Using Inspiration in other classes

I recently had to create a concept map for two chapters for an online class. The directions told us to use PowerPoint to do it. I found this to be difficult and time consuming. I had to save pictures of my slides to insert them into the next slide, so the transitions would work properly. For example, I would have my main idea and two points saved as a photo. Then I would insert it into the slide, and continue with the third point using the concept map creator.
It was very difficult to get the space I needed to fill out my map. I didn't like how all of the text was changed if I changed it on one other part of the map. All of the size would change if I did it on one part. I also did not like how I could not really get the order of my points to move. I couldn't really space it out or create it as a web.
While going over Inspiration, I found it to be very simple. I think this program would have been better to use. You just choose whether you want to create an outline or diagram. Then you just plug in your information. You can create a web by clicking on the creating tab, and then clicking on where you want the part to branch out at. Then you can also add pictures as effects. I really liked this program, and wish I could have used it for that project.

Individual Website Reflection

I have revised my individual website several times now, since we got this assignment. I first started off by making a homepage. Then I created a page for each work that I did for the class. For example, I had a separate page for my Excel work, a separate page for my Mail Merge, a separate page for my poster, etc. I created interactive buttons on my homepage that would take you to the pages containing my works. Then I continued to work on the pages that included the items I made for class. I added a picture of my works, a paragraph about them, and a title that explanied what it was.
When I went back to review my website, I decided that I had way too many interactive buttons on my homepage. It made it clustered, and didn't look as good as I thought it did. So, I created 5 new pages, and replaced the clustered interactive buttons with those. These 5 new buttons included Module 1, Module 2, Module 3, Module 4, and my Revised Works. I then moved my clustered interactive buttons to each Module Page that it belonged to. This made it alot more organized and orderly.
When I created my pages, I made them all different colors. I decided it would be better to coordinate the Module page color with each work that went with it. For example, if I made Module 1 orange, all of the work pages that were under Module 1 would be orange as well. I felt like this made my pages more organized and looked better overall.
I decided to include a Module button at the bottom of each page, as well as our home button. I think it would be easier to have a module button to take you back, instead of hitting the back button. It also makes it easier then just hitting the home button, and reclicking on the module button.
I really like my current version of my website. I feel that it represents me well and shows the hard work that I have put into the class. I have really enjoyed making the website, and put a lot of effort into it.

Reflections

This week on the course website, it says to work with your group members to fix some of our older work. I started to revise my booklet that I made in Microsoft Word.
Looking back at this project, I noticed the text was aligned funny, the pictures were out of order, and it lacked color. I think when I saved the original, it got messed up somehow.
The first thing I did to fix this project, was I added a background color. I made my booklet a travel booklet for my home county, Elk County. I added a nice, simple green background. It helps the booklet stand out, and the color is appropriate. The color doesn't hurt the eyes, or take away from the content.
The second thing I did was change the colors of the fonts. Some of the colors I used were now hard to see since I changed the background color. I like the font colors better now that they have a background to go with.
Next, I fixed the pictures. I deleted some spaces and moved my pictures around. This helped add more meaning to the text that I had. For instance, I had a picture of one of the places to stay. I originally wanted the picture by the hotel name and address. It didn't save like this, so I fixed it. Now viewers will get more meaning out of it.
Then I realigned some of the text I had. I feel like now it flows better and is easier to read.
The final thing I did was I fixed my Table of Contents. I fixed the headers of the towns, and the listings below it. It is now so much easier to follow and makes more sense.
I like the idea of going back and seeing how you are able to improve your work. Sometimes it just takes someone elses perspective to help you out.

Using EDTF learnings in other classes

I once again used what I learned in EDTF 300 in another class. I used what we learned about making a title photo for a video. I also used some of our Microsoft Word formatting skills in another class. I had to make a small video for another class, and used Power Point to make a title page. Then I also had to write a short summary with it. I used some of the text wrap and header things we learned, like inserting the new header. I've also used Publisher for other classes. I find it a lot easier now to have other resources to make things look better for other classes. I find the information I've learned in this class very helpful and useful. I used Excel to make a schedule for myself, since I register soon. This class has been very beneficial in many ways.

