Website- Final Project

Website Link

This final project is dedicated to Kailey Meacham, the subject of my final.

4/25 Website Selection

Blog Post:  4/25 Website Selection

I have created one website once in middle school. It was for a project in science class and it was fairly easy. I used Weebly and will use it again this time. It was clean-cut and reliable, so I was never worried about losing information. Now, I will make a website for Film Club. Next year, Lauren Winter will be taking over, so I can use the website to share different documents and contact info with her. This way, she will be prepared to organize the Film Festival every year.

Survey Analysis

*The images won't show up in Blogger, so I linked my Analysis to a Google Doc*

Link Here!

Mix Responses

PowerPoint Mix Responses

Cooper M.
I learned how to properly hit a baseball. I liked that he had pictures of himself hitting the ball. It showed clear step-by-step instructions. Still, the pictures occasionally covered the text on the screen. It also was easy to hear, but there was a lot of background noise that made it difficult to focus.

Grace R.
I learned how to cross-stitch. She had great visuals  that made it easier to follow. She also drew the patterns on the screen so it was very clear what she was doing. I would include a little more text because sometime I would get lost in the details. Overall, it was a great presentation.

Tanner B.
I learned how to find a derivative. Tanner gave very clear instruction for something more bland. It was easy to follow his steps. However, the topic wasn't the most interesting. It was brief and quick, but still well explained.

Amit I.
I learned how to share Chrome with others. Most of the presentation was video. I liked that aspect because it can be difficult to list so many steps effectively, especially online. He listed very clear, defined steps. I would add a little bit of text just in case, so the user can be sure of what they are doing. 

Park B.
I learned how to play basketball. I liked the presentation because it was mainly centered around images. However, there was not enough instruction. Most of the steps were concentrated on purchases rather than the actual technique behind the sport. To make this presentation better, I would add more information.

Mix Presentation

Mix Presentation- "How to Train a Whale"

Mix Link

Online Survey Form

Online Survey Form

Survey Link

4/19 Online Forms/Surveys

Blog Post: 4/19 Online Forms/Surveys
So you've used Google Drive for Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc... but, have you ever used Google Drive to create a form?  Do you even know what this means?  For this blog post, first answer the two questions I just asked... Then, tell me about your experience with survey-generating software.  Have you used any?  If so, which one(s)?
So you've used Google Drive for Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc... but, have you ever used Google Drive to create a form?  Do you even know what this means?  For this blog post, first answer the two questions I just asked... Then, tell me about your experience with survey-generating software.  Have you used any?  If so, which one(s)? 

I have never created a Google Form, but I use them a lot. I know it is a survey form by Google. Many clubs and activities use this form to make decisions. I think I would only use this if I needed to make a survey because it seems very simple. I am already somewhat familiar with it, so it will not be incredibly difficult.

App Investigation

 4/10/17
"SoundHound" App Investigation

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1TrAVSuMr7lmZ9lKDrgJBP2iD4TX1qBlf1ISRbMe5MRU/edit?usp=sharing

4/7/17 My secret passion

Blog Post: Friday, April 7th:
 What is something that you feel like you are good at? It could be anything... Subject area in school, sport, hobby, craft... be creative! Think of 3 ways you could improve the classes' skill or knowledge in this content area. What are the techniques or "must knows" to become better at doing that thing? Write at least 5 sentences on the subject.

I've always believed I would make a great federal prison warden. I am very authoritative, and this would be a step towards my dreams of dictatorship.  To show the class my passion, I will bring in real life prisoners to school like a warped episode of "Scared Straight." They can tell my peers about what prison is really like, with goblins and ghouls. Then, I can bring in a tazor and literally shock my friends, similar to "The Hangover."I will also bring in old tapes of "Dateline" or the "Forensics Files" to show them that no crime will go unsolved. If needed, I can wear my warden's uniform.

4/3/2017 My Weekend

4/3/2017 My Weekend

Tell me all about your weekend.  Did you go to the movies, shopping, to Prom, etc.  Remember to use at least 5 complete sentences in your response.

 

This weekend, I went to see I Never Saw Another Butterfly with my friends from Rep Theater. I was assassinated after the show by the villain Brandon Dupree. Saturday I went to Prom. We ate at Paulo and Bill, and they gave us free garlic bread. After the dance, I attended after prom and was first on the inflatables. I didn't win anything in the raffle, but my friend was called four times. So good for him. 

