Understand processes such as change, design, development, and learning.
Artifacts:
Reflection:
This is an overview of my Informal Learning assignment from ED671 – Learning Environment Design. For this assignment I designed a self-guided audio walking tour of Worthington, Ohio’s numerous National Historical Register properties. As shown in the overview presentation, the walking tour materials which are available from the companion web site include of a narrated audio podcast and printable tour guide brochure.
Creating an effective informal learning environment could be the ultimate test of a designers mastery of processes such as design, development and learning. Unlike most formal products, informal settings do not allow much control over how or even if the audience interacts with your content. Perhaps the greatest achievement for us is to create learning experiences that are appealing and entertaining enough to draw attract an audience on it’s own. As opposed to them being required to participate which is frequently the case in many other settings.
The main challenge of this project was figuring out how to seamlessly fit all the pieces together to create a solution that is easy to implement, execute and maintain. A big part of this was clearly understanding the processes involved and how they impact the end result.
Perhaps the most important process of all for the success of this project is the process for participating. Anyone with internet access can simply download all the information and content they need to take the tour. For those who may be less technologically capable, complete tour packages are available from the historical society offices which are the starting point for the tour.
This project has been a great opportunity to learn more about my own local history and make some community connections with the historical society staff. Professionally, this has been a great chance to practice the integration of the various relevant processes involved in the design and development of learning.
This work shows how I’m able to successfully integrate various processes into a single, cohesive, appealing solution that is flexible as well as being easy to implement and maintain.
