Assignment 2: Making GIFs Blogs & Understanding the Internet

The first day of the CT 101 class, I didn’t think much of it because I already took CT201 with Professor Seslow so I had similar expectations to last semester. I believe that this course would be a better introduction course compared to CT201, which it is.

I understood the main goal of this course and the creative content that we would all go through and look at. I feel like that if you keep with the pace of the course, you can learn many interesting things that would benefit you in the future. I like the idea that we are able to use gifs in our assignments to express how we feel about a certain topic.
Compared to my other classes that I am taking this semester, CT101 is a nice well-rounded course that allows me to step back and look at other types of content. This course is a nice refresher with having Professor Seslow take us through this course. The other course that I am currently taking is geared towards my major is Information Systems. As this course being a different topic compared to information systems allows for me to relax and see a different perspective of digital content.
The creative potentials of this class as discussed before would be to create blog posts, the use of gifs, creating a website, and learning about digital technology. I believe that this class would allow students to express their minds on how creative they can be. They can express their thoughts by using gifs and animated pictures rather than using words.
I believe that the Internet provides us with a lot of new information that would allow us to gain new skills. From a few clicks away, you can search anything up on the Internet and can have information show on your screen instantly. This allows us to acquire any type of knowledge from the comfort of our own homes.

Assignment 2 GIFS

What did you think on the first day of the CT101?

On the first day of class, I was kind of nervous and also excited at the same time. I felt nervous about meeting new people and introducing myself, but I was excited about the course because it seems like a very fun class to take.

Did you like hearing about the course and its creative content? How did it make you feel?

Upon hearing about the course and its content, I thought that it was relatively easy work, but also knew that if I waited too long and let the work pile up I would feel overwhelmed.

How does CT101 compare to some of your other classes so far?

CT101 is definitely a lot more convenient for me. I like how everything is much easy to access and not as nerve-racking as the traditional ways professors usually teach, e.g. with long textbooks and outdated learning materials. But at the end of the day, these are still classes that I need to pass.

GIFS, GIFS, More GIFS

Don’t mind me, just struggling to figure out my major…as always. Originally I had a psych class but the night before school started I dropped it and replaced it with this Communications class. “Why Communications?” You may ask. Well, I’ve seen many people (literally one person in a random youtube video comment section) say that they went into communications because they didn’t know what to major in. So I thought “well why not”.

At first, I was nervous because you know who’s not nervous about the first day of your new class? But once I entered class my nerves slowly went away. Being in the computer room, surrounded by good people, and a good professor made this class a lot more enjoyable. Professor Ryan kinda gives off Sikowitz vibes and not Sikowitz’s odd side but his creative side. Which is how I knew I was going to enjoy this class. Please don’t see this as a diss professor, I mean this in a good way!

Although I was nervous on the outside, on the inside I was excited. First of all the name itself, “Digital Storytelling” caught my eye instantly. I love going digital and I love storytelling. It’s a match made in heaven honestly. Also, after reading the class description I figured this was way up my alley. Having to design and build an online identity is something I do often. Some examples are, I share my sim pictures on Tumblr and I used to post video edits on Instagram. So knowing that I’ll be creating and sharing things digitally made me excited.

The creativity that is put into this class makes this my favorite class out of all of them. Of course, English class needs some type of creativity but writing essays back to back makes me burnt out after a while. Now I don’t have any creative ideas left. I’m also very limited in what I can do in English class. But in CT101 I can write AND link things in a blog post. I don’t have to bore myself with writing when I can also include gifs and link videos which makes my writing more fun.

This class has limitless potential in terms of creativity. We can explore the potential for producing art, multimedia projects, and more through this course. Like how we were supposed to make out own gif and include it in this blog post. I never made my own gif before but this is my first ever gif. It’s in honor of one of my favorite twitch streamers finally getting unbanned, BruceDropEmOff. I made it using imgur since all the other gifs I used were from giphy. It took me a while to learn how to use imgur and how to make gifs on there but I got it. Giphy is easier to use in my opinion.

