Participants for January 18th LiveBlog:
Darren Draper:
Darren is a technology Curriculum Specialist for the Jordan School District in Salt Lake City, UT. He is an avid educational technology enthusiast who loves technology, when it works...
Sharon Peters:
Until June 2007, Sharon Peters was teaching English at an independent middle and high school in Montréal , Lower Canada College. In the summer of 2007, she began her new role as education consultant for LEARN, an arm of the ministry of education in Québec, Canada. There she acts as the English Language Arts resource “go to” girl for the English sector of the province of Québec.
Jeff Whipple:
Jeff is a technology mentor from Fredericton, NB, Canada. Jeff started teaching only five years ago and has over the course of a few years been, “… forced to readjust, rethink and relearn all that I had previously known.” Jeff moved from the rural school to Nashwaaksis Middle School where he is transforming his school to be the largest 1:1 laptop school in Canada. He comments about the entire venture, “There is a revolution taking place, and our students are the revolutionaries. We can either join them in a velvet transition, or be run over by the trucks.”
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160 comments:
Hi all...
I am not able to get into the MeBeam connection (tested at home ... filtered at school....arrrgh).
But I am here and ready to engage. Thanks for the invitation to connect with you.
No problem, Jeff. Announcements right now, we'll get started in a moment.
Hello Jeff. Sorry about the MeBeam blues.
I'm fortunate to be in a district that is a little more understanding about the potential of such tools.
thanks darren...actually...our district is pretty good...but no luck this am...
So, design is important from a safety perspective, as well as an aesthetic.
worked fine at home...LOL
Hi folks, Greetings from Montreal! One of the important roles in my job is to DESIGN curricula for our online school - for English Language Arts. Designing lessons for students that I do not teach is very challenging - I want to make those lessons and activities relevant, interesting, engaging - so DESIGN is very important for my audience.
I think that it would be really cool to go to a design school like CHAD, even though I'm not really good at art and designing things. If you had the chance to go to a school like that would you?
When we first started the 2nd part, I didn't think anything about design. I didn't think that without it we would be in a wreck, like Molly said. I think it's really neat how everything has been designed. I'd never thought of thingsa that way before, but now that we read the design chapter, I start thinking about it more, and how interesting this sense is.
What is important in design is to recognized the HUMAN aspect - how can design appeal to the emotions and senses of those who use/watch it?
Do you think that it is important for students to be effective in designing the way they complete their assignments?
How about teachers? Why is design important for teachers?
I think the design of a space is critical to it's function...for instance, it is sometimes difficult to fit new functions into old school designs
I think there's two parts to design though, there's the asthetic aspect, as well as the architectural side, were even though it may be built well it might not be asthetically pleasing
Mikenna: I agree completely. When designing something it is always helpful to aply appeal and even something as simple as the cover color of the book can make the entire novel more appealing
I have a question for you guys.... Do you think that design is the most important sense of the six senses why and why not?
Sharon (test) - Design is what brings the content to the consumer - whether that consumer is a student, a customer, or simply an admirer.
Poor design = Poor "sales"
teachers are definately designers...my job is to work with teachers to embed technology into learning...some of that is vision but a lot is design, from classroom layout to lesson delivery and project management...a whole lot of thought is put into real effective teaching
I think that it is very important for students to be effective in designing for assignments because if there is no design used the assignment won't have any structure or excitement.
Still trying to post under my name... test... great conversation so far!
Kalynk - I've never thought about design being a part of the six senses. Rather, I think that design must take each of the senses into consideration.
I like your idea - I'm going to think more on it!
I think Jeff brings up a very interesting point about how 9/11 was very much so affected by design. I do agree that if things are made with such care and people are always worrying about the worst then nothing would ever get done and we would always be a wreck.
How is appreciation of design going to change the way YOU do things??
Darren- you said that poor design= poor sells so do you think that design is of higher importance than say story?
Design is important to teachers because they have to find a way to incorporate different types of design that all students are able to work. Also, designing the classroom is important. For example I know I work better in a decorated colorful room with lots of posters over plain white walls.
@kaylyn k
I wouldn't say that design is any more or less important than the others...I really believe that all of the senses are critical...and must work together to create a great product....
I agree with Mikenna because even though you always hear never judge a book by its cover, I have to admit that I do. If a book cover looks more exciting than another book cover I'm going to choose the book with the more exciting cover.
