Good Luck

Well, I hope you all the best. I look forward to viewing the projects because they all sound excellent. It's 2am and I'm still working on my site. It's more work than I thought but hopefully it will be ready soon.

Have a great summer and catch up on your sleep. Lord knows I need it.

Site Design

As my website comes to fruition, I am able to see how the theorical aspect of the class subconsciously influences my design of each page;how the specific looks of each page carry purposeful meaning for me. Each of the html pages on my site are simply designed so that the the viewer is able to absord information in a less distracting manner. These pages are design in a way which the data are related to one another. I purposely included pictures and videos to make it more appealing and interesting, in hopes of sustaining the viewers attention. It also allows the data to be processed in a more meaning way as oppose to fragmented way. I tried to avoid putting lots of data and information to avoid distraction and cognitive overload. Sometimes I feel that too much unrelated data on a page interferes with meaningful learning because it increases the chance of fragmented learning.

The two pages that are meant for copious information are the Homepage and the News page. These two pages offer the viewer optional starting point --determined by their interest --in order to construct his/her own learning experience within the site.

As a performer, I have also taken into account how a performer would enjoy viewing the page. Performers are accustomed to presentation, therefore pictures and videos add a performance-like element to the design of some of the pages on my site.

NEW YORK TIMES

There is a huge photo advertisement and article for the upcoming collaboration of Rufus Wainwright and Petronio in today's paper, April 9th in the art section. Hope you all get to check it out. I know this has nothing to do with the class, but it's exciting to me and i wanted to share with you all. Thank's Jim for the email.

Barb Johnson-Teacher of the Year

Chapter 7:Effective teaching in Bransford highlights the teaching method of Barb Johnson. Where was she when i needed her. I would have love to have a teacher like her who's teaching method dealt with the psychology of learning. We usually want to learn what it is that interests us, thus motivates us to search and look for more information. Barb Johson understood this psychology and incorporated it into curriculum, while also tying in the other requisites for her classroom. She made learning fun and interesting. She taught her students usable knowlege rather than inert knowlege. No wonder parents wanted their children to learn from Barb. So would I.

Recipe for a Successful Website

This article is very effective in it's presentation, content, and information. The analogy that Nathan uses paints a clear picture of what to do and what to avoid. The analogy of creating a good website requires fresh ingredients like that of fresh recipe for cooking is hilarious as well as informing. It sticks with me because I can relate to what he is describing. More articles like this will make reading fun and not tedious. Then again I am just speaking for myself.

HTML and CSS

So for the past few weeks I've been working on my website. Positioning has been a headache for me because it does not translate to the same placement from one browser to another. I have spent numerous hours, sometimes even into the crack of dawn, just to make sure the site is presentable from day to day depending on the subsequent additions.

As time consuming as it is, I don't regret spending those long hours. Sometimes I hit a place where it gives rise to my fascination and I can't seem to stop experimenting. I had so much fun with html and CSS while also getting pretty familiar with the fundamental tools of the software. I don't know how many people dread the time consuming process, but if you put your creative hat on you could turn it into a fun and exciting exploration.

Out of Curiosity...

Has learning how to code html been easy? Can anyone see how anchored instruction can be applied in coding html and css external style sheets? or am I just persuading myself?

Anchored Instruction

I find Anchored Instruction theory to be very beneficial from what I've gathered from the article.I wished there were more explanation or perhaps further detailing of the theory. Regardless of all the research the article sites, if a reader cannot fully grasped the concept, it becomes difficult to visualize the data.

However, I can understand how the application of anchored instruction can result in meaningful understanding and usable knowlege, as oppose to gathering inert knowlege with the more traditional method of learning.

Website for my final project.

