My Advice to All Incoming Students

I was really nervous at first to be taking this course, especially since I don’t know too much about computers. But relax! This class isn’t tough at all, as long as you pay attention and keep up with the work. Ms. Belisle is an awesome professor who’s kind and patient so don’t feel bad if you need help. Also, don’t worry too much if you do poorly on an assignment or two. Unlike most college classes, this course includes numerous assignments that, if done correctly and on time, will only boost your grade. Get to know the TA for the class too, because he/she is a big part of your final grade. My best advice to you seems obvious but I stress it nonetheless- Do attend class and Do all the assignments. It is important to get to class, because a lot of the assignments can only be done in the lab and not on your own computer. The assignments that are meant to be done on your computer are great practice for the exams. Just remember that.
Good Luck and Don’t Sweat It!

My Top Website Picks

Unfortunately I was unable to attend class and see the website presentations first-hand, but I was happy to see the other blog postings with website links at the bottom. Not everyone had completed his/her blogs when I made mine, but I think I saw a fair amount to make my judgments. It was exciting to see them and how everyone used their own personalities and creativity to create their websites. Everyone did a fantastic job! It was hard to pick just three top products, but by the end, I chose Adam, Tash, and Jen for their unique and interesting websites. Adam’s website had a very clean, professional look and was very easy to navigate. I thought his pictures showed off his personality and were funny, and I also thought his image map was very well done. But my favorite part was definitely his interests page, where Adam included thumbnails to his graphic art gallery. I really really enjoyed that. He has a real talent I might add. Tash did a wonderful job too. My favorite part of her website was her home page with the moving animation that included three pictures of her. I’m not sure if I would be able to create one for myself. I also loved her travel page (especially the picture of Tash holding a Koala!) and the work she did with other photographs to give them interesting effects. Lastly, I thought Jen had a unique home page that told the viewer all the things she was interested in accomplishing in her life. I liked the Glacier National Park page for its map and many thumbnails, and I also enjoyed her postcard of Austin. Reading some of her entries and comments made me laugh too. The thing I liked most about her website, though, was her use of page transitions. It was the only site I saw that used cool effects like fading out and granulizing to move from page to page. I would love to show off my website too, but at this time it is currently unpublished and unavailable. Once I get that figured out, I will definitely attach the link in a new post.

The Importance of HTML

HTML coding brings me back to days as a high school student in advanced computer science. Honestly, I chose this class because it was the only weighted technology course I could take, as I was required to take at least one computer-related class. What I didn’t realize was how difficult the class would be. No, I did not walk away with a new-found love for C++, nor do I think the skills I obtained in that class will ever help me again. What I did discover, however, was an appreciation for the people who do enjoy computer coding and those who create the everyday programs we all know and love. Never before had I realized how complicated computer language could be. That being said, I am eternally grateful for the Microsoft Expression Web program; I’m not sure I could survive another lesson in online coding. But I know there are many other people out there who live for HTML and other codes, and even with the aid of advanced software, still chose to memorize every individual number and character for its function and use them together to tinker with future creations. HTML specifically builds internet web pages. I, for one, can really appreciate all the hard work a designer using HTML puts into his site; I really do know how amazingly complex it all is. Though it might seem easier to use Microsoft Expression or others like it for simple web designs, it is important that the pros still know and understand the HTML language. The software programs can only help one for so long, though after awhile, the limitations of that program would soon be noticed. For instance, font color and style has apparently been difficult to work with in Microsoft Expression. It of course isn’t impossible to do this via Expression, but things become increasingly difficult if it is only a small piece of data you want to change. As far as it can work, software programs similar to these can only function the way the designers of them think you’d want it to function. But because there are infinite possibilities in computer design, a software program cannot keep up. This is where knowing the language of computers is a major tool to know. A person working with codes has complete control over the computer and his tasks. Therefore, he is more independent of his predecessors and better able to personally customize the details he wants unique. HTML ultimately opens up doors to possibilities never imagined by the confines of Microsoft Expression. Though I understand the importance of Expression, (the average individual could never build a web page without it) I honestly believe that the true computer expert ought to know the basics. While the rest of us can rely on computer software, it is these experts who must learn and practice the computer’s own language, and hopefully continue to produce more programs, all based on HTML of course, to further advance the technological world.

Power Point Evaulation

I was unfortunately absent the day my peers presented their marvelous power points, though I’m sure I would have rather enjoyed viewing them. I tried to look at other people’s blogs for links to their power points but was then informed that it would not work. I hope to see some soon, as I’ve heard they were quite good. The only one I was able to see was my suitemate Tash’s presentation, so my evaluation will be solely on hers. I was really impressed from what I saw and found it interesting to learn more about the Harpy Eagle. Her power point was very informative and had an overall professional feel. I especially liked the background she chose and the images she included- they all added to the effect of how sad it is to have these beautiful birds on the verge of extinction. The animated butterfly and animal paw, along with the movement of the text gave a moving/emotional touch to the presentation. I liked the quote she used for the ending slide too. I was able to see the notes she had written in the space below the slides, and it seemed like she was very well prepared. I’m positive she gave a great presentation. I’m also certain that the rest of my class did very well too. My power point has yet to be completed, but the presentation I am working on discusses Pierre Fauchard, the father of Modern Dentistry. I am eager for the day I can share it with my classmates.

