Em's Blog

Right now in technology we have been learning about mashups, and about the fair use policy, and such. So in this blog post I will be answering the question  ”Does copyright hinder or cultivate creativity?”

I think that copyright hinders creativity, meaning that I believe that copyright prevents creativity. Online, I have seen so much creativity that might not necessarily be legal (depends which way you look at it.) I have seen videos that have been based off of TV shows and movies, or drawings and art that have been based off of those. Though I do believe that there should be a law that doesn’t allow you to copy something exactly like the original. But instead of that, change the meaning, which is the point of making mashups. I think that it’s quite stupid to sue someone for having a five second moment that sounds exactly like a part from another song, because with the rate of creativity that growing, there are bound to be things that are the same. But, if someone bases a short video off of a movie, and it’s free, I believe that it’s alright. Though of course it matters how you got the clips or songs, illegally or legally, but it’s not like the companies are going to give those to you, if you pay a certain amount of money, because you might just enjoy making videos for a hobby, and aren’t looking to make money out of it, and I think that’s alright. So overall, I think that copyright hinders creativity, because it limits or imagination, by not letting people express their ideas from movies/books/TV shows. Though the people who express their ideas should not ask for money, unless they have permission to do so, and it shouldn’t be practically the same as the original (meaning that it should change the meaning of the video.)

My investigation was done well I think, because I learnt several different things about presenting. The problem with my investigation was that in the beginning, I didn’t write as much as I could have, but throughout it I started improving. I think that my plan and create were a bit rushed, and had I worked on them earlier, I would have done a lot better, and have added more details into them. My plan could’ve been improved on the part where we had to write about how the topic was relatable to yourself, the school, and such. IThe most important part of my create stage, making the slides, was literally done in one day, which was horrid timing on my part, so I could work on time-managment.
My topic was chosen when I wasn’t feeling the brightest, and when I had to find out information, I realised that it wasn’t the best topic to talk about, and I would have preferred to talk about how tumblr changes your view on everything. My presentation itself though, was alright I think. I’m really happy that I was able to remember my presentation, and that my presentation was timed, because that was something I wanted to be able to do for a long time. Sadly, the timed presentation didn’t exactly work, because when I get nervous, I start to talk too fast, which is a habit of mine. What I want to work on is how I can change up my slides. My slides are always the same thing, a big picture that relates to the topic, with the title somewhere. I want to make it more like a friends, because hers was simple, but wasn’t just one picture like mine. She had different colours, and pictures that all related to what she was talking about.

It's made out of lego-so cute!

I am really happy  with my tutorial because it was much better than I thought it would be, because I rarely use iMovie, but even so I was able to do the simple things (that I didn’t know how to do before.) Also, because my instructions were really simple, and easy to understand. But then, I didn’t really look at my script, I just said it as I went, looking at the video. If I had to change the project again, I would be ready to talk, and I wouldn’t talk through all the clips, just one by one.

My favorite part was the create part, because we got to make the tutorial (finally!) and I got to learn things while doing it, like using iMovie. Putting all the effects for iMovie was fun as well. The part I liked least? Probably evaluate, this part, because we have to look back at stuff, and we don’t really do anything with technology-except for the blog post, which we do for everything. But apart from evaluate? Plan, because we had to comment on peoples blogs, and look at tutorial videos, But that was funner than this (sorry!)

I think I did work well in class, but I always wasn’t on task, because since Kate and I were listening to music, sometimes we would just sing to it, and forget about working, so I guess I wasn’t always on task, but most of the time I was.  :)  If I could change my work performance, I would choose the videos that were just lyrics, not the official music video, so I wouldn’t get distracted.

The project I learnt the most in was the create, because I never use iMovie, so I didn’t know how to do transitions and effects, but I learnt how to by looking at a tutorial. (haha!) Also, I learnt how to screencast, something I always wanted to do-and I didn’t know it was soo easy!

My strength was getting the screencasting done. I did at home when I got back from Belgium, and since I had no homework, I just worked on this! My weakness was probably the storyboard writing, because I did like 3 steps on one part, and then I realized that when I arrived in Japan, so I did it all over again!

I was a thinker in this project because instead of just saving the picture, I took a screenshot of it. (whoops!) I was also a communicator by telling people my knowledge about photoshop (from chowa) and for my blog (from tech.)

Thank you, and I hope that you like my tutorial!

How To Make A Custom Header for a WordPress Blog from YIS Academics on Vimeo.

Recently in tech class, we FINALLY made our tutorial, mine on how to make a good custom header for a wordpress blog.

I learnt during this how to screen cast, something I always wanted to learn. I also learned how to use iMovie better, because I never really used iMovie for anything important.

I am happy and proud of my work. I am because, I never knew that screen casting could go so smooth, and I never thought I could screen cast. Also, I don’t like having to much things, and I didn’t even have music in the background, or very complicated transitions, and I’m proud of my choice.

