Internet Technology

Good morning again! :)

I have another question based blog today...

When was the last time Internet technology played a crucial role in a lesson learned? Tell us about it, and explain why it was an important and memorable moment for you.

The last time that Internet technology played a crucial role in a lesson I learned was probably this weekend. I learned how to use Final Cut Pro! I know that it isn't exactly internet based, but I will soon be (hopefully) publishing the final outcome of the lesson to my youtube page (as long as I don't get in any trouble with my production class).

I came to the editing lab totally unaware of how to use/do ANYTHING in Final Cut Pro. The only help I had was the cheat sheet given to everyone in my class about how to transcode raw footage, how to properly name your project, and how to export your project.
Transcoding raw footage just means making footage that you've filmed readable by Final Cut Pro, so that it can playback the film you have.
To name the project, we had to have our class and last name, along with what type of project the film was.
Exporting it was long and boring and I don't even remember it, so I won't try to explain it. :)

I had some help from the people in my group, but I was basically on my own to figure out how Final Cut Pro works. When I had trouble with the sound, my group partner, Justin, helped me figure out what to do. I watched over his shoulder as he googled how to convert a certain file. It was actually really very easy--you just had to rename the file to a WAV file! That's all!

I figured out how to add text/subtitles/templates, cut, add music, fix volumes, etc. I also learned how to do things like speed up the film (although I didn't use it--ha! Just imagine...).

After many long, grueling hours in the editing lab, I am happy to say that I made it out alive! I showed my project in class, and it appears that my hard work of learning how Final Cut Pro works paid off; they liked it! Even more, they said that I really knew my audience well. That is a true complement to me! Maybe they were just being nice... ;)

Now is the time that I share it with everyone. It is a documentary on the Catholic Newman Center on campus called "CCM" (Catholic Campus Ministry). I sat down with the woman in charge, Sister Rose, and we discussed CCM's history since she's been there, what CCM offers, and theology and science. It all relates back to what a college kid thinks/questions and ponders over.
I had a 3 minute limit, though, so it's very short. Buuuuut, I think CCM could potentially be proud of it; I believe it gives great insight to who we are as a community at CCM, and what we are about/do.

Another internet technology that is helping me learn something is the app called "Candy Crush". Although it is typically used as a form of entertainment, I feel as though I am learning strategy and problem-solving skills as well.
The point is to connect any three, four, or (if you're lucky) five matching pieces of candy. Connect three and they just disappear; connect four and they create one charged candy piece, that explodes a row the next time it matches with at least two other pieces of it's original nature; connect five and you get a donut, which you connect to another surrounding piece, and all of the pieces like that explode and disappear. You try to earn points, or get little fruit pieces to the bottom of the screen, or break through barriers, or a combination of any/all of these "missions". You can help your friends through Facebook by giving them lives (you accumulate a life every 20ish minutes until you have five lives...they disappear one with every failed attempt of a level), or helping them unlock the next episode. Shout out to my regular helpers, consisting of my mom, my brother, my cousin, and my ex-co-worker! :)
It's so addicting. I've only been playing for about two weeks now, and I'm already on level 50-something. Oops. No regrets.
But can you see how it is a huge brain exercise? It's almost like tetris (but way better).
It's gotten to the point where I see little pieces of candy lighting up behind closed eyelids before I drift off to sleep.... :)

The point of both of these stories is that the Internet can teach you a variety of new things! Either something specific that you need for your future job (Final Cut Pro), or something a little more lax that you could still use in every day life (Candy Crush). I know I've said it before in my life--and probably my blog--but I will say it again! I don't know what I'd do without the internet! I'm so excited to see how my future children and grandchildren learn--will they use the internet too? Without a doubt!

Until later,

xx
lizzie