Speaking of learning about gifs, learning new abilities that make use of internet resources is thrilling. There are constantly new tools and approaches to learn and explore due to the internet’s ever-evolving technology. I explored the history of gifs and did you know that the first color picture online was a gif (Smithsonian)? No? Me neither! But it’s fun to learn random internet facts when you’re always on the internet. 

The internet is a fantastic resource for learning new things and expanding one’s knowledge base. Gifs are merely one of the many ways you may express yourself and produce something original. The options are unlimited with so many tools and resources. So let’s get to gif-ing!

 

Assignment 2

What did you think of the first day of CT101?

Going into class I knew it was gonna be sporadic, the students introducing themselves as well as a rundown of the course. Overall it was so far so good in terms of the first day.

Did you like hearing about the course and its creative content? How did it make you feel?

The creative content of this course is what makes me look forward to taking it. As I am a particularly creative person myself. It’s awesome that I get to do what I like in this class.

 

How does CT101 compare to some of your other classes so far?

CT 101 is a lot more creative than a vast majority of my classes I’ve taken at York. With the exception of ENG 286 Intro to creative writing, which I took last semester. It certainly stands out in comparison to most classes.

What are the creative potentials of this class?

I feel like I can show my interests as well as tell interesting stories via creativity. I feel like I can think out of the box more often and use my imagination to make more interesting content.

 

How do you feel about learning new skills that use internet tools?

 

I feel stoked that I get to be creative. That I get to do things such as tell a story via GIFs as well as learning new was to be creative via the internet.

Let’s get creative!

Let’s get Narrative!

A few of my colleagues in the Journalism department have taken CT101 and I said Aha! let me give it a shot (I am glad I did). When Prof. Ryan talked about what we would be doing throughout the semester, it was delightful to hear. I am a creature who loves learning everything and anything. Also, thanks to Steve Wilhite for creating this type of format because that is how we are making this assignment possible.

I like challenging myself, I like to get creative, I like to explore the land of the unknown … something like COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY.  I like to make mistakes, fix them and hopefully never make them again.

I am accepting the challenge of getting creative because in my field of study (journalism) I have to stick to the facts and there isn’t space for creativity. I am taking 15 credits this semester, and this is the class that has allows me to kick back a bit and don’t stress too much.

I made my own accounts for Giphy and Imgur. I found it easier to make GIFs with GIPHY than with Imgur. I think because we got introduced to GIPHY first, maybe? I feel more comfortable working with it, something about it is more familiar. I am still not giving up on Imgur, I’ll poke around more until I get to create something I am proud of. I am hoping to expand my knowledge with both platforms and other technological outlets.

This weekend I spend time making some GIFs with using Drake and 21 Savage’s new music video “Spin bout U” from their collab album “Her Loss” which I am sure many of you have heard of it. I actually enjoyed it very much! make sure you check them out, I made about 4-5 GIFs (like the one below). GIFs have become a way of expression for many people, including myself, I can’t wait to get some free time to create some more. It is a very entertaining way to express our thoughts and feelings! Feeling flattered because GIFs are a millennial like me 🙂

Assignment #2: Making a GIF and CT101 so far…

I didn’t know what to expect when I elected to take this class so I had no idea what to expect from it. Its necessary because of my minor in communications technology but, I was looking forward to seeing what it was about.

Interested Season 10 GIF by Curb Your Enthusiasm

A few weeks in and its become one of my favorite classes primarily because of the flexibility of it. Especially after last class’ discussion on staying relevant to the times and it being okay to use your imagination when working on assignments. This is definitely a better change of structure then the formulaic way of my other classes.

Seth Meyers Lol GIF by Late Night with Seth Meyers

I’m looking forward to whats to come in this class though as its already kind of forcing me to be a better blogger (which is good!), I’m ready to see what else I can work on.

Researching Fact Check GIF by Oche Makers United Foundation

 

Since we’re focusing on GIF’s this assignment it reminded me of an article I read before on NFT’s. Essentially Beeple was the first notable artist to take his art digital and sell it as “1 of 1” copies. Thus taking a idea and making it exclusive to make a profit. How ironic…

TV gif. A worried Dave Chappelle, wearing sunglasses and a crown, clutches stacks of money to his chest.

