EC - Skype Meeting + Feedback

During our Skype meeting we were able to go through the wire frames I had sent. This also gave me the opportunity to explain them as well as suggest other aspects they may not be aware of (Mailbox fature, mini Photo gallery, banner) 

Here are the notes and sketches I made from our meeting

Home Page 

The Foundation logo had to be the main feature as soon as the user enters the site - the client preferred the navigation at the top so that the content can take up the main space. The main feature is a Youtube playlist. We also discussed a promotional free download for the users. Quick links allow the user to navigate to a certain part of the website quickly, without having to search around. Recent news feed, which will be a general update for the whole of The Foundation team. (look into how to integrate Wordpress)  

Us Page

The top of all the pages will remain the same (Navigation, Logo, Social icons).

Several images will rotate in the image banner. Each member of The Foundation team will have their own bio with a picture of themselves, Name, Biography and personal Social links.

Projects Page

This page is divided into two, Recent News and Affiliates. The Recent News will consists of recent articles related to the whole of the team (RSS feed from a blog/integrate Wordpress) 

Affiliates will be small image icons that are the companies logo an once clicked on will open a new page with their website. 

Contact Page

For the Contact page the client wanted a personal message to be the key feature, where they can personally ask people to contact them if they have any enquirers. A PHP contact form will also be added to this page and all emails will directly go to the client.

After discussing all these features with the client, I asked them if some of their users will be accessing the website from their mobile phones or even tablets? By making the website responsive it will allow a wider range of their users to access the account, as most of the promoting will be via social sites such as Twitter and Facebook. 

The next stage will be created the fluid grid in which all the content will be placed, By creating this grid first it will allow me to work of the sizes of each section. Assisted with media queries i will be able to set certain principles for certain size devices.  

EC - Wire Frames

To give Bivas an overview on what kind of layouts are possible taking into consideration what they want, I decided to draw up a few simple wire frames on Photoshop. Once I had emailed these to him we arranged a Skype meeting.

Here are the wire frames I emailed Bivas. - HOME PAGE 

Wire Frame 1

This reflects on the 'simple' look they wanted, however I believe by adding other features such as 'quick links' or even an RSS feed to the home page can be a great advantage to them as it will allow their users to find the information they are looking for easily.

Wire Frame 2 

Rearranging the top of the site, Navigation, Logo and Social links are all in one row. The video holder is the main aspect of the page, and developing the first wire frame further 'Quick Links' feature has been added to the bottom of the page. Even though this has the quick links to recent work by The Foundation team there can still be more information to inform the user on what the links are.

Wire Frame 3 

This wire frame removes the video playlist and focuses on the information direct links (these will include a link to the Youtube playlist. Adding the image banner which will be rotating using Javascript will give the user an overall view on what The Foundation consists of.

Wire Frame 4

Expanding on Wire Frame 4, adding a background image (that maybe rotates through 2-3 images) can bring character to the page.

I am now waiting for feedback from the client and waiting to organise a Skype meeting were we can discuss the contact and layout of what is needed on each page.

EC - LOGO

The client already had a strong idea on what they wanted the Logo to look like, so he sent me a drawn image. From this image i was able to design The Foundation logo on Photoshop. 

The main colours used are black white and red, this will form the running theme for the website. 

EC - Initial Email

Previously meeting with Bivas, we agreed on me sending him an outline email on what will be needed in order for me to start designing the website, so I sent him an email with a rough outline on the next steps as well as attaching the client briefing document.

I was given these few points by Bivas, 

"hope this helps for the foundation website:

colour schemes: red, black and white 

tag line - where we convert dreams and nightmares into realities 

the holding page should be able to play HD vimeo video/s as we envision a show reel auto playing at the start (which I am compiling as we speak)

I think for now just one holding page would be enough, but as we build on our work, we will add more video's etc. We should also be able to add photo's etc (similar to some tumblr/wordpress sites)"

The colour scheme for the website will be based on Red, Black and White, however I believe the client is not fully aware of the capabilities that are available via a website, so I will suggest to include other aspects such as a newsletter and a twitter feed.

