Learning Proposal - Angela Kasimis
Name: Angela Kasimis
Student Number: 10786287
Personal Learning Needs
This is my first subject in the Interactive Multimedia Course. It is also my first formal study since my undergraduate students which I completed in 1994.
I am interested in pursuing formal study at this point of my career and personal development. This course suited me because:
- I believe it meets my personal learning goals,
- I have lots to learn,
- I'm passionate about technology,
- to develop my learning skills and strategies to ensure I continue to be a lifelong learner
- it is a personal challenge.
I hope to gain skills in building websites and knowledge in understanding technologies that support the development and maintenance websites. I hope these knowledge and skills
assist me in my current work with the Department of Education and Training.
I also believe this is a becoming an essential life skill that can create new opportunities,
for example starting your own business in any area or simply having the ability to create an online presence when necessary.
SWOT Analysis
Strengths
Internal/Helpful to achieving the outcome
- The ability to learn quickly when I am highly motivated
- I have a creative side
- A good understanding of the potential of web technologies, in particular web 2.0, for school education
Weaknesses
Internal/Harmful to achieving the outcome
- I know I will have to overcome mental barriers about this subject, mathematical in nature, male oriented (reinforced by class ratios)
- I have the potential to be over ambitious, I want to learn it all quickly and about everything. I am aware I will need to remain focussed on
choosing a particular area and concentrating on building up knowledge and skills in that area. I know I could become overwhelmed by the practical side and potentially give up
Opportunities
External/Helpful to achieving the outcome
- To make new friends and learn in new ways, this is my first experience of learning using online collaboration as a key method. Also using
online collaboration and learning tools like blackboard, blogs, web pages, this is giving me first hand experience of what the direction of education in schools.
Basically, it is an opportunity to practice what I preach.
- Opportunity to get involved in research within my role at NSW DET
- I know there will be new (unforseen) opportunities; by building new networks, being exposed to new areas, gaining new skills, I know new things will come
Threats
External/Harmful to achieving the outcome
- Trying to juggle too many things in my life at this point in time; I work 4 days a week, full time mother of a three year old; this keeps me busy enough
- Opportunity to get involved in research within my role at NSW DET
- If I become too busy at work, this will hinder the amount of time I can contribute to my studies
Learning Needs in DMT
I believe that my personal learning needs in DMT need to be clearly divided between what I can learn and put into practice and what I can develop a deeper understanding about.
I believe from my discussions with a few class mates, Alastair I believe I have the ability to learn and demonstrate XTML and CSS in the production of my website.
If I am able to extend this as my journey continues I would love to add simple interactivity to my websites. I would like to research other technologies including Javascript, PHP and SQL, Ajax.
Learning Plan
Objectives
- to gain an awareness of a variety of software and hardware technologies relevant to the development and maintenance of websites (as the subject outline describes)
- to gain this knowledge in context of my current work in the Connected Classrooms Project of NSWDET and education in general.
- to understand the purpose of the technologies, how they meet users needs, where the demand comes from, where the demand is heading and how solutions (or technologies)
are selected for individual purposes
- to demonstrate the XHTML and CSS skills I develop through the production of a simple website
- to successfully complete the subject and fulfil each of the assessment tasks
Strategies - how will I do it?
- specific - a combination of strategies including; attending lectures and completing readings, engaging in self managed learning activities
including seeking out readings, collaboration with classmates, both online and face to face, asking questions from classmates, Alastair and Julian, online and experts at work.
- quantifiable - participation in online collaboration, attendance, blog.
- related to the fulfilment of the project - using the power of the internet, learning what I need
when I need it, where I need it. There is nothing like the motivation of purpose.
Resources
What exactly will I use?
- I do not have a finite reference list of resources I will use but have started to collect a list of recommended materials that will grow.
I do believe I have the ability to collect the relevant resources
required as needed.
- The resources I will use include books, websites and online tutorials. I have already started to keep a list of
materials recommended through the introduction activity. I will also use the materials recommended by Alastair. I am already amazed at the
power of collaboration in learning, I have even received some CDs with reference materials at a lecture that will be useful. Everyone is willing to share
information and resources.
- Consultation with experts in my work environment. We have many web developers and solutions architects working at NSWDET. Hopefully they will be
able to offer advice and resources if required.
- I already have a few books in my possession. Some sections are easy to read at any time, but I believe these will become useful in the practical component of the website.
- Castro, Elizabeth (2007) HTML for the World Wide Web visual quickstart guide : with XHTML and CSS (as recommended by Josh Leung)
- Negrino, Tom (2007) JavaScript and Ajax for the Web
- Negrino, Tom (2007) JavaScript and Ajax for the Web
Proposed Project Description
- Here is a link to my project overview
- What will you build?
- I would like to build a website that will be used by parents to provide menus and recipes for children aged 1 - 6 and beyond.
The inspiration for this website is Tina who is the chef at my son's preschool. She makes the most amazing meals for the children
every day. She has amazing ideas and variety of menus including morning and afternoon teas, lunches/dinners and snacks. Many parents of the
centre are always asking Tina for her recipes. Children go home and ask their parents for Tina's yellow rice, parents lie to their children
and tell them Tina has delivered the food for the day so they can eat their meal. With the international success of the book Deceptively Delicious
by Jerry Seinfield's wife, I'm inspired.
- Who is it for?
- Initially the audience for the website would be the local community. Being on the World Wide Web, the audience is anyone who is interested.
- What technologies will it use?
- XHTML and CSS. I would like to start with this and possibly add interactivity if I don't find XHTML and CSS overwhelming. I would like to add interactivity like
rating recipes, comments, possibly subscription to a newsletter, the ability to sort by categories, image gallery. In the future, if a book of the recipes which I also plan to work on, I would
like people to be able to purchase the book online.
- How does it satisfy your learning objectives?
- I am aware that the practical component of my report only focuses on some of my learning objectives. I plan to fulfil my other objectives through
research in relation to my work at NSWDET. This will be covered by another component of the micro/macro analysis.
- Sketches, wireframes, architecture, diagrams etc...
- I will use the ideas and wireframe templates found on the Usability Institute
- Initial ideas for pages include, the recipes, menus, party ideas, image gallery, FAQ's, feedback page, about the chef
Schedule
What do I plan to do when? (high level)
Keep track of my plan including planned and actual activities
Overview
Week 4 - consultation with Tina regarding collection of content
Week 5 - Submit final proposal, continue research on XHTML and CSS, begin work on Macro and Micro analysis
Week 6 - Work on micro and macro analysis
Week 7 - Submit macro and micro analysis, begin work on system plan, conduct peer review of micro/macro analysis
Week 8 - Finish peer review of micro/macro analysis, continue work on system plan, begin practical component
Week 9 - System plan and website development
Week 10 - Submit system plan, conduct peer review of system plan
Week 11 - Website development and report
Week 12 - Website development and report
Week 13 - Presentations
Week 14 Submit report
References