Thing #5

Flickr Mashup

Honestly, I was confused at first as to what the Flickr App Garden was. After much searching I finally figured out that anyone can make an app and use flickr as their host. It took me a long time to find an app that sounded interesting. The one I looked at is called Family Art Studio. I actually like it because you can type in any word and it will create cool word art that you can personalize. I made one below. I liked Mosaicr, but I was having a hard time finding anything else that I felt was outstanding. I am going to keep looking though. I feel like there is a diamond in the rough in the App Garden.

Thing #4

I am sold on flickr! I wish I would of thought of flickr early. Especially, this summer where I was trying to upload photos to an online database. I did not realize how many options I had with flickr. After taking the tour I realized I could add notes and a time and place to a photo. You can also share photos with groups of people such as just friends or just family. It will allow you to connect to Facebook and other social networking sites, which I think it a huge selling point. I like the idea of a photoblog as you can connect flickr to blogger, word press, etc. I love how you can send photos from iPhoto or other apps to flickr. That will be my next project. I need to remember that flickr commons is a great research tool for projects. I was using photobucket,  I am now a flickr fan!

My Summer Trip Photostream

Thing #3

This is a picture I took of my sister-in-law at our family ranch. I used my Nikon D-80 with a long lens and filter. I edited the picture using iPhoto. I love this picture because it displays small Texas charm. When I look at it I feel like it could be a cover to a music album, post card, or Texas Travel poster. She looks like a wanderer but really she knows where she is going. She would probably kill me if she knew I posted this picture, but I love it so. She is so pretty and relaxed in this picture, but if you really knew her she is very humble and gentle, never boastful. After hours of convincing her to let me photograph her, I took a multitude of pictures and created a book of the entire photo session. I gave it to my father-in-law as a Father's Day gift.

Thing #2

Today I set up the second blog I ever had. The first blog I had was in my freshmen political science class. It was a time when blogs were relatively new and I did not really understand the point of blogs. However, my professor made us post a new blog every week with a picture about a current event. We had to develop an opinion of that event and read other student blogs. At the time it was tedious, but looking back he was cutting edge. So I appreciate the exposure to the new tech tool.

Setting up this blog only took a few minutes and was very easy to navigate. I was able to start posting immediately. I love how there were only a few clicks from posting what you want to say. Plus, there are all these great tools now. I can add any type of media file or link. Additionally, I have different post settings. So many options! Any one can blog!

Thing #1

After reading the Seven Habits of Highly Successful People and watching the online tutorial, I discovered a few things about my self. I think that the easiest habit for me is Habit 1: Be Proactive. I am goal oriented and have a strong will. However, the hardest habit for me is Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind. I can be very enthusiastic and energized by the thought of a new idea of project. I do not always think of the steps I need to take to get there. I love this because the 7 habits are easy to remember and logical.

In regards to life long learning. I am a huge proponent for staying up to date in the lastest information. I feel it is important to continually learn something new everyday. If you decide to become a teacher, you decide that you will become a life long learner. When ask to do this learning contract, I figured it would easy. However, it took my a long time to really think about setting goals with tools and when I needed to accomplish the tasks at hand. I had to think about what I wanted to do in the next 6 months and decide what was most important to me. I think it is important for any business, including schools to set short term and long terms goals and check to see if we are meeting those goals. 

 My Learning Contract