excited about to create a webpage and personalize it.

weeks 6 and 7

I missed these weeks unfortunately and can't add to what we learned in class.

Week 5

       This week we had someone come in that showed us more about the smart board. It was interesting to have someone else's elaboration on what Denvy already taught us last week. To be able to hand write on the board and transfer it to a document style text like times new roman. The advantages to having a white board that can pull up the internet and incorporate other aspects of for the lesson without having stop to turn on the computer, make sure it is up on the screen and everything like that I can totally see the convenience of this tool.
      Another thing we did during this class was focus on the teaching standards. We broke it up into groups and presented out own sections. I was able to go over and get pictures from what the other groups had written down.

Our group was the fourth group and we talked a lot about the importance of teaching the students about being a citizen of the internet and being a role model ourselves. It was interesting to talk to the other group mates about what it meant to be a world citizen on the World wide web. The technology that we use can connect us to other cultures, and we can use a variety of technology to reach students of all different levels, and abilities. On top of this it is our responsibility as teachers to make sure our students know how to be safe, and also that they are not doing things like cyber bullying, and plagiarism.  I never had really thought about the fact that because we are all so connected to this vast array of information that it would be part of my responsibility to teach these kids, that probably will know more about how to use the newer technology than I do, about being courteous and safe. 

Week 4

GOOGLE MAPS!
This week we played a little more with the video programs, and actually took an ipad out to work with the imovie program a make a little commercial type thing. I had a partner and we used me as the focus and it was really easy to get the shots and figure out what to say in between as this particular program has many it all set up "2.5 sec. close up" and all of that type of stuff. It was fun to create, and I did act in this one. I was a little embarrassed but regardless it turned out just fine.
We also learned about the smart board. This is completely new to me, and I was astounded at how it could be used, and hopefully I am able to play a little more with this fun, and practical piece of technology.
The last thing we did was work with Google Maps. I am excited to create a lesson using Google Maps and creating little bubbles of information. I started to create on focusing on the Canterbury Tales by Chaucer, but I am not sure I will stick with that. I have played with Google Maps a long time ago, but was impressed with the street view and I didn't know anything about how to create a profile and lesson by doing this, I am still not entirely certain I grasp how to save it all and create a timed lesson with it, but I can work that out as I finalize the project. I look forward in seeing how the other students used this in their own lessons.

week 3

During week 3 we talked a lot about the movie program and how to edit a digital movie. We watched some videos and talked about the effectiveness of them, and how much digital media is making it's way into our classrooms, and how it opens up a lot of variety of options for projects for students. We were given the task in groups of 3 or 4 to create a 30 second video that promotes an idea of some sort. Our group did the idea of encouraging reading. The setting was in front of a green screen and we had 2 characters. One character decided she wanted to go to the movies, while the other one couldn't afford to go. While on his own he picked up a book, this is where we implemented the green screen effects and displayed epic battles scenes as he read on in rapt attention. At this point the friend returns to lament that the movie was dull and the reader hands her the book exclaiming how amazing it was. I didn't act in this setting, I worked the camera. Cameras are similar in makeup and after a little exploring I was able to function effectively as camera person. I directed the actors and had to tweek the angle and focus a little to obtain both characters, and the entire green screen with out showing the wall behind it. After that we watched it with out the effects and concluded it would work as a one take piece. During the editing the effects were added, and we were all happy with final results. The team work, and planning from the initial idea to the final product was a fun process and I learned that once you have an idea and go with it the organic way that it changes and morphs as you go on is pretty cool when you allow others to show what they can add to it.

Week 2

This week in ED 270 we learned all about PHOTOSHOP. I enjoyed the experience of being able to tweek some pictures. We had to use at lease three photos; one we found online, one we scanned from hard copy, and one taken with some form of digital camera or what not and uploaded. These are not new to me and found scanning and importing the easiest part of the experience; however, that was not the only part that I already knew how to do.
I used paint a lot as a kid and the concepts of the cutting and pasting and changing the color are things that I did a lot of when I younger. Doing it all here was a little different, but easily learned.
For the most part incorporating the different pictures and making them seem like they belonged together was just as difficult as finding, placing, and cropping the pictures in their places was easy.

When I started I wanted to combine a photograph of my sister and I kissing my Grandfather's cheeks with a drawing that I had done (using that picture as a point of reference) then I would superimpose a picture of myself taken here in class over my original face from the photograph. It was not as elegant and amazing as I had hoped. After the class time we were given and another 5 or so hours I finally scrapped the idea after this result.




As you can see, not pretty. Although to be fair, my superimposed self does look like she belongs (mostly).
I scratched that idea, mainly because the drawing would not fit not matter how many ways I tried to blend it, I even tried to keep some aspects of the actual photo with the drawing just peaking through. Fail!
I decided to start over and created a piece using a picture of a kind of creepy garden from a magazine, A picture that I found of the Winchester brother from SUPERNATURAL, and pictures from my phone of both my friend Stephanie's wedding and mine. This one worked out better than I could have hoped with the failed attempt at the Grandpa picture.