Mr. Fisch and Matthew G bring up very good points about how iPod is the most expensive and without a doubt one of the sleekest and best designed...are other MP3 players that are not designed as well but still less expensive worth your money?
Great point, Mr. Fisch.
Great design sells - not just ipods, but everything.
Furthermore, effective design can impact more than just your product. Other mp3 players are often called "iPods" because the iPod is so widely accepted as ideal.
Schools need to be much friendlier and "homey"...less institutional...where do you learn better, home or school? why?
Can't seem to get this system to recognize me as anything but "test" even though I have a google account!
TEST = Sharon Peters
Alyssa: I agree with you completely! There's no point in making something that looks cool if it doesn't work, and even if something works efficiently there might be something out there that looks cooler.
I have an iPod, but I've also used mine for a long time. I got one of the first ones, and it has worked great; so when I bought another MP3 player I chose another Ipod, also because all of my music is on iTunes already as well. And it holds all of my music, (which is a lot) and so since it works well, I've decided just to keep using iPods, instead of using other MP3 players
Matt G:
That was a good point with the iPods. The center part makes the iPod unique, and maybe if it was just regular buttons like any other MP3 players, it might not be the huge company that it is today. I also think that color makes a huge part in iPod design, and jusgt any design, like someone earlier said. (sorry I can't remember who!) But I wouldn't want an iPod or something with a color that I wouldn't like so the design of it makes it more appealing to different people.
I see a new handle coming for SP...LOL
I think that another reason that people want an I-pod is because its name brand. People want what is the most popular at the time its like with Ugg boots. People want the expensive 180 dollar boots. It caught because of the design.
I bought an Ipod a few months before the new model came out and I felt frustrated with myself because I could have gotten a cheaper and more efficient model if I had just waited. But that is how Apple makes its money, they keep coming out with newer, cheaper a model that are more efficient. That is what Daniel Pink is trying to tell us.
kalynk - I think that in many situations, excellent design can make up for poor story.
no question that successful companies are successful designers...you can have a great product but if people aren't attracted to it...it won't sell...why is you only see Macs in movies?
One of the things I have really appreciated about Daniel Pink's book is that he would like us to "cross train" our brains.
How are you now appreciating design differently that "cross trains" your brain? Have you tried any of his suggestions in the Portfolio section?
Do you now find yourself thinking differently when you look at the devices you use, the rooms you live in, how you decorate your locker or room?
Jeff: I have to say I learn better at school. After having had gone to school for most of my life in a normal school invironment (just like everyone else) it is easier to stay focused. At home there are too many distractions to stay focused and really learn.
Kelsey, that is so true! I look through the library for books with exciting covers or titles before I pick it up and read the summary, people of our generation are constantly looking for things that stand out and I cant say it enough they APPEAl to us
I definitely agree design plays a major roll in the classroom and business world, but A Whole New Mind never really addresses the six senses in regards to sports. I think sports play a fairly large role in modern society. How do you think the conceptual age will affect athletics?
I have just a regular MP3 player because I think that having an Ipod is just kind of a fad. Also I think that people want Ipods due to abundance and how people just want one to show that they are "cool" or that they have one. I think that it is all about competition.
Sharon - it's pulling the name "test" from your Blogger profile. You're fine, though. We're with you.
kelseyl - Don't you think that Apple's success with the iPod can then be traced to its design?
One of the most engaging (and worthwhile) assignments I ever gave my students was a project to design a new font...it had to have function (readability, etc) but also had to have some design...they loved it! Even naming them was an art!
With design in products there is always going to be something new and you always end up up-grading your products to the next best thing which feeds into Pink's idea of abundance.
Does the way Lays has designed their packaging and advertising affect how you feel about their product?
Does it make you want to buy Lays chips over other chips?
test- I think that you are totally correct in saying that the way we look at things now is totally changed now that design has become a more important assett in buying material possessions for ourself. That is why iPods are so much more popular then say the Microsoft Zune that works just as well.
iPods are not the best designed MP3 players. They are so popular because Apple was the first company to emerge on this new massive market. Apple has made a product that needs to be updated every couple years for a newer version and for that reason, Apple is one of the best designer company's around.
Darren- Yes the success can be traced to the design. But to me I don't really think that the Ipod design is that appealing to me so I guess that it is also just a matter of opinion.