Podcast Reflection

I found that the download and installation of the program Audacity to be quite easy. You just have to click on the download that is right for your computer, and the rest takes care of itself. I did not download the Lame plugin at this point.
I first made a test audio to try out the program. When I clicked to play it back, I could not hear anything. I then closed out of the program and reopened it. When the welcome screen came on, I clicked for the help page on wikipedia. I followed the instructions of setting the speaker output to 1 Mono and that my input was Microsoft Mixer. When I tried to record again, it worked.
The next thing I did was come up with a script. I chose to do a travel podcast. I went to Las Vegas Nevada over the summer, and we were told by many locals that Vegas is now considered a family friendly destination. So, I decided to use that information for my podcast.
I then looked up family friendly activities and read information about them. I wrote out what I was going to say word for word, and started to record it.
Next, I went looking for music to put into the podcast. I found something I liked and looked on youtube to see how to add it to my podcast.
This is the video that I used.

 

She gives you step by step directions, and films herself doing it so you know exactly what to do. She also helps you figure out how to edit the music. I'm glad that I went and looked up this helpful video. Then I installed the Lame plugin and followed the steps provided to turning it into an mp3. This project may seem difficult once you get started, but as long as you put in the effort, it is easy to figure out.

PowerPoint Presentation

I just recently completed the PowerPoint Presentation for EDTF 300. Instead of using the Sports Center, I made up my own Day Care because it fits my majors better. I made the PowerPoint Presentation for Ruby Anderson, who is the founder and director of KinderCare Day Care.
In the presentation, I included an outline of the upcoming slides. On this page I have a link to a different slide to view it. Next I included a mini-biography for the director. Then I used several slides to describe the mission, facilities, rates, and hours of the Day Care Center. I also included a bar graph to show how the rates haven't really increased since the center opened in 2009. I also included opportunities at the center such as Internships, Student Teaching, and Observation hours. On this slide, and the one with rates and hours, I included the contact person for each department. Finally I included a credits slide.
Making the credits slide was very simple. I followed the directions given on Dr. Hossain's website, and they were clear and simple to do. Here I included, the Director, myself for the PowerPoint, the Opportunities Manager, and the Rates and Hours Manager. I linked an email to the Opportunities Manager.
I created and modified a template for the background of the PowerPoint. I also modified the fonts used. I used clipart provided and the animations. I found this to be a creative and reminding assignment. We get to make up a presentation according to our majors, and it helps remind us how to use PowerPoint and the different features.

Photostory Reflection

After getting the email from Dr. Hossain, it too me a little while to figure out what I wanted to do for this project. After some thinking, I decided to talk about the job that I had over the summer. I was a Summer Camp Counselor at my YMCA. I worked all summer with children from ages 6-12, and I feel like it really benefitted my major.
There were so many fun things that I loved about that job. There were so many things that I learned and got to experience because of it. Finally, I had decided to do a "day at the YMCA," for my Photostory assignment. I started out by writing my narrative. I basically wrote the chronological order of the things we did everyday. I also added in a few things that were favorites of the children. Next, I went online to gather the photos I wanted to use. I felt pretty prepared, and I read the steps from Dr. Hossain's site.
I found Photostory 3 to be very simple to use. I've used Windows Movie maker before, and it's quite similar. First I imported all of the pictures I wanted to use. Mine were in a random order, so I then arranged them to go a long with my narrative. Next, I went through all of the pictures and added captions to appear on the screen, and the narrative beside it in the notes section. Then, I formatted the different transitions for each picture. I added music, and saved my product. I had to go to the library to get a microphone so I could record myself.
I looked online to see where I had to go to pick up the microphone. I went to the Media Services Desk to rent one out. I decided to try out the lab on the bottom floor of the Library to see if I could get it to record. I logged onto a computer, and couldn't find the program. Then I logged off, and logged back into the computer under the Raub Lab. I found the program and connected the microphone through the USB drive. The computer wouldn't recognize the device. So next, I went to the Raub lab itself. I logged on to two different computers, and the same thing happened as in the Library. Finally, I logged into the "professor" computer in the lab (the one with the Smart Screen attached to it.) This is what worked for me. All I had left to do was click the record button on each picture.
I got a little frustrated trying to get the microphone to work, but other than that I had no problems. I feel like this would be a good resource to use and post on your company website. I like how easy it was, and it had a lot of different transitions and options for any user. I also liked how you could create your own music to fit your story. This was also very easy to do. I will definitely try to incorporate this program into my career.