Screencast

Above shows a screen grab of my first recording using Screen-o-matic and an image taken from my assignment in creating an app.

As I was in the library at the time of recording, I couldn't speak so I just let the recording run for 21 seconds.Upon adding the audio to my screencast I uploaded the Screen-o-matic and screen grabbed it as requested.

This tool was very handy when describing how to use our app. We used this tool to provide a clear way in how the app works which I feel is very beneficial instead of typing words upon words on our prezi.

In the prezi, we showed a step by step process in how to use our app, displaying clear images. Through working with this social media tool, I learnt how to demonstrate and teach viewers the use of our UCD ATM Locator App.

Prezi

This is my first experience working with prezi. As complicated as it may appear, it is actually very easy to work with. I used such features as changing themes, adding YouTube clips and images and adding text. Prezi is not your typical slide based presentation tool. You start with a blank canvas and can add the features and can manipulate content anywhere on the page. Prezi enables you to display content in unique ways. Whats even better is that prezi is absolutely free to use. One of my favourite aspects of prezi is the ability to have movement involved in in the presentation. This aspect creates a visual link for the audience.

I now decide to work with prezi over Microsoft PowerPoint when presenting content to a group as I believe prezi is more eye catching to the audience. It is an effective tool and keeps the audience more engaged in the content you are delivering.

I decided to base my prezi on my 'favourite sports' as sports is such an integral part of my life.
I included rugby, football, tennis and UFC in my presentation and the prezi can be viewed in the link below. I hope you enjoy!






<iframe frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen="" width="550" height="400" src="http://prezi.com/embed/7wpi-d9rnkii/?bgcolor=ffffff&amp;lock_to_path=0&amp;autoplay=0&amp;autohide_ctrls=0#"></iframe>

MIT App Inventor

This is a screenshot from using MIT App Inventor which we will be using to develop our app for our group project.

For the last two Friday's we have been participating in e-labs learning how to use the site.
So far it has been excellent as my knowledge of how to create and develop both sounds and images on the app inventor has increased and I look forward to using the site when the group project starts.

When using MIT App Inventor I was thankful I didn't have to know about coding. No knowledge of programming is required. You create the design by dragging stuff onto the screen and arranging them however you please. The logic of the app is determined by connecting puzzle pieces together. The website works very fast and only requires a lightweight install on your computer. The App Inventor is originally a creation by Google and includes GPS, SMS and databases.All in all, the app inventor is an easy and fun way to learn how apps work.

A couple months on, I come back to update this blog post to discuss my experience in using MIT App Inventor for our group assignment - the ATM Locator app. I was surprised at how easy it was to use considering when you go onto the site you literally haven't a notion of what to do. I was thankful we were provided with instructions and so that aided my group and I in the successful completion of our app. It was very handy for us as the App Inventor provides access to a GPS- location sensor and this is exactly what we needed for our app to enable users to find their nearest ATM machine.

24 hrs - No Social Media

To most people 24 hrs without social media would be easy enough. To me, not so much. The date I set to undertake this challenge was the 10th February 2015
Every hour of every day I use a social media site, whether its Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, Snapchat or YouTube. I know there are many more social media sites out there but these select few are my choice of sites I use daily.

I restricted myself from these sites in the morning but when it came to the afternoon, every part of me was tempted to click on the whatsapp icon on my phone. The problem is I use whatsapp over texting and I know many of my friends are the same. So I wasn't bothered texting my friends to start a conversation because I know they rarely text so I decided to keep conversations to a minimum and turned off notifications on whatsapp. I wasn't that tempted to sign in on Facebook and Twitter as I learnt I only really use these sites out of boredom. I could see myself receiving notifications on snapchat but again I resisted.

So over the duration of the 24 hours, at times I was craving and other times I occupied myself by going for a run/gym going over to my friends house and going to college. I learnt from this experiment how big a part social media plays in my life and also how peoples form of communication arise from social media sites daily.

Team Work

Progress with the group assignment

With our group and team members being revealed, we stayed back after class on Friday 6th February to come up with ideas for our assignment. Ideas were thrown about and we've briefly agreed on either an app related to crime within the area or an app related to transport times for students to get to college. We are now also in the process of writing up our 50 words on blackboard letting Shane know of our progress. Our means of communication is through Facebook which has been very efficient and will also enable us to upload our work so every member can view it.

11 weeks on, I come back to write more about this topic. We are now in the final stage of completing our assignment and we settled on creating an app allowing students and other personnel to locate an ATM within close proximity to them. The app we designed is called the ATM Locator and we have worked with the Clonskeagh, Donnybrook, Stillorgan and Goatstown areas. I felt we collaborated effectively together throughout the duration of the 12 weeks. Weekly meetings were held and each person was designed there own task. If others were stuck on a part, we were all quick to assist each other.

Roles within the group included, designing the app via MIT App Inventor, creating the image for our app, making the prezi, keeping content up to date on blackboard through the group wiki and making the screen cast.

All in all, the group collaboration was a success and we enjoyed the assignment as it developed a new skill set for us all in working with new social media platforms.