Also speaking of brand names though, there's people walking around school, with Abercrombie, or Hollister and what ever brand name on thier clothes walking around school. But you know that they don;t wear those clothes just because their comfortable. But because they ywant everyone to know where they get thier clothes. they may not know it, but subconciously i'm pretty sure thats why.
Does the Lays design make you think that their chips actually TASTE better?
I think name breands are very important in our society today. People want a certain brand of jeans and the right brand of shoes or whatever. I think it is based on design as well as popular thought. Mikenna asked why we care, but the fact is no matter how many times we try to stop caring we still will.
@lisal interesting query re sports...what about the design of equipment...will an old fashioned catchers mask do? or do you need a new hockey style one? Is this a function of practicality or style...or both? what role does designn play in this?
Lisal - about the athletics.... I think Daniel Pink is challenging us to "think" differently and challenge our brain. Design can speak to the design of your sports uniforms, the design of the locker room, sports field, etc. What about the elegant design of a strategy for winning games?
Think outside the box - how can design influence all those decisions and have a tremendous impact on the athletes' performances?
Just some thoughts....
Mr. Fisch- you bring up a very interesting point, because like like other MP3 players, they work just as well as iPods but iPods are so much better designed.
This classroom is sooooo boring, like good teacher and what not, but not a good room, it reminds me of a pysch ward personally
evand - The iPod wasn't the first mp3 player to come out on the market. But it was the first to appeal to the masses (I think that design - ease of use, appearance - has a great deal to do with that).
This room totally SUCKS! How can we learn in a room with no windows or colors. The rows are also so hard to et around the classroom. It would make a difference in our learning because it would spark imagination in our writing.
The design of many things reminds me of subliminal messages because some how they appeal to us but we have no idea why.
The bottom line is.... how does the design of... the places, spaces, and objects in our life influence our learning - how does it ENHANCE our lives? For better health, performance, reflection, quality of life?
How can we be more human as we design our projects and our living spaces?
Schools have been designed to try to make students focus. The room temperature is below normal room temperature and desks are made not to be comfortable, so students will have a hard time falling asleep.
I was wondering if the new Macbook air was built just for design. Since it’s only ½ an inch thick, do you think people will only buy it because if its size. What if it is really breakable because it is so thin and the good design went bad? Will people still buy it because it looks like it has good design even though there are major flaws in the design?
allysac - Whose responsibility is it to spruce up a classroom's design?
Darren- I think the design of lays- the logo, the colors-has created a sense of familiarity with most people. As funny as it sounds, we always know that when we buy the big yellow bag with the red logo, we are getting good dependable chips and there is no chance we won't like them. Sometimes simple designs can be the best.
The classroom design:
I remember in elementary school when each teacher had their own room and could decorate with whatever they want. We had posters, pictures, work we'd done, so many things every where in the room, and it was a good place to learn. Also in middle school teachers had their own rooms and could put posters up. In high school, the teachers move rooms, and can't really put their own things up. I miss that, and I think a different design could lead to better learning. If we weren't in such a basic classroom then people might feel more excited or positive when learning just because of the design.
do any of you think that design (or any of Pink's six senses) might mean different things in different parts of the world? would it play bigger in North America vs Asia or Africa?
KelsieL- I would say that it name brands are inportant. like I but lucky jeans, but it's because they fit me the beast, because the rest just kinda fit me weird lol. But I don't have Lucky plastered all over my jeans. I just find it uneccisary to have all those brands plastered all over the clothes
So now that we have studied about the importance of design - how are YOU going to change the design of what you create or your living space?
What about your online spaces? Do you self-consciously design your Facebook space at all? What about your blog?
evand - Are you sure about that? What about costs? Keeping the temperature low is much less expensive than cranking up the heat.
Catherine I am sorry to tell you this but I completely disagree, yes the room may be uncomfortable but that is what focuses us in on our work. If the room was painted and we all sat on bean bags or couches I personally would find it incredibly distracting to learn or focus on what the teacher is saying. The walls are bare so there is nothing to look at that may draw our attention away from the curriculum
Some of my favorite stores are designer stores such as American Eagle and GAP. The design of these stores seems to relate directly to teenagers. I think that's why I like to shop at these places. What do you guys think?
Mikenna- I don't think that our learning would actually change but I think that our attitude would change. I think that if one of our classrooms got redesigned then we would look forward to going to that classroom and we would actally like to go learn.
Key Question: Would the design of the class actually effect student behavior?
If so, how?
design speaks to art....what is it about MS and HS students that most don't value art....yet almost every Grade 1 student will self-identify as an artist
Jeff Whipple- Yes I really think that design is much more appealing to us here in the United States then in Asia and Africa. Especially because design is becoming so much more affordable for us.
I enjoy these desks, when you've got a desk and a hoodie, it's an awesome makeshift bed
Alyssa: I totally don't mean that anyone who buys name brands is just hopping on the band wagon or anything, it's just how our society is. I buy name brands for the same reasons, but I also buy name brands because I like the brand or the look. I like foxracing brand because I dirtbike and that is a dirtbike brand.
Darren I believe opening a window in the spring would be suitable opposed to running the air conditioning on high.
To bring in a real world example of design and its effect on people, i keep finding myself reading Darren Draper's comments because he has a picture next to each one. It definitely makes them more attenntion-grabbing.
Darren, yes a more relaxed classroom in my oppinion provides a more relaxed learning envirnment and that causes kids to slack and find distractions
Mr. Pink often gives examples of how everybody wants the coolest and newest cell phones, cars, and more. He says that people often get these to express who someone is and how their personality is. but i think it's sad to think that if you don't have the coolest designed cell or a beat up car that people judge you and automatically think you're poor or uncool. But don't you think it should be about the quality of the design on the inside and not how it looks on the outside? For instance the razor cell phone was something everybody wanted at the time it came out. But I still have one and personally i think it's not a good cell phone to have because it breaks easily. Why have something that looks cool on the outside but is really bad in how it works? Why judge peoples personalities on what they own that's new?
If you get a chance (not right now!) check out Sir ken Robinson's talk on TED talks...he makes a case that we "educate" the creativity out of young people...id design about making mistakes...can bad design be because we want to play things safe?
test, about your comment on whether design affects the way how you look at things, I think that design can potentially change the way I think about things, but hasn't yet. Right now , as I am reading A WHOLE NEW MIND I do not feel that I have starting looking more at design than I did before reading the book. However, it has started my thinking about it and I think if I made a conscious effort to look at the design of things then I would. When looking at poorly made objects I think more about their design than I would with an object that works well. However, learning about design has made me appreciate the aesthitic appeal of objects I have because now I notice that the design of it is whimsical and beautiful.
We know so much more about neuroscience than we did 20 or 30 years ago. We know that our brains need a certain amount of stimulation - but not too much!
What is an ideal design for a classroom? Maybe depends on the subject to be learned?
jselzer - Your right. Our eyes naturally gravitate toward images rather than text.
How do you think images could improve the assignments you are asked to complete?
Lisa: I agree with you in clothes. I do like wearing name brand things, I admit, but they are directed toward teen clothes. Some of the stuff is really comfy anyways, but it's cute too, so I think it depends.
Right now, I'm wearing some Hollister jeans. They fit well, but are a little uncomfortable. I think I was so willing and wanting to get them because they are from Hollister.
Sharon: Design really does play a huge part on my Facebook, Myspace, and blog. Although on Facebook you don't have different layouts, on Myspace you do. I pick layouts that I like and think are fun and that represent me.
@jselzer
that's a great example about darren's posts...sometimes the trick is to draw attention in a sea of sameness...
Joe great comment! I continue looking at Darrens as well because his is more eye catching and grabs my attention because it's different
Is it really babying us letting us have class outdoors? I don't think so. It is almost as though were saying that on a general basis we are to outdoors. Bringing up with the whole idea that were crammed in the school so teachers can't have a personal classroom. Is having so many kids in one school good for us?
Think of the people who designs these rooms, they don't go to school, they don't have to sit in these rooms. Booth has his own comfy chair that probably swivels around and nice carpeted floor, nice big desk, he can decorate his office. So I find it unfair, that thse people get to design a room, that were spending about 6 hours of our days in.
Jeff- I think that most kids in the first grade think that they are artists because they don't care what other people think about it. As we get older we tend to worry what other people might think of our art because some people are just amazing at it and people don't think that they will ever be able to measure up to that person who is really good.
I believe I would learn much better if the school enviornment was more relaxed and comfortable. The comfortability of a desk is a needless distraction to a student.
as a teacher (in a 1:1 school) I would not want desks, rows, etc...I think that "design" leads to a certain outcome - teaching!
By having round tables, work stations and casual spaces (couches, fish tanks, etc) it leads more deliberately to student "learning"
This is great! I can see many of you are starting to think about your thinking (we call this metacognition). Pink has raised our consciousness so that we can train our brains to function better.
