school

I am done... praise God, I am so proud of myself

Kids

I have two little ones, praise God he gives me the time and energy to continue on with these last two class....then I am done with my masters before I turn 30!!

Capstone

WoW!! I am working on my last two classes and they are kicking my butt. I have lots to do for my Capstone...who ever said getting a masters is easy...must have been crazy. As I reflect back on all I have learn tears fill my eyes because I am doing it!

starting Capstone

Capstone 526 a lot different then I thought it would be. My first night at class. Have a 3 year old and a 3 month old, God help me to get through this. Keep my eye on the prize!!

What else can HyperStudio do??

HyperStudio you can move objects around and they can be really cool!! I know my students will love this....my final project is coming along, I am happy on what I am creating.

Counting you Blessing

Thank you God for your strength and encouragement. Thank you for your patience and your willingness to help me.

Why O Why

Why didn't I think of this before, I can create a page copy and paste the items I want such as the features and actions with it, then delete what I do not want change the audio to some letter sounds and the page will be part way done. Then I do not have to redo the audio over and over again. I should of thought of this before. Well better late then never.

Help! Hyperstudio

HyperStudio is a great program and I want to share a few of my favorite parts from a book called, Help! I have HyperStudio now what do I do? One I love the quote, "All students are gifted it is our job to identify the gifts" (page 7). This book also refers to keeping it simple which is better for yourself and the audience. Plus to avoid mistakes and time you want to plan each component carefully on paper so you as the designer knows what comes next. (page25).

Interactivity by design

Finally finished another book, Interactivity by design by Ray Kristof and Amy Satran, just want to share a few of my favorite parts of the book. The arrows that help you navigate through the book, graphics (on what to do and not do) the green title text and subtitles. But my favorite thing comes at the end with PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER which includes the flowchart, storyboard and product. Hope this helps others with web communication.

Books

Finished a few books a few days ago and want to share my findings... "Don't make me think" by Steve Krug is a breath of fresh air. My favorite parts, the simple wording, graphics and red bold text that was used to separate the titles and subtitles. All the white space he leaves in the book really does make you think, white space is your friend. Hope this helps others in web usability.

More Interface

What am I thinking??? "Elements of Interface Design Usability Functionality Accessibility" another reading we had which helps me to remember and think about the basics. My favorite was the reading on symbols and icons lots to read and lots to think about. I personallity like to use simple icons and leave them in the same location. The cute ones with the figures and the arrows are cute but can be confusing?? So lets keep it simple and keep it transparent.
Like the door we want to get in and not have to think about what we are doing. Any ideas of a create, simple interface that represents letters and numbers?

Interface

Eye opening!! The 8 characteristics of successful user interface! This covered a whole bunch of things all into one. Through the reading to my understanding an interface has to be clear, concise, familiar, consistent and attractive. Now, I just have to figure out how to place that into my project that I am trying to create for my kindergartners.
1 clear- don't want anyone to be left behind
2 concise- place things in the same area for the user
3 familiar- we want the user to come back to our site
4 consistent- WOW what a challenge
5 attractive- everyone wants others to go "man that is a great site"
I want to create something super fun and useful for my 5 year old's does anyone have any ideas that are simple, fun and easy to create in 2 weeks?? Thanks

Prototype

Time to start thinking about what we are going to be designing and how it is going to be used. WOW!! Let's really get into HyperStudio. This project is wonderful and a nightmare all rolled into one.

Hyperstudio

Well, the program just quit again!! What to do?? Any advice?

Hyperstudio

OH May this program stops working ALL the time!!! Help what can I do?

Posting for tonight

I am working on my storyboard and now I know that I have a lot of work to do for the final. I am going to have to work hard. LOL!!

starting the storyboard

storyboard where do I begin?? I want to use inspiration but I just do not know the program that well?? what to do??? I am going to start and hopefully my girls stay asleep so I can get half way through. best of luck to myself
alexis bogarin

Working on flow chart

finishing up my flowchart and wanting to JUST start working on the final project already!!! I can just imagine how much work the final is going to be if the flowchart is taking me a few days to complete??
Hope I can finish
alexis bogarin

HyperStudio

Guess what if it seems great...something has to go wrong! Hyperstudio keeps not responding for some reason?? Try to restart your computer and it works great afterwards!! :)

Hyperstudio program

I like HyperStudio because of the fact that you can place pictures into any stack with a click and drag, not having to create a file then place where you want. With HyperStudio you can drag, click, chop and insert all at once, very simple and fun to use. I think if a program is simple to use the more you want to use it. I really like the buttons and the transitions, and this is just the tip of the iceberg for me at using this program.

Keep it simple, clean and fun!

Readings

After finishing the reading of two books, it came to my mind that if you do not know what your objectives, goal or audience is then you are out of luck from the beginning.
1) know who where audience is
2)know your goals
3)know your objectives
4)keep it simple

Somthing else to think about

Always remember the interface needs a simple background, windows and panels, images, video, text, sound, buttons and animations.

Use what you know and build on it. Keep it simple and for your audience.

something I read in "interactivity by design"

As I was reading the book interactivity by design, I came across something very interesting which was, the lay out of your website. I want to note down that how you arrange objects on the screen determines not only how good they look but how easy they are to understand and to use.
I have to remember this well working on my final.

Food for thought

Giving out information is one thing.. but turning a design into interaction means turning information into an experience.
Which sounds hard. What's even harder is to satisfy everyone, so keep the audience in mind and keep to your goals. Don't overdo it or nothing will get done.

Time to recap

How does a goal drive a design?
Well if I want users to learn and retain I have to be simplistic, direct and have repetition.
If I want them to have fun then I have to include.. surprises, randomness and wit.
If I want understanding then I need explanations and how it works.
If I want the to act or buy then I need to define features and benefits.
If I want to give answers the I need to be organized and most of all KEEP IT SIMPLE!
I need to remember my audience and act on there needs and wants.

Something to think about

Now that I am reading the books about being tech savvy and taking classes in this area..well I feel empowered. I am starting to use indesign, and premier more..I even set up a craigslist account. Lets see what happens next. All I know is if I can do this with a newborn and a three year old, you should try too.

Journal Activity 1

1) What needs must be addressed in terms of people readiness for incorporating more technology into instruction at your school or workplace?
Items that need to be addressed is first off: the program being used and how to use it. Then how to use it with workshops, tutorials, training, lesson plans, time and how to use it with the grade level you are in. Next, that needs to be addressed are the expectations and objectives. And finally, each items needs to be explained with understanding, encouragement and time.

2) Do not think in terms of equipment needs but in personal issues for people who are resistant to or unsure how to use technology.
People need to know this is the way the world is going and issues on how to's need to be addressed and encouraged. Sometimes it helps if people get one to one attention on something that is new compared to a group setting.

3) What needs of the audience must you, as the facilitator. Keep in mind in terms of instructional delivery, hands on projects etc.
Keeping in mind that people do not like change. I, as a facilitator need to address issues with understanding, enthusiasm, and compassion. Being mindful of stress, time and human nature. But also keeping in mind the goal of using technology and explain that its a progress and with time they will get it.

4) How can the design of your materials and teaching enhance the experience of your participants?
Everyone has a different way of learning some need hands on, some visual and some oral. Whichever the case maybe with my projects I hope to bring an overview of whats expected and what they could do. As a facilitator I need to know what the goals and objectives are. I need to know grades levels and needs.
I would need to provide hands on activities, hand outs, slide show and videos.