Course & Project Take-aways

Creating this site has been a pleasure I learned so much in the process. The two memorable projects for me were the video tutorial screencast and creating the header by using multiple layers. I have never had the opportunity to do either one, so these things were very new to me. I had fun in the process of creating these projects. Because the topic is meaningful and something I am passionate about this made it worth it. Creating the video tutorial screencast I was able to use different sites, sources, images, and videos to describe exactly what was happening, and how it pertains to my site. I was able to do this through a voice over which is similar to narrating what I was showing. Creating the header was also a cool experience because I got to use multiple images to create on big image. I learned where to find appropriate pictures that I can use, and how to modify them. The idea for the header is the olympic sign concept, because that is many athletes dreams, goals, and where they want to end up. There are different events within the sign, which I thought was a good way to show the variety of things track and field offers. Being able to use multiple layers took the image to the next level and really enhanced it. Both of these projects show the different aspects and opportunities when it comes to track and field. Particularly the video is more informative and give a lot of information about track and field relating to tips, recommendations, and drills. 

Jumping Meme

This meme that I created relates to my topic because it has to do with Track and Field specifically jumpers. It shows a jumper confused as to what jump they are doing. I feel that being that my target audience is athletes who do track and field they can really relate. A lot of times especially in High School coaches will make you do multiple events so it can be easy to get confused, especially if you are just starting. Many times if you can do one jumping event you can do another whether long, triple, or high jump, this is pretty common.  

In, “The Language of Internet Memes, The Social Media Reader” Davison says, “An internet meme is a piece of culture, typically a joke, which gains influence through online transmission” (122). These memes are very popular especially when it comes to social media. Memes can be shared and spread extremely fast because they are online, they are easy to comprehend because of the visual aspects. When it comes to the framework, Davison proposes three ways in which a meme can be separated by components. They are, “the manifestation, the behavior, and the ideal.”

Ideal has to do with the idea conveyed in the meme. “The ideal dictates the behavior, which in turn creates the manifestation” (123). It is the whole idea behind the image and what exactly is being said. The ideals for my meme would be something like, “jumpers are well rounded” or “if you can high jump you can long jump” vice versa. However, this is not always the case but what a lot of coaches seem to believe.  

The behavior has to do with the actions that take place. “The behavior of the meme creates the manifestation” So the actions or behaviors of my identified meme would be the jumping that is taking place. The girl running represents what she is going to do, the high jumper is the thought in her head, and the ending is how she finishes the long jump.  

The manifestation is what exactly is being looked at or observed from the outside. “It is the set of objects created by the meme, the records of its existence.” This is the arrangements and physical aspects. What my meme is exactly showing is how putting separate pieces together to make one can show what an athlete is thinking or what is on their mind is on. This is shown through multiple images creating one large image with text. 

This specific manifestation can appeal to my target audience because I know this is something they can relate to. It is not only specific to jumpers, this can appeal to runners, hurdlers, throwers anyone really who do multiple events. This can even appeal to other sports team if they play different positions. It shows how switching up can be difficult and challenging.

Images:

CC0 Creative Commons

https://pixabay.com/en/athletics-long-jump-sport-training-3108403/

https://pixabay.com/en/woman-girl-athletics-race-sprint-3108392/

https://pixabay.com/en/athletics-high-jump-sport-3108399/

CC0 Public Domain

https://www.maxpixel.net/Long-Jump-Sports-Ground-Pit-Football-Field-Sand-609703

 

Podcast

This podcast talks a little bit about my WordPress site and what is included. There is a short interview with Rutgers Women’s Head Track and Field Coach James Robinson. He gives us some tips when it comes to how to be successful in track and field as well as what you should think about as a beginner and someone who is just starting track and field. There are tips for motivation and encouragement as well as recommendations and suggestions. The non profit organization that was mentioned is Youth Empowerment Services they provide programs for youth and children in order to help boost their confidence. www.youthempowerment.us My partners who promote the same organizations sites can be found at the following:

pastelart.art.blog/2018/10/16/the-screencast/

theprincetemple.home.blog/2018/10/16/t…ms-reviewed/

theenaturalista.wordpress.com/2018/10/16…hair-type/

The music track that was used is called “Honey” by Nctrnm which was found on freemusicarchive.org/genre/Hip-Hop_Beats/

CC0 Public Domain

https://www.maxpixel.net/Motivational-Quotes-Motivation-Quote-Inspiration-3248657

 