 

GIFs!!!! and how I feel about class

What did you think on the first day of the CT101?

(patiently waiting for class to start)

The first day of class was very nice, getting to introduce each other one at a time and learn more about classmates and the teacher was cool. Not much else happened afterward besides the rundown but the first day went well.

Did you like hearing about the course and its creative content? How did it make you feel?

(This is how I brainstorm ideas for the posts I make)

Absolutely! It’s nice to try something new and even if this class isn’t required, sometimes they can be the ones that teach you the most about something you didn’t know you were interested in. It made me feel good to know that I can learn a lot about posting and the internet. Even if I miss a day every now and then, I still can work from home which makes it very easy to catch up.

How does CT101 compare to some of your other classes so far?

https://yublog.students.yorku.ca/blog/2014/01/01/getting-ready-go-back/

It’s very much what I like in a class, a decent size class with everyone ready to learn, a very relaxed and calm atmosphere and a teacher who’s excited to teach everyone.

What are the creative potentials of this class?

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/56717276538397831/

There’s a lot of things that can happen, even while we’re not in class. There’s a lot of potential for everyone to make things that are super creative and everyone’s got limitless creativity.

How do you feel about learning new skills that use Internet tools?

https://media3.giphy.com/media/l44QzsOLXxcrigdgI/giphy.gif?cid=ecf05e47gn2yemu0c3ybmxv7j8uimyqaxagyd4mbp2ks8rhx&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g

I feel good about it, I use my computer daily and it doesn’t hurt at all to learn more about the internet that could potentially result in something very useful. It’s always nice to learn something new every day!

Assignment 2- GIF Post

What did you think on the first day of the CT101?

The first day of the CT101 class I was feeling excited about it because it is one of first Ct classes and I also had a friend that also took the class before and I was told it is a fun class. So far that is all true and I am excited to see what other stuff we will do in class.

Did you like hearing about the course and its creative content? How did it make you feel?

The course and it’s creative content made me feel excited because I get to be creative in this class and expressive how I feel in a fun way. I get to show my interests and it just sounds like a fun exciting class overall.

How does CT101 compare to some of your other classes so far?

CT 101 does not compare to the creativity my other classes have most of my other classes are Journalism or CT classes. My Journalism classes they are creative but it’s news based and follow a format. My other CT class is Hacking and Building and we haven’t done much other then making a Collage that I believe will become something more important that’s fun and creative. I just think CT 101 is completely different I mean come on we can make an entire story based of Gifs and Memes now that sounds great.

 

What are the creative potentials of this class?

The creative potentials in this class are endless there is so much we can do and think of that is whats so exciting about this class.

How do you feel about learning new skills that use Internet tools?

I feel excited about learning new skills I can’t wait to make memes of my own as bad as they will be it will be exciting to make some memes and making story’s out of them. I am ready for this class.

Assignment #2: Speaking through Gifs!

SPEAKING THROUGH GIFS
Having a class that allows you to use your creative talents in order to get an A? Shocking and incredibly exciting. Coming into my first day of my CT 101, I was confused on what to expect in regards to criteria for the class, on how the assignments were assigned and due. Our first assignment was about what WE were excited about throughout the week which I thought was awesome because this class goes more into than just doing work for a grade. Ryan as a professor allows you to actually talk about something that you’re passionate about and I think that is one of my favorite things about this course: the flexibility to still have a criteria that is educational but also fun.
When hearing about the course and its creative content, it was shocking at first and I didn’t believe that this class could be this easy to pass with just using your own thoughts and ideas to explain something in class. I thought there had to be some sort of catch on using memes, gifs, videos etc to express yourself in a educational setting.
I never had a class that has allowed me to express myself through memes! It is unheard of through the college experience until I took this class. With the rest of my classes this semester, I am a Journalism major so I usually am writing stories that needs to be formatted in a certain way and is mostly fact based with interviews etc. With this class, I get to be more creative and express more of myself into the writing than what I would do in my other classes. GIFS can be useful in knowledge and this article tells you more about how GIFS are used in an educational setting.
animated gif of a fun dance
With CT 101, I am able to navigate different emotions through the tools that we’re using like GIPHY, Imgur, Make a Meme etc. With all these applications that we’re using, we are going to be able to have a different way of expressing ourselves to people and we can also use these in order to show a different way of communicating outside of this class and being creative and risky in other classes.
Using these internet tools have me excited. Within this post, I’ve used GIPHY as my main site for the gifs I’ve used today. I was able to find gifs that I connected with how I was feeling about this course in itself! This is class is going to be amazing because GIFS are ideal in expressing yourself and I cannot wait to see how others use GIFS to express their own opinions and ideas.

