http://wvlc.uwaterloo.ca/micro/ 8)
FEATURED ON: http://lt3.uwaterloo.ca/spotlight
Project Brief: This is a solo project as part of my co-op placement right here in UW. Goal was to have these learning objects to assist and educate students before entering the lab. Their initial goal was to use Flash (thats why I was hired) to animate text, and pictures. Basically what they had in mind was slideshows.
Features: Each of the modules contains 6 tabs.
Virtual Reality is a short little demo/activities to get their feet wet. The highlight of these modules is the Demo game made for the aseptic technique.
Equipment is a slideshow of the the equipment that will be used in the lab. The highlight of this section is the bunsen burner, dynamically programmed with AS of course
The Virtual Lab - this is like the meat of the entire Learning Object. Each of the modules are actual interactive, step by step learning guides going through the modules. Some key features includes drag and drop, and collisions testing, the drawing utilitiy and draw APi used in the streak plate module.
Photograph - showcasing some of the pictures in the lab
Test - a quiz section dynamically generated from a xml document and processed with timer and feedback.
Links - dynamically generated links sections.
Each of the learning objects has its own xml document where all the content draws from.
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There are a few things I would like feedback on
Usability - how usable is the interface and the interactions
Interactive - how interactive is the elements in the site, and suggestions, complaints?
Educational - how effective was these modules in teaching you about the lab. Was it fun?
Thank you for reading my LONG LONG post, but I made it so that some of the key elements of the site will be looked upon instead of skipped.
PS: After doing this design for this current placement, Im really looking forward to working for a creative studio, so if any of you could help me out, please let me know. Thank you :lol:
wow - thats a big criteria I’ll try cover some of it for you.
I found the lessons well structured and the layout used for the modules is clear and functional, it also looks proffessional. I found that the options you’ve given the user seems to be good e.g. a test and images so that the user can almost physically imagine the lessons.
Interactivity seems to be good as the options given allows the user to roam around the labatories etc. Generally the animations are very informative but if you are going to use this I’d suggest putting hover captions or labels on the different pieces of the equipment and its components for a more hands on learning, also adds another dimension to interactivity.
I presume the descriptions of the images will change with each photo. It maybe worthwhile using on screen circles etc to point out where the various scientific processes are occuring e.g. if osmosis was occuring highlight the areas where the process has started so the student will find it easier to identify in more advancde pictures (just an example I made up).
I didn’t see a loader on the ‘frontpage’. also the larger module seems to be the same swf thats why blurring has occirred, is the client OK with this because some students might have vision problems.
I didn’t see a loader on the ‘frontpage’. also the larger module seems to be the same swf thats why blurring has occirred, is the client OK with this because some students might have vision problems.
thats a problem with flash, therefore I have been cutting back on using pixel font and re configuring the modules to use the _sans font.
e.g. if osmosis was occuring highlight the areas where the process has started so the student will find it easier to identify in more advancde pictures (just an example I made up).
great idea indeed cause thats exactly what will be added in the next update :kir:
real nice…by the way i forgot to say that the module is already a great e-learning app. The more interactive the modules the more the user learns. Also have u considered how long each module is meant to last? if it doen’t matter disregard my following comments >> in a recent survey 40 mins is the optimum learning period for any student aged 12 onwards.
interactive: very interactive, but lacks subtle animations that makes flash candy appealling. but then again, do you really need it for this kind of site? not really.
good information, for this project I am working very closely with an experienced internet learning and the entire staff here at the University Distance Ed department.
_k+ : Thanks for the comment, really appreciated
Sometimes espeically since this is like 4 sites, and since it is a solo effort, it gets tedious and you lose some creativity at the end. Ontop of that, I have never taken Biology before so thats a whole new challenge. For example, I am sure looking back to this in 6 months, Ill will have brand new ideas, but at the moment, I AM DRY
any time buddy. its people like you who REALLY show the power of flash. Not just those people like 2A that make these visually overloaded animations-of-a-website we call flash genious.
wow :cap: what a comment, I am kinda flattered, thats why although the pay aint really nice, I am using it as a tool to gain recognition in the web community and hopefully tag along with a design studio to see if thats the right future for me
there is a deffinate difference between the two great reasons Flash is an excellent development tool:
E-Learning experiences
site promotional vibrance
with point 1, it truly makes it an interactive and appealing environment. it can have sexy radio buttons coupled with subtle animations that can raise the level of interest at first, then flat out make the learning experience memorable.
then, with point 2, you can take a company and make thier product stick out. look at some of the better band sites. doesnt it make you want to listen to their music more? then look at nikelab. doesnt it make it feel like thier shoes are the best? lol, that’s a stretch i guess, but the point still stands that Flash excells in these two VERY different development genres.
And you, my friend, did a good job with point # 1.
I’ll comment on it over at 
:yoshi:
