Being self disciplined is an art, I'm determined! We were asked to go through the fireworks lessons on our own, and I did begin these, but I felt complete frustration, because Photoshop Elements is a much more powerful tool, albeit more difficult, I felt much more comfortable messing around with graphics and items in Photoshop. I feel a sense of failure here, as I just gave up on Fireworks, but also just a little bit of relief because I'm working with something that can do more and I already know the program.
There are times in class though that I feel we go so quickly that perhaps I'm missing something, but when I get home I end up reassuring myself that I have a grasp on this. I am enjoying what we're doing in class, but there's such a limited amount of time to work there and get help from Dr. Orey, so it's most important to get as many questions answered there as I can.
I made my first movie this weekend, using my camera, and had all intentions of using it as part of my reflection piece here, but I need to compress it further. Look for a link at the bottom if I end up getting it up and running.
My project ideas are coming along. I haven't decided on a color theme. I'm still thinking about how I want to mix information and fun/games. I really enjoyed listening to Clark Aldrich's piece about serious games and the importance of stimulating the audience. I even went on to download and print to use as a resource his Six Criteria of an Educational Simulation. I particularly found relevance when he mentions that the "most successful educational experiences also are delivered through a combination of the three delivery elements, simulation, game and pedagogical." Modeling reality has taken on a whole new meaning with virtual reality platforms becoming such a dominant platform for companies wanting to prototype, market, deliver information, or teach customers. Along with teaching customers, I think that users are also realizing the potential of teaching clients and employees via this medium. It's a hotspot I've had my finger actively for the past year, and I am looking forward to continuing my investigations of how it will grow the Instructional Tech industry. This article and the podcasts brought me to the realization that I have to make my page like a game. I want it to be informational, but not so flat. I want people to be able to experience as much as they can from this small piece of the web.
I still relate so strongly to Gal's article, as I am now a little higher up the mountain of Instructional Design, but for some reason the mountain has moved, or grown, for now I see more mountain in front of me than I did when I was at the bottom looking up. While in the middle of this mountain we call Instructional Design, grasping onto the footholds and hanging on by my fingertips, looking up is a daunting task, but the top of the mountain will be reached. I feel I need more tools-perhaps a pick axe and a rope, and a giant net below me!
My to do list includes:
1. Find as many resources on sleep tips, myths and quizzes
2. Learn how to make the quizzes
3. Work on Accessibility pieces
4. Submit page to friends for some feedback
Resources:
1. Gal, S. (1996). Footholds for design. In Winograd, T. (Ed.), Bringing Design to Software (pp. 215-227). New York: Addison-Wesley.
2. Jenkins, Henry. 2004. Videogames and education. Tech Nation interview. [podcast] http://www.itconversations.com/shows/detail435.html
3. Aldrich, Clark. 2004. Simulations and the future of learning. Presentation made at the 2004 Accelerating Change conference. [podcast] http://www.itconversations.com/shows/detail372.html
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