Session Three

After the third session, I started to explore Presentation Zen a bit more. I found the required reading to be extremely helpful. I am a visual person and like how the text included pictures of slides. I thought it was easy to see the improvement. I just wonder, why wasn't this thought of before. So simple, so easy. I also wonder is this type of presenting harder than it looks. The reason why I ask this is because sometimes I learn something new, look at examples, and think to myself, "Hey that's easy." Then when I start on my own, sometimes I realize it's a little more challenging than it looks. I do use some of the principles of design, like contrast and repetition, but I have used bulleted points along with trying to fill up the empty space. I love the thirds rule and have been slightly obsessed with the Golden Ratio for a few years now. I love how that ratio makes balance and harmony. Another hint I did not know about was directing the eye with images. I thought it was interesting that images should be facing the same direction the audience's eyes are suppose to be. Soon I will be refurbishing one of my old power point presentations and have many ideas. I will add pictures instead of using just words and taken out slides completely and use those ideas for my handouts.

Getting There

After the second session, I was asked to briefly join my group on Sykpe. I have never used it before (just downloaded it onto my computer) and was a bit anxiuos about getting to the right spot or what was I suppose to do. It was really easy because on of my groupmates called me and what a handy dandy tool. The group will be meeting again this weekend using the tool to discuss past powerpoint presentations we have created. I'm excited to see how that will work. Through this all, I feel that I am gradually "getting there" with this whole technology stuff....It's not nearly as scary as it seems. Granted I haven't started any of the voice thread assignment, but I think it's only a matter of playing around with it. I also must say that I have been enjoying this photograph assignment and think I am building a cool collection of pics. Sometimes I can't help myself and show them to family, friends, or co-workers. My highlight from the last class was looking at others' pictures. There was some excellent creativity and perspectives. I hope we do this breifly in every class. Periodically I have been looking at everyone's posterous and love them. It's safe to say that some have even inspired me to be a bit more creative.

New class...Digital Storytelling

Last year I started this blog for one of my classes, Web 2.0. I am presently in school to receive my Library Media Specialists License and am taking a new class, Digital Storytelling. We just had our first lesson and I was excited and nervous at the same time. I was excited to get started on learning new technology, but nervous because I have not taken an online class before. During web 2.0 we did some class sessions online, but still had the face to face interaction. I thought the class went smoothly just like the sessions in 2.0, and slowly my confidence grew. I like the convenience of being in my own home and realized that online classes are the present and future. It was interesting for me to listen to my classes mates during the session because I am the new student in the class (I always hated that growing up). I liked how some joked around with others and wonder if any students have ever met face to face or have all your classes have been online. During the session I liked watching the pictures with the clouds because I would have never thought about doing something so simple, but yet so creative! I also enjoyed going over the tips for great pictures. I did know some of them, but not all. Finally, I am excited about the projects we are to do in the class....the Pecha-kucha..How cool!!!!, finding free resources on the internet...Always useful!!!!, and updating an old slide show.....Can't wait!!!!