Journal Entry 6

      Well, I am about done with my PowerPoint prototype. I was able to create more graphics for my program. I inserted my eagle clipart into the pictures of the media center for the guessing game. I really like how they look! This project is really coming together and I get more excited about it every time I work on it. I like the hand drawn cartoon look I have created for this project. It looks very child friendly. I inserted my shelf marker song video into the prototype as well. The only thing I need to add is my demonstration video for using Web Safari for the students. Web Safari is our online catalog. I was planning to use my home computer, however I will not be able to start from the desktop icon like the computers at school. I think for it to really benefit my users, I need to demonstrate it as if they are using it. All of my parts are coming together nicely.

       This week I read Wilson’s article on “The Four Pillars of Practice” was an interesting read. It allowed me to look deeper into what designing instruction should be. All of the pillars are important when it comes to design. The second pillar really stuck out to me. Wilson (2005) states, “These second pillar principles help designers keep in mind the need authenticity, rich information resources, and links to the world outside of instruction” (para. 25). I like that he mentions as designers we must look past the instruction and how it will help the learner outside of the instruction itself. I feel that so many times we are concerned with the content, but not so much how the learner can use the content to further their learning. It is important for my project to help my students learn how to find resources independently. I am hoping that my project is a fun learning experience they can come back to whenever they need to, to enhance their search skills, even for use outside of school.

       My goal for the upcoming week is to obviously have things ready for the upcoming showcase dress rehearsal. More specifically, to finish my prototype quickly. Then I need to get my prototype into Captivate as a working interactive media center orientation module. Hopefully putting it all together in Captivate will not be too challenging! I can’t wait to see my first draft of the project in Captivate.

                                               

References

Wilson, B. G. (2005). Broadening our foundation for instructional design: Four pillars of practice. Educational Technology, 45 (2), 10-15.