Social Bookmarking is a method of storing, organizing, and sharing websites via the use of "tags" which make them easy to retrieve. If you have ever sent someone a link to a website you found interesting, you have participated in social bookmarking. For this assignment we explored Yahoo!'s free bookmarking service Delicious. We set up our own page and saved 20+ bookmarks of sites that will assist us as we move forward in our careers. I have added a gadget at the bottom of my blog page that lists my Delicious tags and invites you to subscribe to my network. Here is the link to my Delicious page if you would like to check it out:
http://www.delicious.com/visualartsgirl
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
W200 Library Resources
For this week's assignment we researched a topic of our choice using the IUPUI library database. We then shared our findings in a Publisher document which we posted directly to the instructor. I decided to share mine on my blog so that my friends could view it as well. To share my newsletter's PDF file, I uploaded it to scribd.com and embedded the HTML to my post. Let me know what you think!
Blog Newsletter Vol 1
Blog Newsletter Vol 1
Friday, March 4, 2011
Just Have to Share It!
I just have to share it! Take a break from W200, watch, enjoy, go buy a ticket! I know two girls who will be there August 12th!
W200 Assistive Technologies
For this assignment we were asked to explore technology which makes the content on the Internet accessible to everyone. The first group of websites I researched help break through language barriers. I was not surprised to find there are several websites that have the tools available to translate e-mails, typed phrases and words, even whole websites into the language of your preference. Three specific websites we were asked to check out were Google Translate, Paralink, and Babelfish. Of the three I thought that Babelfish by Yahoo! was the most user-friendly. I even installed their translator tool to my blog (see lower right hand side.) You can now translate my blog to any language listed in the drop down box just by clicking on it. There are a few drawbacks to the translation tools such as Babelfish. The translations are not always spot-on. I feel that the tool does get the translation close enough that someone needing the other language could figure out easily what is trying to be said; but it is definitely not a tool to use as a cheat for your mid-term French paper due Friday because most times the grammar and tenses are off. Another problem I experienced was computer lock-up while translating. My computer did well with translating to languages that do not use symbols for text, but locked up most times when translating to symbols. I tend to think this may be just a problem my five year old processor has and not a problem with the actual tool, but thought it merited mention in case others experience the same.
The second group of technology we researched for this assignment included tools for individuals with situations that make Internet use difficult. The websites I explored for this part of the assignment were www.microsoft.com/enable/at and http://www.wested.org/cs/tdl/print/docs/tdl/home.htm . Microsoft Enable gives instruction on ways one can customize computer settings and Microsoft software settings to better suit the user. New settings can aid with visual, hearing, and dexterity impairments. The West Ed website I felt gave more detailed description as to why one would such tools, sharing scenarios in which the technology was used and explaining how not only a physical disability, but also learning differences in individuals can constitute a need for assistive technology.
Finally, we were asked to research Photosensitive Epilepsy. This is a condition most common in people age 8 through 20. It involves a person's sensitivity to flashing lights, moving pictures, transitions from light to dark that may trigger sickness or seizures. I found this website helpful: http://www.epilepsymatters.com/english/faqphotosensitive.html#whatisphoto
At the bank, we have a phrase that we use-"Know your customer!" It's just a quick phrase we use communicate to each other that- I know who this person is, what they need, what they do, what they can't do, what they want, where they live, what is a normal transaction and what isn't, etc. It's how we protect our customers from fraud and banking errors. I think the same practice could be applied as an educator to "Know your student!" It's all about paying attention and asking questions. If you know your student has a history of epilepsy you aren't going to sit them in front of a flashing computer monitor, you're going to find another method to communicate the lesson.
I feel like this lesson covered some very important topics. No cool artsy whatsits to share on this post, just straightforward information useful to educators and individuals alike.
The second group of technology we researched for this assignment included tools for individuals with situations that make Internet use difficult. The websites I explored for this part of the assignment were www.microsoft.com/enable/at and http://www.wested.org/cs/tdl/print/docs/tdl/home.htm . Microsoft Enable gives instruction on ways one can customize computer settings and Microsoft software settings to better suit the user. New settings can aid with visual, hearing, and dexterity impairments. The West Ed website I felt gave more detailed description as to why one would such tools, sharing scenarios in which the technology was used and explaining how not only a physical disability, but also learning differences in individuals can constitute a need for assistive technology.
Finally, we were asked to research Photosensitive Epilepsy. This is a condition most common in people age 8 through 20. It involves a person's sensitivity to flashing lights, moving pictures, transitions from light to dark that may trigger sickness or seizures. I found this website helpful: http://www.epilepsymatters.com/english/faqphotosensitive.html#whatisphoto
At the bank, we have a phrase that we use-"Know your customer!" It's just a quick phrase we use communicate to each other that- I know who this person is, what they need, what they do, what they can't do, what they want, where they live, what is a normal transaction and what isn't, etc. It's how we protect our customers from fraud and banking errors. I think the same practice could be applied as an educator to "Know your student!" It's all about paying attention and asking questions. If you know your student has a history of epilepsy you aren't going to sit them in front of a flashing computer monitor, you're going to find another method to communicate the lesson.
