Topic 1:
Refined TFI Middle School Learning Materials Step 1: With the persistent global pandemic, in most schools, the standard method of delivery of education is in a virtual format. Step 2: Many students with learning disabilities struggle to adapt, navigate, understand, and learn using virtual learning platforms and materials. Step 3: Using graphic design I will create materials to help middle school children with learning disabilities to adapt, navigate, and learn in the on-line learning environment. Competitors 1. Canvas A virtual learning platform. This is what my school district uses. https://www.instructure.com/canvas/ 2. Seesaw A virtual learning platform typically used in elementary schools. https://web.seesaw.me/ 3. One Note This is an onloine notebook used to organize school materials and notes. It is a Microsoft 365 product. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/onenote/digital- note-taking-app?ms.url=onenotecom&rtc=1 4. Google Classrooms This is a virtual learning platform often used in conjunction with other online platforms. https://classroom.google.com/u/0/h 5. Microsoft Teams This is virtual classroom environment that helps keeps teachers and students connected. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/education/products/teams 6. Slack This is a virtual workspace to help keep teachers and students connected. https://slack.com/resources/using-slack/covid-help 7. StudyBee This is a grading a student feedback system that works in conjunction with Google Classroom. https://studybee.se/?lang=us 8. Loop This app provides teacher and student connections privately for feedback and help. https://info.loophq.io/loop-for-remote-learning 9. Start.me This web-page provides a hub for all the various apps, platforms and websites used within the virtual learning environment. https://start.me/start/us/startpage 10. Quizlet This is an online learning tool that provides games, study guides flashcards and more. https://quizlet.com/ Gaps & Opportunities 1. There are many different learning platforms for on-line learners. • These apps can word independently or in conjunction. The more add ons, the more confusing it gets for atypical learners. • Create an app that uses more graphics and simple steps to access, complete, and submit assignments. • Less is more: simplify! 2. There are a plethora of add ons to help students stay engaged and use active learning, but the more add ons, the more complex navigating becomes. • Simplify the processes. Create an organized hub and develop add ons that use the same steps and processes as the hub learning platform. • Include the virtual classroom, app hub, learning tools, and notebook all in the same plat form. Keep navigation away from the platform to a minimum. Use the same navigation and toolbars across all apps and add ons. 3. Many on-line worksheets are filled with instructions and reading. • Include immersive readers on all pages • Decrease the amount of text on one screen. Include images and consistent icons. • Use video where possible. • Chunk information into smaller sections. Insights (from Reading) 1. “Reviewing Educational Children’s Books in Terms of Graphic Design in the Context of Multimedia” by Banu Bulduk Bulduk, B. (2016). “Reviewing Educational Children’s Books in Terms of Graphic Design in the Context of Multimedia”, Global Journal on Humanities & Social Sciences. [Online]. 03, pp 07-13. • This article breaks down the connection between the elements of communication design and the educational process in regards to multimedia platforms. The main focus is on e-learning and multi-media learning. I like this source because it breaks down the multimedia design principles that support the learning process. These concepts can be applied to all learning and educational platforms. The author reviews various materials using these criteria. I can apply these same concepts to the materials I will be designing. 2. The Role Of Graphic Design In e Learning https://elearningindustry.com/role-graphic-design-in-e learning • This article reviews the ways in which graphic design can enhance the effectiveness of e Learning platforms. The four main topics discussed are 1. Creating focal points 2. Using design elements to establish content relationships. 3. Navigation 4. Readability. It is important to create a consistent navigation system. Students with learning disabilities need repetition, consistency, images with text, and a streamlined submission process. Good graphic design will help with the layout and to provide an easy to read and navigate web-page. Insights (from Watching / Listening) 1. OnlineLearning with Learning Disabilities https://youtu.be/3D_5duXHnMo • This YouTube video provided some insight on online learning from a professional tutor whose daughter has ADHD. Students with varying learning abilities and disabilities all adapt different to the online learning environment. Keeping students engaged can be a challenge for students with ADHD. Children with difficulty processing, cognitive delays, low level readers and sensory deficits can feel overwhelmed by the online learning environments. Not having an adult to read body cues and give visual, and auditory prompts limits their ability to stay on task. Routines and schedules need to be built in as well as breaks and sensory opportunities. Consistency and repetition is also important. 2. Using Google Classroom for special education accommodations https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_Y4qxDSGWU • Google Classroom is the most consistent of all the platforms I have come across. The system is more user friendly. There are a lot of add ons that do not all use the same procedures and icons. Teachers can use this to stay in contact and follow up with students. There are options to access the students work and view it in real time while the student is working. This video teaches special education teachers how to utilize this platform to help provide accommodations to their students. Using Google classrooms provides an all in one option, but it still not user friendly. There are a lot of steps and options for submitting. Topic 2: Refined TFI Gluten Free Lifestyle Step 1: Many people follow a gluten free diet due to health concerns, allergies or other dietary restrictions. Step 2: Finding gluten free food items in grocery stores and restaurants is often difficult and time consuming. Step 3: Using design I will create materials to help people on gluten free diets find, save and organize gluten free food options and restaurants more easily. Competitors 1. Gluten-Free Me (My Recipes Journal And Organizer) A bound journal and organizer for Gluten free recipes. Found on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Gluten-Free-Recipes-Journal-Organizer- Essentials/dp/1086121805 2. Life After Wheat This blog style website provides gluten free recipes, tips for eating gluten free, and suggestions for gluten free products. https://thereislifeafterwheat.com/ 3. Gluten Free Palate This is another blog website that offers gluten free recipes, tips for eating gluten free for adults and children, and places to eat gluten free while traveling. 