How does emotion play a part in design? Do designers appeal to our emotions as they design?
Will you think about the play on emotions as you design a product or as you decorate your spaces?
Darren: I think assignments that are visually appealing have a chance of receiving a better grade. I also think that projects (Powerpoint, posters, speeches, etc.) can better get information across to the audience when they are aesthetically pleasing, with many visual aids.
When I learn outside of school, I usually go somewhere that is calm and COMFOTABLE. I can not think somewhere uncomfortable because I am constantly moving around to try and get comfortable and then never doing what I am expected to do.
Alyssa if you could design this room what would you change that you think may give your learning an advantage that you are currently deprived of?
Jeff-I completely agree with you as a student. If we used round tables it would encourage teaching between students and enhance our learning experience.
Jeff Whipple- I have to disagree with you and say that for me, when I am more structured and sitting at desks I learn more. I happen to learn more and be more on topic when I am more uncomfortable.
should art/design be a prerequisite for graduation? to what extent? should it be a stand alone course or simply embedded / valued within our general learning...
It is more expensive to entertain yourself as you get older. Movies, going to the mall, it all adds up. My dad likes to act like a kid, but that doesn't mean he plays with blocks. He has a dirtbike, a street bike, a nice truck. Those are his toys. Much more expensive than the toys of a three year old.
(Sharon Peters here!)
Do you find yourselves now looking at the design of gadgets or advertising campaigns or even the layout of a room?
Do you now ask yourselves what you would change or do you look for "design flaws"?
I suppose, then, that design must be tailored to individuals and varying circumstances.
Do you think that a math class should be designed in the same way that you would design an English class?
Matt I learn better as well when I have less distraction and in my oppinion a more comfortable learning space becomes too relaxed and causes distration
Jeff- There are actually a couple of fish tanks in my biology classroom and just having those fish tanks makes me feel more relaxed due to the noise that they make. It also makes me pay more attention just because it is relaxing.
(Sharon Peters here!)
Jeff, I love your question! I have thought for a while now that schools should offer a course in design - teach the classic timeless elements of good design and then let the students choose their mediums and tools to create functional, relevant products.
I think that two different classrooms of Math and English should totally be designed in different ways to accomodate to the subject being taught.
*thinking evand and mattn should play rock-paper-scissors on who gets to choose the new class design!!* LOL
When I look at the design of objects, I find myself only looking at the flaws instead of the “goodness” in the design.
test, I think that the design of a classroom can definitely enhance the learning experience and I also think that the class depends on the design of a classroom. I think that the classes that are more left-brained oriented(math and science) should have stricter design and the right brained subjects (language arts) should nave a more expressive design. I think that classes that require focus need to have simpler designs and classes that have thinking that is big picture oriented need bigger, bolder designs. However, maybe we would learn math and science better in a less strict environment and we don't think we would because in the past that is how they have been taught generally.
AShley, ok so I wouldn't have the floors this white tile. Because I can see the dirt and it totalloy grosses me out, and it's kind of distracting, I would make the walls a more inviting color. it doesn't have to be a drastic change, but a warmer color. I would change the color of the chalk board cause it's a gross color. But all of this would help I think because then I would be lass distracted, by all of the 'bad design' in this class room, and i think that it would be easier for me to learn
Jeff I agree personally I really need to have total concentration to be able to learn. Unlike Kelseyl who likes the fish tanks in her Biology classroom, I could not stand those, they would definitaly drive me crazy.
(Sharon Peters here)
Darren, your question about design of school courses really speaks to me.
Re-reading Pink's chapter on design and having just finished Daniel Goleman's book "Social Intelligence" has really influenced my approach to course design.
The design of school courses has to be friendly in tone and appealing in a multitude of ways. Right now I am exploring how I can make that happen.
mattn-Are you able to do your homework or complete tasks while you are listening to music or does that distract you?
Matt- I think that's a great idea, since some subjects need more creativity like english, while some need more sequential, analytical thinking like math. However, don't you think more right-brained skills should be incorporated into subjects like math?
catherinec - Strange, isn't it! My focus easily turns to a design's flaws, too - unless I intentionally concentrate on the positive. Why do you think that is?
Kelseyl- I can have light music playing in the background (wooo hooo Jack Johnson) but otherwise I usually like to have silence when I am studying or doing homework.
