"Red One / Photo Album" by włodi

Photo editing comes in handy when you are trying to prepare files for
a multimedia presentation. iPhoto and Bridge are both photo editing
applications that are dedicated to helping users organize their
images. Bridge and iPhoto allows users to rate photos and apply some
basic quick edits to the color and composition. Recently, I used
Bridge for a work-related presentation. Likewise, Aperture is a photo
editing program that is similar to Photoshop. Unlike Photoshop,
Aperture allows users to enter a full screen-editing mode without
losing all of their tools. This editing method brings back the
memories of editing in a darkroom and may help traditional
photographers transfer their skills over to the digital world of
photography.

Video Set for Episode 02 by Racum

Stickam is a free video conferencing site that allows you to join or
create your own chat room. It reminds me of a traditional chat room,
with a video feature. I believe that Stickam would be a very useful
tool at my job. For example, my coworkers and I could use this tool
rather than meeting in the conference room every other day for a
in-person meeting. The only problem I forsee is that the chat room has
limited video slots. Lastly, a user’s online etiquette is vital for
the chatting community to work. If too many individuals have their mic
on at one time, an annoying echo resonates in everyone’s ear and can
be very irritating. I learned that it’s proper to always begin a video
conference with your mic muted, and unmute when recognized or by
raising your hand to talk.

"Old Mac" by Monochrome

Wow! Scratch and ALICE both teach kids basic principles of
object-oriented programming and allows them to create their own
animation and games. With applications like these, software
development will eventually become a task that everyone can learn at a
basic level. For example, students can learn to solve problems by
debugging their own code. Flash on the other hand, is an industry
standard animation and application development software that takes it
to another level. Students that begin with Scratch and ALICE can
easily transfer their skills to Flash development. Flash is geared
toward creating applications for web deployment, but now offers that
ability to create presentations like PowerPoint. Flash uses a linear
timeline and ActionScript to control the flow of the application and
makes the possibilities for interactivity endless. Because it’s so
mainstream, developers around the world have used flash to create
things from interactive videos to interactive 3d-models. It takes a
lot of logical/mathematical intelligence to get a hang of the
ActionScripting, but there are a lot of tutorials on the web.

"Dandelion (negative)" by tanakawho

I have to admit that I spoke with a downward spiral perspective before
this course. Yes, the economy isn’t great, the Alliance isn’t my dream
job, and we just had to replace a show because we could not afford to
produce it. For the past few weeks, I have focused on how things used
to be…the good old days that is. I missed not having to worry so much
about surviving, but I’m going to stay present with what’s going on
right now. To be honest, getting my master’s degree only opens up new
opportunities. Designing the artwork for next season has forced me to
learn more about Photoshop and allowed me to work with other artistic
individuals.

"Jumping for Joy in Moel Hiraddug" by clspeace

As a designer, it’s important to be able to unleash my creativity on
demand. Sometimes, I get caught up in the technical aspects of design,
typography and create something that functions well; but is not
creative. Zander & Zander (2000) encouraged me stay present with the
moment and participate (i.e. taking the risk and seeing where it
leads). This chapter was really inspirational and I really enjoyed the
one-buttock player metaphor. I’m reminded of a childhood quark that I
use to, that let me know that I was passionately participating. My
tongue use to always stick out of the corner of my mouth, when I was
really lost in the creative process. It seems like, as I’ve gotten
older, I’ve had fewer moments like that and became more up tight. It’s
time to let it go!

Reference:

Zander, R., & Zander, B. (2000). The art of possibilities:
Transforming professional and personal life. New York: Peguin Books.

Part 1:

In the Media Asset Creation class I learned that

• Technology enables us to control our culture
• Together we can create a collective intelligence, in which we can collaborate, solve puzzles and interact with multiple types of media
• That imagining a larger box is sometimes thinking outside the box
• How to use creative commons to share my work and promote creativity verses scarcity
• How to use Bridge to organize my files and work quicker with other programs in the Adobe Creative Suite
• To customize my own commercial free station based on my favorite artists
• To start out giving A’s and seeing myself as a contribution without needing to put on an impressive mask
• How to use Flash and After Effects for interactivity and animation

In the end, I learned that technology only increases our potential to
share and build upon what we already know; but it’s up to us to come
out of our shells and share, participate, and define our convergent
future.

