Logo Maker on Web 2.0

A few days ago I wrote about my attempts to create a blog header that best represents Sperk*.   I wanted readers to arrive here and have an idea of what I am communicating through my writing.  Visual identity is essential in the blogosphere because it is saturated with millions who have something to share.  Standing out can seem impossible.  I simply wanted to be identifiable.  Even though my blog is still in a stage of development, I was able to discern that I wanted the header to be professional looking, simple, and not too formal.  I wanted to make sure readers felt comfortable and compelled to scroll down, read, and discover how Sperk* is unfolding.

Today I used LogoType Maker, a Web 2.0 tool that I discovered through Diigo's Hot Bookmarks, to create my header.  LogoType Maker was easy to use.  When I arrived at the site, I typed my blog title into the field labeled Type Here, clicked Generate LOGO, and it generated 12 logos that were ready to be saved in the bookmarking field.  I clicked randomize a few times to get some ideas and see if anything spoke to me.  I tried a few of the editing options on the ones that were stand outs.

Editing was easy.  I modified the generated font to one that visually complimented my existing blog layout.  I wasn’t happy with the font colors and was worried I would have to change the colors of my blog in order for it to match.  I was relieved to discover that I could easily input the #RGB’s from my blog to be applied to the logo font.  

Uploading my own photo was as easy as uploading it to Blogger, Facebook, or any other site that has photo uploading.  I did not like the way it looked.  This was an issue with my photo, not with LogoType Maker.  The photo was easy to delete.  I chose one of the provided images and liked it better than what I was going to use.

The application uses three layers for the font, photo and background.  Each layer is easily manipulated for placement and size.  I made five different logos and saved them as .png files to my laptop.  There are options to save your logo as a .pdf or a .zip file, too.  

I uploaded one of the five logos to my header and did not like how it looked.  No problem.  I easily removed it and tried another.  I did this until I decided on the one you see now in my header.

  

LogoType Maker was fun and easy to use.  It is great because it is free and has some features that come with purchased software.  I was able to quickly create a professional and relevant logo.  And I already have ideas for other LogoType Maker applications: to create my Facebook Timeline header (guide from Mashable) and a Christmas gift for my girls.

 

Why Ed Tech is Not Just for Teachers

I spent the morning attempting to make the header on my blog eye-catching, representative of my writing, and professional looking.  I am not the most versed in design software so I chose to use a combination of Microsoft Word, Photobucket, and the snipping tool accessory.  It may have been easier to either install Photoshop on my laptop or open my daughter’s laptop that already has it installed.  However, I am not confident in my skills with Photoshop.

Although I don’t think it’s representative of how much fun adolescent girls are to parent, I got the header to look acceptable.  Then I continued with my morning reading of blogs and posts of interest.  During my stop at Diigo, I found the link for LogoType Maker in the Hot Bookmarks.  I need to give it a try before I give you any feedback on it but some of its listed features are: upload images; modify logo, drop shadow; outline; cliparts; export png, zip, and pdf; and FREE.  I am assuming that had I used it for my header, it would now be just what I intended.  

If I was not an educational technology enthusiast, I would not have come across LogoType Maker.  One year ago, I was in a computer literacy class required for my degree in Early Education.  There were several Web 2.0 sites that were mandatory to use and Diigo, a bookmark sharing site, was one of them.  Also included on the list were Jing, similar to the snipping tool but better, and Prezi.  Prezi, an application for creating lively presentations, was the most difficult for this digital immigrant to learn, but the results were incredible.  From there I came across Free Technology for Teachers, an educational technology resource blog.  And from there I . . . I am now addicted to educational technology.

Ed tech is important to everyone, obviously, because it is being implemented into our children’s schools.  Even if I didn’t have school-age children, I would still want to know what was being implemented in my community's school curriculum.

 Also, applications found across the web are great for use at home.  Parents can support their children’s engagement in media of all sorts.  This increases their media literacy skills, especially when parents spend time with their children as they interact with peers online.  There are even great applications for creating cool videos, interactive timelines, and ebooks that can be used for creating unique family memories.

I am finding that educational technology gives light to easy to use applications that are not just for the classroom.  They are tools that can be implemented into personal writing and parenting blogs.  Because ed tech writers introduce media-rich applications as they could be applied in a classroom, they break it down very simply because teachers don’t often have time to implement tricky tech stuff--nor do bloggers. 

If you want to get started following educational technology because you are a parent, a blogger, a blogging parent, or just someone who wants to know what’s new and hip, check out The Edublog Awards Blog.  There is a comprehensive list of ed tech teachers’ blogs that were nominated for awards.  You are likely to find something useful and fun.  And if you find a blog you like, go ahead and give it a vote!

A Morning in the Life

Day two of the “About Me” blogging exercise.  Routine and rituals are important for kids.  I thought if you had a glimpse of our morning routine, complete with most rituals, you’d get to know Sperk* a bit better.  Here’s a timeline:

6:00 a.m.             

• Open Eyes, check to see if breathing, if yes, continue
• Make Sophia breakfast which consists of a Balance Bar and a cup of 2% milk

                            

6:15 a.m.               

• Wake Sophia 
• Sit across the table from Sophia, both have our laptops, and discuss what we have found interesting online 
• Play Fashion Story, WordFeud, and Words with Friends
• Check Twitter, read articles and blogs of interest, save thought-provoking items in Diigo
• Check Cozi Family Calendar

                     

                             

                   

 6:45 a.m.              

• Sophia gets ready for school
• Open Spotify
• Pack Sophia's lunch which usually consists of a sandwich with processed meat, cheese, and mustard; apples (sometimes strawberries); carrots; a bag of chips; and a Horizon Organic Chocolate milk

 

7:00 a.m.              

• Tend to Sophia’s wardrobe, chore, and after school requests/needs
• Let dogs out. (Bexley has an ordinance wherein residents cannot have barking dogs out before 7am or I would do it sooner)

7:15 a.m.              

• Make Antonia’s breakfast (same as Sophia’s)
• Let dogs in

7:25 a.m.              

• Wake Antonia 

 

7:30 a.m.               

• Drive one mile with Sophia in passenger seat of car. Drop her at BMS.

7:35 a.m.             

• Home. Listen to Antonia’s complaints which usually consist of, “I am tired, I have a headache, and my nose is stuffy," because she is usually tired and is allergic to our Chihuahuas
• Let dogs out (they have tiny bladders)

7:45 a.m.              

• Encourage Antonia to get ready for school
• Pack her lunch (Same as Sophia's)
• Let Dogs in
• Play Fashion Story, WordFeud, Words with Friends; fold laundry (if necessary), Tweet, read something online and share to Twitter or email via Shareaholic           

8:20 a.m.              

• Yell to Antonia’s bedroom that she has to be at school in five minutes

8:25 a.m. 

• Frantically put Antonia’s lunchbox into her backpack that she carries from her room once she emerges

                            

 8:26 a.m.               

• Yell things like “I love you!” and “Have a great day!” very loudly out the door to Antonia as she walks down the street heading towards school

 8:25 a.m.               

•  Let dogs out