I feel like this lesson covered some very important topics. No cool artsy whatsits to share on this post, just straightforward information useful to educators and individuals alike.
Friday, February 25, 2011
W200 Emerging Technologies: Communication
In this post I am showcasing an online application used to aid in communication. These applications are used to share ideas, agendas, flowcharts, just about anything you can think of back and forth with a chosen group of individuals. After researching a few of the sites suggested for this module I decided to share monkeyon.com purely because this application makes me laugh...hard. Thank goodness there was no Internet when I was a teenager! (You'll see what I mean...)
Monkeyon.com allows one to create a to do list online and delegate the items on the list to whomever they choose using only their e-mail address. Each item on the list is a "monkey." You assign a description of the task you want done and a deadline. Once you send the "monkey" to the person you want to do the task, the application continues to send the monkey repeatedly until the task is completed or the deadline passes. In other words, the monkey is on their back until the task is done. When the task is done, the receiver "kills" the monkey which prompts an e-mail message bask to the sender. When the task expires the monkey "dies of old age." Dead monkeys can of course be revived and re-sent. Once signed up for monkeyon, you will be able to manage your monkeys sent, send new monkeys, and view monkeys sent to you all via tabs on your homepage. The free version of this application allows 5 monkeys to be active at a time. To have the ability to send unlimited numbers of monkeys there is a $20 charge.
Example of a monkey:
Since it may be hard to read, the e-mail states that "Heather has sent me, a highly trained and super-intelligent monkey, to remind you to: Finish Your Homework!"
I think this application is a cute non-offensive way to communicate that you're holding someone accountable for something. It could be a fun parenting tool. A teacher could use this application to follow up on tasks assigned to parents or students alike. Follow the link, check it out & tell me what you think!
http://monkeyon.com/
Monkeyon.com allows one to create a to do list online and delegate the items on the list to whomever they choose using only their e-mail address. Each item on the list is a "monkey." You assign a description of the task you want done and a deadline. Once you send the "monkey" to the person you want to do the task, the application continues to send the monkey repeatedly until the task is completed or the deadline passes. In other words, the monkey is on their back until the task is done. When the task is done, the receiver "kills" the monkey which prompts an e-mail message bask to the sender. When the task expires the monkey "dies of old age." Dead monkeys can of course be revived and re-sent. Once signed up for monkeyon, you will be able to manage your monkeys sent, send new monkeys, and view monkeys sent to you all via tabs on your homepage. The free version of this application allows 5 monkeys to be active at a time. To have the ability to send unlimited numbers of monkeys there is a $20 charge.
Example of a monkey:
I think this application is a cute non-offensive way to communicate that you're holding someone accountable for something. It could be a fun parenting tool. A teacher could use this application to follow up on tasks assigned to parents or students alike. Follow the link, check it out & tell me what you think!
http://monkeyon.com/
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
W200 Emerging Technologies: Photosharing
I LOVED THIS ASSIGNMENT! For this lesson we explored photosharing applications available on the Internet. Being that I'm an avid photographer and scrapbooker this was right up my alley! I began my search for websites using this website: http://cooltoolsforschools.wikispaces.com/ This site was provided to us by our professor and it has links to many useful sites. After reviewing a few I chose to use Hallmark's Smilebox application: http://www.smilebox.com/
Smilebox is a photosharing website that allows you to create your own photo slideshows, videos, and e-greetings using pre-designed templates. The program recognizes photos already stored in your computer's My Pictures folder, you just choose the ones you want to use. The program has a free version with limited choices of templates, or it has a membership version for which you can pay monthly or annually. The paid version of this software allows one full access to the templates available as well as the ability to upload your own music and the ability to print your creations from home.
The program was very user friendly. After choosing a template, the program walks you step by step through the process with easy to navigate icons and instructions. I think it took me about a half hour to complete my slideshow. Even the task of attaching my creation to my blog was made easy as Smilebox has a "share it" tab that allows one to post to blogger accounts.
I think this tool is universal. It will benefit anyone who wants to share their photographs. The program is easy enough to follow that even young children could use it to create photosharing presentations for school projects. For this assignment I chose to demonstrate the technology from the perspective of a teacher advertising an annual field trip. The pictures in my show are actually pictures of my boyfriend and I during our last visit to Chicago. I highlighted different features of the trip by adding text to some slides. Since the slideshow creation went fairly quick, I also created an invitation to the event. My thought was that this would be something sent to students or parents of students. The slideshow advertises the event, then the invitation gives the participation details.
My photosharing creations:
Like I said, this program was so easy to use. The only suggestions I can think to give would be to have your photos edited to your liking before applying them to a template on Smilebox. There are really no photo editing options on the site, so do that beforehand using whatever software you edit your photos with. I use Google's Picasa program. My other suggestion would be to consider the paid membership. I got a kick out of using "Send Me On My Way" by Rusted Root for my background music as opposed to the generic music provided by the free version. Please comment and let me know what you think!
