1) The document discusses the author's experience using various software programs like PowerPoint, Prezi, Voki, Fireworks, and Evernote to create elements of their coursework project, which was a magazine.
2) Prezi was found to be the most useful and enjoyable to use, though it took some time to learn how to customize the presentation pathways. Fireworks also produced professional-looking pages but required adjusting settings to match print sizes.
3) Some programs like Voki and Evernote had limitations that prevented the author from using them effectively - Voki had time limits and Evernote couldn't be embedded on the author's blog. Overall, creating the project significantly expanded the author's knowledge of available
2. POWERPOINT
PowerPoint was really useful for notes and actual tasks as it was easy
to then upload onto slide share, with that PowerPoint itself is logical
and simple to use with short cuts such as the undo button. Inserting
images into was helpful and easy to do although sometimes it took a
while to save so that could time consuming- therefore taking time
out of my productivity. There wasn’t a solution for this, I just waited
and it worked. As PowerPoint has many designs, it kept it interesting
for my blog and is easy for the readers to follow. As a new thing I
learnt with PowerPoint, I discovered how to upload it online which I
wouldn't have been able to do without doing my coursework.
3. PREZI
I used Prezi to show my costume designs, textual analysis and evaluation
explanation amongst one or two others on my blog. I found Prezi extremely
helpful and is probably my favourite software I used as it was a cool way to
show my presentations and helped me explain it by referring back to previous
slides by putting a path in it. This was the thing I struggled with at first, I
couldn’t understand how to alter the pathway but after researching it, it
became clear. It was nice flowing for my presentations, you could easily insert
images in sync with the text and presentation flow, its very different to other
software's, it is online so I could access it from anywhere with internet- this
helped me a lot as I could do it at home. Sometimes it disconnected from the
internet at college, meaning production took longer but it wasn’t too bad.
4. VOKI
I used Voki to explain my 4th question in my evaluation as it would be
something new, interesting to my readers and gives readers of my
blog a break from writing. Despite this ideology, I was faced with
quite a few problems. I was not allowed any more than 200 words per
character speaking which meant I had to split my explanation into 4
sections which means more the blog reader would have to go
through. Also the free trial ran out so after that time we were unable
to see it on my blog afterwards which meant it was pointless and a
waste of time anyway. Due to this, the text I wrote has had to be
changed to an audio file which actually works much better and I am
glad my original presentation didn’t go as well as I had hoped.
5. FIREWORKS
I used fireworks for my front page and double page spread. Overall I
am pleased with the outcome of them and I think the software makes
them look pretty professional. I did face some problems though, the
text size did not match normal text sizes and so I had to fiddle with it
a lot to grasp a size 12 font for if it was to be printed. Along with
this, the size of the page was 16 times bigger than what it would be if
it was printed as an A4 magazine page. To solve this I had to fiddle
with the settings to make the size smaller. I learnt how to actually
produce magazine pages, I never would have used the software if it
hadn’t have been for my coursework. As no one else used the
software, I picked it up on my own and grasped it fairly quickly.
6. EVERNOTE
I used Evernote for question 5 of my evaluation. The software itself
was okay, allowing you to insert images and annotate them but when
it came to posting it on my blog, I could not embed it. Because of
this, I had to swap it over to a Powtoon presentation movie which
works well too. Although I did learn how to use Evernote, it didn’t
work efficiently for my coursework. It was simple to use and did the
job, but wouldn’t let me share it the way I wanted to.
7. HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
I USED
My home
laptop
College
computers
My home
camera
Usb stick
Prezi
Sound cloud
Powtoon
PowerPoint
Voki
Fireworks
Google
Emaze
Zoho
Youtube
Evernote
Mind maps
Word
Blogger
8. When doing my coursework, I had no idea how many different
software's there were and how creative they were too. Without doing
my coursework, I would not have discovered these online
presentation methods or been able to learn how to use them either. I
can now use these software's for other subjects and generally for in
the future- it has made me much more aware of what resources there
are on the internet. It has made me think about how much time,
effort and resources have to go into making a magazine making me
more appreciative of media we have today and how its competition is
huge.
On a personal level I am really proud of my use of camera as I was
able to use effects such as the colour effect that appears on my
double page spread. Without understanding the camera I would not
have been able to do this. Because of this I am proud of my double
page spread, along side my other pages too. I am happy with my
contents as I didn’t know I could use word to such a sophisticated
level to produce something great and my front cover I think I
executed well to match the forms and conventions of R&B.
9. If I was to alter my final product, I would add a bit more text to the pages in
my contents page as after getting my feedback I can realise it now, and I
would also add a paragraph or so to my article. It would mean I would have
to play around with fireworks a bit more to fit it in but I think it would have
been effective.
There weren’t really any limitations to me doing my final pieces, there were
obstacles but I overcame them after either research or advice. The only thing
that didn’t work to my advantage was always being able to work on my
production at college, but not at home as I didn’t own the software which I
could class as a limitation; although I worked hard at college as I knew I
couldn’t do it at home so it didn’t hold me back.
My use of fireworks for my front cover and double page allowed me to fiddle
with the pages a lot and make it look quite realistic however the quality
when saving it lost some of its effect. This is where Word didn’t fault, the
resolution is excellent on my blog but Word could be harder to get my head
around in such an advanced level. I am pleased I used these two software's
as I can now advanced my IT level, not only my media ability.
