Journal Entry 3

        So it is time that I get busy on my project for this studio class. Honestly I am having a hard time setting time aside to do so. It seems like the other class I am taking this semester and the portfolio for graduation are consuming my time. However, I was able to create some sketches of my project. I took the advice my professor; Dr. Kopcha gave us. He suggested sketching a prototype in crayon. He said that it will give us a better idea of the real estate we will have to work with on the computer, while also being an outlet for stress. I must say that it was beneficial. Not only did it help me relax by coloring, but it also got me going on creating my project. I was able to layout a basic outline of the interactivity of my project. Parrish (2006) states, “the most critical ID skill is the ability to step outside one’s own perspective and see the design through the learner’s eyes” (p. 72). I agree with this statement because I can create a project that I absolutely love, but if I do not have my learner in mind, then the project will serve no purpose. I honestly think by creating my prototype, I am able to see the outline of my project through a learner’s perspective. I can get a basic idea of what will happen when someone clicks on different parts of the main screen.

         I am looking forward to the group desk crit this week. I think it will be beneficial in giving me some much-needed feedback.  The members of the group will be able to look at my prototype from a different perspective than mine and offer valuable advice. I am curious to see what suggestions they have to offer. I plan to be able to use my project at school with my students, so I want to make sure all perspectives are taken into consideration. My goal this week is take the advice I get from the desk crit and apply what I feel is necessary. I would like to get a good sketch of the main screen scanned and imported into Photoshop. I think by setting small goals each week with this project, I will stay on task and not fall behind on the completion. If I am able to do more than my goal for the week, then that will be a bonus. I think setting goals is important anytime a project is created, however, I feel it is necessary in order for me to create my project on time.

           

References

Parrish, P. (2006). Design as storytelling. TechTrends, 50(4), 72-82.

Journal Entry 2

           As I begin to design my project this semester, I have started thinking about what ideas I want to include in my interactive media center orientation. Obviously I need to incorporate the media center rules. The students are pretty good about following those, but that is an important part of an orientation. It is always good to remind them as well. Using a shelf marker is a big thing I need to include. I have tried to teach students how to use them, but it never fails that many of them forget. I have found some cute shelf marker songs to incorporate into my orientation. I think a catchy song might help a lot of them remember how to use them. Another idea I want to include is how to use the online catalog system. Captivate is a great tool for recording the steps of using a particular program. This is the program I plan to build my project in. Another idea I have thought about is a tour of the media center. As I was talking to one of my classmates, she suggested a “Where’s Waldo” type of activity for this. I thought that would be cool. After thinking about it, our mascot is an Eagle and the name of our school is Walker Park, so I could change it to “Where’s Walker”. I would like to have these activities include an interactive quiz to check the learner’s understanding.

This past week we talked about what role we play as a designer. I feel that I am more of the “Instructional Artist” type. I tend to get caught up with the aesthetics of my projects. Hokanson and Miller (2009) state that “self Criticism plays a significant role in the thought pattern of the instructional artist, hoping to better understand one’s self and the design challenge” (p. 24). I want this project to be fun and entertaining for young students, but not look too cheesy. I know that it may take many drafts to get my project looking the way that I want it to look. With this being said, I am thinking about drawing a picture of a media center and including objects that represent the different parts of the media center. When someone clicks on the parts, they will learn about what that part represents and how it relates to the media center. For example, I might have a picture of a computer. When someone clicks the computer, they will then see how to use the online catalog. I know that am just in the beginning stages of my design and it may take me many drafts before I am happy, but I have to start somewhere. I just need to remember to not get so focused on the looks and criticize myself, but focus on the content as well.

References

Hokanson, B., & Miller, C. (2009). Role-based design: A contemporary framework for innovation and creativity in instructional design. Educational Technology 49(2), 21-28.