I have already written about what I want to do for my final project. Simply stated, I want to make a facebook.com-like faux-website called sketchbook.com. The website would enable art or history students to assume the identity of a pre-existing artist and make a website about him or her.
Ideally, I could write the online application myself. However, my sources say that applications like facebook.com are made using ASP.NET which is waaaaay beyond my capabilities. Instead of condensing years of coding learning into a few weeks, I have been exploring other ways to create what I want. Previously, I mentioned using Adobe InDesign.
I met briefly with Selila last week about my final project. She was worried InDesign might not be the most appropriate program for what I want to do. Since then I have been looking further into programs that will make interactive PDFs (AKA PDFs that include buttons and links to other PDF pages and therefore navigate much like webpages). I have discovered that Adobe CS3's InDesign does have these button making/linking capabilities. And, since InDesign and PDF programs do not need the internet, a sketchbook.com lesson wouldn't necessarily need the world wide web to work (which some schools don't have).
Now, I just have to figure out how to do it. I have never had any training in this version of InDesign. During undergrad, I briefly learned a previous version of the program. And, at work we use QuarkXpress exclusively. So, all of my CS3 knowledge has been self-taught based on pulling in outside experience and playing around. This should be fun. If you have any advice, please let me know!!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Sketchbook.com is a cool idea! I imagine that the audience would be K-!2 but it seems as though it will work in some college level courses as well. The art and history component is a great foundation for the site. I believe the students will be more inclined to study or research material for this project. Students will enjoy the learning process (yea!!!) During my recent visits to schools, I find that a lot of students are bored out of their mind. They don't want to participate, they seem tired of lectures, and they, more than likely, will follow many students down the path of "I HATE ART!" Traditional approaches to art education are not working with the youth of a digital era. With Sketchbook.com, the students can gain the knowledge of history and art. This project will create a productive dialogue between students. For starters, most students are already familiar with Facebook or another social networking program. You are using the students personal interests to delve into the content more deeply. Amazing!
ReplyDelete