The Average Joe

Visual Story Telling-"We Never Catch Fish"

2010-11-29T12:37:00.000-08:00

http://www.flickr.com/groups/visualstory/discuss/72157625494900790/

Week 10-The 21st Century Teacher

2010-11-01T10:27:00.000-07:00

This week we will be describing the idea teacher for the 21st century. When we think of teachers we tend to think of lecture, bookwork, examples on the blackboard and whatnot. Today students are considered the Net Generation where students spend most of their time learning and communication online. Below is a sample job description of what an ideal 21st century teacher.

"Students in today's society are utilizing social network as a way to communicate, build relationships, express idea's and so forth. The power of the Internet has allow students to learn faster and gain knowledge through a simple click of the mouse. San Francisco Unified School District is looking for a full time teacher who is well aware of learning theories that will incorporate technology into learning. The ideal teacher will have extensive technology skills as well as social media sites knowledge. Teacher will teach in a non-traditional manner and guide students through certain subjects using multimedia applications. Students must be able to participate and communicate using the technology and assessment through technology is required. Being that technology is slowly being incorporated into education, teacher must gain feedback from students on what technology works and what doesn't. "

This would be an excellent example of a teacher in the 21st century.

Week 6 reflection

2010-10-03T10:47:00.000-07:00

This week, we wrapped up our emerging technology presentation. Being that I am in the process of starting my own Instructional DIY (do-it-yourself) blog/website in home improvement and handy work , I found that the presentation on screencasting to be helpful in my website/blog. Being able to implement digital recording of computer screen output might be a useful way for students to learn how to DIY. If i were to implement computer base training (CBT), screen casting would be an ideal application for training. This application is very engaging and allow users to learn through demonstration which is already embedded into the application.

As much as most of the presentations were interesting, I would probably utilize screen casting and Ustream application for my site. With Ustream, I could actually perform real time instructions of myself performing handy work, while others from around the world could tune in and watch. Being able to watch real time is a luxury because you are able to communicate that very moment if you have questions or comments. When it comes to performing DIY in handy work such as repair or custom building, being able to watch rather then read is very helpful.

Week 5 reflection

2010-09-30T08:11:00.001-07:00

This past weeks presentation was quite interesting. I loved how we got to learn about new technology. One of my favorite application that was presented was Ustream. This application can be used for almost everything, especially teaching. This program is very simular to youtube with slightly more unique features. This is a program I will probably use in the futre.

One of thing that caught my eye during last weeks presentation was how one student used some sort of program to set up his presentation. The digital story telling was a great presentation but what I loved even more was how this student used a certain program to display his presentation. I am very eager to find out how and what program was used. The program had some sort of virtual perhaps 3-d flying words that made the presentation engaging. Hopefully I will be able to use this application in my future presentations.

Week 4

2010-09-20T11:20:00.000-07:00

Hello,

Based on the readings and Trip O'Dells interesting information of his work, there seems to be a huge difference between instructional design and interaction design. The process of the design share more similarities then the actual design itself. First off, when you think of instructional design, you tend to think of a lesson being taught. The learners are being taught how to do something. Think of a one way street, where information is being taught one way where the teacher is teaching and the learner is learning. We can distinguish the learners from the teacher. Whereas interaction design, is a learning process that requires participation. In order to learn the material, you must be psychically doing something. The process goes back and forth from the learner to the educator. Think of a two way street. One going one way and the other going the other way. Think interaction and participation. While the design elements are different, the process of the two are very similar. In order to achieve a certain learning goal, there has to be a process of in which there is a specific need. A need that needs to be full filled in order to achieve learning objective. With instructional design and interaction design process, you must find a target audience. Then you would have to analyze their performance which will determine the training need. As you can see process is similar but design is totally different.

The qualities that instructional and interaction designers have in common is that they are sharing the quality of learning. Both exhibit different learning styles but are still considered educators. One way that they are different is that, depending on the learner, one might be ale to learn better then the other. One method of learning could be better then the other. This all depends on the learner.

