Tuesday, April 26, 2011
iMovie
Making movies is not really my thing. In my family, my brother has always been the one to make movies. I cannot tell you how many times we have got some friends together and just gone out and shot a movie. Then my little brother would edit it and make it look really good. However, I was basically movie making illiterate. Doing this movie project actually turned out to be a lot of fun. I know that the movie I made is not exactly Hollywood material, but I enjoyed putting it together. I also really liked being given the opportunity to try to figure it out for ourselves, I learned a lot that way.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Digital Story Movie!
This took me awhile but I'm happy with the way it turned out! It was not as difficult as I thought it would be.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Recent Stuff...
Recently in this class we have used some pretty cool technology tools. We have done Inspiration and have pretty much finished up all the Web 2.0 tools. For the first time I feel a little overwhelmed by all of them. It is difficult to keep track of all of them! I am starting to wonder if I will be able to remember all of these different tools by the time I actually start teaching. There are just so many of them, I feel like I have already forgotten how to do certain things. However, certain tools I feel like I can use at anytime I need. Maybe that is the point though, we remember and use the tools that fit us best, and have the ability to use the other ones if need be.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Inspiration Activity
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Animoto
I just thought Animoto was a pretty cool tool. I will definitely use this when I teach. Here is what I made in class.
Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.
Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Mark, Sam and Nat's MLB picks for 2011 (a blog for my brother)
Alright ladies and gentlemen, it is that time of year again. The weather is getting warmer, the leaves are growing back, the grass is getting greener...you get the point, but most importantly it is baseball season once again! This year my brother (Sam) my roommate (Mark) and I (Nat) have decided to all do preseason predictions in our blogs. Click Sam Scott for Sam's blog, and click Mark Shrum for Mark's blog. So without further ado, lets get to my picks!
American League Playoff Picks
Division Winners-Yankees (Best Record), White Sox, Angels
Wild Card-Red Sox
Playoffs Divisional Round
Yankees over the White Sox in 4
Red Sox over the Angels in 5
Championship Series
Yankees over Red Sox in 6
World Series-Yankees over Phillies in 6
American League East
1. New York Yankees
I know everyone is picking the Red Sox, but lets just call the Yankees a hunch. The back end of the rotation will be the key, if they can get .500 ball from the fourth and fifth starters they will be tough to beat. A-Rod will have a rebound of a year and hit 40 homers, plus throw in Tex and Robinson Cano and you have got quite the offense. Oh, don't forget Jeter.
2. Boston Red Sox
I'll give the Red Sox the wild card, a good team, but not as great as everyone thinks they will be. I like the addition of Crawford, but he is not going to be enough to push them over the top. The rotation is solid, the closer is really good, the offense is solid, it equals out to a wild card team.
3. Baltimore Orioles
This is the year the Orioles make their move, out of the basement that is. Buck will make a huge difference for this team, they improved a ridiculous amount under him last year. Will it be enough to compete with the Red Sox and Yanks? No. But it will be enough to move up to third in the East.
4. Tampa Bay Rays
Certain parts of the Tampa Bay Rays are great. You have an MVP caliber third baseman in Evan Longoria, an Cy Young worthy pitcher in David Price , but outside of that there is not much. They lost a lot, and got Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez. All this equals out to the stock being down for the Rays.
5. Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays have been on the cusp of a breakthrough for years, but they have never been able to get over the top, and this year they will implode. They can hit, but they can't pitch. If the hitting goes away they are in trouble, which I think will happen this year.
American League Central
1. Chicago White Sox
Ozzie Guillen is nuts. Adam Dunn can hit the ball really far. The rest of the White Sox are all still really good (Konerko anybody?). The rotation is not great, but the hitting is more than enough to make up for it. The starters don't have to be great with a line up like the White Sox have. The White Sox are good enough to win the Central, and possibly the whole thing.
2. Minnesota Twins
The Twins are always solid. Chances are they will do what they always do, a slow start, then come on like wildfire at the end of the year. Joe Mauer is the best in the game at catcher, and the rest of the line up is solid, but not quite solid enough to put it together for the whole season. Sure bet though, their best months of the season will be August and September.
3. Detroit Tigers
The Tigers have disappointed since making the World Series a few years ago. Miguel Cabrera has been an absolute stud, and the starting rotation is very top heavy, but last year they just could not quite pull it together. The team was close for most of the year but faded late. There is just nothing about this years club that points to it being any different than last year.
