Reflection Journal
Eighth Cycle- 05/03/05
Final Reflection:
I'm pleased with my project. It has evolved from what I originally set out to create -- thanks to all the feedback I received, I think it's much stronger and usable!
The studio showcase went well. It was helpful to see people actually using my project and becoming involved in the game. Aside from having spent so much time developing better instructions, I spent more time explaining the project to people than letting them go through it unaided. Tommy Murray from Cannon Learning gave me really excellent feedback on my project. Quite a few people struggled with the multitude of choices they had to make at any one time. He suggested that I find a way to isolate the different aspects of the puzzle so the user is not overwhelmed by all the options. I can see how to do this, but it's such a major restructuring I'll have to wait until a later date to do it.
I'm flattered to have received the service award! Because I have been using Flash for so long, one of my own goals in this class has been to see how other folks learn it, what they create with it, and the problems they encounter in the meantime. From my personal experience of struggling with this program for such a long time in isolation, with only message boards and books to guide me, I can appreciate the frustration of a new learner. I'd rather see someone find the answer they need, to realize the potential of flash-based products/projects, and encourage them to keep building amazing instructional solutions.
I've enjoyed this class. I've learned more about flash, expanded my knowledge of actionscript, and been able to interact with other people learning some of the same things. In the past I've felt isolated in my self-education and welcome the change that a community of peers can bring.
The Studio Experience: Challenges and Opportunities for Self-Organized Learning
The Studio Experience is definitely a different kind of learning experience. I've had similar classes in design school, where you work independently towards a personal project goal, but not with so many requirements along the way. It does take a large amount of self-direction, motivation, and commitment to complete all the necessary requirements and maintain a satisfactory stress level! I will say that the community of peers helps this class a lot. I really did not come across anyone who guarded their work or tried to prevent someone else from learning as much as possible. In my former studies, production classes seemed to be more about competition and less about common learning.
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