Kenna the problem, is that the design is different and hard to use sometimes, but the different design is what led to to buy that product
mattn-Well isn't the sound of the fish tanks just another form of music or sound?
Joe- Yes I do think that the more right-brained the class is directed to the more it should be "advertised" for in the classroom.
I think that art/design should be a requirement for graduation because according to Pink’s book, it will be extremely important in the future. Also, I think it will give us a break from the stressful school day by doing something fun and being able to express yourself. Instead of doing the everyday math and science while regurgitating information, requiring design classes will make the school day more enjoyable.
Conflict or problems lead to better design. The Israeli military is constantly making new weapons because they are almost always involved in conflict. They recently designed a weapon called a corner shot that is specifically designed for urban conflict. Design is extremely important in the military.
So does design affect the way you are entertained?
Should an education be entertaining?
Should learning always be fun?
Would anybody want to be able to have music playing in the background of the class if it was something relaxing like Jake Johnson or classical?
Darren- I think we constantly looking at flaws because our race is continually trying to make things bigger and better whether we need the improvement or not
(Sharon Peters here)
jselzer - you are on to something there! In "real life" we use a multi-disciplinary approach to our tasks and roles. Why do we separate math from language arts? Do we not use language as we learn math? Communication skills are very important to understanding other subjects. We also need skills in logic as we argue and debate in English class.
YOu are right - we need both brain orientations. It would be interesting to see a classroom environment that would make that compromise.
Kelsey- Yes it is but personally when i'm trying to learn new things I like to have total silence.
Okay Akyssa now think about this, if you want to change the walls a warm red and the chalkboard a bright blue...who is to say that's not an incredibly distracting color for someone else? Personally I hate the color brown so if we went and had brown carpet put in the classroom, in your oppinion this color could be more inviting but a big distraction to others around you. How will we ever agree?
Kelsiel . . .. Dude I totally remember better when there's music playing, because then I can remeberpart of the song, that i was learning the crucial info, and it really helps me to learn and remember.
Alyssa~ I totally agree!!!!!!
do you think that design is becoming "globaliZed"...or are there still siginificant differences between geographical areas?
I would love to have Jack Johnson playing in the classroom or something relaxing (NOT CLASSICAL) but I find the popping of bubbles in a fish tank quite annoying.
Again with the Macbook Air, the only thing I have seen advertised is its design. I have not seen an ad or commercial that states its features. This is a great example of how people care about design.
Evan- I agree with you. Some design in the military is even meant to scare people-loud guns, menacing millitant logos, etc. This has been going on for a long time (think of the skull and crossbones).
Oh ashley, did you forget about my one with nature and the world! We will agree no worries. I can deal with bright colors. they just distract me, but plain white, bright white shall i say is annoying as well too.
Kelsey: I like to have music playing when i do work, but I can't have my music blasting and there are times when I have to turn it off in order to have better concentration.
I think that we are typically driven to look at the negative design of things and not at the positive because our society is never satisfied and so we are constantly looking for something that is better. Also in an age of abundance we always think that something better will be at the store and this turns into a viscous cycle of wanting something more because overall we are di
sastisfied with our lives
Catherinec- What do you mean when you say " our race is continually trying to make things bigger and better whether we need the improvement or not?"
Alyssa- So if you could design a new classroom would you have some sort of music system in the classroom?
(Sharon Peters here)
agolden - There have been studies that show that certain colours evoke certain moods and designers do play on this knowledge.
There are some classic timeless elements of design. We do have to be careful, though, of design that is culturally-based.
Jselzer you make a fantastic point once again.
Excellent comment!
Structure is key! Without structure guiding your design, then there will most certain be flaws.
So Alyssa you do in fact agree that bright colors do distract you?
I think the best designed learning environment is non-compartmentalized...we learn literacy in Math and Math in literacy...no "classes"....flex schedules...can be done...
test- My room is light blue and is very calming which really puts me in the mood to relax or be on task and do my homework.
I don't exaclty care that much about it. I mean just listening to music from the computer would be fine, I mean i'm not asking for much
Evand-I meant to say (like EmilyH said) that we are not satisfied with our lives so to try and find meaning, we try and make things bigger and better to please us.
I really agree with Holly:
Structure.
It's very important because I think most designs come from some structure.
Alyssa- I totally agree, in our Design class we listen to music and it kind of stimulates the senses and gets you going.
Ahsley, yea I mean i can get distracted quite easily by bright colors.
