Assignment 2 B

discuss how any of these topics (or other related ones) might be of interest to you as part or all of the final semester project you will be proposing later in the semester.
http://courses.coe.uh.edu/brobin/6397/week2/week2.htm

I would vote for my early statement about the discussion forum definitely. Search on Google about "Digital Storytelling forum," we can see that it's still an undeveloped area for DS, not to mention focus on educational use. Everything has pros and cons, but I can see more pros if this project actually implemented. I used phpbb for kids to discuss and communicate in social study class several years ago. Of course it filled with junk posts in some section, but it take time to develop and prosper. With elaborately management, I believed that it could be a successful project.

Another idea about the final project is that we can try to make some digital videos to present the information in the DS website. Take the 7 elements of DS for example, users read the paragraph to receive the information that the article try to convey. Maybe we can produce a DS to tell users what's the 7 elements are, just like the introduction video on the front page. When we try to explain what's "The Gift of Your Voice" means, we can demonstrate some different type of voices to make this point. With the benefit of using DS, I believe users can understand and receive these information more efficient and interesting.

Assignment 2 A

find at least three different really good DS websites that are not already listed on our site. Then write a brief one to two sentence description of each site.

http://www.teachingteachers.com/index.htm
Another website entitled Digital Storytelling. From an overview, storytelling, planning, creating to delivering, the website presents a well-origanized information about the topic.

http://www.teachertube.com/
I think it's very intriguing to use teachertube, just like how Youtube works. Teachers or students can upload video or digital story on the website.

http://www.digistories.co.uk/
A digital storytelling website in UK. It's also a good portal to know how digital storytelling is made and what kind of skills are needed.

Assignments for Week One

Assignments for Week One

- overall impression
#Title graphic design
I think title graphic is the most important factor for users to know what he/she is going to explore. Outstanding graphic design not only can impresses and interests users to go further, but makes the website to be viewed as professional and up-to-date.

The previous digital storytelling website obviously constructed years ago. Simply use text image is very clear, but not engaging. However, in the new version, Flash technology is used. Along with black background color, the glossy title text is prominent and impressed. Using astronaut and earth as the title image implies the realm of digital storytelling is broad and full of possiblities just like space, in my opinion.

#information
I think the previous one is content-oriented, but the information of the modern one is more organized. Too much information in a single webpage may cause users to scorll the page down to the end of the world. It's good to be a electronic text book, but not a webpage. The information of the new site is well-orchestrated, and easier for users to read without too much scrolling.

#navigation
The navigation bar is crucial for web designers to meditate seriously. A well designed user control interface will make it easier for users to navigate himself, whereas poor design will make users get lost in the ocean of webpages.

In the previous version, you will find every link represents a single page. The page breaks down into different sectons by using "tags" instead of pages, which makes the page too long and confusing sometimes. In addition, the links lead to other website are opened in the same windows. I think it should be better to open it in a blank window or tag. Fortunately, all of these are all improved in the new version. I think the designer really did a good job at this part.

- what, if anything, should be changed, added or deleted that will make the site more useful as an educational resource;
I think a disscuion forum, such as Phpbb(http://www.phpbb.com/) could be an option for further extension. It not only can help the digital storytelling website become more interactive and educational, but also push it to become a hub, a portal to the realm of educational uses of digital storytelling.

Other language support may extend the number of follower around the world. Since "digital storytelling" is the number 1 result of google search, I believed that educators from Taiwan, China or Japan would be more comfortable to read it in their native language.

- are there any materials on the site that don't look correct when using a particular web browser or an operating system other than Windows XP?
I am a vista user and it works perfect either using IE or Firefox.

Reading Assignment:
A Multilevel Approach to Using Digital Storytelling in the Classroom
http://discovery.coe.uh.edu/7358-f07/class1/multilevel-approach.htm

The Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling
http://discovery.coe.uh.edu/7358-f07/class1/Educ-Uses-DS.pdf


Posting Assignment:
http://ds-materials.blogspot.com/