Trace Your Face Successes

Patricia's Trace Your Face project is simple enough for anyone to do in one visit to the clubhouse. Unfortunately, Kristophur was the only member to attempt the project -- two weeks ago! I wasn't very happy with that. You need to remember that to continue to come into the computer clubhouse requires that you do projects. My job is to guide you through learning various software programs by doing projects. There are dozens of programs to learn and it takes studying and practicing to learn advance features. There are only a few members that are exempt from doing the assigned projects. This is because I know that they are focused on improving their knowledge and skills in a particular area. For example, I know that when James comes to the clubhouse he is working on music; I know that when Donovan comes he's doing Photoshop; I know that Treymaine works in Scratch; and most importantly, their Village portfolio reflects progress. If you have not been given exemption, then you have to do the assignments listed in this posting. Since the majority of you did not accomplish completing the assignments posted two weeks ago, I decided not to give any new assignments last week. I decided to see what we could accomplish from the old posting. I'm glad to show-off what a difference a week can make. Wow! Keyona did an awesome job on this project! As usual, she didn't just try to do the assignment once and call it done, she used the guidance that I provided and went on to work on a second and a third picture. And I can see how she improved with each attempt. Great job, Keyona! (Can I clone you?) I love how she added the details of the original picture. It works for this picture. Yet, Bryan did an equally great project and I'm glad that he didn't add the details of the original picture.

This was not a hard project, but it taught some important concepts about Adobe Photoshop, such as the use of the pencil and paint bucket tools, which many of you know about from Microsoft Paint. However, Photoshop adds the process of layering that can't be done in Paint. As you continue to use Photoshop, you will find that layering allows you to make amazing art and designs. I know that Keyona does beautiful projects using The Print Shop, so I'm really looking forward to what she will produce with Photoshop. Remember, there are lots of tutorials available on YouTube and at tv.adobe.com, as well as on the Computer Clubhouse Village. You can learn this program and get better and better, and even learn to use your creations in other programs, like PowerPoint, Flash, and Premiere.

I like the works done by Tim, Deonte, Reggie, Martoine, Pheobe and Malik, but I'm disappointed that not everyone uploaded their work to the Village. I know that Tim may still want to color his project, but it looks like Pheobe and Malik are finished. Remember that uploading your projects is a membership requirement. You don't need to upload every project that you create. You should upload your best works. Now, if you do not have a username and password for the Village, then you need to let me know. You cannot set up an account on your own. You need me to do it and if you have forgotten your password, you need me to reset it.

Assignments

1. Typing Practice
2. Read Blog & Leave your comment
3. Photoshop: Put yourself in a picture with yourself
4. Upload Project(s) to the Village
5. Draw a picture at the Green Table and scan it
6. Click this link and Watch the Photoshop Videos
7. Explore the Autodesk website

Note: If you have not done your video introduction and your portfolio cover, you need to do these, also.

Let's Try Again

In spite of weather conditions that have kept us from achieving project goals. I am determined to persevere and see us performing outdoor AYV and C2C activities. So, this Friday, May 28, we will do an AYV project in our neighborhood. Wrap your brain around the theme of "How we do it in Detroit" (You can define the "it" to be whatever you want it to be.) For example, you can say the it is dances and record a video showing how a [or some] dances are done in Detroit; or you could show how people greet each other; or make a poster of Detroit landmarks. We will be recording our videos outside. You will have to work with a team if you want to do a video project. You will have to have a script and your cast and crew selected before you will get a camera.

I am happy to write that the funds to purchase AYV hardware have arrived. I will be placing an order for the supplies we need. I have also received the information necessary to download the Adobe Creative Suite software onto our computers. I don't know how long it will take for hardware supplies to come, but I plan to have the software loaded by the end of the holiday weekend.