Assignment #2: Making Our First GIF

On the first day of CT101 I thought this class is going to be a way for me to be creative and express myself through technology. I always was interested in learning about Photoshop and Gimp. 

 

Yes, I did like hearing about the course and it’s creative content. It was a relief to here that we would be able to include Gifs and memes in our blog posts. I felt like I was able to express my sense of humor in a way that I won’t feel like an outcast. 

 

In my Writing 301 class we were reading two articles about the effects the Internet and social media on us today. “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” written by Nicholas Carr and “Snapchat Depression” written by Nassir Ghaemi, both of these authors express their concerns how the Internet is altering the way we think which is for worse not better. Ghaemi focuses more on the peer pressure that comes along with using social media. Young teens are feeling pressured to have this physical appeal when it comes to appearance. This can lead to self esteem issues and later on develop into depression. On the other hand, this class explores the brighter side of surfing the web and all it has to offer. 

https://now.tufts.edu/2018/04/17/snapchat-depression

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/07/is-google-making-us-stupid/306868/

The creative potentials for this class is being able to use new platforms to eventually make stories come alive digitally. 

 

I’m intrigued to learn new skills that involve Internet tools.  I’ve seen some artwork over the years all done by using Gimp and Photoshop. Many designers use digital media to create their ideas for clothing, shoes, furniture, jewelry etc. 

A Bit of History & More Practice

a colorful drawing of jazz musicians

A Bit of History & More Practice

Welcome Back!

**Here is the class recording from Tuesdays class on 3/7:

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/J47kRgOeewzMPwocpFWJR-in4-Ul-gDqH6ysXtNb_sH2kXJolwUCL0UPtup-n0g.dIZHWX8MYuUNH7cj

Passcode: X4G4TKw!

**Here is the class recording from Thursdays class on 2/23 that supports this assignment:

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/ezy3B3AM7OVjJkkQhH3FVXjr5hx6M0uA-WPQ7hAGZZfUPnv5M0pWlQ7gGUPetYQ.TtZ5kozWGdgK5U-D

Passcode: 8Bc.jii^

OK – its time to dig into a bit of history as we continue practicing, learning and experimenting with our new blogging skills. As you can see, it takes practice, time, revision and also patience. 

*Remember, my posts are also examples of the formatting and things that we should include in each post 🙂

(images, GIFS, Memes, Hyperlinks, Videos – can be made, shared and embedded here)

Let’s dig in ->

Blogging and digital storytelling are two concepts that have been intertwined since the rise of the internet,

Blogging refers to the practice of writing online, where people share their thoughts, opinions, and experiences through personal or professional platforms.

Digital storytelling, on the other hand, involves using digital media to create and share stories through a combination of images, text, and multimedia.

This week, we will explore a bit of the history of blogging and digital storytelling. I’ll provide a few common case study examples, and offer a fun activity for students to express their passions!

(The assignment details are below)

graphic icons about blogging

 The History of Blogging:

The origins of blogging can be traced back to the early 1990s when the first personal blogs began to appear on the internet. These early blogs were simple online journals where people would share their daily lives and thoughts with others. However, it wasn’t until the late 1990s and early 2000s that blogging became more mainstream.

The rise of blogging can be attributed to the introduction of platforms such as LiveJournal, Blogger, and WordPress (thats Us!). These platforms made it easier for people to create and publish their own blogs. As a result, blogging became more accessible to the masses, and people from all walks of life began to create their own blogs to share their thoughts and experiences with the world.

