SMALL PROJECTS

SP #1: TOP TEN

Top Ten most interesting facts regarding technological use and the American people.

SP #2: INTUITION

Using Google Hangouts on Air, I video chatted with my boyfriend, Mike, to get his opinion on children and adolescents and their use of technology.

SP #3: IWRITE

Essay question about technology use. Response includes integration of constructionism, construvism, and connectivism theories of learning for children learning via digital technologies.

SP #4: IDESIGN

Magic Fabric!
With some fellow peers, I proposed a new toy for preschool aged children that integrates technology. Our pitch was the Magic Fabric, which is a soft, fuzzy blanket that has a malleable display screen attached. The screen is connected to an app, where you can look up, download, and select an image to show on your blanket. With Magic Fabric, children can unbox their imagination and creativity during their pretend play! 

SP #5: IWATCH

My group watched a Rugrats episode that revolves around entering Tommy into a Beauty Pageant for the benefit of Tommy's grandpa to win the grand prize. Our reactions were recorded from the view of a child, parent, parent, and child development expert to display how each group of audience would react based on our knowledge of TV viewing for children and adolescents.

SP #6: ISPY

My partner, Jordan, and I played as an observer in the game Whyville. We explored this game that was created by a univserity whose aim was to create a safe, public, and online game for children and adolescents. Unfortunately this game was really unappealing and confusing to figure out, so personally as a child I wouldn't have played this game. However, in the chat room we noticed you need to earn a chat licence by going through a safety tutorial on how to appropriately chat with other players. Also, the mini games were educational and targeted to be productive gaming rather than mindless gaming. This online game had a lot of good intentions, but it was poorly executed. Click the link below to watch Jordan and I delve into Whyville using Camtasia to record our screen activity!

SP #7: IPLAY2LEARN

In this small project, my group created standards regarding the best qualities to look for in children's video games. We then used these standards to assess the games: PBS Code Breaker and Barbie's Sparkle Royal Mountain Ride. Click the brochure PDF link to find out what we thought about these games according to our standards!

SP #8: IDENY

In this assignment, I had to give up social media use for 24 hours. It wasn't easy to start since I didn't realize I checked social media first thing in the morning. I had to set back the start date twice because of this habit. Eventually, with the help of airplane mode, I was finally able to start my social media fast for a full 24 hours. Click the link below to hear more about my experience through a no-social-media day.