4. Celiac and the Beast This is a blog providing insights on gluten free foods, traveling gluten free and events that cater to gluten free diets. https://www.celiacandthebeast.com/ 5. Flippin’ Delicious This blog website provides gluten free recipes, tips what to eat while traveling, and gluten free holiday recipes. 6. Find Me Gluten Free This app helps people find restaurants nearby that offer gluten free menu items. 7. The Gluten Free Scanner This app scans bar-codes to provide more information on foods in the grocery store. It has a database of over 500,000 products. 8. Fooducate – Eat Better Coach This app helps people keep track of what they are eating and how and when they are exercising. It also has a bar-code scanner that gives the user information on nutritional content and ingredients. 9. Healthy Recipes & Calculator This app provides a database of recipes with detailed nutritional information. Users can save and share recipes. 10. 2020 Gluten Free Buyers Guide This book provides a list of all the best gluten free grocery items with ratings and awards for the best gluten free products on the market. Found on Amazon. https://smile.amazon. com/2020-Gluten-Free-Buyers-Guide/ Gaps & Opportunities 1. Most websites are blogs that provide recipes and the writers view on living life gluten free. A few provide some grocery suggestions or travel suggestions. • Provide a more personal, customizable experience for the user. • Create a one-stop-shop website with shopping suggestions, GF travel options, a place to save recipes, links to social media sharing, and access to the gluten free community. 2. Bound gluten free journals only provide space for recipes. • Provide a customizable food journal: place for favorite recipes, favorite gluten free products, diet and symptom tracker, and a restaurant menu guide. 3. Most mobile apps only provide one gluten free element. • Provide a more personal, customizable experience for the user. • Create a one-stop-app with gluten free products, travel options, a place to save recipes, favorite products, links to social media sharing, a diet tracker and access to the gluten free community. Insights (from Reading) 1. Best New Gluten-Free Breakfast Finds at Expo West 2020 https://www.celiacandthebeast.com/2020/04/ best-new-gluten-free-breakfast-finds-at-expo-west-2020/ • This blog post discusses the best gluten free foods found at the Expo West a natural product expo. There are also gluten free expos that travel around the country. Getting input from these expos on new gluten free food options would keep the product line up to date. Users would also be interested in hearing about new gluten free options. Many of these foods are also dairy free and/or vegan, which would benefit users who are more than gluten free. 2. Gluten Free Guide for Beginners https://thereislifeafterwheat.com/gluten-free-resources-2/ • This blog entry from Life After Wheat provides and introduction to people who are newly adopting the gluten free lifestyle. There are many reasons why someone might chose to eat gluten free, from a desire to be healthier to medical need. Starting a gluten free diet can be very intimidating and daunting. Having a resource where you can learn about what foods are safe and what are not, where to find gluten free options and what to avoid as well as how to avoid cross contamination would be helpful and reassuring. Insights (from Watching / Listening) 1. We Try & Review GLUTEN-FREE Fast Food ~Honest~ https://youtube/awuf0prIYH8 • This YouTube video provided a good example of reviewing gluten free restaurant options. The people in the video purchased gluten free fast food items, ate them, reviewed the taste, texture, and cost of each item. Having these types of reviews would be helpful in written or video format. 2. Celiac Disease: Living Gluten Free (Story-time & Q&A) https://youtube/HMWL9NP1pwY • This video was by the same girl who did the fast food restaurant review above. In this video she provided her story and how she copes with her gluten free lifestyle. Hearing other people’s stories, or having a social forum within the app would help people on gluten free diets feel more connected. Another good point that was brought up was eating in restaurants where the servers do not know what gluten is. Providing materials to share with others to help educate about what gluten is as well as gluten sensitivities and celiacs disease would be helpful. Topics 1 & 2: Most Viable Topic The topic that is most viable is middle school virtual learning materials. I feel that this is an area of need across the country as schools newly need to navigate the online learning environment. There are a plethora of platforms and add ons available, but no consistency. This causes students to struggle with navigation and the ability to find, complete and submit assignments. When you add on the challenges of having learning disabilities, and different learning styles, all of this becomes even more difficult. I would like to develop a streamlined platform that incorporates all the needed add ons in a easy to navigate desktop application. Because I work in a middle school, I know first hand the struggles that both students and educators face and I have direct access to materials and resources.
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Andrea Tscheschlog
MFA Graphic Design Student at Academy of Art University of San Francisco (on-line) Archives
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