5366+Reflection


 * EDLD 5366**

The Digital Graphics course was interesting. It covered a huge span of history, content, and topics. Understanding the concepts of effective design and layout is very important with the technology that is available now. The first major project was three weeks focused on the basics of visual design. We studied ancient texts and more modern texts comparing the general principles of design that connected them. Looking at those ancient texts was probably the most enjoyable activity. The assignment was presented well, in that we were focused and knew what to look for to make that very effective. I have to say, I was a bit intimidated with the idea of covering the 10,000 year history of human graphic communication. We used everything we learned from that history in the newsletter assignment. In fact, I have used much of that information in the web design course. I have also used a lot of that in my job. The newsletter was a big assignment, but it was a very strong application of the information we learned. I appreciated all of the activities that led to that.

I was a bit confused by the inclusion of Second Life in the course. That is a graphic environment and the visual presentation of avatars and other content is very important. I just think that it confused the course a bit. The assignment to create an object and place a script in it, was a bit much to expect for people who were new to that environment. That did provide a purpose for collaboration and even a very good environment for discussing other activities. I would recommend cutting the scripting part from the Second Life activities and using Second Life as an environment for collaboration. Several students were frustrated by that activity to the extent that they haven't returned to Second Life. 3-D virtual gaming technologies like that are going to become very powerful for education. If they don't return to that type of environment, there wasn't much purpose in introducing it. There are other activities that students can participate in Second Life. They could discuss the other graphics activities as well as use some pre-scripted objects to see how they work. That will allow students to stay focused on the main goal of the course, the newsletter, and explore the potential of 3-D virtual gaming technologies for education.