This will be my final update of the semester. Instead of typing a novel about what I've been doing these last few weeks, I'd like to at least show you all a few of the things I accomplished this semester instead.

IDT 440 - http://www.wiu.edu/users/ceb130/IDT440LACModule/

The link above will take you to a module I created in that course this semester. The module is entitled: Leader as Coach - Strategies for Coaching and Developing Others. (Also, shout out to IDT 250 for teaching me how to put things onto my WIU server using Adobe Dreamweaver!)

IDT 351-

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1geE0q_585owwwtnln3LfdrzEjQGC0Z2drUfgxx6OHw4/edit?usp=sharing

The link above will take you to a Google Document that my group and I created as a final project for this course. The project is entitled: IDT 351 Project: The Internet: Major Educational Web Trends.

As for IDT 345, 480, and GCOM 313, I know there is a lot that I could show you, but there is no easy way for me to show you through this blog. Some day I will create an online portfolio that showcases all of things that I've created and are proud of.

That day will come, so wait for it. However, feel free to comment on this post about either of the links I provided above.

Thank you for taking the time to view my blog, and cheers to the end of my junior year!

-Courtney Benge

Here I am with an update.

IDT 351 - I have completed my Project Planning document. I have chosen Option, which was to improve IDT 285 using Web 2.0 tools along side Merrill's article. I will also have to complete a tutorial with my group on Mobile and Virtual learning by Sunday. I hope to receive positive feedback on both, but mostly on my document so that I can complete my final project with my group without many complications.

IDT 480 - Nothing really new here. I have been keeping on with my Notebooks, and this most recent one I have learned more information from the NodeXL book. I have been receiving good grades on the notebooks, which makes me believe I have a pretty good understanding of these topics. I may attach the Notebook documents on here to provide more information.

IDT 345 - I recently completed a photo restoration project using Adobe Photoshop, a rough draft of my CD cover, and I also received a take home final to complete before the end of the month. I will complete this final before the end of the month, and also complete the final few projects that we have.

IDT 440 - I'm in good shape for this course. All my work that I put in towards the beginning of the semester is paying off in full at this point in the semester. My module will be checked and graded as Quiz 3 on April 28th. I will also be getting my module reviewed by an IDT professional for extra credit before the end of the semester. I have completed my audio, so I will be gathering images for my module and making my test functional.

GCOM 313 - I have been working with other students from another major on creating rack cards for them. That process has been going verily well, and along side that project I have been creating a packaging design. I will also be submitting canned good items to receive extra credit in the course. I will be working to complete the final projects that we have in the course, and also be studying for the final we have at the end of the semester. Oh! I will also have a nice project portfolio by the end of this course as well.

I believe I covered everything, so I will post an update in the next week or two. Thank you much!

-Courtney

It has certainly been awhile since my last post, but this is because I didn't really have anything post worthy considering I was on Spring Break and spent this weekend with my mom for Mom's Weekend. Nonetheless, I plan on maintaining my blog now that I have information to share.

For starters, I have recently completed and sent in my resume in hopes that I'm able to get an internship over the summer. I will share more information about that topic when I receive some more news. As for classes, IDT 351 is going verily well. I have been collaborating with my group to create tutorials on a number of different programs/sources, and I believe those have been turning out very well. IDT 480 has strayed  away from Dreamweaver/PhpMyAdmin for the time being, and has focused on Google Analytics. I believe both these to be pretty useful things to know, and I hope to provide more information soon. IDT 440 will be taking up a bit of my time these next couple weeks, because I will be recording audio for my instructional product, as well as for one or two classmates' products as part of my honors project. In regards to IDT 345, I'm still ahead of where I'm suppose to be in terms of assignments. In GCOM 313, I will be creating a typeface and be making it interactive this week

That about sums up my workload, but I'll have more info when I post next time. Cheers!

-Courtney

I've completed my storyboard for my IDT 440 class, and I'm pleased with its quality. The final version came out to be 55 pages, and I included all the things outlined in the guidelines. The storyboard includes: explanations of the instructions/interactions, audio scripts, screen text, as well as descriptions that tell what the images will be. I've learned the importance of storyboards, and how useful they are in instructional design and development. I'm sure I will provide a final version of this project towards the end of the semester. As for my IDT 480, I ran into some issues, but luckily they were resolved and I can begin my work this week, and have it completed before Spring Break. IDT 351 and 345 have not created an huge road bumps, and I will be doing a little bit of studying for my GCOM 313 midterm on March 11, 2015. Also in regards to GCOM 313, my comic book has been completed and I'm pleased with the graded I received.

That concludes my synopsis of last week, until next week!

-Courtney

This entire week I have been, and will continue to dedicate myself to IDT 440. Right now we are working on completing our storyboards for our semester long project, and I estimate mine will be around 40+ pages. I also have a comic book that must be completed this week for GCOM 313, as well as my work for IDT 351.

I have been using Lectora to complete my storyboards, and I can safely say that it looks professional and follows the Front-end Analysis I wrote beforehand. My Front-end analysis contained an overview, learner analysis, environment learner analysis, media rationale, task analysis, learning goals, learning objectives, high-end outline, assessment strategy, and visual design pages. There is much to be done still, but it will progress nicely throughout the semester, so I will be posting updates on it.

My comic book has made a little progress, but continual work needs to be done on it. My skills in Adobe Illustrator having been progressively improving, so I'm happy that I will be completed with it this week. As for IDT 351, I will be doing my assigned sections of our Google Sites tutorial, and post a comment on the blog about my experiences.

I shall keep trucking on this week, and strive towards a stress free weekend.

-Courtney

Reflecting through Blogging

I will be using this blog to discuss my knowledge and skills learned throughout the semester. My main focus will be on Instructional Design and Technology, because this blog will also serve to fulfill my honor's requirement, but I will also showcase my Graphic Communication works. Postings on my blog will occur weekly, with the minimal being one post per week. I hope to expand and reflect upon everything I learned in an effective way. I will encourage others to comment and share what they have learned in IDT as well, so that we all can attempt to learn from one another.

Thanks,

Courtney Benge