BP3_JPEGmini

Web 2.0 Tools...Where do I begin???  There are so many!!!!!!!!!  :( 

(Hi, 71 pages of confusion and little boxes... I'm Jessica and I'm going to click on... YOU.  Yep, you look good.)  :P

URL provided by Rena Hanaway for "W1- Discovering Web 2.0 Tools" Assignment: 

http://www.go2web20.net/

Well... I have to admit, when I first started this EMDT program I had no idea what the term "Web 2.0" meant.  Even after the first month, I was still a little unsure if I was understanding the whole concept, but I think I've got it now.

Even though I don't think there is a single, set definition for the term "Web 2.0," I decided to take a stab at simplifying and paraphrasing what the Computing Dictionary on Dictionary.com said.  My understanding (and please correct me if I am wrong...this term is still NEW to me) is that Web 2.0 is essentially broken down to mean that it is: 

Any unique, user-friendly, and easily modified/updated application on the internet that allows all users to interact with its contents, as needed.

web 2.0. (n.d.). The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing. Retrieved October 28, 2011, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/web 2.0

After looking over the assignment (for what seemed like forever), it was clear to me that I didn't want to make this harder than it actually was.  I was thinking about all of the possibilities of applications that I could use and introduce, but then I realized that my 1st graders just can't handle it right now.  Maybe later in the year I can introduce some of these programs, but they can hardly type their log-in names when we go to the computer lab, let alone be expected to use these applications that I'm still trying to figure out.  HAHA, we are barely getting in the approved content that is aligned with my school district's pacing guides.

So, with this dilemma in hand, I decided to pick an application that would support me in the classroom, as well as at home in my personal life.  The program that I chose was JPEGmini.  Not only did I start to use the application right away, but it was VERY simple to use.  I actually found that the upload process to be very similar to Viddler.  After you select the photos that you would like to upload to your JPEGmini album, the website processes the files and then a confirmation email is sent to you.  From there, you can either download the compressed files straight for your computer or you can click the link to view them on the JPEGmini website

Before watching the "How to work JPEGmini Online Image Compressing Tool" tutorial and the RE/MAX Ability Plus Tech Tips video on YouTube, I wanted to tinker around with the application a bit.  I usually do this when I'm learning new things, so that I can force myself to use the features, rather than just hearing about them first.  Then, after a little bit I watched both videos.  

 

The "How to" tutorial was straight to the point, click and go, no explanation footage of a screenshot going through the process.  Well, that didn't really help me because that's exactly what I had just done.  So, I watched the "Tech Tips" video and was left with the background story behind the creation of the application.

Many times I have come across a scenario where this application could have saved me many of headaches.  For some reason or another I have had to upload a picture online and it wouldn't work because the file was too large or created I have created Keynotes for lessons to teach in my classroom, but when I try to email them to the rest of my grade-level team it bounces back because the file was, yep you guessed it... too large.   

The concept of JPEGmini is simple, yet BRILLIANT!  You can even access this site without registering.  However, even when you do register, it will let you create an unlimited amount of albums that can be synced to Picasa or Flickr.  The best part about this application, is that it allows users to take up less space without sacrificing image quality.

Found on the JPEGmini "About Us" page, it states that their goal is to "improve the user experience and reduce the costs associated with storing and transmitting media files."

Within minutes, files can be scaled down about 1/3 to 1/5 of the size of the original photo.  These images are considered to be "Lostless Compression" (JPEGs are normally "Lostful").  Essentially, the images are a smaller version of the original, but with the same resolution quality.  By simply compressing my image files, was able to create/send my Keynotes or upload high-resolution images to my teacher website, without having to worry about anything getting "bounced back" via email (for being undeliverable due to file size) or having a constant "error" in the uploading process because the file exceeds the size limit.  

Below are samples of my teacher website and part of an AELD lesson about seasons.  After submitting my images to be compressed, I was effortlessly able to add photos on my behavior expectations (also created from Keynote slides) and high-resolution images to the vocabulary words of my AELD lesson.

 

I'm definitely going to be using this application as much as I can...with EVERYTHING that I can!  :D

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