Week 3 assignment

2010-09-11T11:05:00.000-07:00

The actual definition from a technology stand point of the word "Interface" is the boundary across two independent systems that meet and act or communicate with each other. An example would the users interaction with the computer by the way of keyboard, mouse, and through the operating system. Here are some of the criteria of a good user interface. First the interface must be clear. A clear interface helps prevent users from making errors and registers information to the user in a way that makes important information understandable and obvious. Secondly the user interface must be consistent. A consistent interface allows users to apply previously learned knowledge to a new task. Rather then learning something brand new, the interface must flow consistently in order for users continue to actively learn from the computer. Interfaces must also be simple. Making a simple interface design allows users easy access to what needs to be achieve. If the interface design was not simple to navigate, users would give up and move on to a different interface design. User-controlled interface are important in a good interface design. Allowing users to control the actions rather then the computer helps stimulate their learning and keeps them active within their technology. User interface must be direct. Users must see the visible cause and effect relationship between actions they take and the objects on the screen. Doing so allows users to know that they are in charge of the computers activity. Users are human and like human we all make mistakes. A forgiving interface is necessary to allow users to go back and correct mistakes. User actions must be reversible. A good interface allows for trial and error so users can learn from their mistakes. A feedback system keeps users informed and will provide immediate feedback. The feedback will help designers and learners how to improve their end of the line work. These are some of the criteria of a good user interface.

The two websites that I've chosen are fishing websites for which it is one of my past time hobbies. These websites provide vital information to armature anglers who want to learn how to fish.
The first site:
http://www.songslinger.net/articles.html
This site is a simple site made by a full time angler. He is not a web designer but rather an educator of fishing. He is focusing more on fishing tactics rather then web design. His page consist of actively moving animation and bright bold colors that makes it slightly annoying to view. There are way to many graphics and the text are in all sorts of bright colors. This site doesn't show consistency which is an important aspect to good user interface. The site makes users have a lost feeling to it. This site doesn't provide good accessibility's to the disabled. The colors and graphics are excellent examples because if the text and background is fulled with different colors, an individual who has problem seeing colors or even problems seeing, would have to struggle to view this site. Some recommendations that I would offer to the designer is to keep it simple. This site is definitely not simple to use in regards to colors and effect as well as navigating. Users will get confused navigating through this site. Keep the text all in one color, preferably the universal color of black. There are way to much graphics and animation which distracts the user or learner.

The second site:
http://www.fishsniffer.com/content/
This site is more of an informational forum where users interact with each other. This website is another fishing website that educate anglers on fishing tactics, styles, and location. There are plenty of graphics on this site but the graphics don't overwhelm users to the point of confusion and distraction. The site is easy to navigate and is considered simple to understand. This site is user friendly and is very direct. I can not provide recommendations to this site because i believe this site is well designed and accessible. Being that accessibility is not always present, this site offers more accessibility then the first site that was critique. There are videos for people who have learning disorders and could possible be effective for blind or hard seeing individuals.

This weeks topic on accessibility leaves me to believe that we are an adapting society where we will always incorporate the disabled into our every days lives. It might not be fast occurring but rather a slow process that is making it way towards an equal society. I personally don't believe that all websites could be accessible due to the fact that some design elements exist for the purpose of certain clients yet it sets a disadvantage to the disabled.

My delicious link....

2010-09-07T09:35:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to my delicious account... http://www.delicious.com/jtrinhitec

Week 2 Journal

2010-09-07T08:12:00.000-07:00

I believe that in the 21st century, everyone has their own unique learning style. Being able to learn via the web and emerging technologies create a new and engaging learning environments. This past week, we had class asynchronously. I actually enjoyed this kind of learning because it allows everyone to work at their own pace and communicate through the internet while keeping up with the newly learned applications. Having exposure to the internet and these applications will keep students up to date with technology.

Cognitivism is an excellent example of a theory on how I perform my work or duties. Cognitisim deals with information processing where thinking, memory,knowing, and problem solving is heavily explored. I believe that majority of learners including myself, apply this theory to their work. Incorporating this theory seems quite simple and seems like the ideal way of learning. A metaphor that is commonly used for cognitivism is information comes in, being processed, and leads to certain outcomes.

My first post...

2010-09-02T10:20:00.000-07:00

Hello world,

So we started week one of class. So far, I am having slight confusion on the class site and forums. Being that this course is an emerging technology course, my short term goal is to conquor my confusion and successfully navigate through the class site with ease. See you real soon.