Although this is not a learning technology class, we are using online learning tools — and that means we will be relying on web technology to connect and communicate. These tasks are designed to help you take full advantage of the great opportunities that web technology can offer. If you have ideas for tips that I can add to this list, let me know!
For each Tech Task, there is some kind of blog post involved, and then you can do the Declaration. And remember, you can work ahead, so if you find it helps to do a lot of tasks now, that’s great; you can declare them for Week 2, Week 3, Week 4 and so on by popping open the weekly modules in Canvas.
| I chose a Tech Task from the list and followed the instructions. POST TITLE: I used the phrase “Tech Task” plus the name of the task. (example. Tech Task: Creating a Cheezburger Meme) POST LABELS: I used the label “Tech Task” plus the week’s label. (example. Tech Task, Week 2 — separated by a comma) |
NOTE: Features for these online tools can change without warning. So, if you notice that the instructions do not match the current version of the tool, please let me know and I will update the page.
BLOGGER TIPS
- Blogger Templates. Use this tip to change the look-and-feel of your Blogger blog, including the new mobile-friendly templates like Contempo and Soho.
- Blogger Profile. For this tip, you can configure and display your Blogger Profile OR you can hide your profile and display name; it’s all up to you!
- Embed GoogleMap in a Blogger Post. It’s easy to embed a dynamic Google Map (zoom in, zoom out!) inside a Blogger post.
- Create a Clickable Blogger Comment Link. This is a quick introduction to typing your own HTML code to add clickable links even when there is no editor to create the link for you.
- See Audio-Video below for how to embed YouTube videos and SoundCloud audio in a blog.
Sidebar Tips: If you are using one of the templates with a visible sidebar, these are fun tips to try! (The new mobile-friendly Blogger templates like Contempo and Soho do not have a visible sidebar.)
- Add an HTML Box to Your Sidebar. An HTML box allows you to insert text and links into a sidebar box, and it is also how you add javascript widgets.
- Add the Weather to Your Sidebar. You can use a Weather Underground Sticker to add the weather to your blog sidebar.
- Twitter in Your Sidebar. See the Twitter tips below for embedding Twitter in the sidebar.
TWITTER TIPS
- Getting Started with Twitter. You can do this tip with your existing Twitter account OR you can create a new account. They are both good options!
- Following at Twitter. This tip teaches you how to follow an account at Twitter so that you see their tweets on your Twitter home page.
- Twitter Lists. If you are like me, trying to manage your social networking time wisely, you might find Twitter lists useful! For me, they have been the key to making good use of Twitter.
- Hashtags and Retweets. Hashtags are one of the most distinctive, and powerful, features of Twitter, and in this Tech Tip you will learn about hashtags and retweeting.
- Embed Twitter Widget in Sidebar. For this tip, you’ll create a Twitter widget to add to your blog sidebar.
GRAPHICS CREATION TIPS
- Cheezburger. You can make LOLCats and all kinds of other memes also at the Cheezburger site, either using their huge collection of images or uploading your own image to build on.
- Meme Generator. Use ImgFlip or some other meme generator to create a meme and post it in your blog.
- Einstein Chalkboard. This generator has been around long before the current crop of meme generators, and it is a personal favourite of mine.
- Fake Social Media Generator. This tip is very useful if you want to tell a story in “social media style” using fake Twitter or Facebook images.
- Quotemakers. I’ve included a long list of quotemaker tools here that you can use to create your own quote graphic; feel free to repeat using a different tool each time if you want. And if you have a favourite quote-making tool that you already use, let me know!
- Crop and Resize Images. It’s a good idea to learn how to resize images, especially if you want to stack them or put them in a row.
- Image Collage. Use Fotor.com (or the collage generator of your choice) to combine multiple images into a single image collage.
- Animated GIF Maker. You can use gifmaker.me to create an animated gif with multiple images.
TODO I will up finishing the tasks below over the next couple of weeks – you will then be able to access them
BOOKMARKING TIPS
My favorite bookmarking tool is Diigo, but you can also use Pinterest for bookmarking (see above), along with features in your browser. You can also use Pinterest as a bookmarking tool!
- Browser Bookmarks. Explore the options for bookmarking, bookmark folders, and bookmark toolbars in the browser of your choice.
- Getting Started with Diigo. This tip explains how to set up your Diigo account and start bookmarking.
- Diigo Browser Extensions. Diigo is even more powerful when you configure your browser to be able to bookmark with just a click or two.
AUDIO-VIDEO
- Embed YouTube in Blogger Post. It’s very easy to embed a YouTube video in a Blogger post.
- YouTube Playlists. If you bookmark lots of videos, you can organize them in playlists and then share those playlists.
- Embed SoundCloud in a Blogger Post. This tip shows you how to embed a SoundCloud audio player in a post.
WRITING TOOLS
These are tools for storytelling and for writing in general.
- Get started with Twine. For this tip, you will create a simple “pick a number” game-story in Twine.
MISC. TOOLS
- Class Announcements Email. If you want, you can subscribe to receive the class announcements each day by email.
- Typing Test. There are lots of sites where you can test your typing speed and accuracy. If you want to work on improving your typing, it’s good to find a typing test online that you feel comfortable with.
- Touch Typing Game – Ninja Cat v. Zombie Dinosaurs. Fast, accurate typing is a big plus in an online class. For this tip you can try out the Ninja Cat game and see if you think an online game might improve your typing.
- Google Define/Etymology. Did you know that you can use Google Search like a dictionary? This tip features the “define” and “etymology” Google search parameters.
- Google Timer. Did you know you can configure a Timer just by using the Google search box? No kidding! It’s a great way to pace yourself if you want to time a task, take a timed break, etc.
- Google Reverse Image Search. Did you know you can search by an image at Google, just like searching by words? It’s a great way to track down image information and bigger image files.
