This morning's lesson was on advanced Dreamweaver. I learnt how to set up my folder space and manage my sites. We created different style sheets for headings and designed a 4 page website using html. I had used Dreamweaver at university so i was aware of the layout, i will learn more html in my spare time.
In the afternoon we created a banner in Fireworks and added affects. I put the banner onto my main page of the website we made in the morning. We also used Photoshop to edit and manipulate some photographs. I have always used Photoshop but think i will look into Fireworks more to learn the full effects.
Tuesday, 30 August 2011
Monday, 29 August 2011
Analysis of ICT Skills
In April 2011 I completed an ICT skills audit were I was able to note down what area’s I was confident with and what area’s I needed to pay more attention to. Due to my design background it was obvious that I would be more confident when it came to drawing and web design. I hadn’t used PowerPoint or Excel since I was at school so my knowledge for spreadsheets and databases were limited. I was never taught anything about gathering information and manipulation. I would say these were my weak points along with number systems, computer architecture and the legal aspects and legislation.
At the end of August I attended an ICT booster course that was aimed at students wanting to improve their ICT skills. We were set different tasks on each day to recap on hardware, software and system analysis. It was a perfect opportunity for me to look at software I had never used before and focus on areas of ICT I was unsure of. After reading up on the ICT curriculum I understand more about what is needed. Pupils will learn about hardware and all types of software including word processing, image and sound manipulation and web design tools. Although my strongest point, ICT isn’t always just about hardware and software, there is so much more included in the subject and it gives students essential skills that could set them up for life. I understand that pupils will need to develop ideas, communicate, analyse and evaluate information.
“Pupils should be able to:
d. Design information systems and suggest improvements to existing systems.”
- curriculum.qcda.gov.uk
During the booster course we were put into small groups and were set a task to write up a feasibility study for a ticket selling company wanting to expand and design a new database. We drew up data flow diagrams and came up with recommendations on how we thought a change to the system could benefit their company. I really enjoyed the task and it was good to work in groups for the business aspect.
Studying the curriculum also made me realise students have to learn the social impacts of ICT and how it would be applied to a real life situation. I attended an ICT lesson in a primary school where the teacher was asking the pupils where and why we would use ICT. With technology getting more popular and employers looking for more skills I think its important students know how crucial ICT could be for them. Today’s curriculum makes sure this is made aware of to pupils. Teachers have to be creative, confident and productive. My eagerness to learn and interest in the subject makes it easy for me to maintain enthusiasm.
At the same school I also learnt about some social issues. Networking websites and messaging software make cyber bullying a growing problem. It is important that students learn when and why we use certain software’s and not to take advantage of their features.
“The curriculum should provide opportunities for pupils to:
a. Make choices about when and where it is appropriate to exploit technology to support them in their learning and everyday life."
- curriculum.qcda.gov.uk
At the end of the first week of the booster course I completed another ICT skills audit. I definitely saw an improvement on some software I re visited. I know my way around PowerPoint now and I think my knowledge in Excel and using databases has improved. I also used Microsoft Access for the first time and after a complicated start I understood why I was doing what I had to and it all made sense. I have also researched computer architecture and taken notes. I took screen shots of everything I have done and wrote notes on topics I want to research more about.
Looking at the audit there are still many areas I need to look at and improve on. I am confident with hardware and software and know I would be able look at new ones and learn the basics easily. I would like to look more into data logging and structures. I also need to look at malpractice, the legal framework, data protection and networks and information systems. I am looking forward to the second week, as there are more lessons about topics I have never looked at and I want to be prepared come September.
Bibliography
Friday, 26 August 2011
Day Five!
Today we looked at relational databases. We worked in Microsoft Access to design a new database. We created tables, validated cells, set up relationships, forms and queries. I also created reports for the queries using report wizard and then made a swithboard to provide access to the forms. It was my first time in Access and although i found it difficult i did enjoy it. I will practice more in my free time.
In the afternoon we looked at podcasting and made a recording in audacity. We also added background music and effects. I like working with audacity and used it at university so was familar with the software.
In the afternoon we looked at podcasting and made a recording in audacity. We also added background music and effects. I like working with audacity and used it at university so was familar with the software.
Day Four!
Today we learnt about system analysis and date flow diagrams. We were put in groups and were set a task to fully design a new analysis and write up a Feasibility Study for a company. We evenly broke down sections to each complete and presented it to the class at the end of the day. I really enjoyed today, it was something different and I think we worked well in a team.
Day Three!
I missed day three because of an appointment with the dentist but I managed to copy notes from Nicole and will research the rest of the topics that were brought up. I will put my research on my E-Portfolio.
Day Two!
Today we were using Dreamweaver. I hadn’t used Dreamweaver for a few years and was spending too much time on how the website would look. In the end I decided to learn the basics again and keep it simple. I also started my e-portfolio, this time using Flash.