Posting Projects on the Village

I want everyone to know that the projects you post on the Village should be your best original work. It should not be a picture or gif animation that you simply found on the Internet. In addition the project should be appropriate for all viewers. I say this because I recently had to delete several projects. One was a video with a fight happening in the background. Okay, it wasn't a real fight, but Miya hit her cousin Tyler upside the head and Jada (the video recorder and poster) didn't seem to have a clue that this had occurred. Another picture that was creatively designed by Donovan contained a profane word. Totally inappropriate. You cannot use profanity in your writings, drawings, music, or any project your create in the clubhouse. Please be aware of the quality of your postings. They are a reflection of you and our clubhouse. I am very proud of the work that I view from most of our members.

Happy New Year! Now Let's Make Something Happen!

It is great to be in a new year and have things going great! The year started out with my computer being down, which wasn't great, but after fighting (upgrading) with it over the past few weeks, I'm am good-to-go and glad-to-go. And it is better than it was before I foug..., ugh upgraded it.
So it has been a while since my last post, but, trust me, you will be reading a new post each week from now going forward (if not more often). I am working on several projects that will improve the NWAC Intel Computer Clubhouse. Probably the most important project is the Northwest Activities Center website. I know that the NWAC website is going to provide space for the clubhouse to showcase what we do. Our clubhouse will be creating the content for the site, so all teams should prepare to be kept busy, because we want http://www.nwac-detroit.org/ to be one of the best sites on the net. The site is schedule to open on January 16, 2009, so next Monday, prepare to go to work at providing input on how to make it better.

The clubhouse often gets new members, so it is important that I repeat information. I want every member to be responsible and know the rules. It is important that every member:

1. Sign in when you enter the clubhouse
2. Select a computer and do typing practice (Use Quick and Easy Typing)
3. Log the results of your 3 - 5 minute typing test
4. Check your email for information about your Team(s)
5. Send an email to Mrs. Blue (mrs.blue1@gmail.com) telling me about your team and project you are working on
6. Select and do one (or more) project(s):
   

Remember, sometimes I will require you to do a specific project, but most of the time you will be able do the projects you choose. When picking a project, think about MULTIMEDIA

• Text: Do you want to write?
• Graphics: Do you want to draw or take pictures?
• Audio: Do you want to record sound?
• Video: Do you want to make a movie?
• Animation: Do you want to make a game?

Robotics can also be built - try using the legos to build something and make it move (see Patricia's video). Patricia Smith holds the clubhouse record for building the most Lego robots. She made a video using Microsoft Movie Maker of herself demonstrating how several of her robots worked.

Multimedia overlaps, so you may write a story that includes pictures (text and graphics) or you might create a Talking Book Using PowerPoint (text, graphics and audio, - and possibly even video and animation). Use your creative juices. We have a lot to cover this year. You must have a 3-ring binder. You should get your parent to buy you a clear-view 3-ring binder. We will create your cover for it. If you are able to also get some sheet-protectors and a set of 5 tabs, these will help you organize your printouts . You can get all of these items from the dollar store or any office supply store. If you have trouble getting any of these items, see Mrs. Blue.

You have the opportunity to sign up to participate with several teams:

1. Arts and Crafts - help to create frames for members' artwork; create sales items for clubhouse fundraising
2. Photography - Take pictures in the clubhouse and around the NWAC. Remember, your pictures may be used on the clubhouse website or in the clubhouse magazine or framed for our fundraising.
3. Videography -Record video programming for clubhouse viewing and website; you will be responsible for taking care of the clubhouse video cameras
4. News Team - Every Week the Northwest AC News is video recorded

If you have not signed up for a team, please see Mrs. Blue. It is possible to sign up for more than one team. Teams usually have only four members, but there are more than one of the same team. For example: a Photography Team may take pictures in the NWAC Health Club and another Photography Team may take pictures at an event hosted by NWAC, perhaps in the DeRoy/Young Ballroom or in the Paul Robeson Theatre.

There are several goals we want to achieve before June 1st:

• We want to have a link off of the NWAC website at http://www.nwac-detroit.org/
• We want to have our magazine CompClub Detroit available each month at issuu.com
• We want to have an Arts and Crafts fundraiser sale on May 2, 2009

I know that I have a lot of smart, creative and energetic members, so we will achieve these goals. Let's Make Our Goals Happen!