4. Cleveland Indians
Poor Cleveland, they just can't seem to win anything these days. But hey, at least they are better than Kansas City (I think). If they finish last they should consider calling Rick Vaughn up to see if he will come pitch, oh wait, calling Charlie Sheen is never a good idea these days, unless you are in the market for Tiger Blood. Yes, the only way I could make the Indians entertaining was to talk about Charlie Sheen. Hey maybe one of his concert tour dates will be in Cleveland! Will be the only sell out all year.
5. Kansas City Royals
UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. Did you know the Royals have won the World Series before? You would not guess it the way things have gone the last few years (or decades). Poor Royals, at least they and Cleveland will have a good battle for fourth place.
American League West
1. Anaheim Angels
Outside of last year the Angels have been a mainstay at the top of the A.L. West. This year things should return to normal. This was a club that kind of fell apart last year after a couple of injuries, so if they stay healthy I see no reason why they cannot win the West.
2. Texas Rangers
No Cliff Lee? No division title. Last year the Rangers were a great story, but not this year. Josh Hamilton will be great, but probably won't hit .355 again. The loss at the top of the rotation will be too much to overcome.
3. Oakland As
The As are getting better it seems every year. The one thing the As are missing is that superstar face of the franchise. That one player that people think about when they think of the As. This team is close to being great, but still not there.
4. Seattle Mariners
Poor Felix Hernandez. He is probably the best pitcher in the game, but he is on one of the worst teams out there. He won the Cy Young on a team with a losing record. That is impressive. While he probably will not repeat as Cy Young winner this year, Hernandez will be really good, the rest of the team will not
National League East
1. Atlanta Braves
Yeah thats right, I'm going with the Braves. No one seems to remember that the Braves lead the East until September last season. I know the Phillies are loaded at pitching, but not hitting. The Braves are all around solid, and the pitching could be great. Hudson and Lowe are always good, but I think Tommy Hanson is going to have a breakout season. I am looking for him to win 18+ games and be in contention for the Cy Young. With the addition of Dan Uggla at second base the Braves improve their hitting exactly where they needed it most: power. If Uggla can hit 35 home runs and get over 100 RBI's look for the Braves to be one of the best in baseball under new manager Freddi Gonzalez.
2. Philadelphia Phillies
The rotation may be the best since the Braves of the mid 90's, no one can argue that. Halladay, Lee, Oswalt and Hamels make up the best staff in baseball. The bullpen could be a weakness. The main problem is with the bats. Chase Utley is always hurt all of a sudden. Ryan Howard struggles when he does not have Utley protecting him. More importantly no one on this team hit over .300 last year. Pitching wins in the playoffs, but the Phillies need some hitting to help out.
3. Florida Marlins
The Marlins always seem to be up and coming, and you know the Marlins will have pitching. I look for the Marlins to improve this year. They will be in the running for the Wild Card, but will not improve quite enough to make the playoffs.
4. New York Mets
What has happened to the once promising Mets? A couple years ago the Mets were always the pick to win the N.L. East, but things have kind of unraveled for the other team in New York. They have gotten old, Jason Bay has been a bust, and Johan Santana has not been all that Mets fans hoped. The Mets need to start from scratch and build up around Reyes.
5. Washington Nationals
How long until Stephen Strausburg comes back? The most exciting thing that has ever happened for the Nationals franchise inured his golden arm last year and will not be back until late in the season. Oh well, we can pay attention to them when Strausburg comes back.
1. St. Louis Cardinals
Is this the last year of Albert Pujols in St. Louis? If it is they will go out with a bang. Sure the pitching staff is in trouble with injuries, but look for the Cardinals to rebound and take the Central behind the bat of Pujols.
2. Milwaukee Brewers
The addition of Zach Greinke will pay out big time, when he comes back from injury. The bats are either hot or they are not (come on Prince Fielder) but I think they will spend most of the year hot. The improvement in the starting rotation will be enough to make the Brewers better, but not good enough to win the Central.
3. Chicago Cubs
This year is still not next year, but the Cubs will be better than last year for sure. The Cubs made great strides under the new manager, and look for that to keep up this year. If Aramis Ramirez can stay healthy the Cubs could contend for the division crown.
4. Cincinnati Reds
I know what you are thinking, the Reds won the Central last year and made the playoffs. Not this year, not this year. Joey Votto is an All Star, but the Reds will hit a "sophomore slump" this year and slip to fourth in the division.
5. Houston Astros
The Astros haven't made the playoffs since 2005, and they won't in 2011.
