Tutorial on how to create a glassy effect in Inkscape with gradients, an intersection shape for the highlight, and the dynamic offset. Includes explanations of why certain steps are done, especially when they aren't obvious.
Middle school lesson for introducing Inkscape, the open source vector graphic program. Very cool project-based learning idea--students will create a logo, album artwork, poster, and tour T-shirt for a fictional band. This post is the first lesson; more updates are planned as the course progresses.
Donald Clark Plan B: Brilliant 35 studies in media and learning
Great summary of research points on our perceptions of media with implications for using media effectively for learning. For example, audio quality matters a lot, but video quality can be low and still effective. Large, wide screens are preferred over higher quality images on smaller screens.
35 psychological studies into the human reaction to media all point towards the simple proposition that people react towards media socially even though, at a conscious level, they believe it is not reasonable to do so. They can't help it. In short, people think that computers are people, which makes e-learning work.
As long as a media technology is consistent with social and physical rules, we will accept it. Read that last part again, 'as long as a media technology is consistent with social and physical rules'. If the media technology fails to conform to these human expectations - we will very much not accept it.
GlassGiant.com - Make pictures for your Facebook Photos!
Some silly photo editing and image creation tools. More useful ones include creating a keyboard button with any word you want on it (Smite is the example given) and a chalkboard with a message of your choice. I could do these in Photoshop, but this would be easier.
Upload your own pictures from Flickr or use the designer options provided to print mini-business cards, stickers, postcards, etc. I think this would be very cool to have some cards the next time I go to a conference.
Large list of image resources. In spite of the title, many of these also turn up copyrighted images (e.g., Google Image search), but there are some interesting collections for noncommercial use too.
Collaborative project between Flickr and the Library of Congress (and hopefully other institutions in the future) to share and tag public domain images. Currently 3000 images from the Library of Congress collection are available.