The student learned how to use several new technologies during the process of constructing their product, including Photoshop, Quark, and Blogger. While some of the technologies like Blogger were easy to learn, others like Photoshop and Quark took more time to understand how to properly use their features. Overall, the student felt learning to use these technologies helped improve the quality and presentation of their work.

1. Question 6
What have you learnt about
technologies from the process of
constructing this product?

2. • I was using software called
Photoshop. This is a very easy-to-use
programme which enhances peoples
work to a much more professional
standard. It helped me shape my
work to be at the standard it is at.
Once again this was a programme
which i have never used before. At
first it was a hard programme to use,
taking a while for me to get used to
the layers and positioning. However,
looking back on my preliminary task,
I can confidently say that I have
made a dramatic improvement in
how I present my work and what I
drive to achieve. I hope that other
people can recognise the difference
in the quality in my work.

3. • Using quark was, at first, difficult to
get a grasp of. I had never used to
software before and a lot of the
techniques on it seemed alien to me.
After using it I understand that quark
is only software which arranges
design work, and does not design
anything on it. It helped me greatly
throughout the year. Looking back at
my preliminary task, I can see a
progression in the techniques I use
and the way I use them. My
preliminary task contents page is very
basic and does not follow any codes
and conventions; this was due to my
lack of ability at the time. Now I feel
that my abilities are able to either
follow or challenge codes and
conventions for magazines.

4. • Blogger, in my opinion, is the most easy aspect of
the whole process of the coursework. It is
completely straight forward and easy to use. I have
never used it before starting this course, but I have
had no problem using it. It was easy to keep things
organised, in date and size. This website has
definitely helped me throughout the whole course
and I think it very easy to use.

5. • Previous to my coursework, I have never been taught to
use, or used a digital camera before. It took me about 20
minutes to get used to the controls and settings and then
ever since, I have been completely confident with using
one. I am glad that I now have the skills to use a digital
camera, as it presents my work in more creative, exciting
ways, as well as now being able to use them in my spare
time.

6. • Once again, using this technology was new to me.
However, I have had absolutely no struggle with it.
It is completely straight forward, easy to use and
effective. It completely transformed how I
presented my work and has helped my achieve the
standard of work I am at.

7. • At first, I was completely hesitant to use xtranormal,
because it was nothing, I had ever seen or heard of
before at all. It was completely alien to me.
However, it proven to be completely beneficial for
me to use and really effective. The website, is fast
easy and really good to use. It takes around 10
minutes to get your head around it, but once you
do, it is like second nature to use.

8. • Slideshare, is the fastest, most effective way of
producing a simple online slide show presentation.
There is no need for effort when using this website.
It is completely basic and easy to use. I have never
used this site before, and now I have, I will use it on
a regular basis from now on. I found it really helpful
throughout my work and has helped me achieve
the standard of work it is at.

9. • Windows movie maker has really helped me throughout my
coursework. I have used windows movie maker previously. I
used it when I was in year 5 & 6 which would make me the
age of around 9-10 years old. That shows how basic and
easy this software really is. It is really easy, fun to use and
effective. I would advise anyone to use it. I have learnt how
to add multiple images at one time which saves time and is
easier to do.

10. • Prezi another presentation website which allows you to
present things in new and exciting ways and allows the
audience to interact with the presentation, making it more
enjoyable for the viewer and shows off your creativity in a
more technological way. Previous to the coursework I had
never used this website. However now I feel comfortable
using it and I feel I have learnt all I need to know about the
website, to produce a piece of work at a very high
standard.

11. • When taking photographs for my front cover, contents page, and
double page spread, I was using a Nikon D300. This is an SLR camera
and I have absolutely no previous experience of handling one. I learnt
how to take pictures, clean the lens, change the lens, change the
settings to suite my surroundings, take accurate pictures, and mount
it to a tripod. Once getting the hang of using a camera like this, it
becomes second nature. Especially when you know the importance
of the pictures you are taking and how much a difference the pictures
will make to the standards of your work. I believe that the pictures I
have taken are at a professional standard and really are something I
am truly proud of. I hope everyone will recognise my efforts
throughout using this technology and the pictures boost my grade to
the highest possible level.