3/31/17 NCAA Bracket

2017 NCAA Bracket
Maria Gnoza

NCAA Bracket

3/24/17 Current Event

3/24/17: Current Event

"Check Out Samsung's Smart Pocket Watch" by Tom Brant. Published March 23, 2017 http://www.pcmag.com/news/352605/check-out-samsungs-smart-pocket-watch

          Samsung recently developed their own Smart Pocket Watch. They debuted the watch at the Baselworld expo in Switzerland this past week. The watch has features of a modern smart watch with internet and technology, but is identifiable by the Victorian style design. It includes a hidden compass, as well as an LTE antenna and a battery that can last several days.  It has a hidden compass under its clock, which makes the actual watch pretty bulky. This is a concern since the watch may not be as popular among consumers because of its size. Most developers try to create a sleeker, more modernized product, but Samsung's Smart Pocket Watch does just the opposite with its heftiness. Still, it is just a prototype, and Samsung has not announced its official sale.

      This article shows the pervasiveness of technology in our daily lives, and how even a watch is evolving into something more complex. The product is similar to the popular Apple watch in that it connects to the internet, but it has an old-fashioned style. The watch can also track workouts, which relates to the FitBit which tracks the users' exercise and habits. Simple products that had one initial purpose, like a watch telling time, are gaining new tools typically relying on the internet. I thought the design was the most interesting aspect of the watch because it looks antiquated intentionally.

3/22/17 Spring Break

3/22 Spring Break:
Tell me all about your spring break!  What did you do (not do), where did you go (not go), and how did you spend your week off.  Include at least 2 pictures!!

For spring break, I went to visit my family in Texas with my mom and sister. This gigantic family lives in Houston, and we had to interact with every small child (11). We went to sky zone, swam in the pool, and shopped. Samantha, in the photo below and to the right, is the ringleader of the clan. She managed to dial 911 on me for no apparent reason. And finally, when I returned home, I had a Fifth Wall show at Homer's coffee shop. 

3/22/17 Bracket

Maria Gnoza's NCAA Bracket

3/21/17 Photo Editing

Using Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or another online table-making program, compare & contrast the three Photo Editing websites you played around in. Once you have created your table, insert it as a picture into your post & include THREE examples of pictures that you edited for this assignment -- crediting below the photo which website was used for editing. 

3/06/17 Infographic Peer Feedback

Today's Blog Post: 3/06/17 Infographic Peer Feedback

Provide me with a quick overview of the student Infographics you viewed for this assignment.  In your reflection to me, provide the student name & 1-2 things you liked/learned by looking at their infographic. Finally, did you enjoy this project?

 

I commented on infographics by Amit, Karla, Chris, Hayden, and Grace. Amit's design was very simple and easy to follow. Chris provided a lot of facts that surprised me on concussions in football. Karla's subject on reading was really interesting to me. She noted that 42% of college graduates will never read a book again, which took me by surprise. Grace's infographic was very visual and appealing. The design really fitted her topic well. Hayden also had a strong project, and he actually analyzed his evidence rather than just listing it when comparing Nike and Adidas. I really enjoyed the project, and it will be useful to have Piktochart for future presentations and projects.

3/3/17 - Infographic Reflection

Blog Post: 3/3/17 - Infographic Reflection
What have you learned about Infographics?  Did you enjoy creating your own? (please explain). When might you use an Infographic in your school work, personal life, or other?  Which Infographic site did you use?  Was the site easy to navigate? Would you use it again or look for another site?


Infographic

I learned that infographics should highlight the most pivotal facts of the topic. They should reflect the subject through color, theme, and layout. I would use an infographic for presentations. They are easier to understand visually, so the audience stays with the speaker. This would be simple to use in a business or during a persuasive speech. I used the website Piktochart.com and it was very easy to use. I would use it again.

3/1/17 Infographic

Blog Post: 3/1/17
Take your time & conduct some research on infographics.  (respond with at least 10 sentences)
Find 2 examples of infographics that you think are very cool/useful to you.  Post the infographics on your blog & make sure to cite where you found them.


