Microsoft Applications

My home and work computers have windows operating systems, ranging from xp through to windows 8. Having gained experience with windows 7 I have found adjusting to the windows  8 operating system troublesome. Windows 8  with integrated touch screen technology ( if your computer has this facility) does have  its advantages, however the new layout of the desk top I feel is difficult to navigate.  In time I  hope to build experience  of the windows 8 operating system and in time develop skills to utilise windows 8 fully. I have used Microsoft word and powerpoint to prepare presentations.  I have limited knowledge and practical use of excel. I will usually choose Internet explorer for my INTERNET search engine. 

For my Inspirational blog I have chosen, Life with an Autistic Son by B’s Dad

There are a number of reasons for choosing this particular blog. I work with those affected by Autism and teach in this subject area.  My youngest son has Autism which means the blog is of both personal and professional interest.
The blog was recommended to me by a friend who worked for the National Autistic Society (NAS) 
The blog is simple to use and easy to navigate. It provides archives dating back to 2011 with posts ranging from handling emotions to parenting those with Autism.
The blog is up-to-date and provides constantly evolving sources of information full of practical and professional help and advice.  It also contains product reviews on a whole host of useful and practical autism related items, for example, Chewigem,  a product aimed at helping children and adults who need to chew things.   
Life with an Autistic Son has recently been launched as an ebook, which contains posts featured from the blog.  The blog goes from strength to strength with an ever increasing number of bloggers making valuable and thought provoking contributions.
In an article in the Telegraph of 15th October2012, B’s Dad describes how a fellow teacher reacts on discovering B’s Dad is father to a son with Autism.   The teacher in question states that she does not class Autism as a disability.  B’s Dad comments ‘ coming from a member of staff, such lack of acceptance of autism as a disability is troubling ’ (B’s Dad, Telegraph 2012). Unfortunately, from personal  experience, and years of dealing with main stream teaching staff , such a lack of understanding about Autism and just how debilitating it can be for students, comes as no surprise.   
I hope you have found the blog of some interest and are encouraged to learn more about Autism.
Paul

I have signed up to bubbl.us and created the diagram below

A couple of hours of exploring!

A very interesting couple of hours trying to work out how to set up and add everyone to my Blog.  Slowly, and with a little frustration at times, I have managed to find my way round Blogger.  Plenty still to learn over the coming weeks.
A quick picture quiz (to see if I can add a picture into the text ), where in the world is this picture taken?

 

A clue , it is the Lady Liz .  If you get it I will buy you a coffee on Monday.

What an interesting session. I have used the google search engine to set up the blog. The search engine had to be changed to FireFox, I have never used this search engine before. Initially this proved troublesome, in the end the navigation and use of the search engine proved to be straight forward. Within the design of the Blog, utilizing pictures and video clips will help make the blog interactive utilizing Flcikr and you tube. This maybe a challenge at first, however I am confident it will develop my IT skills and make the Blog interactive and enhance the learning. Placing highlighted links into the blog content will help readers discover additional information.

The journey begins 2!

Welcome to my first ever blog. It is going to be a very interesting journey into the unknown,  I will try to discover how best  to develop the blog, and create a Blog  people will like to read. Trying to navigate around the blog is difficult, however in time I am sure I will grow in confidence and build on these very modest beginnings. One small step for Murph, the journey has begun!