Category: Assignment 3 – Final Review – Module 3-5 Blog Posts and Comments

Module 3: Principles of Learning Design and Active Learning

Module 4: Design Principles for Effective and Accessible Multimedia

Module 5: Storytelling and Creating Video

Some stories have a peculiar ability to leave their mark on our consciousness and become a part of who we are. An example of such a story for me is The Starfish Thrower. This humble story is one of my favorites, as it taught me about hard work, understanding, and how important every step is. Recently, having been motivated by this story, I began developing a video for learning purposes. The media used here is the ongoing story I received from someone and retelling it differently.

A Story That Sparked Change

Just think of getting up and seeing beautiful sunshine on the shores of a calm sea at dawn. The first-morning sunlight glimmers through the sand as the water gently recedes, revealing hundreds of thousands of starfish washed ashore. The sand touches for as far as one can see, starfish are visible all over, and the sound of the ocean barely whispers. In the hustle and bustle of these frail personalities, a human youth tries to walk on sand with the intent to save. In a day, they pick each starfish and throw them back into the sea, believing that those creatures belong to the sea. 

One day, a passerby looks at this act of young people and stops for a while to watch this young man. The effort appears almost absurd since numerous starfish are still on the beach. The passerby stands there for a few moments, frowning, and the question seems to be on the tip of their tongues as they approach. “Why are you going through all this trouble?” people will want to know. They say there are thousands of starfish here. And they get frustrated and say, “You can’t possibly make a difference.”

The young person stops, looks at the sea, picks one starfish, and holds it with both hands looking at it. The silence is filled with the weight of the question as if the magnitude of the job is just now sinking in on them. The passerby, who wants an answer, pays attention and waits for the response. And then, without thinking, the young person looked up and said with determination, “It made a difference to that one,” before throwing the starfish back into the sea. 

This small interaction can be a lot more profound than the concept of someone assisting another. That is the story’s central message, and perspective is one of the most essential aspects of life. In addition, when people make an effort, they are rewarded. The young person comprehends that, although they may not be able to save all of the starfishes, at least the one they have just put back into the sea has been given a shot. It is a straightforward and powerful story — as it goes straight to the heart and shows that sometimes the most significant impact of an action can be huge, even if it may look insignificant in a world where everything seems so big. It is a lesson that shows that at least attempting something.

From Inspiration to Creation

Influenced by the story’s effectiveness in changing me, I felt compelled to retell the story in a way that was engaging to the audience. Since then, I have recorded a short video where I shared pictures of the material and read aloud them, combining visuals and storytelling to make the lesson more comprehensible. My target audience was young learners, and I believed that the call to action to change something must reach them.

Reflections on the Creative Process

It was exciting and meaningful to produce this video. It made me contemplate how to bring a compelling and robust message based on a story and put it in an accessible and meaningful form to the audience. Much thinking was needed to approach a particular discussion in light of narrative and digital concerns. As I began creating content, I soon learned the importance of the productions’ images, music, and voice-over elements. Every part had to be in harmony to tell the story while not overemphasizing one aspect with the other. The video was not only the retelling of a story, but the experience of the video had to be the story.

One of the most important things I learned was how people like to keep things simple when telling stories. There is no story, characters, plot, or climax in The Starfish Thrower, only a tiny act of throwing starfish by a young man. Still, the story’s moral is clear, concise, and easy to remember, even for young readers. By the time I was editing the video, I realized that simple is better. Sometimes, I wanted to put more details or to make the picture brighter and more attractive, but then I recalled that it would hinder the meaning. Thus, I concentrated on the simplicity of decision-making, guaranteeing that the viewer would experience the same sense of meaning as I had from the story, both in images and in words.

Twine Experience

Twine helped me plan my video, and I found it to be a fun and informative activity. I employed it to lay out the story and explore different possibilities of how I wanted it to evolve. The structure of Twine opened the chance to experiment with how the audience would receive some of the choices and transitions. It was helpful for structure and seeing the whole’s shape to tell a compelling story. It also confessed the ability of branched storytelling, where the audience sees different outcomes — effective in education, training, and storytelling.

Final Thoughts and Next Steps

This project helped me develop my thinking about storytelling as an effective knowledge-sharing method. I discovered that when storytelling is done effectively, it can also break down concepts, elicit feelings, and facilitate a call to action. Adding on to this, using video and Twine as part of the digital mediums makes learning even more effective. As for the future, I want to expand the opportunities for using storytelling features in education to make classes practical, meaningful, and memorable.

Exploring Accessibility with WAVE

To ensure my WordPress site is accessible to all users, I ran a WAVE accessibility check. This tool provided insight into any potential barriers that might hinder individuals, especially those with disabilities, from fully engaging with my content.

