Sunday, March 15, 2009

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Planning tools for Interaction: Storyboard images

Planning tools for interaction - Storyboard example of making toast steps 4, 5 and 6.



Planning tools for Interaction: Flowcharting

Step-by-step text description 

  1. Place the toaster on a hard, flat, heat resistant surface
  1. Plug toaster into power point
  1. Turn on power point outlet switch
  1. Take bread slice out of packaging
  1. Insert bread into one or each of the slots
  1. Depending on toaster utility. Either push leaver or press button to begin the toasting process
  1. Ejecting

8A. Wait for timer to finish and eject toast automatically

8B. Eject early by pushing eject button

  1. Ensure toast is safe to touch

10. Toast is ready for consumption.




Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Interactive Design: Great web design examples

Many great Interactive Design examples, specifically in the form of web design can be found online. Here are a few well known samples that most people would interact with or have at least heard about:






Monday, March 9, 2009

Information/Instructional Design: Definition

Information/Instructional Design is the procedure by which instruction is refined through the examination of learning needs and systems of learning materials. Instructional designers commonly use technology and multimedia as tools to improve the communication of instruction.

According to Wikipedia, Instructional Design is the practice of creating instructional tools and content to help facilitate learning most effectively. The process consists broadly of determining the current state and needs of the learner, defining the end goal of instruction, and creating some "intervention" to assist in the transition (URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instructional_design)

Furthermore, the website http://www.uab.edu/uasomume/cdm/id.htm breaks down instructional design in more detail:

Three Purposes of the Instructional Design Process

1. To identify the outcomes of the instruction

2. To guide the developing the instructional content (scope and sequence)

3. To establish how instructional effectiveness will be evaluated.


Stages of Instructional Design

Stage 1: Define instructional goals.

Stage 2: Conduct an instructional analysis

Stage 3: Identify entry behaviors/learner characteristics 

Stage 4:  Develop performance objectives.

Stage 5:  Select an instructional method.

Stage 6:  Assemble instructional material.

Stage 7:  Plan and conduct formative evaluation.

Stage 8:  Plan and conduct summative evaluation.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Information/Instructional Design: Examples

From diagrams to maps to charts or even graphs. There are plenty of examples both online and printed in the environments around us where we rely heavily on information/instructional design. Below are a few sourced examples:


Way finding signage in Melbourne building - Australia:
(Source: http://www.brailletactilesigns.com.au/slideshow/banner1.jpg)



Map of the London underground railway system:
(Source: http://www.barclayweb.com/DESTINAT/unitedki/ENGLAND/undgr.gif)



Visual instructional diagram of an exercise:
(Source: http://www.creativeeye.net/illustrations/technical/fitness_exercise.jpg)



Informational pie graph - showing online mainstream social networks:
(Source: http://vanirsystems.com/images/SocialPieChart.png)



Friday, March 6, 2009

Interactive Design: Definition

Interactive Design also known as Interaction Design can be described as the relationship between people and the products or systems they interact with. This interaction includes but surpasses the use of software, mobiles and other electronic devices. It not only involves one-on-one communication but could be one-to-many such as blogs and also many-to-many such as the stock market. An interactive designer can create unique and effective experiences through these mediums in digital, analog, physical or a mix of other various forms. It is important to note that Interactive Design is constantly evolving and developing and as time passes there are always new opportunities for Interactive Designers and potentially greater solutions.