How To Create Infographics (The Ultra-Simple & Easy Way)

This youtube video is really helpful.

DoppleMe Avatar

Say "Hello" to my avatar! I'm not sure this one looks much like me. But, it was fun to create.

http://doppelme.com/userarea/

My Modified Image

Well, since I have a serious case of baby brain this week, I have decided to use a picture of my perfectly, wonderful new grandson. I used PicMonkey to make the modifications to my original picture. I absolutely love this website. The almost endless possibilities for editing and ease of use make it a wonderful site to create your own little masterpieces. I could see this becoming an addiction for me.
Here is my photo of my little love. It was taken at the hospital during his second day of life. I love the way he is looking right at me.

In this edited version you can see the changes I put in place. I used the effects tool to add a Frost look. Next, I tried using the Touch Up tool to enhance his eyes. I'm not sure how successful I was with that though. I added in the text box and moved it to the bottom right. The font I chose for this was Sue Ellen Francisco. I used the Overlay tool to add in the heart shape around him and the Frames tool to add the Craft Scissors background.

Using PicMonkey in the classroom could be so powerful. I envision taking pictures of the students modeling various classroom and school rules. Students could then take those photos and edit them in PicMonkey adding in the text to state the rules. This would allow the students to gain more ownership and buy-in. 

Other uses could include creating vocabulary cards for individual units of study, creating memes of themselves for parents to read at the annual Open House night, and novel reviews in lieu of a book report.

 

Creative Commons Image

I am so very ready for summer. And, I just love the beach. I am hoping that in my retirement days, my husband and I will be living right next to the beach where we can wake up to this type of view on a daily basis.

By Fraser Hart (http://www.hermitagebay.com) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Quotes for Parents

While researching today, I came across a quote that really spoke to me.


http://www.pregnantchicken.com/pregnant-chicken-blog/2012/7/19/15-inspirational-quotes-for-new-parents.html

It’s Just the Beginning of a New Journey

I am so thrilled to be here. I am a lifelong learner and avid reader. I just can't seem to get enough. Every time I think that my journey as a student and learner has come to an end, I soon realize that my life's breath depends on my incessant search for knowledge. So, with that being said…I'm ready for more!
The font that I have chosen for my blog is Rockwell. Typically, my choice runs to the bubblier, curly fonts as it allows me to express my creative side. However, as this is for my readers' benefit, the Rockwell font has a "distinct, bold, confident, good display type." (Reynolds, 2014, p. 40). Since blogging is an entirely new experience for me, it is important that the reader is able to clearly read and navigate through each entry. Being a minimalist is not generally a strong suit for me. Understanding that less is often better, it is important to curb my tendency to add too many details and to keep the fonts and lines clean and easy to read. (Reynolds, 2014, p. 34). It was enlightening to read about creating harmonious relationships within documents and presentations. (Reynolds, 2014, p. 43). Here again is an area that ties in with the less is more philosophy. It is so important to keep the fonts streamlined rather than adding in so much variation.
The creation of Wordles is something that I have always enjoyed doing with my students. I have also used it on my own as a way to organize my thoughts of life in a very creative way. I love the way you can change it in an almost endless number of ways.