While recently watching the movie "Friends with Benefits" starring Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis, I couldn't help but laugh at the fact that what I read about for this class was slightly touched on in the film. Timberlake plays a Web Art Designer for major magazine companies throughout the US. Although he focuses more on style, sports and where the pretty picture of the girl in the bikini should be placed, he still speaks about things such as proximity, font color and style, etc. There are certain websites that you visit and think "wow, this is really awesome", while others make you think, "this is pretty lackluster." But WHY? While reading Louise's blog and taking a look at the link she provided, this questions became more apparent to me. Certain aspects of web design can make or break a web page. For example, color contrasting between font and background are KEY to having a well managed and received website. Certain colors do not promote easy readability, and you must keep in mind colorblind people as well. Black on white is the easiest text to read, but this can get boring. Colors that contrast successfully include colors that do not add to perception problems, unlike red and blue, colors that have enough contrast- do not use light and dark blue, etc., and colors that are used often together, like black and yellow. Further, when posting pictures or videos, proximity is a key factor to relating the things you post to the text that you have placed with it. The closer the objects and text together, the more accented the relationship. Other prominent things to keep in mind when creating a website or a blog is alignment of the text AND visuals, as well as font size and word count. The above stated tips should be kept in mind during certain aspects of teaching as well.
When creating Powerpoint presentations for your class, keep in mind the details- font, proximity, alignment, etc. Also, keep in mind your students and their needs-i.e.- visually impaired students, color blind students, ESL students, ADD/ADHD students, etc. Having a student like this in your class should and will change the way in which you prepare your Powerpoint presentations. - Bigger font, different color combinations, less text, more visual stimulators, etc.
Also, when choosing websites to use within your classroom, be sure that they include the appropriate web design details so that both you and your students can get the most out of the website and the lesson.
Here are some links to web pages and videos that will help clarify good web design, for both adults and children sites:
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/11/27/designing-websites-for-kids-trends-and-best-practices/
http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2010/09/best-practices-for-designing-usable-websites-for-kids/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPO7lDZbcfA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP3IQZkeYkg&feature=related
Sammi,
ReplyDeleteI saw that movie too and I know exactly to what you are referring. I feel like your blog entry is like a continuation of mine. It is extremely important that teachers take design aspects into account when creating visuals and presentations for students. They can either enhance a lesson or totally ruin it. I have had teachers who have made terrible visuals and it is super disappointing, not only is it disengaging but it can be quite boring. I think teachers should take part in a professional development workshop to enhance the design of their visuals and graphics in order to appeal to all learners.
Great reference with the movie. It makes a big difference when sites look professionally designed, in my opinion. I won't even read through one that looks like with was made with AOL Hometown anymore. Great links too!
ReplyDeleteI never saw the movie, but I can relate very well to what you are saying in this post. My mother is a graphic designer, and I kid you not, we quiz each other on font face, size and design. The pointers you stated about creating worksheets, and power points for students is very applicable. I always make the font as big as possible, so that students in the back can see it, and as contrasting as possible. Just don't mix a warm and cool color, like read and blue, doesn't always look good!!
ReplyDeleteI think I'm a little OCD when it comes to proximity, but I am a firm believer in lots of space, and everything very tidy. Students creating presentations is a great way to prepare them for a skill they will probably need for the rest of their lives! Great post.