Video Tutorial

This video shows just what Level Up Athletics is all about! Its purpose is to give more direction about how to access my WordPress site and gives some useful tips and suggestions. This is for track and field athlete looking to get better primarily in the field events. It also shows similar websites related to track and field that give live updates. Those are, http://www.milesplit.com and https://www.athletic.net The cool part is there are a couple videos demonstrating some drills and how to properly do them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LuZWIkOqrQ&t=2s  There is also a video of former long jump olympian Jeffery Henderson winning gold with a powerful jump. It is in slow motion to really break down the specific drills he put to use and to emphasize what he is doing correctly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXIbLmlUdOQ&t=232s 

There are many ways for users to find my video, the easiest way is for them to search my name or the title “Level Up Athletics . Once they do this the video pops right up. If anyone is interested in track and field or an athlete I think they will find this worth watching. This is because it is both very general and specific. It is general because anyone can apply these messages throughout the video whether for inspiration or motivation.  It applies to all in that sense. However, it is also specific because of the track and field related details and videos. In Wolf, Christine, “DIY Videos on YouTube.” she discusses how algorithms filter information. A lot of which ways they do this is by recent history. If people have searched track and field related videos or drills I want for my video to pop up. Algorithms make a complex process simple. She shows how youtube has transformed information practices. This is because how popular youtube has become, because information is so easy to find. “Videos also make the activities portrayed visible in a central way that enables users to engage in identity work by watching others and then assessing their own capabilities and possibilities.” This is why youtube is so effective individuals like to compare and this is what makes it engaging and keeps people involved.

 

 

Header

The header shows that this site is diverse as we focus on many events. There is a special emphasis on the field events. As you can see in the header there is a lot of high jump, long jump, shot put , hurdles, javelin, and pole vault. What is big and bold front and center is the olympic symbol which is what many athletes dream about and where they want to end up. This is the ultimate goal for many so I thought showing the illustration will be a reminder and a visual representation of encouragement. I found these source images on google images and I did an advance search to make sure these photos were licensed and ok to reuse and modify. I also went to google tools and found some really cool transparent photos. These include the clear high jumper at the top, and the runner. My production process was combining different images to make one grand image. Specifically combining smaller images to create an multi layered image. I made use of image editing techniques described in Manovich’s article by using some of the tools, filters, and effects. “Layers allow you to work on one element of an image without disturbing the others”(17) . Layers really break down what an image really means. Being able to control the transparency was a great tool to take advantage of because it made the pictures go better together. This is different than the process that Davidson describes in his article. He talks about a single layer bitmap image known as “MS Paint”. This is more original and traditional it is not as mainstream. “MS Paint has never been the ‘cutting edge’ of graphics software, but rather its ‘trailing shadow’(276). The technology and tools that I used including the multilayers enhanced the photo which made this approach different from Davidson’s.

CC0 Creative Commons https://pixabay.com/en/olympia-olympic-games-olympiad-1535218/

CC0 Creative Commons https://pixabay.com/en/high-jump-athlete-athletic-sports-297451/

CC0 Creative Commons https://pixabay.com/en/begin-blocks-male-race-runner-2027218/

 

 

 

 

Level up, this is where the journey begins

Photo by Mateusz Dach on Pexels.com

Hello all and welcome to Level Up Athletics! Are you looking to improve in your events? Or maybe just looking to gain knowledge in Track and Field? Level Up Athletics is a site for athletes specifically Track and Field related. The main focus will be the jumping events with a special focus in high jump. The reason for this is because I have been a jumper for many years and currently still am. High jump however is my favorite and best event. I am a NASM certified Personal Trainer as well as a Track and Field coach. There will be information on most of the Track and Field events, if you are looking for tips, advice, videos, or pictures. There will be an option for booking sessions both group and private. The purpose is for this website to be informative and it will mainly be for the youth. The goal is to expand youths knowledge to help them improve in their event, as well as for them to view it as something fun. The needs that will be fulfilled are learning skills from personal experiences in order to improve. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, ambition, and talent to be the next level athlete. This can be you ! Our goal is to help athletes reach their full potential. Anything is possible when you are looking to level up! Stay tuned for more information and events coming up!

Creative Commons gives you the opportunity to share your creativity through licenses.

“It is a way to say to creators, “We respect the creativity you have produced. We give you a freedom to express that respect to others.” (Lessig. L, Remix, How Creativity Is Being Strangled by the Law) (166).

Santeri Viinamäki  Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:High_jump_bar.jpg