Cloud Technology

5 Ways to Spot & Combat Disinformation by Carol W. & Sav S.


What is Canva & why is it useful?

Canva is a graphic design app/platform for infographics, newsletters, social media posts, etc. It’s templates are super easy and quick to edit into your own presentations, yet still look professional. In addition, these presentations can be shared with other users to collaborate with others.


What are the advantages of cloud-based technology?

Cloud-based technology has access to cloud storage. This type of storage allows you to save and access your files from anywhere and any device, as long as you are authorized to do so! In addition to this, you can share these files with others over the cloud server, allowing real-time collaboration, which was used to create the Canva poster above.


 

HTML & CSS

Animals endangered by climate change web page snipMy ICT9 HTML & CSS Web Lab project:

Five Animals Endangered by Climate Change!


How was HTML & CSS used to design this web page?

HTML was used to create the content of the page. Inserting images and embedding a video, writing out paragraphs and headings, organizing the headings into a list, etc.

CSS, on the other hand, was used to add colors, create dashed borders for images, a box for the title, an overline for headings, and formatting the page contents.


What to notice about the page!

  • It may be difficult to see, but the images have a slight shadow 1px down and 1px to the right of their dashed borders.
  • Care was taken to the format and display of the web page in terms of color palette and shapes.

Why the “Social Awareness & Responsibility” CC tag was chosen.

Climate change is a serious crisis that cannot be ignored. Our interactions with the natural world is invaluable and it is important to be aware of it. This assignment required exactly that: Awareness of the climate crisis.


Why the “Testing” design process tag was chosen.

With CSS & HTML, you come to realize that what is created isn’t always what you expected or wanted. For example, for the attributions, I found that putting them under the images in the HTML code resulted in wide gaps between paragraphs of text, which was funny-looking. I tested multiple formats over and over before finding one that I liked.


 

App Development Project

MEET sPARKS!


What does sPARKS! do ?

This is an extension to a GPS. With the input of the user’s destination (plus additional information, such as whether the user has a disabled parking permit), it scans up-to-date satellite imagery of all parking spots at that destination. Comparing said satellite images to images of taken & empty parking spots in its database, it can determine whether or not a car is already parked at each spot. Using if/then processing, it outputs and updates a map that indicates the open spots. If the user does not have a disabled parking permit, then those spots will be indicated as taken in the map. In addition, the app uses GPS data to show the user’s location on said map.


What parts of the DESIGN PROCESS were used in this project?

  • Defining: A problem had to be defined for a solution to come about.
  • Ideating: Then, I began to imagine possible solutions, an audience, a design, and the most efficient way to integrate the solution into daily life. With the help of a guide, I also imagined how testing and determining if the idea worked would play out.
  • Prototyping: In terms of the design, the displays, the visuals (how the app is organized), I first drew sketches on paper, before creating them on Piktochart.
  • Sharing: First, the idea was shared with classmates and peers, in order to receive feedback. That was when I ran into one problem: People often park on the side of the road. Would the app be able to show those “parking spots?” That complicated the matter far more. What is the length of the user’s car? What places are okay for people to park? I decided to focus the app on parking lots, like Costco’s. If this project was furthered, perhaps then, non-parking lot areas would be considered. Now, I am sharing this app here, on a blog post.

What am I most proud of with this app?

I rather enjoyed imagining the process the app would go through in creating an output. Factors such as a disabled parking permit were taken into consideration. However, it would have been better if I had also considered how the app would know if, for example, construction was taking place at a parking lot, and certain spots were then unavailable. Otherwise, I am happy with the process.


 

ICT9 & Core Competency Predictions

Predict how you think we will practice each of the 7 main core competencies in this course.

“Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #2527” by Ape Lad is licensed by “CC BY-NC-ND 2.0”

 

Communication :

In this course, we will learn to use EduBlogs and personal portfolios to communicate our interests, ideas, and learning. We will also interact and communicate with peers and Ms. Abercrombie to enhance all of our learning experiences.

Collaboration :

A part of why technology has become so essential is that it can be a tool for collaboration, when used effectively. I think we will learn to do this via completing group projects, assignments, and tasks with classmates, in which we build relationships and must learn to respect each other’s opinions and contributions.

Creative Thinking :

To create projects, we will design and come up with ways to use what tools are at our disposal in new and inventive fashions, all while having fun.

Critical and Reflective Thinking :

Part of the design process is testing, then failure, then reflecting on why we failed, and going back to fix the problem and improve on design. This cycle repeats until we succeed.

Personal Awareness and Responsibility :

We must treat our technology with respect and care. In addition, when online, we are still responsible for our actions, like social media or blog posts, and will behave accordingly.

Personal and Cultural Identity :

This course, like all other events in our life, will build on our individual identities, in that we will develop new skills and abilities, as well as be part of a mini “community.”

Social Awareness and Responsibility :

As we interact with our classmates, peers, and teacher in this course, we learn to build and appreciate positive relationships.