"Globes" by _sarchi

Part 2:

Flash and object-oriented programming seems to be the technology that
is bridging the gap between mobile and web technology. Flash allows
users to interact with text, video, and audio using a programming
language called ActionScripting. For my final presentation, I will
attempt to integrate Flash’s interactivity with an Augmented Reality
program called MediaScape. Augmented Reality merges virtual
information within a real setting. For example, a flash movie plays on
a mobile device depending on you location or a 3D model is displayed
based on a 2D barcode or marker.  As our culture continues to converge
into a more personalized culture, I believe education will follow the
same trend. Augmented Reality allows learners to access information
that is relevant to their immediate situation or within a certain
context.  MediaScape allows teachers to build location-based lessons
that take advantage of the real world surroundings, while adding
another level of insight through augmented video, audio, or text.

Approve by striatic

Giving an A

Zander & Zander (2000) says that giving an A allows people to step out
of the measurement perspective but into a place of mutual respect.
What a liberating chapter. I went to work the next day and gave my
boss an A and it really works. I still wanted to leave my job, but it
was no longer because I didn’t like the work environment. I gave
myself an A too; suddenly I felt the burden of trying to prove my
worth disappear. I didn’t start slacking on the job, but I didn’t feel
like I had to take on tasks out of fear of not measuring up to my
boss’s expectations. This book is dangerous.

Reference:

Zander, R., & Zander, B. (2000). The art of possibilities:
Transforming professional and personal life. New York: Peguin Books.

I am by Camaal Moten

Being a Contribution

After giving out A’s I declared that I was a contribution. So I went
to work without the perspective a succeeding or failing but adding
something that was uniquely mine. By seeing myself as a contribution,
I was able to rediscover the joy of designing. Although the design was
later not approved, I was numb to the sting of disappointment and
didn’t see it as a waste of time.  Now if I could only apply that same
principle to my thesis.

Freedom by recursion_see_recursion

How are my thoughts and actions, in this moment, reflections of the
measurement world?

Zander & Zander (2000) define the measurement world as a perspective
that is supported by assessments, grades, standards, scales, and
comparisons.  In this world we worry about winning and losing, being
accepted, avoiding rejection based on one single assumption that life
is all about survival (Zander & Zander, 2000).  My most recent
thoughts and actions are most consumed with wanting to be accepted
amongst my peers in education technology. I don’t want to write a
thesis that will make people in the field say “So what.” I spend hours
searching for articles and trying to find what hasn’t been said
already, but I’m finding more commonalities than anything. I’m worried
about not graduating too because I’ve dedicated most of my time
focusing on my course work. While it was nice to get good grades and
approval from the professors, I’m disappointed on how I’ve handled my
thesis.  My thoughts and actions were totally focused on getting good
grades and competing amongst my peers.  Zander & Zander (2000)
encourages us that as we continually examine our thoughts, we will see
how it’s impossible to escape the underlying survival instinct. I
haven’t laughed yet, but I’m holding out hopes that it will come soon.
(Hehe, I just did) I had to laugh because I’m even trying to meet up
to the author’s standards and feel inadequate for not getting the
moment of laughter by the end of the chapter.

Reference:

Zander, R., & Zander, B. (2000). The art of possibilities:
Transforming professional and personal life. New York: Peguin Books.

Musical Chairs by -Vik-

Leading from any chair

I learned that leadership wasn’t about being selfish and having others
carry out your will, but knowing who you work with and allowing them
to contribute their passion to the overall goal.  As leaders allows
others to contribute, a greater respect is built for the responsibly
of leading a group. After reading this chapter, my perspective and
respect of my boss has changed.