Technical

Use software and other tools appropriate to the task.

Click here to see artifact.

Introduction/Context

I developed my Amateur Medieval Historian website my first semester as a graduate student in EDTEC 541, Web-based Multimedia Development.  The purpose of this project was to learn the basics of building educational multimedia Web sites.  The course required a biography, which I have revised and included in my portfolio “About” page, but I also wanted to create a resource for my students, their parents, and other teachers so that they can access works samples and refer to them when we have a project in class.  In addition, I hoped that this site would serve as my personal portfolio, so I included pages for my resume, professional development, references, and contact information.  In EDTEC 541, students were required to produce an “information-based multimedia product using a Web authoring tool, such as Macromedia Dreamweaver, and other applications” (EDTEC 541).

Picture 1

Connection to Standard

Although the final project website required many of the skill sets in the EDTEC standards, I think this project most effectively demonstrates the technical skills that I’ve developed as an EDTEC student.  My website includes two different navigation systems.  On my home page, I’ve included a navigation bar for the sites main pages (see picture 1).

I used a series of links for the various pages for displaying student work.  While I didn’t quite finish building each page, I used a different navigation system for those pages (see picture 2).

Picture 2

I was able to place digital video and images in my website using Dreamweaver, iPhoto, and iMovie editing software which I then uploaded to teachertube.com and then embedded into my site.  Everything was alpha and beta tested in accordance with the EDTEC 541 requirements, and finally, the project was posted on the web at: http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~jrein/index.html.  In my beta test, users suggested that I make it possible for viewers of my site to enlarge the thumbnails of my work samples that would open in another window or tab so users did not lose their place on my site.  In addition, users wanted the navigation bar to highlight the page they were on so navigation was easier.  Using Adobe Photoshop in conjunction with Dreamweaver, I was able to edit the thumbnails in order to enlarge them by changing the size of the file.  In addition, I linked each thumbnail to another page that is dedicated to just the image and opens in a separate tab so that users have not navigated away from the website.

Problems/Opportunities

I encountered huge problems posting my site to the web.  I knew there was some sort of minor error on my part that was hindering the connection, but I was literally stuck for two weeks.  During this 2 weeks, I worked in my other class and I continued to work on the site in Dreamweaver, even though I could not post the site.  I had been communicating with my instructor, but hadn’t yet worked out the glitch.  Then, the fires of 2007 struck San Diego allotting both Dan McDowell and me to have time off during the week.  We made arrangements to meet, and literally, I was missing a dot(.)  Once this technical glitch was discovered, I was up and running.  The opportunity to meet with Dan McDowell in person led to my eyes becoming more fine-tuned to the details involved in the technical aspect of web-design in EDTEC.  Becoming more detail-oriented has improved the overall quality of all work I complete.

Reflection on Growth

Completing the Amateur Medieval Historian website taught me some valuable tools that I have continued to apply throughout the program.  Of greatest value to me were the principles of design.  I have never considered myself to be an artistically creative person.  I believe my lack of talent in the design department has hindered my performance in the past.  While I still don’t claim to possess any unique talents in this department, learning the principles of design has inspired a professionalism in my work that has improved my confidence.  One design principle that affects my daily work is that of contrast.  I have learned to appreciate the need to provide constrast between text and the background.  I have also learned to apply consistency in terms of alignment and font style.  Finally, maintaining a color scheme with no more than 3 primary colors has improved the way I present technical pieces such as websites, power points, and graphic organizeres.  These design principles have improved my communication in print, my confidence, and my professionalism.  The design principles were a “side effect” of the technical skills I developed during the construction of the Amateur Medieval Historian website, however, they have continued to be an integral part of the technical aspects of design that I will continue to use beyond the EDTEC program.