Report
Today we had to build a personal website using Dreamweaver. The website had to contain information and pictures about ourselves in order to inform the user more about our personality. I hadn’t used to Dreamweaver for a while so I spent some time familiarising myself with the options and layout. I drew up some storyboards and noted down what pages and information I was going to include. I decided to add pages on my background, my city, hobbies and interests, family and friends and also a contact page.
When it came to designing and laying out in Dreamweaver I ran into some problems, I think the design of my links were too complicated and I spent a lot of time trying to overcome it. I wanted text to appear as the user rolled over the button but because the text was outside the button space I was finding it difficult. I tried rollover buttons in Dreamweaver and importing buttons I made in Flash but it wasn’t working the way I wanted. In the end I changed the buttons to make it more simple and easy to use.
My original design had to change because I struggled with the software and I still haven’t found a solution so I am glad I decided to simplify the buttons. I did however find a way to do it in Flash so have decided to use this design for my E portfolio.
I designed my titles and buttons in Flash because there are more fonts to choose from that I think would help my website represent me. After importing images I started to add the information I wanted. On each page I wrote a paragraph or two then added the pictures underneath. I made sure everything was aligned and that each page had the same layout and colour scheme.
Overall I think I did quite well in Dreamweaver. Previous experience of it definitely helped and although I had to change my design I am happy with the final outcome. I need to add more pictures and I will keep the information updated.
Report
Today we had to build a personal website using Dreamweaver. The website had to contain information and pictures about ourselves in order to inform the user more about our personality. I hadn’t used to Dreamweaver for a while so I spent some time familiarising myself with the options and layout. I drew up some storyboards and noted down what pages and information I was going to include. I decided to add pages on my background, my city, hobbies and interests, family and friends and also a contact page.
When it came to designing and laying out in Dreamweaver I ran into some problems, I think the design of my links were too complicated and I spent a lot of time trying to overcome it. I wanted text to appear as the user rolled over the button but because the text was outside the button space I was finding it difficult. I tried rollover buttons in Dreamweaver and importing buttons I made in Flash but it wasn’t working the way I wanted. In the end I changed the buttons to make it more simple and easy to use.
My original design had to change because I struggled with the software and I still haven’t found a solution so I am glad I decided to simplify the buttons. I did however find a way to do it in Flash so have decided to use this design for my E portfolio.
I designed my titles and buttons in Flash because there are more fonts to choose from that I think would help my website represent me. After importing images I started to add the information I wanted. On each page I wrote a paragraph or two then added the pictures underneath. I made sure everything was aligned and that each page had the same layout and colour scheme.
Overall I think I did quite well in Dreamweaver. Previous experience of it definitely helped and although I had to change my design I am happy with the final outcome. I need to add more pictures and I will keep the information updated.
Day One!
I really enjoyed the first day, we played a team building exercise in the morning were we had to build a structure to hold an egg, points were given for height and money left over from the cost of materials. We came second!
In the afternoon we completed tasks in Microsoft Word, Publisher, Excel and PowerPoint. It was good to recap on some software I hadn’t used in a while.
Microsoft Word
I was given a series of basic tasks to perform in Microsoft Word. This involved setting margins, changing font size and adding columns, pictures, footnotes and tables.
Making sure everything was aligned and the same font and size was used throughout was important in order for the document to look professional.
Microsoft Publisher
My task was to create a greetings card in Microsoft Publisher. I had to choose a design, change the colour scheme and add pictures and text.
I enjoyed the design aspect of Publisher and spent time familiarising myself with editing images and changing the layout.
Microsoft Excel
For Microsoft Excel we worked in small groups to create a 5 minute lesson on how to ‘record a macro’. After recapping on how macro’s work, two of our team members used Excel to show the rest of the class.
Microsoft PowerPoint
Our last task was to present the work we had already done using PowerPoint. We had to customise the slides and add hyperlinks and animations to make the powerpoint more interesting.
In the afternoon we completed tasks in Microsoft Word, Publisher, Excel and PowerPoint. It was good to recap on some software I hadn’t used in a while.
Microsoft Word
I was given a series of basic tasks to perform in Microsoft Word. This involved setting margins, changing font size and adding columns, pictures, footnotes and tables.
Making sure everything was aligned and the same font and size was used throughout was important in order for the document to look professional.
Microsoft Publisher
My task was to create a greetings card in Microsoft Publisher. I had to choose a design, change the colour scheme and add pictures and text.
I enjoyed the design aspect of Publisher and spent time familiarising myself with editing images and changing the layout.
Microsoft Excel
For Microsoft Excel we worked in small groups to create a 5 minute lesson on how to ‘record a macro’. After recapping on how macro’s work, two of our team members used Excel to show the rest of the class.
Microsoft PowerPoint
Our last task was to present the work we had already done using PowerPoint. We had to customise the slides and add hyperlinks and animations to make the powerpoint more interesting.
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