Category Archives: Tutorials

Digital Learning Resources, Tutorials

Computer Science Field Guide

sys-uc-logoThe Computer Science Field Guide is an online interactive resource for high school students learning about computer science, developed at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand and funded by Google.

We’ll be using this as a first point of reference as it was developed here in New Zealand specifically for the purpose of Digital Technology classes like ours.

Digital Learning Resources, Programming, Tutorials

Object Oriented PHP for Beginners

php_elephant
I think the Idea with this elephant logo is that you’ll associate PHP with smiley “cartoony” things and approach it with optimism. While I’m certain you can learn PHP, I’m not so fond of such attempts to obfuscate the fact that PHP is a language that will require some dedication to get your head around. Or maybe they just like elephants?

Here’s an excellent tutorial that introduces the concept of Object Oriented Programming (OOP) in PHP. It is written lucidly but may be a little confusing if you don’t already have some basic familiarity with the PHP language.

Here’s another tutorial if you find that one a bit much.

<?php
 
class MyClass
{
  public $prop1 = "I'm a class property!";
}
 
$obj = new MyClass;
 
echo $obj->prop1; // Output the property
 
?>
Setting and Outputting a Class Property
Art, Digital Learning Resources, Tutorials

Create Stylish Vector Portraits

vector illustration

digitalartsonline.co.uk have excellent tutorials. Here’s one that shows you how to make a vector illustration from a camera image. It uses both Photoshop and Illustrator and is a good way to experience the strengths of either.

In this tutorial, Eelco van den Berg lets you behind the curtain to see how he creates his incredible vector portraits by turning a photo into a ‘poppy’ vector illustration.

It says that it could take 3-4 hours so you may want to make a cuppa.

Art, Digital Learning Resources, Tutorials

photoshopessentials.com

photoshopessentials.com has a lot of well developed tutorials. I find them easy to follow even though some of the tutorials are for different versions of Photoshop than the one I have a license for. Regardless, most of the features are the same as Adobe is one of those companies who release new versions often despite very little change (something I find annoying).

This tutorial on how to use the Free Transform tool is a great place to start.