Web 2.0 Tools for Desktop Publishing

Presentations

 Prezi

Prezi is a free way to create a presentation. It allows individuals to take a simple presentation and turn it into something bold and interesting. Individuals are able to express their personality through the presentations or use a template. I have never used Prezi until a few days ago. It was easy to use, but I did have to take the time to become familiar with it. Prezi is completely free until you add enhanced image editing, work offline, and cloud storage. I was overall very pleased with Prezi. I never experienced any problems. I would definitely recommend students to use Prezi when creating PowerPoints. It is definitely a way to take PowerPoints to the next level. I would much rather use Prezi than Microsoft PowerPoint now.

PhotoPeach

Another presentation tool is PhotoPeach. It is free and simple. Individuals just have to upload photos and set a time frame for each photo to appear. PhotoPeach creates the slideshow based on the pictures and settings selected. PhotoPeach is free unless an individual would like to burn their slideshows to DVD and be free of ads. Students could use PhotoPeach to create a digital story or visual for a project. PhotoPeach is a very basic program, but I would still recommend it. It could be used as a basic learning tool in the classroom for creating presentations. I would rank PhotoPeach towards a six on a ten point scale.

Blogging

Twitter

Twitter is a microblogging service. It is a way for individuals to send or read 140-character text messages, or “tweet,” about anything that may come to their mind. Twitter is completely free for all users. It is very simple and easy to learn how to navigate around. Personally, I have used Twitter on a daily basis for over two years. It allows individuals to share quotes or lyrics or just speak their mind on a specific topic. Individuals are given the opportunity to customize their profile to fit their personality. I have rarely experienced any computer glitches or other issues. Usually, the problem is fixed in a matter of hours though. I would definitely recommend twitter to others. Twitter is ranked high on my list. Students could use Twitter to communicate with one another about projects, or create a “trend” to see how individuals respond to it. It is a way for students to work on their writing skills too. 

Tumblr

Another microblogging service is Tumblr. It allows individuals to post multimedia and other content to a short-form blog. Tumblr is completely free for its users. Once you create an account, Tumblr helps individuals start following other bloggers. Tumblr is easy to navigate through. Users can post images, quotes, audio, videos, and more. It is a way for individuals to express their personality and interests with others. Students who are unfamiliar with blogging could use Tumblr to learn the basics. It is a basic blogging site, but it is well-developed. I recommend for individuals to use Tumblr in order to become familiar with blogging. Tumblr is a great learning experience. It is ranked high in my book.

Image Editing

Picasa

Picasa is an image editing tool. It is a way for individuals to organize and edit their digital photos. Individuals are able to download Picasa for free. Picasa is one of my favorite tools for editing images. It only took a matter of minutes before I was familiar with how to use Picasa. Picasa is well-organized and easy to use. Individuals have access to a variety of different editing tools. While using Picasa, I have never experienced any problems. I would highly recommend others to use Picasa. Students can use Picasa to edit photos for presentations or online purposes. Anyone has the opportunity to download Picasa. You definitely should if you have not already!

Pixlr

Another free image editing tool is Pixlr. It is similar to Picasa. Pixlr is easy to navigate through. It only took a matter of minutes to become familiar with how to operate Pixlr. Personally, I believe Pixlr has more to offer compared to Picasa. It is well-organized and provides helpful tools. I never experienced any problems while using Pixlr. Overall, I was very pleased with Pixlr. I will definitely began recommending it to others.  Students could use Pixlr to edit images for presentations, blogs, or online purposes. I would rank Pixlr very high. 

Website Creators

Weebly

Weebly is a free website creating tool. It allows individuals to create their own website for personal or business reasons. When individuals wish to add extra options to their website there is a monthly fee. Weebly is well-organized and easy to navigate through. I was able to catch on very quickly even though I was new to Weebly. I never experienced any difficulty or glitches while using Weebly. Overall, I really enjoyed learning how to create a website using Weebly. It was a great experience. I will definitely use it in the future. Students can use Weebly to create their own websites for a classroom project. It would be beneficial for the students who one day will start their own business. Weebly is amazing. Check it out!

Moonfruit

Another website creating tool is Moonfruit. Individuals are able to create one website for free using Moonfruit. The user will receive chargers for the extra webpages and storage. Moonfruit seems to be a well-organized website. However, I experienced difficulty when creating my own website. I believe Moonfruit needs to be more detailed and helpful to their users. Students could use Moonfruit to create a website for their classroom. It would tell other students about the classroom activities and projects. Honestly, I would rather use Weebly when creating a website, but I would use Moonfruit too. Moonfruit is ranked at a five out of ten on my scale. 

Social Networking

Facebook

 Facebook is an online social networking service. It is a way for friends and family members to stay connected even if they are millions of miles apart. Facebook is completely free for its members. It is very simple to create an account and navigate through. Facebook provides “tips” you are a new member or when changes have been made. Since 2007, I have been a Facebook user. It has been a way for me to stay updated on my friends and family members who have moved off. I am able to post statuses and share pictures that allow others to stay connected with me. Over the years, Facebook has rarely experienced glitches and other issues. However, the creator is great about getting the problem fixed as soon as possible. Facebook is an overall great experience. If you do not have a Facebook, I recommend that you at least give it a chance. You never know you may actually love it. I could use Facebook to communicate with students and their parents. It is simple to create a classroom page that would keep students and parents update on assignments and events.