An infographic is a visual representation or diagram that best displays information. It is meant to convey information through a visual that makes it easier for the audience to understand, often breaking down different aspects of the subject. It works well with statistics and numerical values, which are harder for the audience to grasp visually. An infographic helps compare different data and offers a wide variety of statistics. It tends to highlight the differences, similarities, or grey areas in research. They are also more appealing to audiences through various colors, shapes, and data. Plus, they can typically hold someone's attention longer, while processing the information faster. An infographic may be easy to use in class presentations, especially ones that are reliant on evidence and fact. I would use this particularly in Debate for more dull topics. When discussing carbon taxes on China, an infographic would be beneficial to help break down a more complicated topic.

Plain Packs Protect (UK organization)                       Congressional Budget Office (2015)
Smoking Info                                                                                   Budget Info
  

                              

2/28/17 Canva vs. Lucid Press

Blog Post: 2/28/17 Canva vs. Lucid Press

Now that you have been exposed to two online design programs, write a 5-10 sentence reflection on your thoughts on both of them.

I thought Canva was easier to use and share. The accessible link wasn't always available on Lucid Press. Canva was 1) easily accessible and 2) had many layout choices. However, the images and fonts were limited. Most of the time, specific stickers cost $1. Lucid Press would be more effective if the user didn't just use the free account. I liked Lucid Press because it had more options for free accounts. I also liked their layouts more; they were cleaner and more professional.

2/27 "My Dream Business"

Blog Post:  2/27 "My Dream Business"

Think of a business that you would love to start or run.  Tell me about your business idea, where you would locate your business, what goods or services you would provide, etc., etc....

I would run a Theater Company. It would be a modernized, contemporary company that focuses on improv and provides classes. It would be centered in either New York or somewhere in the Midwest. 

Thank You Card



                            Flyer                                                                       Menu

Business Card

2/6/2017 Pictures

This was from a visit to the Nelson Atkins with my friend Mady Fast. I go more often in the summer.

This was from Homecoming this year. These are just the "soccer super fans" who attend every BV Boys varsity soccer game of the season.

My friend Natalie and I exploring the Overland Park Arboretum.

2/01/16 Words for Teenagers

BLOG POST: 2/01/16 Words for Teenagers

Read this small newspaper clipping and then write a blog post about it. What are your thoughts? How does it make you feel? Do you agree? Disagree? Explain yourself in at least 5 sentences.

I thought the newspaper article sounded like my Dad, but I didn't really disagree with it. I am surprised by the amount of people who have given up on more traditional, old fashioned entertainment. Because my generation usually has instant access to anything they want, at least with immediate connection/communication, then it becomes easier to expect that everything will come just as easily. In reality, there are fundamental values that should not shift with a technological revolution. Patience and Dedication are being pushed to the back burner when those are the values needed in jobs and life in general.

1/31 Ted Talk Reflection

1/31 Ted Talk Reflection

I agree with the Ted Talk completely. I think we have grown accustomed to having a constant escape source in our pockets, and that if we were to use phones in particular for their original purpose, then we would be better off. I think I do a fair job of balancing my technology use, but my friends are practically addicted. I will try to avoid using my phone in uncomfortable situations. This period will curve the level of social interaction of the next generation. They will be more connected over social media than in real life, which will deter their self confidence and the value behind their lives.

Emerging Technology

Ted Talks – http://www.ted.com

Name: Maria Gnoza   

Hour: 1     

• You will watch the following Ted Talk and respond to the following focus questions.
• You can access the Talk at the URL address below.
• You may answer the questions on your own or with a partner.

Sherry Turkle: Connected, but alone? 19:48
As we expect more from technology, do we expect less from each other? Sherry Turkle studies how our devices and online personas are redefining human connection and communication -- and asks us to think deeply about the new kinds of connection we want to have.  TED2012, Filmed Feb 2012, Posted Apr 2012 http://www.ted.com/talks/sherry_turkle_alone_together.html

1. Technology is becoming part of daily life, but it is so intrusive that it changes us and is no longer necessarily a tool.

