Post 3

            When critiquing the visual aspects of a website I chose to evaluate the child- friendly educational site titled ‘Funbrain”. This site is meant to enhance math and reading skills through computerized arcade games, making the learning more approachable and enjoyable. As far as general design is concerned, there are no overwhelming sounds or moving designs on the main home page of the site, making reducing any overbearing elements while still being bright and colorful. Also every link is near or associated with a corresponding picture or graphic that makes it comprehensive for young students, and the colorful and fun design affects help engage low-spatial learners. All texts and links on the site are enhanced slightly by animated graphics in a manner that is organized and clear without being excessive, and the only plain text is underlying links with short visually appealing information. What stands out to me is how well they are aware of their younger audience and appeal to them in their stylistic techniques. (See link: http://www.funbrain.com/)

             Open content and education is something that makes perfect sense when it comes to increasing our learning capabilities and growth as people. With the idea of open content constructed the world will, and has, developed a multiplicity of routes towards higher education. It along with open sources has allowed free access to higher education and scholarly content across the globe. Many students I know today benefit greatly from a website titled Khan Academy, which is an interactive and helpful free teaching site for mathematics at all levels. Similarly with open textbooks concepts, the constant reprinting of newer editions is eliminated, and gives millions of students more access to knowledge than they could without the concept.

            The Word and Graphics 2 assignment was one that honestly wasn’t particularly easy for me, but because of it I have newly gained skills and ideas about the website. What I enjoyed about it was being able to make it my own creatively, because I chose not to use a template, and also the designing of the layout to make it concise and clear was something I haven’t had much experience in. What I didn’t like about it was I was a little confused on how the layout would sometimes entirely change because of the margins and other ways the document is set-up. I did enjoy writing short comprehensive stories and making it fun; if I do end up teaching English I know I can have fun with this.