Smilebox is a photosharing website that allows you to create your own photo slideshows, videos, and e-greetings using pre-designed templates. The program recognizes photos already stored in your computer's My Pictures folder, you just choose the ones you want to use. The program has a free version with limited choices of templates, or it has a membership version for which you can pay monthly or annually. The paid version of this software allows one full access to the templates available as well as the ability to upload your own music and the ability to print your creations from home.
The program was very user friendly. After choosing a template, the program walks you step by step through the process with easy to navigate icons and instructions. I think it took me about a half hour to complete my slideshow. Even the task of attaching my creation to my blog was made easy as Smilebox has a "share it" tab that allows one to post to blogger accounts.
I think this tool is universal. It will benefit anyone who wants to share their photographs. The program is easy enough to follow that even young children could use it to create photosharing presentations for school projects. For this assignment I chose to demonstrate the technology from the perspective of a teacher advertising an annual field trip. The pictures in my show are actually pictures of my boyfriend and I during our last visit to Chicago. I highlighted different features of the trip by adding text to some slides. Since the slideshow creation went fairly quick, I also created an invitation to the event. My thought was that this would be something sent to students or parents of students. The slideshow advertises the event, then the invitation gives the participation details.
My photosharing creations:
 |
 |
| Free slideshow personalized with Smilebox |
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| This free invite card personalized with Smilebox |
Like I said, this program was so easy to use. The only suggestions I can think to give would be to have your photos edited to your liking before applying them to a template on Smilebox. There are really no photo editing options on the site, so do that beforehand using whatever software you edit your photos with. I use Google's Picasa program. My other suggestion would be to consider the paid membership. I got a kick out of using "Send Me On My Way" by Rusted Root for my background music as opposed to the generic music provided by the free version. Please comment and let me know what you think!
Friday, February 11, 2011
W200 Emerging Technologies: Podcasting
For this assignment we were to create a podcast or vodcast and explain to others the process in which we made it. I chose to create a vodcast. A vodcast is a video that others can download to their computer or mobile device to watch. It is a useful tool, especially for teachers, because you can create videos of the material you want to communicate to your students and send it to them via their subscription to your feed. I see where this could be a very valuable tool also for an artist who wants to share their work or instruct others on how to create certain projects.
My personal testimony of my experience could be summed up in one word: DUH! I went about creating this project with some really complicated process in mind. I spent two evenings up until the wee hours of the morning Google-ing websites of "how-to's" and video editing and podcasting and media share sites. Now that I have filtered through all the information I found, I ended up using programs I already owned or that I was familiar with before this lesson. Like I said...DUH!
After recording my video on my digital camera and adding titles and music to it on Adobe Premiere Elements, I saved it as a podcast ready file in my documents through that option on Elements. My edition of Elements is a trial offer, so I apologize for the black bar across my face in the video! When I purchase the software, the bar won't be there anymore.
Next I made my blog subscribe-able through Google's feedburner site. This allows people to be notified when I update my blog. This was a completely new experience for me. I think I have the connection on there the way it should be, but I will re-post if I find out I have it wrong.
Next I uploaded my video to You Tube. Why it didn't occur to me before that this was a video sharing site, I have no idea, but my video is now a part of their archive. Below is the URL to connect to my first podcast:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuJ_d14V1K0
It's not exactly Oscar material, but I feel like I'm closer to understanding how to use this tool. As with anything in technology, the more you use it, the better you get at it. My tips or advice to anyone looking to create their own vodcast would be to not be overwhelmed by the idea of it. This was a fairly simple task that I made into a monster! Take it one step at a time, and don't forget to use the programs you are familiar with!
My personal testimony of my experience could be summed up in one word: DUH! I went about creating this project with some really complicated process in mind. I spent two evenings up until the wee hours of the morning Google-ing websites of "how-to's" and video editing and podcasting and media share sites. Now that I have filtered through all the information I found, I ended up using programs I already owned or that I was familiar with before this lesson. Like I said...DUH!
After recording my video on my digital camera and adding titles and music to it on Adobe Premiere Elements, I saved it as a podcast ready file in my documents through that option on Elements. My edition of Elements is a trial offer, so I apologize for the black bar across my face in the video! When I purchase the software, the bar won't be there anymore.
Next I made my blog subscribe-able through Google's feedburner site. This allows people to be notified when I update my blog. This was a completely new experience for me. I think I have the connection on there the way it should be, but I will re-post if I find out I have it wrong.
Next I uploaded my video to You Tube. Why it didn't occur to me before that this was a video sharing site, I have no idea, but my video is now a part of their archive. Below is the URL to connect to my first podcast:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuJ_d14V1K0
It's not exactly Oscar material, but I feel like I'm closer to understanding how to use this tool. As with anything in technology, the more you use it, the better you get at it. My tips or advice to anyone looking to create their own vodcast would be to not be overwhelmed by the idea of it. This was a fairly simple task that I made into a monster! Take it one step at a time, and don't forget to use the programs you are familiar with!
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