6. Pittsburgh Pirates
Haven't had a winning season since....ummm.....the early 1990's. That's winning season, not playoffs.
National League West
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Don Matttingly will make all the difference for this club. The Dodgers will dethrone the defending champs and take the division.
2. San Francisco Giants
Call it a post championship hangover, but the Giants will not be quite as good as they were last year and will slip to second in the division.
3. Colorado Rockies
Have one of the best pitchers in the game at a hitters park, the Rockies are just kind of strange like that.
4. San Diego Padres
Consistently average the last few years, more of the same.
5. Arizona Diamondbacks
Have not been relevant in quite some time now.
Miscellaneous picks
A.L. MVP-Alex Rodriguez
N.L. MVP-Albert Pujols
A.L. Cy Young-C.C. Sabathia
N.L. Cy Young-Roy Halladay
A.L. Rookie of the Year-Jeremy Hellixson
N.L. Rookie of the Year-Craig Kimbrel
Bold Predictions-Orioles finishing 3rd in the A.L. East (surprisingly close to the top 2). Alex Rodriguez has one of his best all around seasons to win the MVP. Tommy Hanson finishes second in the NL Cy Young. Cliff Lee finishes no better than 2 games above .500 (but dominates in the playoffs). RamJets make the semifinals.
American League Playoff Picks
Division Winners-Yankees (Best Record), White Sox, Angels
Wild Card-Red Sox
Playoffs Divisional Round
Yankees over the White Sox in 4
Red Sox over the Angels in 5
Championship Series
Yankees over Red Sox in 6
National League Predictions
Division Winners-Braves, Cardinals, Doders (Best Record)
Wild Card-Phillies
National League Division Series
Phillies over Dodgers in 5
Cardinals over Braves in 5
National League Championship Series
Phillies over Dodgers in 5
World Series-Yankees over Phillies in 6
American League East
1. New York Yankees
I know everyone is picking the Red Sox, but lets just call the Yankees a hunch. The back end of the rotation will be the key, if they can get .500 ball from the fourth and fifth starters they will be tough to beat. A-Rod will have a rebound of a year and hit 40 homers, plus throw in Tex and Robinson Cano and you have got quite the offense. Oh, don't forget Jeter.
2. Boston Red Sox
I'll give the Red Sox the wild card, a good team, but not as great as everyone thinks they will be. I like the addition of Crawford, but he is not going to be enough to push them over the top. The rotation is solid, the closer is really good, the offense is solid, it equals out to a wild card team.
3. Baltimore Orioles
This is the year the Orioles make their move, out of the basement that is. Buck will make a huge difference for this team, they improved a ridiculous amount under him last year. Will it be enough to compete with the Red Sox and Yanks? No. But it will be enough to move up to third in the East.
4. Tampa Bay Rays
Certain parts of the Tampa Bay Rays are great. You have an MVP caliber third baseman in Evan Longoria, an Cy Young worthy pitcher in David Price , but outside of that there is not much. They lost a lot, and got Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez. All this equals out to the stock being down for the Rays.
5. Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays have been on the cusp of a breakthrough for years, but they have never been able to get over the top, and this year they will implode. They can hit, but they can't pitch. If the hitting goes away they are in trouble, which I think will happen this year.
American League Central
1. Chicago White Sox
2. Minnesota Twins
The Twins are always solid. Chances are they will do what they always do, a slow start, then come on like wildfire at the end of the year. Joe Mauer is the best in the game at catcher, and the rest of the line up is solid, but not quite solid enough to put it together for the whole season. Sure bet though, their best months of the season will be August and September.
3. Detroit Tigers
The Tigers have disappointed since making the World Series a few years ago. Miguel Cabrera has been an absolute stud, and the starting rotation is very top heavy, but last year they just could not quite pull it together. The team was close for most of the year but faded late. There is just nothing about this years club that points to it being any different than last year.
4. Cleveland Indians
Poor Cleveland, they just can't seem to win anything these days. But hey, at least they are better than Kansas City (I think). If they finish last they should consider calling Rick Vaughn up to see if he will come pitch, oh wait, calling Charlie Sheen is never a good idea these days, unless you are in the market for Tiger Blood. Yes, the only way I could make the Indians entertaining was to talk about Charlie Sheen. Hey maybe one of his concert tour dates will be in Cleveland! Will be the only sell out all year.
5. Kansas City Royals
UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. Did you know the Royals have won the World Series before? You would not guess it the way things have gone the last few years (or decades). Poor Royals, at least they and Cleveland will have a good battle for fourth place.
