My big project this week was to continue working on getting my blog up and running. I've been linking up to other sites, posting about products, and finding others to follow too. But I realized that I had not done anything to the other pages of my site (besides the home feed).
When I visit other blogs, I read a post or two and if I am interested I next click on the "About Me" page. WHY did it not occur to me that other readers would do THE SAME THING when they came to my blog? Ah, live and learn. So I finally got myself in gear and began brainstorming what I would share on that page.
I'll let you in on a secret:
I actually googled "unique about me pages".
It didn't take me long to hone in on this article in my search results.
Some of the ideas shared were so creative! But I obviously didn't want to just copy something. Also, I know from teaching my fifth graders, that the more interactive something is the more engaged people will be. Suddenly I remembered something my son had done while he was dog-sitting at our house over Christmas break.
So I sent Jon a quick text message and asked him if he would be willing to help me make my own ThingLink. He agreed, since he is superbly awesome. :) His main job was to set up all the "stuff" I had gathered, take a picture that I was willing to share, and do a bit of photo editing. It took about an hour, but here's what he sent me!
I know you just can't stand the suspense any longer, so go ahead and click on the "About Me" tab at the top of this page and you can see what I did with this picture. Just be sure to come back to this post so you can learn all about how to make one of your own because I just KNOW you'll want to!
Okay, you're back!
It's pretty darn cool, isn't it?!?
Ready for a mini tutorial?
Here goes...
The website I used to make my interactive image is called ThingLink.
You'll need to visit the website and set up a FREE teacher account.
There is an option to upgrade to a paid account, but I honestly don't know that I would need the features for what I plan to use it for. I might change my mind later.
Anyhow, make yourself an account. It's pretty quick and easy.
Once you've confirmed your account and logged in, click on the red plus sign at the top that says CREATE to get started on your very first ThingLink.
Choose an image to use. I uploaded the picture my son took from my hard drive. You can practice with any picture, or you could plan in advance what you'd like to do.
Once your picture is uploaded to the site, a pop-up window will appear. This is where you will have the chance to add text and clickable links. Start by renaming your project (the default is My Interactive Image). Then decide which objects in the picture you want to highlight. Click anywhere on the picture to add a tag. A black circle will appear.
The box on the left side of the screen allows you to edit your tag by adding text or changing the color of the dot. You can also add a link if you'd prefer. After typing your caption, be sure to click on the green save button. If you make a mistake or change your mind about a tag, simply click on the circle and use the edit tag box to make changes or delete the tag altogether. When you are happy with the tags you have added, click on the Save Image button.
For my About Me page, I clicked on the Share icon and copied the embed code. Then I added that to my post on Blogger (be sure you have it under HTML rather than Compose).
Aaaaaaaaaaaaand, you're done!
Time for a happy dance!
I was so stinking excited!
I was literally jumping around my kitchen shouting that it was exactly what I wanted.
(Then my silly husband pretended to call Ripley's Believe it or Not to tell them a woman said something was "exactly what she wanted" and ACTUALLY MEANT IT! What a goof!)
So now are you ready to try it out?
Wanna use this to introduce yourself?
If you make your own interactive image, post a link in the comments so I can see the results!
Thinking about using it as a great back-to-school activity?
Check out THIS POST for some tips for using ThingLink in the classroom.
Wanna use this to introduce yourself?
If you make your own interactive image, post a link in the comments so I can see the results!
Thinking about using it as a great back-to-school activity?
Check out THIS POST for some tips for using ThingLink in the classroom.
I love it! That is so creative :-)
ReplyDeleteIt was super fun to do. And an interesting challenge to find enough things to describe me...
DeleteI love your About Me page. What a unique idea! You are so creative!
ReplyDeleteJennifer
Elementary School Garden
Awww, thanks! Every once in a while I get a bright idea! :)
DeleteBest About Me Page Ever! I am so going to fix mine sometime before September.
ReplyDeleteKovescence of the Mind
Have fun with it! I just felt like people wouldn't read pages and pages of information. This is more fun and quick little blurbs about me.
DeleteThat is so awesome - and I love your Happy Dance gif:) I've been thinking about using Thinglink for things in school but not for something for me...I'll have to try it! Thanks for sharing the how to and such a great idea!
ReplyDeleteJanie
Are We There Yet?
Hahaha. I had quite a time putting the GIF in, but it was perfect for how I felt when I got my page done!
DeleteYou already know how very much I love this idea! I have it on my list of stuff to make. So excited about this! Thank you for the tutorial!
ReplyDeleteAlison
Rockin' and Lovin' Learnin'
You're welcome! I'd love to see what you come up with!
DeleteReally awesome idea! And I love your Seinfeld Gif! I see this coming in handy for our classroom website!
ReplyDeleteKelli
Tales of a Tenacious Teacher
Hahaha! I loved adding that GIF. It makes me laugh every time I see it.
DeleteKim
I absolutely love it! So creative! Great job!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Julie
Thanks so much!
DeleteI've got this page open in a tab and I WILL NOT CLOSE IT until it's done! I will make this if it's the last thing I do!
ReplyDeleteI have close to twenty tabs open right now for the same reason! Good luck!
DeleteYour About Me is so cute! I really need to get on the ball with mine.
ReplyDeleteI think I saw Thinglink on a blog last summer but didn't do anything with it. I have seen so many cool ideas this summer though that I need to jump on the Thinklink bandwagon!
ReplyDeleteMy Bright Blue House