Week 7

Week 7

Progress

The previous week's site was finalized to an extent that I moved on to try some new designs. The layout of the other site was finished, though the words weren't added as a real site would have.

The second half of class was used to try another site. This time, I want to experiment with slideshows, hyperlinks and making it look more professional. Rather than a simple usage of colored boxes, I'd like to try and make something people want to see when they click on a site. 

Upcoming weeks

One of the next two classes, I will likely bring in some images, logos and tools for my intended result of using Muse. That would leave me about a month and a half to work on it and finish it for the end of the semester. Depending on how that goes, I may make an effort to master some of the finer details that the program offers that I've yet to discover.

What could possibly go wrong?

At this point, it's hard to see how anything could go "wrong". As long as it's saved, progress can't be reversed. The concern would be that Muse doesn't have all of the features (or they are too complex to learn in the time frame) needed for the website I envision. If not, it would be a massive waste of time for a program I'm only learning for the end product. 

How can we improve our interest?

Admittedly, Muse isn't that "fun", and Genius Hour doesn't interest me as Programming does (reason why I took a Programming course, not one on web design). The last two weeks I've been more into Muse than the first bit. Still though, I'd probably rather do our normal weekly routine than disrupt it on Monday. Going a full week between genius hour classes disrupts the routine and therefore results in lacking motivation to do it.

Genius hour does offer some pros. A motivational factor is that this site is a make-or-break feature for my local 'business'; to expand it from word of mouth to something easy to access and spread. Seeing that this is a potential route to its growth, the interest to work harder is expanded.

The problem is that (a) Much of what I learn is lost after going seven days without doing it - I'd probably be more engaged if we did this the same number of days a month, but more days in a row. It's somewhat like a two steps forward, one step back idea, where we remember part of what we learn, but have to refresh on others after going some time without it. (Such as two days every two weeks back to back). (b) Learning something may not be a challenge for me, but it is difficult to set goals for something that is brand new. That might mean that time is lost. (c) seeing that there is a final project, these final two months are more of a 'crunch' time to make a project, rather than learn something we will learn and remember.

In order to maintain the interest in this part of the class, I have to remember the importance behind what I am doing, and also try and expand what I do outside of monday classes.