In the early days of blogging, most blogs were personal in nature. People would share their thoughts and opinions on various topics, such as politics, entertainment, and personal relationships. However, as blogging grew in popularity, businesses and organizations also began to use blogs as a way to connect with their audience.

Today, blogging has become an essential part of digital marketing. Many businesses and organizations use blogs to provide valuable information to their customers and to establish themselves as experts in their industry. Blogging has also become an excellent way for individuals to build their personal brand and to showcase their expertise on a particular subject.

(a brief history of the Internet – 1st Meme / 1st GIF – this is context!)

Case Study Examples of Blogging:

  1. The Pioneer Woman: Ree Drummond, also known as the Pioneer Woman, started her blog in 2006 as a way to share her life on a ranch in Oklahoma. Her blog quickly became popular, and she now has over 3 million monthly page views. Ree has since published multiple books, hosted a cooking show, and even launched her own product line. Her blog continues to be a huge success and has become a primary source of income for her and her family.

2. Mashable: Mashable is a news and entertainment website that covers topics related to technology, social media, and digital culture. The site was founded in 2005 by Pete Cashmore, who began by writing blog posts about social media news and trends. Today, Mashable is one of the most popular websites on the internet, with over 45 million monthly visitors. The site has also expanded to include video content and social media accounts on various platforms.

3. Huffington Post: The Huffington Post was launched in 2005 by Arianna Huffington as a liberal news and commentary website. The site quickly became popular and was acquired by AOL in 2011. Today, the Huffington Post covers a wide range of topics, including politics, entertainment, and lifestyle. The site has won numerous awards and is considered one of the most influential news websites on the internet.

storytime elmo gif

The History of Digital Storytelling:

The concept of digital storytelling emerged in the 1990s, and it involves using digital media to create and share stories. Digital storytelling can be used for a wide range of purposes, including entertainment, education, marketing, and advocacy.

Digital storytelling typically involves combining different forms of media, such as images, text, audio, and video, to create a cohesive narrative. The end result is a powerful and engaging story that can be shared with a wide audience.

One of the most significant advantages of digital storytelling is that it allows people to share their stories in a way that is more immersive and interactive than traditional storytelling methods. Digital stories can be viewed on a range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers, and can be shared on social media platforms or personal websites.

Over the years, digital storytelling has become more accessible to the general public, thanks to the development of tools and software that make it easier to create and share digital stories. This has led to an increase in the use of digital storytelling in education, where it is used as a way to teach students how to express their thoughts and ideas in a creative and engaging way.

homer cries

Case Study Examples of Digital Storytelling:

  1. Humans of New York: Humans of New York is a popular photoblog that was started by Brandon Stanton in 2010. The blog features portraits of people in New York City, along with short stories about their lives. The blog quickly became popular and has since expanded to include books, a social media presence, and even a TV series. The success of Humans of New York can be attributed to its unique and engaging approach to storytelling, which combines stunning photography with personal stories that are both relatable and inspiring.

2. The New York Times: The New York Times has been a leading source of news and information for over a century. In recent years, the publication has embraced digital storytelling as a way to engage its audience and provide more immersive and interactive content. The Times has used a range of digital storytelling techniques, including interactive graphics, virtual reality experiences, and multimedia features, to tell compelling stories that resonate with readers.

3. National Geographic: National Geographic is a well-known brand that is synonymous with photography and storytelling. The publication has embraced digital storytelling as a way to reach a wider audience and to provide a more immersive and interactive experience. National Geographic uses a range of digital storytelling techniques, including photo essays, videos, and interactive features, to share stories about the natural world and the people who inhabit it.

shaq gets busy

**Assignment #4 – Blogging about Your Passions!**

A great way to practice and apply your new blogging experiences is through self-expression! What are your passions? What are you passionate about in this world?

Create a new “digital story” by crafting a new blog post about what you are passionate about! 