EC - External Client

THE FOUNDATION

A friend of mine was looking for a web designer to help create a platform for a new production company called 'The Foundation'. The company is run by an award winning video director Bivas Ambasada. His unique directing skills have gained him an interesting article in The Guardian, 'Making His'story: a streetwise film shot by British boys in the hood' Which he then went on to collect two awards in his nomination of ‘Five Years To Life’ in the ‘Short Stories’ category and also awarded with the ‘Unpublished Writer of the Year Awards’ at The Brit Writers Awards 2012.

You can visit his Tumblr HERE

There is also a music artist called Smartz who has worked closely with Bivas on a number of high quality music video's as well as starring in a short film, 'Tomorrow'  

The video 'Change' by Smartz was produced by Tim Ross He brings the third and final element to The Foundation. An amazing producer, who has traveled the world and is most famously known for his skill in using a variety of instruments.

RP - Interactive/Digital Storytelling

After researching online I came across an interesting article from 2007 by EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative.

The article suggests 7 things you should know about Interactive/Digital Storytelling (IS). It goes on to explain what IS is, and their views and opinions on specifications about IS such as how their scenario will work and who is involved.

Educational uses of IS ?

These 7 points have been taken off The University Of Houston's website, which you can visit HERE

1. Point of View	What is the main point of the story and what is the perspective of the author?
2. A Dramatic Question	A key question that keeps the viewer's attention and will be answered by the end of the story.
3. Emotional Content	Serious issues that come alive in a personal and powerful way and connects the story to the audience.
4. The Gift of Your Voice	A way to personalize the story to help the audience understand the context.
5. The Power of the Soundtrack	Music or other sounds that support and embellish the storyline.
6. Economy	Using just enough content to tell the story without overloading the viewer.
7. Pacing	The rhythm of the story and how slowly or quickly it progresses.

The use of IS can prove beneficial for the educational system if certain aspects are seriously considered, University of Houston go on to list some elements they believe are key to designing the best educational based IS.

1. The Overall Purpose of the Story	6. Pacing of the Narrative
2. The Narrator’s Point of View	7. Use of a Meaningful Audio Soundtrack
3. A Dramatic Question or Questions	8. Quality of the Images, Video & other Multimedia Elements
4. The Choice of Content	9. Economy of the Story Detail
5. Clarity of Voice	10. Good Grammar and Language Usage

RP - Reading List

E-Learning in the 21st Century, A framework for Research and Practice, D.R. Garrison and Terry Anderson

Garrison and Anderson assess the current revolution of technology that is taking place in education with in the 21st century. The authors convey their views on the potential of E-learning as well as the implications that exist, however the book is based on the understanding of these technologies with in education rather than the specifications of E-learning. Focusing on the cognitive and teaching presence with in e-learning they base their argument on how certain principles of fundamental learning concepts can be used to improve the way we use interactive learning with in education, thus making it a better user experience optimising the potential of the learner.

Understanding Children’s worlds, How Children Think and Learn Second Edition, David Wood

This book written by Wood explores theories, debates and works by physiologists such as Piaget and Vygotsky. The different theories behind the development of education in children by Piaget and Vygotsky are reflected in this book, giving guidance as to what is needed in order for children not only to simply learn but also to engage their attention from their perspective.  Focusing on the implications teachers are faced with when implementing theory of education into practice with in the classrooms - he discusses various ways in which education has been developed over a decade.

Developmental psychology, Cognition in Children, Usha Goswani

The book written by Goswani demonstrates cognitional development in children that have similarities with the adult cognition development. This textbook aims to provide a selective, but representative, review of work in cognitive development, grouped around themes that are familiar from textbooks of adult cognition. The book focuses on the question of what develops, rather than on why it develops. The findings of a given experimental study on what develops are generally fixed, but the interpretation of what particular findings mean and why remains open. Some of the experiments discussed in this book have alternative explanations, which invite you to develop your own
                                                 ideas about what different studies mean.          

RP - Cognitive Psychology

It was crucial for me to research on the cognitive psychological development of primary school children. I started off doing some basic research online to get an over view of what cognitive psychology is.... 

"Cognitive psychology is the branch of psychology that studies mental processes including how people think, perceive, remember and learn."

visit site

By learning how primary school children actually think, learn and remember would allow me to understand deeper as to watch engages them the most. 

There are many theorist that argue their own processes behind cognitive psychology however whilst researching the two names I came across the most are, Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky. 

