Online Lesson for JavaScript Composing

Project Description: The assignment was to create a wireframe for an instructional product utilizing principles of Instructional Message Design. The goal was to use the IMD analysis of a JavaScript textbook from a previous assignment to develop a revised version of the instructional material. The challenge was to improve the message design of the instructional material, and adapt it to an online environment. The product presented here was built in Photoshop within conventional Web page constraints, though an actual online product might be arranged differently.

Reflection: This project was the “second half of my revenge” (the first half being the original IMD analysis of the textbook, also in this portfolio) from having been subjected to the actual CIW course in basic JavaScript as part of my CIW Web Design certification in 2008. It was from having struggled through that course that I was introduced to the principles of Instructional Design by my instructor, Carlos Villalba. I would later explore the IDD&E MS program at SU and apply.

What I’ve discovered from this project was that visualizing ideas for a technical subject requires a number of trail and error attempts to come up with the right metaphors, and careful writing. The “box of donuts” metaphor was a third attempt to visually express the concept of a variable, mainly because it was a familiar “container” that was capable of having a variety of things in it. Second, the translation from the visual icon to the text representation of “myDonuts” felt like an easily retained relationship.

I felt my skills as video editor were also useful in this project because I had to project my work to an imaginary audience of novice web designers. My experience with visualizing ideas and relationships through imagery was useful.