Here’s a summary of my findings from the WAVE report:

• Alt Text: I discovered that a few images were missing alternative text, which is crucial for users who rely on screen readers. Adding descriptive alt text will make these visuals accessible for users with visual impairments.
• Contrast Errors: The tool flagged some text contrast issues, particularly with buttons and links that had low contrast against their background. Improving these contrasts will make my content easier to read, especially for users with color blindness or low vision.
• Aria Labels and Structural Elements: WAVE also highlighted the use of ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) labels to better structure my content for screen readers. 

Addressing these accessibility issues will help make my site more inclusive, ensuring that more users can interact with and enjoy the content.

Trying Out Text-to-Speech Tools

Next, I experimented with a Text-to-Speech (TTS) tool to understand how well my content translates to audio. I used [insert chosen TTS tool, e.g., “NaturalReader”], which allowed me to hear my blog posts in a natural-sounding voice. Listening to my content from this perspective revealed a few areas for improvement, including:

• Simplifying Complex Sentences: Some sentences felt cumbersome when read aloud, so I adjusted these to improve flow and clarity.
• Consistent Use of Headings: Proper heading structure also became crucial, as it helps listeners follow along more easily. This experience reinforced the value of concise and well-structured writing for accessibility.

Infographic Creation in Canva

As part of this module, I created an infographic in Canva on “5 Tips for Making Content Accessible”. In designing the infographic, I applied the principles of effective multimedia design, focusing on:

• Simplicity: I limited each point to a single, clear sentence, paired with icons that visually represent each concept. This makes the infographic accessible for viewers who need straightforward information quickly.
• Color Contrast: Following the design principles in this module, I chose high-contrast colors to make the text and icons stand out, which is essential for readability.
• Font Choice and Size: To enhance readability, I used a Mardoto font and maintained a consistent size across the infographic. 

Creating the infographic was a great exercise in thinking about how design choices impact both aesthetics and usability. This process helped me prioritize readability and accessibility alongside visual appeal.

Reflection on Accessibility and Design

This module highlighted the importance of making digital content accessible and visually engaging. Through the WAVE check, I became more aware of how seemingly minor details—like contrast and alt text—can impact usability for people with disabilities. My experiments with TTS and Canva also reinforced the value of designing with inclusivity in mind. Accessibility isn’t just about compliance; it’s about creating a welcoming space where everyone can engage with and enjoy the content.

Moving forward, I’m excited to implement these accessibility and design principles consistently in my work and continue exploring tools that enhance the accessibility of my site.

Big Idea

The main concept learners will understand by the end of this lesson is the role and importance of ecosystems in maintaining environmental balance. This foundational knowledge helps learners understand the interconnectedness of life on Earth, which is critical as they advance to more complex environmental science topics.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to:

• Identify the primary components of an ecosystem (producers, consumers, decomposers).
• Explain the roles and relationships between different organisms within an ecosystem.
• Illustrate how energy flows within an ecosystem from one component to another.

Evidence of Learning

Learning will be demonstrated when learners:

• Accurately classify organisms as producers, consumers, or decomposers within an ecosystem model.
• Describe the interactions between organisms and how energy transfer occurs.
• Use correct terminology to discuss ecosystem dynamics in their assessments.

Assessments

To assess their learning, students will:

• Create a brief group presentation where they describe a real or hypothetical ecosystem, highlighting the role of each component.
• Complete a quiz to reinforce key terminology and test comprehension of ecosystem functions.

Learning Activities

The lesson includes several interactive activities to help learners understand ecosystems:

1. Class Discussion
   We will start with an open discussion to activate prior knowledge about ecosystems. Students will be invited to share examples of ecosystems they are familiar with, which helps build a connection between the content and their personal experiences.
2. Ecosystem Drag and Drop Activity
   Using a digital tool like H5P, students will work individually to create a Drag and Drop activities related to the topic of ecosystems. They’ll label the different components (producers, consumers, decomposers) and drag and drop of correct one. This exercise reinforces the relationships within ecosystems.
3. Group Activity
   In small groups, students will select a specific ecosystem, such as a forest, desert, or coral reef. Together, they’ll identify key components of their chosen ecosystem, discuss the roles of each, and explore how energy and resources cycle within it.
4. Group Presentation Preparation
   To synthesize their learning, each group will prepare a short presentation to share their ecosystem map and explain the roles of the different organisms within it. Presentations will be structured to encourage all members to contribute and help reinforce the content.

Reflection

In planning this lesson, I reflected on the importance of active learning in keeping students engaged and ensuring knowledge retention. By using hands-on activities, discussions, and group work, the lesson is designed to foster a deeper understanding of ecosystems rather than relying solely on passive learning. This approach aligns with principles of learning design by promoting collaboration, critical thinking, and practical application.

Creating this plan highlighted the value of blending individual and group tasks to accommodate different learning styles and reinforce key concepts through multiple forms of engagement. I found that designing assessments that reflect real-world applications, like presentations and visual mapping, also encourages students to apply terminology and theory actively, enhancing their learning experience.