Tumblr 2 Cont.

My favorite pictures that I've taken are from this past summer at the Boston Public Garden. They're images of flowers, ducks in the water, children with their mothers walking on paths, duck tours, and other aspects of nature that can be seen at the garden. This weekend I plan on uploading my pictures to Flickr and Tumblr. Tumblr is a good website to post my pictures because if someone reblogs them, typically a teen, then it continues to permeate throughout the entire website. I wouldn't receive any acknowledgement, but I think it's more rewarding for someone to look at my pictures, and feel something. I know from my own personal experience that I've seen so many images, and a lot of them I've reblogged or saved on my computer because they made me happy, or expressed how I was feeling at the time, or relates to something in my own life. Flickr is even better because my pictures are being shared with people from all over the world of all different age groups, whereas Tumblr is mainly targeted to teens my age. And to be quite honest, I'd feel a little more satisfied knowing an adult used my picture rather than a teen.... I don't know, it's a little more of an honor in my eyes.

Tumblr 2

Along with my passion for writing comes my passion for photography. I've always had an eye for capturing moments through cameras. Tumblr allows me to continue both of my passions. I'm able to write about how I feel and post my own pictures, and other people's pictures to express how I'm feeling at the moment. I'm considering posting my own pictures on Flickr, because many of the pictures I click on Tumblr immediately direct me to Flickr. Maybe my having my pictures on display for the rest of the world to see, I can expand my artwork.

Friendly on Facebook

We've been told by many to be "careful" on Facebook... try not to swear, don't post inappropriate pictures - basically, present yourself as a classy person. However, there are instances where people aren't acting in a classy way on Facebook, and they don't even realize it. After reading the 13 Facebook posts that got people fired, it immediately makes me relate to people I know. More on the occupational side, I know some of my friends complain about their jobs and customers on their Facebook, whether it be on their status or on someone's wall. This is a little frightening, because employees are on Facebook, and we're naiive in thinking that they don't check up on us. Reasons like this are why I am getting sick of Facebook. People post trashy things on their walls, and it's not benefitting them in any way, shape, or form. They need to realize that when people say, "you post something on the internet, the rest of the world sees it", it's true.

Passion

After watching William Richardson's TED Talk video, it really striked me that he was naming teenagers, my very own age, accomplishing their passions simply on their own. No one had to push a girl to play piano for 4 hours a day. No one had to force a boy to take pictures with his camera outside. They pushed and forced themselves. I love to write. Given, teachers and my parents have forced me to write papers and essays, but blogging has become my escape, and no one is forcing me to do that. So for Tess with "Don't Stop Believin'" and Mark with his NFL camera footages, that is their escape. Mine has become writing. I think finding a hobby or passion and actively doing it without someone's push is the most effective, because you're doing it for yourself, not someone else. When I blog, I'm not blogging to please my friends. When Tess is playing the piano, she isn't try to please her parents - it's for herself.

Tumblr

Ever since I came to this class in mid-January, the main focus was to blog and use technology in a successful and realistic way. About three weeks ago, my best friend, who knows that I love to write, told me I should sign up for a Tumblr. At first I was reluctant, because I thought it was another Facebook, something I definitely didn't need. After a few, "C'mon, Mal"s, I got a Tumblr. And I have to say, I may just delete my Facebook after getting it. It's a mix between Twitter and Photobucket, and I'm able to blog about anything I want, I don't have to "like" anyone's status, and people share photos about anything they're interested in. my friendand I have even noticed that we're on Facebook less and less because of Tumblr. I think it's a better replacement. I'm not chatting with anyone. I'm not writing on anyone's wall. I am simply sharing my ideas and pictures with the rest of the world. Best change I've ever made.