American League West
Outside of last year the Angels have been a mainstay at the top of the A.L. West. This year things should return to normal. This was a club that kind of fell apart last year after a couple of injuries, so if they stay healthy I see no reason why they cannot win the West.
2. Texas Rangers
No Cliff Lee? No division title. Last year the Rangers were a great story, but not this year. Josh Hamilton will be great, but probably won't hit .355 again. The loss at the top of the rotation will be too much to overcome.
3. Oakland As
The As are getting better it seems every year. The one thing the As are missing is that superstar face of the franchise. That one player that people think about when they think of the As. This team is close to being great, but still not there.
4. Seattle Mariners
Poor Felix Hernandez. He is probably the best pitcher in the game, but he is on one of the worst teams out there. He won the Cy Young on a team with a losing record. That is impressive. While he probably will not repeat as Cy Young winner this year, Hernandez will be really good, the rest of the team will not
National League East
1. Atlanta Braves
2. Philadelphia Phillies
The rotation may be the best since the Braves of the mid 90's, no one can argue that. Halladay, Lee, Oswalt and Hamels make up the best staff in baseball. The bullpen could be a weakness. The main problem is with the bats. Chase Utley is always hurt all of a sudden. Ryan Howard struggles when he does not have Utley protecting him. More importantly no one on this team hit over .300 last year. Pitching wins in the playoffs, but the Phillies need some hitting to help out.
3. Florida Marlins
The Marlins always seem to be up and coming, and you know the Marlins will have pitching. I look for the Marlins to improve this year. They will be in the running for the Wild Card, but will not improve quite enough to make the playoffs.
4. New York Mets
What has happened to the once promising Mets? A couple years ago the Mets were always the pick to win the N.L. East, but things have kind of unraveled for the other team in New York. They have gotten old, Jason Bay has been a bust, and Johan Santana has not been all that Mets fans hoped. The Mets need to start from scratch and build up around Reyes.
5. Washington Nationals
How long until Stephen Strausburg comes back? The most exciting thing that has ever happened for the Nationals franchise inured his golden arm last year and will not be back until late in the season. Oh well, we can pay attention to them when Strausburg comes back.
1. St. Louis Cardinals
Is this the last year of Albert Pujols in St. Louis? If it is they will go out with a bang. Sure the pitching staff is in trouble with injuries, but look for the Cardinals to rebound and take the Central behind the bat of Pujols.
2. Milwaukee Brewers
The addition of Zach Greinke will pay out big time, when he comes back from injury. The bats are either hot or they are not (come on Prince Fielder) but I think they will spend most of the year hot. The improvement in the starting rotation will be enough to make the Brewers better, but not good enough to win the Central.
3. Chicago Cubs
This year is still not next year, but the Cubs will be better than last year for sure. The Cubs made great strides under the new manager, and look for that to keep up this year. If Aramis Ramirez can stay healthy the Cubs could contend for the division crown.
4. Cincinnati Reds
I know what you are thinking, the Reds won the Central last year and made the playoffs. Not this year, not this year. Joey Votto is an All Star, but the Reds will hit a "sophomore slump" this year and slip to fourth in the division.
5. Houston Astros
The Astros haven't made the playoffs since 2005, and they won't in 2011.
6. Pittsburgh Pirates
Haven't had a winning season since....ummm.....the early 1990's. That's winning season, not playoffs.
National League West
Don Matttingly will make all the difference for this club. The Dodgers will dethrone the defending champs and take the division.
2. San Francisco Giants
Call it a post championship hangover, but the Giants will not be quite as good as they were last year and will slip to second in the division.
3. Colorado Rockies
Have one of the best pitchers in the game at a hitters park, the Rockies are just kind of strange like that.
4. San Diego Padres
Consistently average the last few years, more of the same.
5. Arizona Diamondbacks
Have not been relevant in quite some time now.
Miscellaneous picks
N.L. MVP-Albert Pujols
A.L. Cy Young-C.C. Sabathia
N.L. Cy Young-Roy Halladay
A.L. Rookie of the Year-Jeremy Hellixson
N.L. Rookie of the Year-Craig Kimbrel
Bold Predictions-Orioles finishing 3rd in the A.L. East (surprisingly close to the top 2). Alex Rodriguez has one of his best all around seasons to win the MVP. Tommy Hanson finishes second in the NL Cy Young. Cliff Lee finishes no better than 2 games above .500 (but dominates in the playoffs). RamJets make the semifinals.
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