What's Up Google?

Getting To Know Google

After this previous class, I feel much more confident navigating through different Google Apps. I am now much more aware of how to use such programs as: Google Sheets, Google Forms, Google Scholar, Google Docs, Google Drive, Google+, Google Slides, and Blogger. I have had some experience using Google Forms in a previous class, but it was much needed refresher to learn about it again in this class. Here is a test that I created through Google Forms for a class last semester. This test is meant to judge Adobe Illustrator skills. I had some confusion about uploading into Blogger, but after this class, I feel that I am very prepared and confident with using all the features Blogger has to offer. I am also very excited to learn about a guest speaker who will be appearing this coming week. I am very interested in what Cameron Brenchley has to say about being Vice President at Collaborative Communications Group. I am very curious to ask Mr. Brenchley if he has ever had to apologize about posting anything on Twitter.

           

Excellent Teacher Tips On 

The Use Of Google Plus In Education

Google Plus is an amazing tool to use in the classroom. The article gives helpful suggestions on how to integrate Google Plus in the classroom. Google Hangouts can be used so students can get in contact with their teacher or anybody working in the same group for a project. Circles is a cool feature so students can share content with each other and reference it later in class. Circles would also be helpful for working in groups as well, students will be able to talk to one another and also have a live stream as well.

Google Drive Quick Sheet

The infographic shown in this article is very helpful to have around. I personally get lost in Google Drive and sometimes need a refresher on how to do things, and having this sheet is a real life saver. Working in graphic design, sometimes you have to send profs to a client and the file may be too big to send in an email. The next best thing is to upload it using Google Drive. Having this quick sheet would definitely help me make sure my files were uploaded right and on time. I think this should be hanging up in computer labs in schools and colleges.

Google Translate Update May 

Save You A Lot Of Money

Google has just come out with an amazing update that will change the way you travel. Google Translate has updated their app so you don’t have to be connected to the internet when translating. This helps travelers not have to pay for an international data plan. The app can also detect what language is being spoken and translate a conversation back and forth from each language. The really cool thing about the new Google Translate is that it can translate printed text by using your phone's camera. Huffington Post has a really informative video to go with their article.

Adobe Twitter

This week on twitter, I started to follow a bunch of different users that would help me be successful in my chosen profession. I would like to become a graphic design teacher, so I started to follow the adobe programs I use every day. I have found some cool things on their twitter feeds, but my favorite thing I have found would be Adobe Capture. This app by Adobe lets you turn photos into color themes and turn any picture you take into a vector graphic or unique brush that you can save for later. I think this is a really cool app that will help me every day. Here is some information and a video to help you understand how the app works. #AdobeCapture

Exploring Your Digital Portfolio

Bio

Hi my name Patrick Joseph Larotonda, but I liked to be called PJ. I like to go surfing, going to concerts and the beach, and creating pieces of art. I have an Associate’s Degree in Graphic Design and I’m currently attending Stockton University in pursuit of a Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education. I have always found myself drawn to a career centered around art and I have always had a nitsch for teaching! I am a teacher at Highland Academy and I am very passionate about education and helping children learn in the manner or method that suits them best.

My Very Own Learning Network

There are countless tools educators and professionals of all types can utilize such as Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Blogger, Google Classroom, and Edmodo to get the most of their online community. Depending on what career a person has, greatly varies the type of people he or she should follow. Since I am an Art Education Major who plans on teaching Graphics, I follow Adobe, Photoshop, and Illustrator on Twitter so that way I can stay up to date with new arrivals, changes, and techniques. I can also take note to any tips or tools I come across. The ability to learn from bloggers, borrow that information, and expand upon it is a wonderful attribute to an online experience. There are a few main questions that must be asked before following someone. Are they of any value to me? Do they update frequently? Is it interesting enough to share? These questions can help keep my feed clean and filled with interesting, usable information.

  

Utilizing Twitter Lists

After reading the article “Utilizing Twitter Lists” I have learned that “Twitter Lists” is an important feature to keep your Twitter organized. Twitter does become really useless if you have a bunch of random tweets all over your Twitter feed. This makes Twitter very overwhelming, but with the help from the lists feature, I can easily organize my Twitter and find what I’m looking for. The article also informed me that when I make lists, I can make lists that I can only see and nobody else can. This feature is very useful, but not so much for mobile devices.   

Why use Twitter?

From the video I learned that Twitter is more than just a time waster. Twitter has immense potential that educators rarely take advantage of. The assumption is that this social network is for purely for social interaction and cannot be used for educational purposes. Any platform that helps people share ideas can be utilized for endless possibilities. Professionals can share ideas with thousands of people and get responses and critical opinions in real time. Educators can follow other educators and collect ideas and strategies from people located all over the world.

Developing a Personal Learning Network

“Developing a Personal Learning Network” has taught me that Twitter has a large amount of potential, socially and professionally. Twitter does not have to be strictly for following favorite celebrities and catching up on current drama, it can be a place of learning and sharing. There can be a peaceful balance between social media and educational sharing. After scrolling through drivel for an hour, reading something substantial helps you feel a bit more enlightened and brighter. Equally can be said for reading educational posts. A mixture of education with personal enjoyment through Twitter is a healthy balance that many can grow from.