MITE 6323 Portfolio

My feeling about the final assignment

2006-08-20T20:39:00.000+08:00

It is not a perfect work. However, this is the most valuable piece I have ever done. I have received some comments from my classmates and keep modifying my design. Reflection is an important process I have gone through quite often. Sometimes, viewing others' work can give me some insights such as the use of colours etc. As a result, my final product is very different from the original design because I have learnt a lot and made improvements on it.

The use of Flash is an unforgettable experience to me. I have too little knowledge to allow me to finish my work. Therefore, what I rely on is the demos produced by Daniel. I read through his designs again and again and made good use of them in my learning object. Although I have used up a lot of time, it is worth doing that because the sense of satisfaction is so great which overwhelms the problems I have come across.

Final submission

2006-08-19T22:29:00.000+08:00

Two steps to view the effects.

Input the time.
Move the slider.

The Raw File

Paper

Revised interactive representation

2006-08-10T23:19:00.000+08:00

I have created another Flash file. I still need to solve the following problems.

First, when the present time is 0, the red line will not return to 0.
Second, when the slider is dragged along the line, simple tenses will appear. When the slider is released, progressive tenses will appear.
Third, The sentence - 'I was sleeping at 7' (the position of slider determines the time) should be shown, but I don't know how to display the time for doing exercise (which is the result of movement) in action script.

I have tried to remove the black backgrounds of the pictures in Firework.It is not nicely done. If you have any better suggestions to edit the pictures, please leave a line for me.

Feel free to leave any comments here.

Move the slider to view the effect.

The use of blogs

2006-07-28T22:41:00.000+08:00

It is quite innovative to use blogs as a medium to learn. I want to express some opinions on that.

There are some advantages of using blogs (I think).

It increases my sense of ownership of the work. I can choose my template design (or even edit html to change the default design) and display our work freely on our own blog. Just like me, I have picked up the template with blue colour because I love blue madly. Of course, creativity can also be employed to design my own blog.
It allows the display of work in different formats such as movie, graphics and I can view them immediately once I view the blog. In contrast, I often save our image or movie as attachments in ILN and I have to click before they are shown to me.
It encourages me to take a more active role in learning. In blog, I can post messages and trigger off discussions freely. Others may also take the initiative by commenting on my work. As a result, we may have more insightful discussions. In ILN, I seldom start my own discussions and often just wait for my instructors to give me questions. Then I will respond to them.

Here are two disadvantages I have discovered so far.

I have to click on URL addresses one by one to view all my classmates' blogs. The discussions are scattered in individual blogs. We may discuss the same topic in different blogs where others may not know. It is difficult to gather ideas. In contrast, ILN serves as a centralized room for our sharing since all of us know that this is the place for us to discuss.
I need to republish the blog again once I have edited my messages. It is more time-consuming than posting messages in ILN. However, it allows me to edit my messages from time to time. It is impossible in ILN.

Besides, someone who is not studying in this course can also view the blogs. The URL address of the blog may be sent to others and they can view the blog. In ILN, user names and passwords may forbid them from doing so. Some owners of blogs may not like this idea because of privacy but links may lead unwanted visitors to the blogs.

Anyway, 'blog' is not a new idea to me since I have got one myself but it is the first time for me to use it for learning.

A PowerPoint-based prototype of my interactive visual representation

2006-07-28T12:47:00.000+08:00

Originally, I planned to illustrate the ideas of different tenses but I have found that I am too aggressive. Since we are allowed to present our ideas in one scene only, I have modified my topic a little bit. I need to think more carefully for what to present in the scene. Simplicity is crucial in my representation. However, I want students to distinguish the difference between simple and progressive tenses. Progressive tenses are used to describe incomplete actions at a specific time. Here are two versions I want to develop. In order to deliver my ideas more clearly, I have created PowerPoint slides to show the finished products. Due to technical problems, I am still working on the versions in Flash. Indeed, Daniel has helped me develop the first version in Flash but after the production, I find that there are some problems in my design. Therefore, I have to seek help from him and you as well. Please feel free to leave comments for me. Thank you.

First version (produced by PowerPoint)

Incomplete first version (produced by Flash)

Second version (produced by PowerPoint)

Reflection from the eighth lesson

2006-07-28T00:01:00.000+08:00

The slider is a good way to express the relationship between two items. I may try to make good use of it in my project.

I have watched back the videos about Flash taken by Daniel these days, I realize that I can understand much more such as the functions of movie clips, buttons. I also appreciate the marvellous work done with these symbols.

Reflection from the seventh lesson

2006-07-13T23:03:00.000+08:00

I have explored the software- Flash in this lesson. After discussing with Daniel, I realize that I can improve greatly my final project. I look forward to learning to make a slider next lesson.

Storyboard for my final assignment

2006-07-06T22:04:00.000+08:00

Let me explain more about my design. The design is quite complicated and it may not be worked out.