Here are a couple of interesting related links: 

http://www.education.uiowa.edu/html/eportfolio/tep/07p075folder/Piaget_Vygotsky.htm

http://www.simplypsychology.org/cognitive.html

http://www.ehow.com/about_5460973_cognitive-psychology-learning.html

RP - Promethean 500 Series ActivBoard

I also came across this new Interactive solution that can be used with in classrooms, a key aspect that stood out was the advantage of having multiple touch sensors, which inevitably encourages group activities.

I decided to read up on what Promethean have to offer and what other advances are available.
It was really interesting to see the home page with quotes from teachers and their opinion on Promethean

www.prometheanworld.com

RP - On my Search...

I came across a very interesting video about an Interactive Whiteboard

RP - E-Learning (Online Learning)

I started reading into E-Learning and it includes all forms of electronically supported learning, meaning ..computer based.and..internet based. It is used for both learning and teaching...content is delivered via the internet, audio or tape etc...

As this is based on a broad type of learning I decided to look into existing examples of E-learning within education as well as leisure... 

RP - Background Research

So, getting started... I decided to conduct online research on interactive devices and in particular the current education schemes within schools to see what they have currently implemented.

On my search I came across this interesting video that touches on the positive points on including interactive devices within school education, and it also reflects on various concerns by teachers and parents...

RP - Research Project

To come up with a research title that would not only be challenging as well as interesting I decided to brainstorm a few ideas that are a current growing trend within web design.
I decided to look at various aspects such as, responsive design, social websites and interactive devices. It was crucial for me to look at a contemporary issue as I believe there would be an opportunity to find 'gaps' which could be filled. By basing my research on interactive devices, it would allow me to research into a market in which interactive devices would prove beneficial.
I started to look into existing platforms that provide a source of interaction.... It was clear to see that the use of mobile phones and tablets have been growing at a rapid rate, and among the users, children where using these devices the most.
This lead me to question, what interactive devices are present within schools at the moment, and to what extent are they being embraced as they can prove beneficial in the development of children's ability to learn.

As well as focusing on interactive devices, I wanted to focus on a particular subject such as English, and see how teaching can be enhanced using interactive devices. I started to research into digital storytelling and how certain aspects that can be provided via digital storytelling that a book can't provide.

Question: 
"What impact has the implementation of interactive learning had on the educational development in primary school children, and how can digital storytelling enhance their skills?"

RP - Research Project

Research Enquiry 

"What impact has interactive reading played in the children’s ability to develop their learning skills?"

...still not sure on what the title is exactly going to be, but something along those lines..

The relevance of this topic is broad as it includes both the ever expanding technological world and it also challenges traditional teaching methods. Whilst researching I came across a quote that made me re-think the amazing advances technology have to offer in which education still has to embrace.  

"Teachers will not be replaced by technology, but teachers who don't use technology will be replaced by those who do."  

[The video with this quote can be found here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzi2RIt8_nk]

The following research all formed a part of my Research Proposal Presentation:

Relevance 

- E-learning and how it has developed in the past 10 years

- Online Learning games such as BBC Bitesize

- Interactive storytelling

-  Educational Games looking at application for tablets and mobile devices

- Children’s psychological cognitive learning

- Development of memory and understanding 

-Interactive learning has already been introduced in schools

(interactive whitboards)

-More children are using online learning/educational games due to the internet expanding to wider audiences in various place

- It is the learning of tomorrow

Sources 

Books on Interactive Learning

‘E-Learning in the 21st Century’ – D.R. Garrison and Terry Anderson

‘Chris Crawford on Interactive Storytelling – Chris Crawford

‘Digital Storytelling a creator’s guide to Interactive Entertainment’

Books on Children’s Cognitive Psychology and Memory

‘Your Memory A user’s guide’ – Alan Baddeley

‘Cognitive Psychology connecting mind, research and everyday experience’ – E.Bruce Goldstein

‘Cognition in Children’ – Usha Goswami

‘How Children Think and Learn’ – David Wood

Reports on Interactive Storytelling

‘Interactive Storytelling, First joint international Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling, ICIDS 2—8 Erfurt, Germany, November 2008, Proceedings’ – Ulrike Spierling Nicolas Szilas (Eds.)