Instagram

 Another online social networking service is Instagram. It allows individuals to share pictures and videos of their daily lives. Instagram is completely free and easy to use. Since 2012, I have had an account with Instagram. You upload pictures and videos you would like to share with others. It also provides different ways of editing your photos, such as cropping, adding borders, and effects. Instagram does experience glitches and other issues on a rare occasion. It happens when changes are being made or bugs are being fixed usually. It keeps users from being able to access Instagram. However, the creators usually get the problem fixed as fast as possible. Instagram could be a way for students to edit pictures for projects. The students would be able to access older pictures that could come in hand as well. In my opinion, Instagram is an excellent tool. It allows you to edit and upload pictures and videos right at your fingertips. Every individual should use Instagram. 

Population 4,627

For over 21 years, I have lived in the small town of Nashville, Arkansas. I would not trade my hometown for anything. It is where I grew up, and molded into the young lady I am today.

When you live in a small town, you are familiar with everyone. You know everyone by name for the most part. You know everyone’s past, present, and future. You know individuals who were sitting at the bar stool on Friday or Saturday night to the ones who sat on the church pew on Sunday morning. You know the exact times to find the old man selling produce at the three way.

In a small town, rumors spread like wildfires. You could learn something new about yourself in an instant. You have to think before you act. If you are not careful, your parents will find out about your night out on the town before you even make it home before curfew. Many judgments and assumptions will be made about you.

Personally, I have been accused of dating black guys. 

I have a best friend who just happens to be a black guy. Since I hang out with him or go out to eat with him in public, others assume we are dating. Individuals will label you in a small town based on your actions. Most people in small towns are stuck in the past. They are unable to open their eyes changes.

After reading all of that, you are probably questioning why I would still want to live in a small town?! Well… no matter where you go in this big world, you are going to be judged by someone. Individuals will make assumptions about you based on your appearance or how you act in situations.

When you live in a small town, you know your neighbors. You can walk next door just borrow sugar because in a week you will probably be returning the favor.

This small town has definitely taught me many lessons about life. It has opened my eyes. Every individual in my town has opened my eyes to some way or another. It is from the kind young man holding the door open for you to the older lady thanking you for your helping hand at the grocery store. Since I have traveled to larger towns and cities, I can tell the differences between my hometown and the other place. A small town grows to become a family. We always lend a helping hand no matter what the situation may be. We put aside our differences to help the ones in need. It does not matter how big of a fight or argument you were in the day before with the one in need. Its the little things that make everything else worthwhile. 

Larger communities are not given the opportunities to get to know everyone like in a small town.

My small town is where I was raised. I may not have the same views or ideas as other individuals who live in Nashville, Arkansas, but we all share a common bond. 

Remember, everyone has their own opinions. We all see things differently. I love my small town.

Social Networking... Good or Bad?!

Today, social networking has a major impact on our lives, especially on the younger generations. It continues to grow all around us. I read two articles that explain some the positive and negative effects of social networking.

The first article I read is entitled, “The Effects of Social Media on Communication.” The article explains how individuals are worried that social media is changing the way of communication. It is believed that our grammar skills and verbal textspeak will decrease over time due to social media; however, social media provides individuals with a new form of communication (Young). Face-to-face communication is different compared to communication through social media. Individuals may us “textspeak” in a paper or in a personal conversation, but it is a common mistake. Grammar skills and verbal communication will not decrease over time. It will always remain a top priority.

socialmediatoday.com/karenn1617/1745751/effects-social-media-how-we-speak-and-write

The second article I read is entitled, “Negative Impact of Social Media on Teens.”  The articles explains three different topics on how social media negatively impacts teens. There three topics are: Always connected, More comfortable, less sensitive, and Identity crisis (McCann). Some individuals believe teens spend way too much time communicating on social media. However, it is a way for teenagers to communicate with their friends. It allows these individuals to express themselves. Teenagers can become too comfortable and share more information than they should on a social media site. Teens should be careful with personal information they share, but still are able to speak their mind.  

austinmccann.com/2013/05/28/negative-impact-of-social-media-on-teens/

Personally, social media has a major impact on my life. I have numerous social media accounts, such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. I probably spend at least two hours, if not more, a day on these social media sites. Social media is a way to share with others. Pinterest allows you to share quotes or craft activities with one another. Instagram allows you to share pictures with your followers. Remember, a picture can say a thousand words. Facebook and Twitter allow you to communicate with your friends and family through posts or images. Social media has introduced us to a new form of communication. It allows me to share my thoughts and feelings or information with other individuals around me. It allows you to see common interests you share with others. 

This is me, this is who I am.

Hey y’all! First off, I would like to thank y’all for visiting my page. I have never blogged before in my entire life until now. I am starting this blog for one of my college courses. It will definitely be a learning experience for me. I hope y’all enjoy it!

My name is Amber Lawrence. A few months ago, I turned the BIG 21 years old. I live in the small town of Nashville, Arkansas. I live with my parents and younger sister. My mom (Tammy) is a 3^rd grade teacher at Oscar Hamilton Elementary School in Foreman, Arkansas. 

My dad (Lynn) is disabled due to health problems. My sister (Megan) is currently a sophomore at Nashville High School.

I spend most of my time hanging out with my friends and family. 

We are random.

We laugh. 

We cry. 

There is never a dull moment around us.  

Also, I enjoy playing basketball, video games, shooting skeet, riding four-wheelers, spending time at the lake, fishing, hunting, and shopping.

Currently, I am a junior at Henderson State University. My major is Business and Technology Education. While growing up, I always knew I wanted to become a teacher. After graduation, I would like to teach at the high school level. I even plan on continuing my education until I receive a master’s degree in education. Eventually, I would like to become a professor at a university.  

I decided to wrap my blog around Livin’ in a Small Town. My entire life I have lived in a small town. After traveling to other places, I have learned that each town or city has its own characteristics. I wanted to share some of my thoughts and personal experiences about my small town. Please remember, everyone has their own opinions. I just want to share my point of view of Livin’ in a Small Town.