I would like the user to input the date and time at that moment. Then, a timeline which is the most important component in the design appears. The first input is indicated in a timeline with a red arrow.
It is followed by another input of date and time. The user also chooses an action from a list which gives more varieties. The sentence with appropriate tense will be shown and a blue mark will be found on the timeline as well. If the blue mark is on the left of the red arrow, it implies that the incident happens in the past. On the contrary, it implies that the incident happens in the future.

Here is the design. Please comment. Thank you.

Tentative storyboard

Reflection from the sixth lesson

2006-07-06T21:55:00.000+08:00

I have learnt more functions of Flash. In the past, I came across buttons only. I can explore the use of movie clips in Flash this lesson. However, I have realized that it is difficult to get used to the action script. Which one should I pick up? To be advanced user, do we need to remember all kinds of action script? It seems that I am solving mathematical problems using different combinations of equations.

Reflection from the fifth lesson

2006-06-30T16:25:00.001+08:00

After finishing the design of raindrop, I realize that I have to master the concept very well before I can start to do my work. I must fully understand the relationship between the size of raindrop and its shape. Later, when I do my final assignment, I must pay special attention on it.

Reflection from the fourth lesson

2006-06-30T16:22:00.000+08:00

The learning objects are appealing to the users. I am interested in learning how to construct them. At the end of lesson, I realize that I have to design a learning object for presenting 'raindrop'. At that time, I feel frustrated on how to start my task. I believe that I have to equip myself with more technical skills before I can design such animated learning objects.

Tentative topic

2006-06-30T15:35:00.000+08:00

I would like to present the difference between the present tense and the past tense. Students feel confused when they apply the tenses. If possible, I will introduce the forms of simple present or past tense, too.

I am thinking of using a timeline to start my visual representation.

Honestly speaking, I am doubtful whether I can make good use of my technical skills to finish the assignment.

2006-06-22T23:54:00.000+08:00

Here is my simplest raindrop.
Raindrop

My first clip (updated)

2006-06-15T22:38:00.000+08:00

Oh, I am afraid that this clip is in bad quality. (This is the best one so far I did!) Some photos look blurred and I think I have to change the file format before I create the clip. However, I don't have time to do it at this moment.

Please give me suggestions on how to improve the quality of photos and the clip in general.

I have discovered one cause of the problem. The pixels of photos are not big enough and they look blurred. I should find some photos with larger pixels. Here is the improved work. This is the process of learning- trial and error. While I have been working, I realize that we can support each other through posting encouraging messages. (Just like what I have received) I will do so more.

I create this clip because of the following reasons.

I love this musical myself.
F4 students have to watch movies and do their school based assessments. In other words, they have to watch more and learn from them.
The musical will be on show in July and August. It will be a topic for my students as they can find the advertisements in newspapers or magazines.

I have downloaded the photos and soundtracks from these websites.
http://www.thephantomoftheopera.com/poto/home.php
http://phantomthemovie.warnerbros.com/

Reflection from the third lesson

2006-06-15T21:20:00.000+08:00

I have tried to use the software- Photostory to create a short clip. The software is very useful because I can link photos with animated transitions in a short clip and even import some background music to the clip. It is much more appealing than just showing photos to my students.
I have designed something like a trailer which can serve as an introduction before students watch the movie or as a reminder to retrieve images of the screens after they watch the movie. As a result, students can have a more in-depth understanding of the movie. Moreover, it may help save my time to broadcast some chapters of the movie again and again.

Task 2 (Draft)

2006-06-09T12:10:00.000+08:00

Here is my task 2. I have done three versions already and this one is the best one. I feel rather frustrated to complete this task because I don't have a clear concept about five layers of atmosphere. I have to read the description again and again. Moreover, I just know a little bit flash and I have forgotten how to apply tweening with a motion path. This is not what I want. If I have time, I would like to improve on it.
My task 2...

Reflection from the second lesson

2006-06-07T22:20:00.000+08:00

For this lesson, I find that effectice visual display can save us a lot of time to decode text. I am sure that we need to use a lot of words to explain 'squid' this word to our students. But after showing the picture, I believe that they will know what it is since they link the picture with their daily experience. Definitely, most of them have come across 'squid' in a market.
However, I also find difficulty in constructing effective visual displays. There are some factors leading to such a problem.
First, we don't have a clear idea about the concepts presented. Task 2 is an example because I am not familiar with the compositions of the atmosphere layer.
Second, audience may have an interpretation different from the presenter. It can create a lot of misconceptions.
Third, we cannot make good use of the software to present what we want. Just like now, I feel rather frustrated to employ firework or flash to create representations for task 2. Anyway, I will put my full effort into trying it.

MY SHORT PROFILE

2006-06-01T23:42:00.000+08:00

View my profile.

Reflection from the first lesson

2006-05-26T20:36:00.000+08:00

This is my first lesson in this class. I have been exposed to different examples of interactive elements. I am particularly interested in Google Earth,which I download it into my computer immediately but in vain. In this module, I hope I can master the skills in producing some interactive elements, so I don't rely solely on publishers' exploration.
I believe that interactive visual representations are important for education because they can increase students' intrinsic motivation in learning. Also, they serve as stimulants to develop students' multiple intelligence because examples of different categories such as visual, auditory and even kinesthetic are given.