To get started, 1st, you should first choose a topic that you are in fact passionate about! Perhaps it’s a hobby? Sport? Creative expression? A political or social issue? Baking? … etc,

2nd, then you should gather images, videos, and other multimedia elements that relate to your passions. This could include images, photos, drawings, audio recordings, GIFS, memes & videos. These things will help give “Context” to your storytelling and help others make a connection and stay engaged.

3rd, Write! Describe your passion(s)! Share your personal stories and reflections! How did you get introduced to your passion(s) -details details details!? Let your personality flow through your post! 

And don’t forget to add hyperlinks!

hyperlink squirel

Assignment #1: Functional Internet: Umar Kashem

There are many things on the internet that allow us to discover. The internet gives us the opportunity to discover and find out new things that we’ve never seen before. Personally, the internet is something that I use everyday and nowadays people rely on the internet like never before. For example, e-commerce businesses are online virtual stores that people are able to run through the internet. So for those people, the internet is a critical part of life. 

The internet allows me and most people to find things that I’ve never seen before. For me, using the internet is like a tool that helps me with day-to-day tasks. For example, I am able to attend most of my classes online because of the internet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVV_93mBfSU&ab_channel=Code.org
Aside from using the internet as a day-to-day tool, I use the internet for many things that I enjoy. I like to watch YouTube and Netflix using the internet. I am able to research things that I like doing such as finding new places to travel, how-to videos, and purchasing unnecessary things that I’ll probably use once. But as we move from a more digital world, the internet is a necessity instead of an option. People use the internet for multiple reason like said before for e-commerce, fashion, sharing important documents, reading the latest new.

ASSIGNMENT2-GIF-Stories

I was very worried and a bit confused about this class. I thought this class would be to much coding and lots of homework and assignment. But when I saw the professor and his lecture then I could understand this class is not for fear. This class is fun and easy to learn. Yes I heard about this class from my friend that he had taken last semester and said about the professor. My friend said professor Ryan is a very nice person and he records classes for tutoring at home. I feel so much fun and happy myself.

If I compare this class to some of my other classes then I would say this is very fun learning and I would not have to worry about a better grade. The creative potentiality is the making of gif editing video and do some fun stories.

I feel so good myself that now I am able to make my own GIF and learn about new software that would help me in the future to create new things.

GIF Narrative Post

 About a day after the semester began while frantically looking for classes to put my schedule together, I stumbled upon this class. I wondered what digital storytelling really meant. I made my way to “rate my professor” in an attempt to get some insight on what kind of professor Ryan Seslow was like. Luckily I only saw good things.
On the first day of class I was impressed by how Professor Seslow was able to connect with the class. Most professors don’t even bother getting to know their students, so I was interested in how this class was going to go. Especially knowing that creative freedom is encouraged through the course of this class.
I enjoyed hearing about the course and it’s creative content. I was excited that we would be using a completely different program other than blackboard because I quite frankly find it to be tedious to use at times. I nearly broke into song
Well apart from the one thing that we are all relieved about which is not having to deal with boring long-winded essays and discussion boards, ct101 compared to my other classes actually pushes me to share the creative part of myself. It also allows me to give others a look at my sense of humor and interests.
The creative potential of this class was more than I initially thought. My mind was blown when I learned that we would be doing assignments in the form of blog posts, and also creating our own websites. All the creative ideas I was envisioning sent my brain into overdrive.
I am completely open to learning skills that utilize internet tools. This new generation of technology is rapidly advancing, and I want to learn more about it if I can. I’ve always been fascinated by electronics and the way they work so this is familiar ground for me.

Assignment#1: Happy Things

this week I am so much happy and so much energetic. Because after two months later I am starting to go to the gym again. The last couple of months the weather was cold and windy that’s why I did not go out for sports and other physical activities. Finally, the weather is going to become so sweetie and  I promised myself beginning of the year that I will change myself lose weight and gain some muscle.

After a couple of days later in my gym I am feeling so much more refreshed and light my self. Workout is really a good thing to improve body and mind. I think it has lots of benefits and everyone shout go to the gym.

This Gif really inspired me to gain some muscle. Whenever I see any workout-related picture or gif it really pushes me up to go to the gym and make myself according to the gif WorkoutGif