Journal Entry 3

           I have to say that I am impressed with myself. This past week I created the pages of my website using Adobe Muse. I also created a png graphic using Adobe Fireworks. I have never done either of these from scratch. I have been pretty intimidated by the material I have had to learn in this class, but this week after completing those tasks I had a great feeling of being successful. I have a lot more to learn, but I know that I can do it. The fact that this course is self-directed makes the feeling of success even better.

In my last journal entry I stated that I was going to learn Dreamweaver to create my site. However, I have been introduced to a different website creation software. In class last Tuesday, Adobe Muse was introduced to everyone. This particular software seems so much easier to understand than Dreamweaver. I tried completing some tutorials on Dreamweaver, but I am completely lost on how to create pages and have them connect. I am not totally ruling this software out though. If I can get a better handle on it, then I think I will switch to it, but for now I have been successful in Muse and I like using the program.

One thing I have noticed that I tend to do when planning my project is getting hung up on details too much. I am so concerned with every minor detail that it stops my thought process. Hong, Clinton, and Rieber (2010) state, “The tenet for brainstorming is to let the thinking flow” (p. 11).  I need to remember this as I plan my project and put my thoughts into action. I do not need to get hung up on every detail so much that it creates a roadblock for me. The whole process of creating this project is continuing to be a learning experience for myself. Not only with the tools, but also the way that I think about design. One thing that sticks out is when reading the “Design Basics Index”; I have noticed that my mindset is very different from Krause’s. He talks about the composition of design, which is very different from the way that I think. Krause (2004) suggests to “develop an active awareness of the spatial relationships that are occurring between the components of a layout or image” (p. 21). He gives a lot of good information in this book. Unfortunately I do not think the same way as a graphic designer. However, I am open to learning and taking his suggestions to heart. I need to keep my focus as Hong, Clinton, and Rieber (2010) point out, “A well-designed interaction leads to learners’ active participation, which enables learners to explore content and to construct their own knowledge” (p. 14). It is exciting learning all of these new techniques and how to make the most of teaching/learning.

                                   

References

Hong, Y., Clinton, G., & Rieber, L.P. (2010). Designing creative interactions for educational multimedia. Submitted for publication.

Krause, J. (2004). Design basics index: A designer's guide to designing effective compositions, selecting dynamic components and developing creative concepts. Cincinnati, OH: How Design Books.

Journal Entry 2

                  I am beginning to get a better handle on things in this class. I am slowly getting more comfortable with everything that we are learning: more so, my project for this class. Last week we discussed Moggridge’s chapter 10. One thing that was brought up in class is that when creating a prototype, we should keep people in mind. Moggridge (2007), states “I believe that if we think first about people and then try, try, and try again to prototype our design, we stand a good chance of creating innovative solutions that people will value and enjoy” (p. 643). I agree with his statement. My project has a personal touch to it. I thought about something that my husband and I needed. It deals directly with my husband, but not only can my husband use my project, other people will be able to as well, once it is published. I am also trying to get feedback from my husband as I am planning this project. By letting someone the project will directly affect give feedback; I am hoping to make the project more meaningful. As Norman (2004) said in his podcast, “Technology is only a part, you want to win their hearts and minds” to make a successful to design (n.p.). In order for my project to be successful, it must meet the needs of the people it is intended for.

                  Last week I looked at the program Captivate. I was really hoping to be able to somehow use this program to house my project.  After completing some tutorials on the program and investigating it more, I have realized that this is not going to be a program that is suitable for my project. Dreamweaver is going to be the backbone to my project. I plan to start looking at some of those tutorials and get started on creating my project. Some other programs that I might need to incorporate are Photoshop for pictures that I may take. I think it might be neat to use Animoto as well somehow. I can possibly incorporate a recipe into a video to make the site more engaging. As Norman (2004) says, “Make it pretty, fun, and enjoyable” (n.p.). Norman’s podcast was interesting in how he described how to make sure projects are loved. He stated that “Your design needs to have three components: visceral design, behavioral design, and reflective design in order for it to be successful” (Norman, 2004, n.p.). As I am working on my project, I plan to keep these three elements in my mind so that I am still focused on who will be using it and not just myself.

                 

References

Moggridge, B. (2007). Designing interactions. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Norman, D. 2004. Emotional design: Presentation made at the 2004 O'Reilly Emerging Technology conference. Podcast retrieved from http://www.itconversations.com/shows/detail69.html