Do Something Impossible

Adults assume what they want when it comes to technology. They think it’s limited to computers, iPods, and televisions, and they’re only distractions to children today. Don’t get me wrong – they are distractions. I’m a seventeen-year-old high school senior. If anyone knows anything about distractions, it’s this girl right here. But adults fail to realize that there is so much more in the word “technology” than what they think. I agree with Shelly Blake-Poke completely. Take my parents for example. They automatically assume whenever I’m on my laptop that I’m changing my status on Facebook, when, quite honestly, I’m usually typing notes for a class or researching information on a subject on the internet. My parents don’t understand that a lot of the tech-savvy things I use actually have to do with my schoolwork. Like Shelly explains, we need adults to understand that we can incorporate and integrate these new technological advances in a positive, educational way. Technology helps the world connect. Shelly states that if “we deal with the poverty and crushed communities that are realities for our lowest income students….then maybe we’d actually be amazed at what our kids can do.” And that is so true. Adults, give us some credit and some sort of trust. You might just be surprised.

Earthquake in Japan

It's no surprise that the recent earthquake in Japan is not only devastating, but it is one of the most extreme earthquakes of all time. According to CNN, 2000 more bodies were found in Miyagi, and the number is only rising. Due to a second hydrogen explosion, a nuclear power plant was destroyed, causing the deaths of 11 workers. Rather than describing this tragedy, I think we should look at the glass half-full. As I type in links about this earthquake, one grabs my attention: AT&T Offers Free Calling, Texting to Japan. Media is once again playing a huge part in this devastation. A well-known phone company is allowing people all over text and call, without charge, to their family and friends in Japan. To add the cherry to the sundae, I read another article about Facebook statuses and its effect on other people. Statuses are constantly being posted about the earthquake, and as more are being posted, more people get informed. I think media is playing a huge role in Japan's tragedy. Technology has made it more convenient to learn about what's happening in Japan, and it keeps people, mainly teens, who aren't watching the news informed.

Schoology

Out of the list of the "35 Best Web 2.0 Classroom Tools", I think Schoology is the most useful. I was first lured into this website by reading its description under the name: "learning management, online educationt tools, and much more". When I clicked on its website, I had a doubletake - the website looks almost identical to Facebook. As I watched the tutorial video, I realized that Schoology is a Facebook designed for teachers and students to communicate. On the right side of your page, you can have upcoming assignments, tests, and projects listed by their date. You communicate to fellow students and teachers the same way Facebook works. Tests and quizzes can be placed onto this website, and its best feature? Students can look up their grades. It seems simple to use, but it is also familiar to the teenage eye, thanks to Facebook.

The iPad 2

I haven't done my research on the iPad 2, because I was extremely shocked to find out what the new one has to offer, compared to the original iPad. As soon as I travel to the Apple Store website, there's a large picture of this new iPad, and it clearly says right above it, "Thinner. Lighter. Faster. FaceTime. Smart Covers. 10-hour battery." These simple words create a huge message. Thinner than the original iPad?! It was already thin to begin with! Lighter?! Now it's easier to carry it around. FaceTime, I believe, is its best improvement. I know from personal experience, when I want to Skype with my sister on my uncle's iPad, I'm not able to, but now we will be able to Skype with the entire family around on this thin and light iPad 2.

But, when I look up reviews on this new, mysterious, exciting iPad 2, I see reviews bashing this new little puzzle piece to the puzzle of technology. Of course, no shocker, the PC website criticizes the iPad 2, calling it a "Nintendo-Sony-Microsoft killer". Yes, I do believe that teenage boys will be more likely to play Call of Duty on their iPad 2 rather than an outdated Nintendo system, but in no way does this make the iPad a "killer". And if it does, so what? Over time, things get outdated and never used again. They state, "Blame Apple. For all the company's magical 'post-PC' preachifying, it's never been any good at getting out in front of its technology and selling it more than conceptually to gamers." What the PC website does is choose one tradeoff of having an iPad 2, and uses it against them. They neglect to accept the fact that playing games is the least to do on an iPad, of course they don't want to acknowledge that. Internet, now Skype, typing/writing, reading, calculator. They have it all.