The View From The Top

Keynote Presentation of our favorite city

2009-05-21T20:24:00.000-07:00

This is an example Keynote presentation that goes along with the video tutorial put together to demonstrate how to take your keynote and place it on your blog. Please access the tutorial website for instructions.

Peer Grading: How Well Will You Evaluate Your Group

2009-05-20T07:57:00.000-07:00

Listen to the podcast to receive your instructions on submitting your peer review which serves as 1/2 of your grade.

Changing Your Image

2009-05-13T12:35:00.001-07:00

As you look at wrapping your projects up you may be considering changing the look of your blog. Well, I have just created a video tutorial that will show you how to change your project blogs to pop out images like this tutorial blog. You will need to watch in order to understand how to change your blog's look using The Cutest Little Blog On The Block website. You will learn how to enter a html code to manipulate your blog's image to make it look as flashy as you want. You will not be able to access the website from school without my assistance, but from changing your blog from home should not be a problem at all.

Happy Blogging.

2009-05-06T16:58:00.001-07:00

The Smittie Project deadline has been extended due to lack of computer access. The new deadline is 4:40 pm, May 22. So, take advantage of this opportunity and get it done!

2009-05-06T09:42:00.000-07:00

It's time to get ready to present your projects. At this point you should have traveled from one coast to the other and spent an approximately $30,000. Wow! What a Life! However, in our present reality, you have to use Keynote to create an advertisement for the city that you enjoyed most and put your favorite images in your mapvivo photo journey map. I have put together two keynote tutorials for you that will show you how to manipulate your photos to make it look like you were actually there, while the other keynote tutorial will show you how to create your presentation. Go to the following links for help in both area:
Keynote Photo Help
Keynote Presentation Help

Let's Keep It Rolling

2009-04-09T07:11:00.000-07:00

Ok, you're thinking about your budget now and you should be to the point where you are trying to piece everything together. I have noticed that many of the groups are having some difficulty getting together to talk about your individual research. It is evident that there has not been much collaboration on the blog entries because individually, no one can tell me what is going on. Well, I have developed a new Wiki for you to use as a place for you to take all the information that each member of the group may gather on their own and put where every member can see it and either agree or add to it in order to make the blog about that particular city more engaging and meaningful for the entire team. Don't know how to use the Wiki? Don't worry, click on little Smittie and he'll take you to our new Wiki Site (http://smittieproject.wikispaces.com) and you'll find six-step tutorial to make the wiki simple and beneficial to use.

What To Do Next

2009-04-01T11:07:00.000-07:00

I see that many of you are excited about the exciting places that you have had the chance or will have the chance to visit. Your research on the various routes to your destinations, places to stay and activities to participate in has been very good. However, REMEMBER THE BUDGET!!! If you can't afford to make your dream vacation a reality according to your budgets, then stay awake! If you are having a difficult time using your budget, view the video below to answer any questions.

Remember, the budget is the key to knowing if you can afford your trip.... so use it.

Step # 2

2009-02-24T10:55:00.000-08:00

Now that you have completed your first blogging entry, you need to get started on your individual City research. You want to make sure that when you begin to decide on what all you will do in each city, that you keep in mind your budget. Make sure you can afford all the activities that you may be interested in. You should have your budget sheets in your flash drives. When deciding on what you can afford, you may want to start with the cost of getting to your first spot from Dallas. You can go to Kayak.com to look up flight information from different airline companies. Kayak also has rental car info and hotel packages. Remember, you must include your method of travel once you have arrived in your destination of choice and you have to sleep at some point. So, once you have chosen your flight information, add that amount to your budget sheets to determine how much money you have left for your hotel, food, and other activities. To learn how to fill out your budget sheet, you can check out the tutorial website for further information.

After you have determined how much money you have left for fun, go to your travel link for your city of choice and choose activities that fit within your budget. Keep in mind that there is more than one person in your group, so when you buy a ticket to something, you must include the cost for everyone to go. You also need to keep in mind how you are going to get from place to place. Will you rent a car, catch a cab, or any other type of public transportation? This cost does not have to be for each person considering you all can ride together unless you use public transportation.

So, as you go along and find events to participate in, you also want to capture images and place them within your blog entry. If you do not know how to add and image in your blog, go to the tutorial website to learn. Remember you can always check the tutorial page when you need to know how to do something related to this project. Along with the images of places that you are going to, you also need to take pictures of your group as if you are actually there in that city. You will take these pictures along with the images you have collected for this blog and place them on your Photo Journey Map on Mappness. Remember, your login information is the same as your blog. If you don't remember how to load the images, once again check the tutorial website.

Therefore, you 2nd blog entry will be your first stop. Tell us all about your stay, including how much you spent on each activity, what you did, where you stayed and dined and the cost of getting to your city and around town. Don't forget to explain in detail each activity with great enthusiasm. At the end of your entry, please put the name of the person in your group who submitted the blog.

Have Fun!!!

Second Life Image Video

2009-02-22T15:51:00.001-08:00

Step #1

2009-02-17T09:32:00.000-08:00

I know you are excited about beginning your journey across the U.S., but I don't want you to rush through without knowing how to get started. Your first step is to get with your group and take a look at a map and choose 15 - 20 cities that you would want to visit. Then take some time to research each place and decide which city provides enough events for you to participate in as a group. Then from there, narrow your list down to the 10 cities that you truly want to visit.

In your blog, write an entry on how you decided on the cities of choice and provide a list of those 10 cities. Create a timeline that explains when the trips will be taken and in what order. Title your post "My Top Ten Cities" and post by Friday, February 20.

Next, explain to me the roles and responsibilities in your group. For example; who's job will it be to find hotel information, or what about the research on what to eat. Tell me who is doing what. Then assign blogging responsibilities. There will be 12 blog entries, this being the first. Decide on who will blog about each of the 10 cities that you visit and all the activities that you participate in. Everyone in your group will be responsible for the content of the blog, but only one person will actually post the blog. The 12 blog entries are:

1. Step # 1 (The response to this activity)
2. First Stop - City #1
3. Second Stop
4. Third Stop
5. Fourth Stop
6. Fifth Stop
7. Sixth Stop
8. Seventh Stop
9. Eight Stop
10. Ninth Stop
11. Tenth Stop
12. Summarize your entire project experience

I'll explain what is expected for each blog in a separate entry.

Have fun!