ePortfolios 101

Final presentation! WOohoo!



Reflection:

This project has given me a better insight on how to teach ePortfolio basics. There are so much more resources that can be created in this field that is gradually growing.

Here is my ePortfolio. It is a work in progress. The tool I am using is eFolio.

Reflection exercise

The most important part of an ePortfolio is the content. A reflective statement is your personal reflection about a certain project, paper, or artwork in which you were involved in creating. This is not a summary of your project or paper. Its simply your reflection about the project.


In this exercise, think about a project you were in and write a reflective statement in 150 words or less.

Information Design Critique

The site that Zack and I critiqued was the www.edu20.org site. Information design is what sells the website. As a graphic designer, one of my responsibilities is to build websites. Other than making it pretty you must keep in mind who your target audience is and how will you make it functional for them. Being a graphic designer I find it easy to critique websites that I will go to for information. If the website has too much information like most university sites do, I will not proceed from the first page and find my information else where.

When building the newer version of eportfolio.sfsu.edu I had to stress to my colleagues that we needed to chunk the information in a better way. Designing the site is quite easy for me, its the informational structure is where I find my struggle. How can you say something to a user or direct a user to do something without overwhelming them? Also how can you create directions or provide information so the user can understand what you are trying to teach them.

I think the best advice I was given for information design was to just keep it simple. Remember that it can look nice and pretty but its really the content within those pages that makes a great website.

Web 2.0 Technology Expert

Project Management

I wasn't able to go to class the day there was a speaker on Project management because I was sick. Even though I didn't hear the presentation I do have experience with project management. I think project management can be mistaken as micromanagement. Project management is maintaining a streamlined work flow. Organization and time management is the key to managing projects.

As a project manager, I go through the planning process and then delegate the work. The objective of a project manager is to complete the project.

What can you do with an ITEC degree?

Here's a funky interpretation of what you can do with an ITEC degree:



Defined by the SF State ITEC website:

What can I do with a degree in Instructional Technologies?

Active professionals with degrees in Instructional Technologies (or instructional design) are highly regarded in many varied educational and training settings. Examples include computer-based learning, online learning via the World Wide Web, instructional videos, or “just-in-time learning” modules used in government or businesses. Other examples include:

• Developing instruction for government agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), US Coast Guard, or Department of Defense (DoD).
• Managing training programs for medium to large businesses or corporations.
• Creating custom learning solutions for various clients in an instructional design or consulting firm.
• Supporting teachers and students at K-12 or college/universities as they incorporate technologies into their curricula.
• Developing instructional or educational software using multiple and combined media.

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I have to admit before I got into the program I didn't know what I could do with the degree because more than 50% of my co-workers came from this program so I figured I would jump on the bandwagon. Pink's concepts of story, design, empathy, symphony, meaning, humor makes a class really interesting. I can gauge my instructors from the past and know which classes I loved and which ones I just went to because I was required to. I will definitely incorporate those concepts in my trainings.

Rental Cars

Have you ever rented a car? When you rent a car do you sit there before you drive off the lot and get familiar with the car? I always take 5 or 10 minutes to find the basic things such as turn signal, defroster, adjust the mirrors, adjust the chairs, locate the hazards, and finally make sure my favorite stations are on the radio. Now have you ever had one of those car rentals where there's a mystery button? Every time I see a mystery button I assume its the eject button.

I'm a button pusher and I'll push every kind of button on the car. Well one time when I rented a car, we packed the trunk pretty full and then we were off. As we were pulling away from the driveway, I noticed the lights inside the car were on and nobody turned them on. So searching for correct button to turn off the lights, I saw a mystery button and pushed it. Well that button opened the trunk door of the SUV. Well once the door flung open I immediately stopped and the contents of our nicely packed car fell out. I looked at the button and there were no icons on it that indicated that it was for the rear door AND I still haven't found the source that will turn the lights off in the inside of the car. After we repacked the car, I finally turned something near the wheel and the light turned off until this day I have no idea what I did.

Word of advice... don't touch the mystery button. hahaa

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In Donald A. Norman's book The Design of Everyday Things he talks about everyday items that frustrates a user. When I discover one of these wonderful inventions I would sit there and literally be so frustrated and try to see some logic on why the design is the way it is. Of course after a few minutes, I just give up and just call it a stupid invention. Even the most simple thing such as opening a door can be unexplainable. For example, I work in Burk Hall at SF State and if you notice all the doors swing out as you open them. Why did they design it that way? Every time I want to leave the office I have to make sure not to swing the door open fast because there might be a student on the other side. When I was getting my degree in graphic design, I had to learn how to explain why I design the way I design. Its interesting to see all these mishap designs make it to the major markets.