Hello everyone. I am unable to get MeBeam to run. I am here and ready to go. Looking forward to it.
James Folkestad
"Different teachers affect the way that we learn."
I'm always amazed to see which students come back to see me - years after I taught them. The interesting thing is that I can never predict which students I have reached.
thanks for letting me visit your class...:) bye 4 now...
Testing post. How is everyone today?
James Folkstad
Wow. I missed Friday's discussion but it looks like it was awesome. I think its really cool that we can have these discussions all at once. At first I found it a bit distracting with all of the different conversations going on, but it's growing on me.
Alright so I really wish I could have been there. The whole classroom discussion was really interesting. My thoughts on that are this: everyone is different in what makes their learning easier, so we would never agree. For some people, how classrooms are designed right now is perfectly fine (I am one of those people). For some people it's not. There is nothing we can really do about that-there's no real way to have a good classroom design, because there will always be someone that doesn't like it.
I really wish Lisa's idea of athletics would have been continued more-I think design takes a huge part in sports. It made me think of last night- I was sitting at the dinner table and my dad was getting up repeatedly to watch the football game. I was having a nice conversation when he yelled. I asked him what happened, did someone score, and he said no, no one scored but that was a great play.
Now I don't really understand football so it didn't mean much to me. It showed how much it the way things are done is important as opposed to the end product. He didn't care that the play wasn't successful-he just cared that it was interesting to watch. He wasn't interested in the function, just the design.
One more thing-as I was reading this page design of the comments affected my attitude. The comments that were single paragraphs and really long were not appealing to me. The comments that were seperated into ideas were much easier for me to read because they didnt look as long.
Just an interesting thing that grabbed my attention.
It is a huge bummer
that I missed this blog
on Friday.
It seems like
I missed some
extremely interesting conversation!
As I read this blog,
I was opened up
to so many new ideas
and different perspectives
that I have never even
considered before.
After reading the chapter,
I realized how important
design was,
but I never understood
the amount of possibilities
design had for us.
Alyssac posted the issue
of teachers and administraters etc. designing our classrooms.
Even though they might think
their design is elite,
wouldn't it be a good idea
to get students in on the design
to see what their imput was?
Of course we cannot have
couches and comfortable desks,
but simple adjustments,
such as more windows
and tweaks
in the furniture choice,
would make the learning
environment much more appealing
and easier to work in.
I was intrigued
by jselzer's comment.
It was like an epiphany.
That post all got us thinking
about how real design is
in our world.
I could find darren's posts
by simply scrolling down
and looking at the picture.
I agree with Lisa's
idea about athletics and
how the design of sports can
make them more enjoyable.
I personally do not love
watching sports.
There are only certain ones
I can put up with.
Now that I think about it more,
I see that it is because of
the way a sport looks
when it is played.
I like basketball
because I love the running of
the players across the court.
I dislike football because
it is hardly as up close
and personal as basketball.
I obviously loved Caren's comment
about the way the posts
were constructed.
Therefore,
I attempted to make mine
more interesting so that
I could get your attention.
Did it work?
It is a huge bummer
that I missed this blog
on Friday.
It seems like
I missed some
extremely interesting conversation!
As I read this blog,
I was opened up
to so many new ideas
and different perspectives
that I have never even
considered before.
After reading the chapter,
I realized how important
design was,
but I never understood
the amount of possibilities
design had for us.
Alyssac posted the issue
of teachers and administraters etc. designing our classrooms.
Even though they might think
their design is elite,
wouldn't it be a good idea
to get students in on the design
to see what their imput was?
Of course we cannot have
couches and comfortable desks,
but simple adjustments,
such as more windows
and tweaks
in the furniture choice,
would make the learning
environment much more appealing
and easier to work in.
I was intrigued
by jselzer's comment.
It was like an epiphany.
That post all got us thinking
about how real design is
in our world.
I could find darren's posts
by simply scrolling down
and looking at the picture.
I agree with Lisa's
idea about athletics and
how the design of sports can
make them more enjoyable.
I personally do not love
watching sports.
There are only certain ones
I can put up with.
Now that I think about it more,
I see that it is because of
the way a sport looks
when it is played.
I like basketball
because I love the running of
the players across the court.
I dislike football because
it is hardly as up close
and personal as basketball.
I obviously loved Caren's comment
about the way the posts
were constructed.
Therefore,
I attempted to make mine
more interesting so that
I could get your attention.
Did it work?
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