Project Title: Me gusta o no me gusta

Critique: The layout and design of your modules is wonderful. I especially enjoy the all of the graphics and how they tie in with each other. The structure of your modules are also very solid. I do have a few suggestions. I would somehow implement a visual aid that would alert learners to exactly where they are in the module. For example something on top that would indicate what module they were in, as well as a page number (i.e. page 1 of 5). This would take the curiosity of the unknown away. While I was going through your modules I was wondering how many pages there were. One last suggestion would be possibly having a help/glossary button. Teaching another language is a difficult task, and a resource of translations might help. Overall, your project looks great. I can tell you take a lot of time and pride in your work. Keep up the good work.

Project Title: Red Clay writing project

Critique: I like the rollovers and the fonts you have chosen; they seem very appropriate for your project. The graphics are clear and easy to see with the size that you have them. I keep them around that size. I also like the fact that they all have backgrounds behind each person; this makes it less boring. Ann Hall doesn’t have a background ambiance. You may want to consider taking her picture over or copying a background from one of the other pictures. You can do this in Photoshop or possibly Fireworks.

The direction “click on the photos for more information” needs to be more to the left. Also, the names of the people and the schools with the rollovers aren’t a consistent size. I definitely suggest making the school names the same size. If the school name needs to be on a second line…I think that’s okay. Also, Amy Ross rollover box seems to be higher than everyone else. I would probably move the quote box over more to the left as well. The pdf links aren’t working yet right.

Are you going to provide links to the teachers’ school websites? This might be something for you to consider. Good luck with the rest of your project.

Project Title: Take a Look at Me

Critique: Overall, Anika you are off to a great start. The treatment you are using seems appropriate for you project. I especially like the photos at the bottom being how you move from lesson to lesson since project is “take a look at me.” Nice touch. Your boxes came out well with the text strengths-based, but they are not aligned equally—use the alignment option in Fireworks or Flash. I definitely like the interface design; however, I’m a little concerned about screen real estate. I imagine that when the user clicks next, it is going to be more text based though.

Outlines on the blocks at the top “take a look at me” should probably be consistent in color. I’m not sure if this is the background you are going to use, but you might consider using a different one. The people faces are kind of cut off. I’m not sure if this is the look you were going for. If so, ignore that comment. Also, you have four different color fonts on this one page. You might want to consider only using two colors for consistency. Finally, I like the pencil touch, but it has white stuff behind it. You could probably clean that up in Photoshop or try drawing one in Fireworks. Good luck with the rest of your project.

Project Title: Bike Safety

Critique: First, I want to say that with the purpose and audience of your project lends it itself to be graphical inviting. I hope you can capitalize on this.

Drag and Drop - I'm aware that the drag and drop is a working example; however, I just wanted to bring it to your attention if you didn't know that the knee pads “drag” but they don't “drop.”

Sidewalk - The handle bar with the sidewalk moving is great. You may even want to have some items on the grass on the right to give the illusion that the user is really traveling. For instance, you may want to have a newspaper, flower, or some toys. I would only do 2 or 3 items depending on how long that portion was going to be onscreen. It's totally up to you.

Splash/home page - With your direction “This interactive site will allow for the user to learn about bike safety by watching an informative video…” This is kind of an awkward statement—remembers less is more. Maybe rephrase to read something like “This interactive site gives you the opportunity to learn about bike safety. This site includes a video, questions, and a game. The instruction is intended for ages 6-10.” Also, the disclaimer at the end looks weird on my computer. It goes outside of the blue box. It reads well though.

This is the first page of the site. Make it exciting and inviting so the users will want to learn more…market the tutorial.

Buttons - I love the concept and idea behind your buttons and your entire navigation—good treatment. It is really appropriate. However, you might want to consider making your buttons brighter. They look kind of dim. You can fix this easily in Photoshop. The actual home button (house) has some white background to it. I'm not sure how you created this, but it can be easily removed in Photoshop. Consult me if you need help.

Sample Screens - The sample screens look great. They are vibrant and colorful and well-designed.

Good luck with the remainder of your project. Can't wait to see the finished product.

Project Title: Multiculturalism

Critique: The background of the screen design looks good. I think the colors are appropriate. Also, the buttons are very visible and rollover is visible as well. However, I would consider finding a more online reader friendly font for the content. I think the font you have chosen for the home page is too fancy for a lot of reading. I think it looks fine as the heading like you have on the other pages, but it is hard to read on that initial page. The question portion of your module seems fine. Another thing you might want to consider is using white instead of a gray font. When the background and text are in high contrast, it is easier for the user. Good luck with the remainder of your project. I’m looking forward to seeing the final product.

Project Title: Who Owns the Octopus?

Critique: The main interface looks great. I like the color scheme. I do have a few suggestions. The interface is fairly large when viewed on a regular screen; there is a lot of scrolling. I had to scroll up and down and left to right on a computer in the lab; however, when I looked at it on my laptop I only had to scroll down. Something to think about with your target audience in mind.

I like the “Who Owns the Octopus?” font; however, I’m not sure if I like the clues in that font. It is kind of hard to read with some words. I like how you have the arrows with the clues so you don’t have to click on all the numbers. The strokes on the signs are different; the stroke on the post is thicker than the actual sign. I didn’t know if you were aware of this or not.

Also, the gray box doesn’t snap to a house. Are you aware of this? I like how the windows light up depending on how many clues. I know you mentioned that you haven’t done any instruction yet, but I’m wondering where is it going to? I didn’t know I could move the clues at the top. So be sure to include the instructions for that there. Great job so far! I can’t wait to play with the final product. Let me know if you have any questions.

Project Title: Me gusta o no me gusta

Critique: I think your site is really good. Of course, you already knew that ;) Well done.

Here are my comments:
1. The YES button at the end does not work.
2. Music is a nice addition.
3. Voice is very helpful.
4. The menu button seems out of place, but the directions help.
5. Feedback in the matching section is helpful.

Project Title: Me gusta o no me gusta

Critique: I loved the project! It came out fabulous. I am glad you were able to include the narration and music. The music at the beginning really gets you interested and fits the Spanish motif well. I really like the characters and the fact that they all have a story. Plus, they talk. I enjoyed the narration, that added to it especially since its a tutorial in a foreign language. I liked the beach scene, the moving water and the fire. The graphics were wonderful and very detailed. There is not much that needs improvement. The only two things I noticed was that the text for the page El Cuento seemed noticeably different from the rest of the text in the tutorial. Also the menu button was a little small. On the page before you go into the quiz and can't go back, maybe you should get rid of the back button because it doesn't work - it does say you have to click on menu but I thought I had two options.

Project Title: Me gusta o no me gusta

Critique: I thought your project looked fabulous--very story oriented and creative. I was able to navigate through it without any problems. My only two questions/concerns were that I couldn't figure out how to pause/stop in the middle of a segment. Of course, for teaching, having a 'pause button' may not necessarily be warranted. Also, the music seems very loud. I am wondering if there is a way to control the music level on your end.

Project Title: Spiralism

Critique: This is a really cool way to show your artwork, and I can tell that you learned a lot doing this project. I definitely like the photo slide show of your artwork with the captions; however, once you go to slide 14 then click next it goes to slide 2 instead of slide 1. You probably should double check that. In the mini art gallery, the links on the left have extra spaces between them. I’m not sure if you are aware of this or not. Also, I think it is kind of weird that the first link in the left column is not your home page. This could just be personal preference, but I’m not sure if I like the spiral graphic behind the links. It kind of looks weird to me since it doesn't go down far like the spirals on the right. Finally, when you change to green I really like the spirals to the left of the links, but they aren't there when the theme is blue.