BP_FlashCS4_Post3

Okay, I think I was a little over my head yesterday with wanting to add sounds in movies by today.  Flash CS4 has so many things to learn and I've learned that I need to dedicate lots of hours of practice!  I've been trying to create a shape tween and I still can't get it right.  Even more, I didn't buy the upgraded version in Lynda, thus I can't use the examples it has made for you to use.  Lastly, I'm amazed with all the things you can do in Flash, and I will continue with the tutorials on Lynda to learn more.

Me trying to create a shape tween.

BP13_Flash CS4_post2

Has I continue my journey through Flash CS4, I'm liking all the amazing things you can do with it. My Lynda.com trainer provides easy to follow videos, I just wish it could be a little less time consuming. Today I worked on importing sounds and movie clips; which is great, but I really want to see how you can edit a movie and add sounds to a movie by using all the great features.  Also, I was impressed by the sound quality Flash gives your sounds. Hopefully I'm able to include sounds into a movie by the next post.

This is my first movie import.  I'm so proud!

BP12_Flash CS4_post1

Flash CS4 is a software that I've always come across and have had the curiosity of trying it out.  However, the two times that I tried exploring the program I found myself overwhelmed and completely lost. Since I read that we are going to using Flash for month 6, I figured I should get started because it looks like a time consuming program.

I went to Lynda.com and began taking the 'getting started with Flash CS4' courses.  I've completed Chapters 1 and 2. In chapter 1, I learned about different file types, Flash interface, and workspaces. In chapter 2, I learned how to use drawing tools and symbols.

I started with circles & Pac mans slowly emerged.

I took my drawing & converted it into a symbol.

BP11_Forvo_OMM

In the commercial below you will see how useful Forvo is for a language classroom and for those who want to pronounce correctly in almost any language.

BP10_comment to Elizabeth Lundstrum's blog

You have to check out this amazing Web 2.0 tool Elizabeth found called Shidonni. Follow my comment to Elizabeth Lundstrum's Web 2.0 tool.

BP9_Comment to Gregg's blog

Check out my comment to Gregg's newest discovery called Edmodo.

BP8_Forvo

Ever had problems pronouncing a word or simply didn't know how to pronounce a word?  Don't worry because Fervo has just solved all your pronouncing problems!

Fervo is a simple Web 2.0 tool and the perfect tool to use in all my classes.  It's not only very beneficial for all language learners, but also for native speakers of any language who want to pronounce correctly.  What makes Fervo different from other translators is that people can add words, pronounce, or just listen and learn.  It includes accents from all over the world and when you click on a word to listen to, it tells you the country the person is from.  This powerful tool has recorded words from native speakers in over 200 languages, over 700,000 words, and continues to grow!  There is more to this tool that makes it great and user friendly. 

Fervo's home page is well structured and has five main tabs: home, languages, categories, pronounce, and users.  In the home page you can see the sites activity. For example, you see the number of speakers, words pronounced, and pending pronunciation; as well as, categories, and your own personal activity once you become a member.  In the language tab you can see all the languages with the number of words pronounced and recent words pronounced beside each language. Further, each language has a code (en for English) and the activity that is happening in each language. The categories tab shows you all the categories. The pronounce tab shows you all the words that need to be pronounced in your language(s); which you can help by pronouncing and you can also can add words to your language. Finally, the users tab shows you all the users and the number of words they have pronounce.

Other perks about this site is that it's safe, it has an iphone app, you can vote on the best pronunciation, and you can receive messages from other users within the site.  You can set up your privacy and also receive notifications from Fervo to your email. Overall, I think this Web 2.0 will be very useful to those who want to perfect their pronunciation or help others.