2. People text or email during presentations, meetings, conversations, and during school.

3. When we are with each other, we resort to using our phones, so we actually aren't "being together."

4. We hide behind phones and social media so we do not engage in a real interaction.

5. It takes place in real time and you can't control what you are going to say.

6. Kids cannot develop social skills and will gravitate towards technology.

7. It will push people to spend more time on machinery and away from people as they seek comfort elsewhere.

8. They don't have to face the discomfort behind real social interaction.

9. Technology is dependable and uniform. It is meant to aid people, where as actual people are more complicated and can change at any time.

10. Technology is dependable and uniform. It is meant to aid people, where as actual people are more complicated and can change at any time.

11. We want to:

Put our attention wherever we want it to be, be heard, and never have to be alone.

12. I want to share something with someone I already care about////If we don't have an online connection, we don't feel appreciated/comforted.

13. We use our devices to escape people instead of connecting with them.

14. This statement indicates that we need to know ourselves and develop a form of self-awareness so we do not become dependent on devices or technology.

15. If children do not experience real emotion, then they will not know what real empathy and emotion feel like. The only connection they will ever have will not be authentic. 

16. We have to start using technology as a tool and not as an escape. By developing a sense of self-awareness, we can focus on each other and not devices.

17. I thought the idea in Number 12 was fairly powerful. It's interesting that technology has become a need or desire and not just a tool.

      It's paramount that kids learn to develop social skills, and technology may offer them an escape from that development. An interaction with a phone is not nearly as overwhelming or complicated as with a human.

     I definitely see the idea of "Alone Together" when with friends or out in public. It isn't impolite anymore to use the phone instead of having a conversation. Checking social media has become the main activity when out with friends.

1/30/17 Social Bookmarking CE

Article Link

In this article, the author argues that social bookmarking is beneficial to marketing strategies. By utilizing social bookmarking, marketers can direct users to popularize their website and target a specific audience. This article changed my perspective on social bookmarking because it can be used for other operations besides personal use. Because of this, social bookmarking is more than just a way of organization, it is also a popular method to direct large groups of people. However, I still would not use a new social bookmarking site. I'd rather have Google as my homepage.

Symbaloo Link

My Symbaloo Page

1/25/17 Alphabetical Advice

1/25/17 Alphabetical Advice

Admit to your mistakes.
Be bold.
Consider the possibilities.
Drain your bank account while young.
Eggplant emojis are misconstrued.
Finish him, Katniss.
Get off the landmine.
Help yourself to seconds.
Ignore the h8ers.
Johnny,get your gun. 
Kontrol your spellling.
Lose yourself more than Eminem.
Mo' money, mo' problems.
Never enter Yummy Chinese. 
Open a bank account under the name "James Monroe"
Perfume kills.
Quit early.
Race to the beginning.
Start a lemonade stand at the age of 15.
"That's what." -She
Under the rainbow there is no gold.
Vroom your car like in movies at stoplights.
"Winners make the grade. Whiners make excuses" -The Wall, Room 354 
Xylophones are weapons too.
Yo mamma jokes are dead, don't use them.
Zest is best.

1/25- Introduction to Social Bookmarking

1/25- Introduction to Social Bookmarking

Prompt: What is Social Bookmarking? What is the purpose of Social Bookmarking? What Social Bookmarking tools do you use?  How did you learn about or choose to use the social bookmarking tools that you use?  What Social Bookmarking tools would you suggest to others? (If needed: feel free to spend a little time on the Internet before you complete this post)

Social bookmarking is a way to organize a user's most frequently visited websites through editing or tagging different sites or individuals. Social bookmarking allows people to access their normal sites faster. I chose websites for Symbaloo that I would visit more often at school. I added Dropbox and the Blue Valley webpage so I could access class documents easily. I would suggest adding your email, any social media, and maybe news pages. 

1/17/17 - "PREZI Reflection"

 1/17/17 - "PREZI Reflection"

Presentation: http://prezi.com/ic-5t9acn4pp/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy 

Prompt: Now that you have created a presentation using PREZI, take a moment to compare & contrast your experience compared to the more traditional presentation tool of Power Point.

This was the first time I've ever used Prezi, and I think PowerPoint was easier to use. I was more familiar with it, but it's also dependable. Some people had problems saving since the program is supposed to do that automatically. I may use Prezi if I were presenting to a more artistic, younger audience. The movement makes it more entertaining, but also more informal. Depending on the project, I may use Prezi again if it is a short, creative presentation. For major projects, I prefer the more traditional PowerPoint.