I am working on a site targeting dancers. The site aims to raise awareness within the dance community-that is far beyond the ballet tradition. Within the site, all sorts of information will be posted that are dance related. From apparels, health products, supplies, dancer profiles, company profiles, photographers, rehearsal spaces, performance spaces, performances, job listing, auditions, and the likes. There will also be a section where people can review performances that they have seen or reviews provided by dance critics. Quicktime videos and flash videos will also be available so that dancers can get familiar with the styles and works of different choreographers as well as the companies.

The article brought to light some interesting aspects of the American educational system. The assembly line as a model for the educational system is so fascinating a concept, it made me look at the school system from a whole different perspective. Whether it is a beneficial model or not it is hard to say. Once again, the area is blurred because the different theories certainly all carry valuable perspectives. As a choreographer, an assembly line always interests me. Look at the way the ballet school is set up. Most dancers that start from a young age go through the whole rite of ballet class. They are all taught to look the same, dance the same, and behave the same. It is not til much later that we are able to see the principal artists from the corps de ballet.

Well I think competition (in the good sense of the word) is a beneficial aspect to the learning process. I believe that it encourages the seeker to seek farther rather than become complacent to what is given and offered. The competition factor is what allows one to delve much deeper and farther into the uncharted areas, the race to find the next answer, or perhaps the best answer.

I also really find the Japanese method of learning from mistake a beneficial tool it learning and understanding what is learned.

Design Issues for Learning Environments

Collins essay speaks volume the various learning methods whether it is computer-based or not, all of which are credible in their own rights. He breaks down the different methods and establishes the cost-benefit tradeoffs pertaining to the various ways of learning. I find the essay to be very intelligent because of the in depth detailed catergorization of the different learning processes within and the uncolored bias of the different types. I think that he is correct in that all the different ways of learning are important because people employ different learning methods and processes and that no one way is superior to the other. The different methods function appropriately to the type of learners and application of the particular skills.

Janet Cardiff

A few years ago, I was working in Sheffield, England, where life was simple and uneventful. It was a mining town, where remnants of catastrophic explosions of the mining era still graced the streets of this newly developed city. In my dingy hotel room, I kept myself occupied with books and writing in order to kill time.

During the weekend, my roommate and I would wonder around town in search of adventures and entertainment. We had several successful finds, but nothing spectacular. One night we stumbled upon a karaoke bar that reminded us of an adventure one would find in the movie Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. There were laughters, caddiness, joyful singing, drag queens belting to all the gay anthems popular around the world. Love their accents though. But by the end of the night, they gathered around to dedicate a song to a local friend who recently left the planet while tears flowing endlessly down their cheeks. It was a heartbreaking moment that made an impression on me.

During this night, I happened to engage in a conversation with a nice young english fellow who recommended an exhibition of Janet Cardiff's installation of the 40 part motet of Thomas Tallis's "Spem in Alium". The next day I found myself at the exhibit and was changed by the whole experience. It was 8 minutes of pure bliss and confusion. The installation was so magical that I wrote to all my friends and told them about the experience. The installation is now at MOMA, so I am once again recommending it to you lovely people to go experience it. I hope it will touch you the way it touched me, but if it doesn't I hope you will enjoy it regardless. My brief description on the installation is to purposely uncolor your expectation. Please let me know what you thought about the piece if you do decide to go.

The Design Challenge

Norman's chapter emphasizes the importance of simplifying the use of new products for the consumers through its instructional design. The many evolution of the typewriter and computer, among other designs of machines, is a prime example of this simplification process. From its complicated arrival to its easily followed instruction designs, (however, the type- writer is pretty obsolete) the computer has moved into millions of homes claiming it's vital and necessary status in the everyday function of these homes. Us consumers have become dependent on these neat machines because it caters to humans as learners. The computer's simple instructional design has allow the general consumer to maximize the usage of its capability and functions with ease and efficiency. Building a user friendly product is a major component in determining the successfulness of the product, while also enhancing the cognitive learning process for its consumer. With the advent of technology, instructional designs must correspond to these machine, a crucial aspect to how we learn and comprehend.