Emerging Technology: #1

I have chose to explore the site gabcast as the podcasting emerging technology. Gabcast is a podcasting site that allows you to record a message, conference call, or other audio and easily post it on the site. The site also allows you to record personal audio greetings, hold interviews, and even verbally describe items on ebay!
The site was very simple to use. When signing up it gives step bu step details on how to set up a new channel. However, once in the channel selection, I had a hard time maneuvering back to where I started. I would suggest writing out exactly what you want to say before recording the podcast so you aren't stumbling through it. Podcasting does seem to have its benefits such as being able to more clearly express emotions that may be lost in a solely written form. I also like the fact that it can be accessed and used without having to purchase a microphone so less technology savvy people (such as myself) can use the phone and still be able to enjoy all its benefits. Although you do receive 5 free minutes, it does cost 10 cents per additional minutes to record, which is a downside.
I personally don't see myself using this device as just something to do in my free time, however as an educator it could be used to post information for parents or students who have missed a class to explain assignments. It could also be used to post lectures for college level students to use a reference.

My gabcast is actually these question we needed to answer on this blog. To listen to my gabcast visit: http://www.gabcast.com/gc1/index.php?a=episodes&id=35087

Emerging Technologies: Smilebox

Create your own digital scrapbooking design

For my second emerging technology, I chose to work with Smilebox. Smilebox is an online design site that allows its users to create digital scrapbooks, invitations, slideshows, calendars and more. This site is very useful for many reasons. I love to scrapbook, however it is very time consuming. This allows the user to pick a pre-created design and add personal photos. Their is also options of choosing background colors that match the theme as well as how many pictures to add to each page, the amount of decoration on each page and text as well.

The site was very easy to use and was free to sign up. It is very user friendly on account that it narrows down the many options by making your own personalized choices. First you choose if you want to make a design for a holiday, family, baby, etc. After narrowing down the first choice you can decide if you want to design a postcard, invite, scrapbook, etc. It narrows down each choice until you find exactly what you want to design. Then downloading and what to put where is all that is left. After it is complete, it is possible to post scrapbooks and other designs on various websites such as blogger and facebook. It also allows you to buy the product for $3.99 with access to printing it. I feel like this site is very useful because it allows you to share an entire scrapbook over the internet with people who may not be able to see personal, hard copies of scrapbooks at your home. Being able to email and post your creations makes it possible for everyone to enjoy the adventures you get to capture and further design.

I would suggest just playing around with the site. There are a lot of designs to choose from so finding the right one for me was the most difficult part. Although the pages and words are already set, be sure to notice that on the right side of the design, you can choose a different layout of photos for the page, amount of design, and different text.

Working with Smilebox was A LOT of fun. I absolutely LOVE scrap booking but it is very time consuming. I would definitely suggest this site for anyone who loves to be creative but doesn't have a lot of time. I am sure I will use this website again!

FIRST BLOG EVER

I am Christie (& the little cutie in my picture is my son, Kaesyn James)! I am a freshman at IUPUI studying elementary education. While I am passionate about working with children and making a difference in others lives, I am not 100% sure elementary education is the exact major I want to pursue. I am always willing to give anyone or anything a chance, so I am officially an education major and as a result am enrolled in summer W200 course. And as assigned, I am making a blog.

I have NEVER blogged before. I have never even read someone else's blog. And I actually don't even know anyone who has a blog. However, it doesn't seem to be that difficult. I really like that fact that I can personally choose the colors and fonts and fun stuff for my personal page. I still don't know that I have everything figured out, but I'm working on it. I would suggest to other first time bloggers to just look around and take time to figure out how to manage each section of the blog cite. It seems like a lot of details, but I don't think it will be too overwhelming. I am open to suggestions or things I should know.

Thanks :]

Christie Dawn