It was very easy to make. Because screen casting is much easier than showing people  yourself , with you making things. Also, since I didn’t talk while I did it, so it made it easier for me. It was hard, because I split my talk into two parts, but then in one part my phone started ringing, and it would take too long to do it again.

My tutotial was well organized, and was under five minutes. Also I was only talking about my topic, and also my grammer was good! Also I was relevent.

I need to learn how to make just one part fast forward, not the whole clip. I also want to speak clear, because on some parts I didn’t really speak well. I also need to learn to be ready, because I often improved, and it didn’t sound so good.

My tutorial I’m going to make is “How to Make a Good Custom Header for a WordPress Blog.” Which I did resently when I had nothing to do, as you can see on my header, with Taylor Swift!

I demonstrated a good tutorial by making it organized, and easy to follow. For example, by not suddenly just changing the subject. Also by making the instructions simple, but specific, like make sure the photos are close sizes, and fit the blog header.

The viewer would be able to learn from this because the tutorial is simple, and easy. The steps weren’t hard to start with, so that would make it easy for everyone, and I won’t have

anything distracting them like catchy music in the background.

I think I need to learn how to make things better on iMovie! I can never get it, so I’ll need help to edit things. Also before this blog post, I didn’t know how to film the screen, but thanks to Ms.Cofino, I know. But apart from that, I think it’s okay.

In tech class, we learnt about tutorials. Then, we had to choose a tutorial and make a blog post, which you have seen. Then we commented other people’s choice. I commented on Sophia’s, Kate‘s and Iruka’s blog. Looking at these blog posts I learnt how to draw a cartoon tiger, (Sophia’s) how to play the guitar (Kate’s) and how to make claymation. (Iruka’s)

I learnt during the investigation process I learn how to embed a youtube video to my blog, how to make a presentation on google doc, and some small details on google docs, like how to add a text box or an arrow. Another thing I learnt was when you’re doing a video tutorial, people like it when they can see the thing your doing, not seeing you do it. I can use these by making a google doc presentation, and if I do make a video, I can make it good, not bad.

I think the tutorial from youtube was better than mine, because having the voice is easy, and also my tutorial was quite quick, and not very smooth, unlike the youtube tutorial. Things I need to learn to make a good tutorial is to make my tutorial smooth, and clear.

I chose this tutorial because it’s really easy to understand, and you can see the person doing it as well, plus the showed the ingredients in the more info bar. Also, I would probably use the milkshake more often than than drawing things. I like the fact that I can make it since sometimes they only show things that say “Ask your parents” and such. In fact I made this when my mum was away. Also it is really yummy, and filling.

Emily

Sooo cute~

In tech class, we are doing the evaluate part.

My favourite part of this project was probably the plan and create part. Plan, because it was fun thinking up ideas for or blog. Plus that was the time when I started playing around with the widgets. Create, because finally, we got our blogs just how we wanted to look like. Well, I have to say, I don’t really like this evaluate part. I just don’t really like thinking about the past that much. If I was the teacher, I wouldn’t change much, except I would make the blog theme they way they students wanted it to be. Like I wanted a dark theme, seen in my other post, and I bet many other kids wanted their theme too.

I have to say, I learnt the most from the in investigation, because at first, I didn’t even know how to make a post.Now I think, who wouldn’t be able to make a post? Wow, time does pass quickly…

I can use this in my other classes, because we often write things in other  classes. I could use this when I’m in university, because when I am going, it’s probably going to be all about technology. Adult, same thing as university.

Image Credit: Computer Budgie II Michael Fitz  http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelfitz/3490322415/

Well, I didn't know what to put in...

In tech class, we have been making our blog appearance as perfect as we can. As you may have seen, I kept my blog the way it is, and I will probably continue to.

I am really happy with my blog, because it’s simple,  not with lots of flashy colours, the snow matches with it, and it’s easy to read.

The criteria that matches with my blog, is that my blog is simple, and a nice sidebar.

I need to learn what photos I can put in some of my posts, because for me, I don’t know what photos to put in some posts.

Image Credit: Question Mark the.sprouts

Recently in tech class, we finished drawing our ideal blog template. We also wrote how we can make our blog grow, into a better blog.

I chose this blog template because it’s simple, and the font I chose was a unusual one, and the other two are ones that aren’t made by me, made by wordpress, so it’s orignal and creative. I want a creative blog, so it’s eye catching, and people will read it. It also reflects me beacause sometimes, I feel down and dark, so that’s for the black background, and the light font is that I am also cheerful and light, and I can have many different moods in one day.

My template demonstrates excellent blog design because it’s simple, and easy to read. The colour stands out from the background, and I wanted a template that wasn’t to fancy, and with too much colour. I didn’t want one with too much colour, because I’m not like that. I don’t go for bright catching colours, like many other girls do.

I don’t think I need to know anything else to make my blog bigger. Because I learnt everything I know to make it better. I know how to make my blog better, such as more posts recently, photos, and some fun decorations, like the snow.