A ha, guess what you can 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.

Cout your blessings

Thank you God for your strength and encouragement. Thank you for your patience and your willingness to help me.Thank you for my family and my daughters. I am so blessed to be a mother a teacher, a wife and a student.

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.

Don't Make Me Think

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.

Elements of 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 personally 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.

• Clear—don't want anyone to be left behind
• Concise—place things in the same area for the user
• Familiar—we want the user to come back to our site
• Consistent—WOW what a challenge
• 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 olds. Does anyone have any ideas that are simple, fun and easy to create in 2 weeks?? Thanks

Posting Tonight

I am working on my storyboard and now I know that I have a lot of work for the final project. I have to laugh otherwise I will cry. LOL

Useful Websites

Check out these great kids sites:

• literacycenter.net
• mightyboo.com
• pbskids.org

Each site is fun, entertaining and lots of interaction between the students and the computer.

Mapping

I have been reading and starting a few projects. Wow I never knew how much computers and the way you layout things apply to your everyday life. I have been browsing the web and noticed that it is true the more I don't have to think the more useful the site is to me. LOL!

Also as I walked into Payless Shoe Store I noticed how the lay out was so well organized and clean. I mean it is not just a store of shoes; they have lotion, body mist, make-up, scarfs, hats, glasses, items for shoes and much more. I guess when you become aware of something it starts to POP out at you.

First Reading: Don't Make Me Think

I just finished my third paper which is on a book layout.  Don't Make Me Think is the book I choose. I really do like this book; surprising!! It is simple, easy, and to the point. It's exactly what I need in order to get through this class. And best of all, I don't have to think much in order to understand it, LOL!

Leap Frog

Wow my 3 year old can us the leap frog like a pro. I guess we really are moving into a more tech savvy world. How exciting!

The Digital Disconnect

Download and read over the full article following the link on the 524 web site for The Digital Disconnect: The Widening Gap Between Internet-Savvy Students and Their Schools. If you haven't downloaded from the website, here is the link for you.

Respond to the post initially. Then, keep referring back to the comments and respond and comment on what your classmates have offered. Each of you needs to respond to at least three other responses as well as your initial contribution. Let's keep the discussion moving forward. This is an extremely critical topic that we, as technology leaders, must be able to articulate if we are to make technology a norm in our instructional practices. Remember, this is a blog, not a threaded discussion.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •  

For this professional conversation and as educators who recognize the importance of infusing technology into the everyday instructional experiences of students and teachers:

• What points in this study "hit your button" in either a positive or negative way?
• Select one of the virtual metaphors and discuss it in relation to your own practice.
• Possible solutions

As you form your responses to the above items, consider the following:

• How does this directly apply to your own practice?
• Has your work at APU assisted you in the integration of technology into your professional work?

Remember, this is not a threaded discussion, but a blog. I encourage you to mention the person's name at the beginning of your comment so we can more easily track comments and responses.