Searching the Internet

Due to personal health reasons, I was unable to attend many of the recent computer skills classes, including one where a Mr. Chris Nolan came to speak about searching the internet. I was able to obtain notes, however, on his presentation and after reading through them, have made some interesting discoveries. For one thing, I always knew Google was one of the most popular search engines, (it’s my internet home page), but I never knew that it was actually a better source to search because it uses a method to rank the hits by relevance. This surprised me because I always assumed other search engines like Yahoo! were just as good, if not better than Google. But with all the great benefits Google has to offer, Mr. Nolan made sure to point out its downside too. He explained that Google gains all its profit from selling advertising space. Because of this, Google orders its results by popularity and/or the amount of money received for advertisements. Therefore, the first few search results can be poorly accredited sources that simply reflect financial profits instead of the available scholarly sites. Outside of acquiring basic information on Google, I was glad to also learn about directories, Google Scholar, the ‘define’ tool, the advanced search, and cached links. I also learned how to put words in the search bar in specific orders and what additions to include (minus sign, quotation marks) to make my searches more efficient. It was useful, too, to be reminded about all the non-credible websites out there. I’m appreciative that Mr. Nolan gave so many tips on how to avoid those sources. Because of his presentation, I should have better luck in the future when beginning research assignments. I am proud that I now know how to search the internet and use it to its fullest potential.

Power Point Presentations

The articles were very interesting to read and really did help me out a lot. Though the information they gave seemed somewhat obvious, I didn’t realize just how significant an influence a good (or bad) presentation can have on one’s audience. I was intrigued by the research done on the color schemes and how to most effectively use them. I also thought it was a good point made when one article reminded me how the audience cannot read the slides and listen to the narrator at the same time without missing out on something. I’m glad these articles were here to teach me. I always knew how to make a power point, but now I know how to use them to their fullest potential. I wish some of my professors would consider what was said in these articles, since many of their power point presentations are weak and sometimes even get on my nerves. The worst is when a professor overloads a slide with too much information or uses too many images and animations that it actually detracts from the valuable information. My biggest pet peeve, however, is when a professor just stands there and reads from the slides as if they were a script. I rarely take anything away from those lectures. Because of these annoyances and the inspiration from the articles, I have created a short list of my Best Power Point Presentation Tips for my peers to read and share. Hopefully this helps someone.

5. Make sure that your power point is easy to understand and follow. Your audience won’t be able to process the slides if the font size isn’t legible or if the font color blends into the background.

4. Avoid using “cheesy” cartoons and clipart from Microsoft Word. These images have been seen again and again. Instead, upload your own photographs to add a professional appeal. Graphs are also ideal for easily comparing groups of data.

3. It is very important that your slides connect to each other and have a uniform look throughout. Microsoft Word has saved a set of templates and themes to help you with this.

2. Avoid distracters that can take away from your presentation. DO be sure to make your slides interesting, but DO NOT go overboard. Simplicity and plenty of “white space” is a good thing. The text is usually the most important factor for the audience to digest, so limit complicated backgrounds and overwhelmingly large images.

And the number one tip I have to share with you is…

1. Remember that a power point is a visual aid- and just that. It is there to support the narrator’s words, so don’t simply have the slides repeat what is said, and whatever you do, never just read straight from the slides. You will quickly lose interest from your audience. Turn the screen off while talking if necessary: just make sure the audience’s attention is on YOU.

My Experiences with Excel

I remember filling out a job application once and being asked if I had any special knowledge/expertise in some particular computer areas, Excel included. At the time I wondered why it was really even that big a deal, but now I am starting to understand. I have never been that great with computers, but I figured I could get by. Now that I know that’s no longer good enough, (I did fail that computer skills exam after all) I’m glad to be receiving this chance to better my skills. I always had the basic idea of Excel and could manage it whenever I needed to. This class, however, is finally revealing to me exactly how complicated Excel can be and how to finally tackle it in the most efficient way. Because of the true-to-life examples we’ve had in class, I now know how Excel can help in making spreadsheets, an important process for collecting data together and analyzing it. Teachers, for instance, can use Excel to enter in student grades, while the average individual can update their finances and income statements via Excel. Excel is also useful because of its ability to perform mathematical calculations with ease and create graphs and tables with a simple click of the button. Already, I am using Excel quite frequently in my Biology Lab, since it requires a number of statistical analysis. Once data and observations are collected, my lab partners and I can enter the information in Excel and figure the results right away. My group is always one of the first done with our in-class assignments, and I can thank Excel, and my new-found knowledge of it, for speeding up a normally complicated process.