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It's important to think like the end user. It might be a good idea to enlist the help of a second set of eyes. Like proofreading an article, having someone "test drive" your website might be a good idea before actually sharing it with the intended audience. 

Again, it's so important to keep the end user in mind. Consistency helps the end user know how to use and navigate your site. In web design, and also in Soft Chalk created lessons, users really don't like to be surprised. They want to know what to expect. 

What is your message or goal?  After determining that, you can plan how to prominently place the most important items on your web page. Size and color are two ways of creating hierarchy. I guess I had never really given much serious consideration to this. 

Does Fitt's law have something to do with the number of clicks it takes to get to information from the homepage? Is there a rule of thumb that says no more than 3 clicks? 

I don't know much about photography, but I have heard about the rule of thirds. Again, something I didn't really think this when I considered adding photos to a web site or to a Soft Chalk page. Not all photos automatically ascribe to the rule of thirds, so it might be helpful to know a little bit about photo editing as well. Just one more thing to consider! 

Sorry, I don't see the dog. :-)

In the center below the large dark section. His head is down like he is smelling the ground sniffing toward the upper left.

This is essential to remember. What we are trying to say is so much more important than making something "pretty." We always need to start with the message or content. 

Not much more to say about this. It's all about the content!!

Collaboration is so important. Ask for another pair of eyes to help you. Make sure as well, that your colleague will be willing to critique your work. Sometimes that's difficult to do, but it key to the success of your design and usability. 

No matter what is done, the message still needs be visible. Enhancement helps to engage viewers.

This is something that I have never considered. Surface feel is an interesting concept.

The designer is in control of what the viewer sees. This reminds me that I need to look at my work from the eyes of those viewing content and what the take aways should be. 

I have found this to be true for all viewers. It used to be just kids but now adults as well. Once additional component to remember is the load speed. Resize your images before they are uploaded.

I would also suggest consistency so they don't need to relearn the site with each page.

It's important for me to remember all of these tools...moving from a face to face environment to an online setting is vastly different, and these tools are what I as a student need, so I need to be incorporating them as well. Without a good position, color that catches my eye and various design elements I've lost interest. If I've lost interest with the lack of tools, then so will my students.

I find this very frustrating as well. I took an online class a few years ago, (not an AEA class:)), and the various links were not embedded. So, when I would click on those links, I'd be taken completely out of the course and would have to constantly log back in.  

This is such an interesting statement - as I parent I know and agree with this statement, but it seems we're often encouraged to give students as many choices as possible for assessment and/or project purposes.

This is so interesting and I've noticed the importance of this "white space" as I've been looking at Softchalk lessons. It also reminds me how we've learned that when designing our lessons, using shorter paragraphs (separated by white space) is better than traditional paragraphs given on a handout in a face to face classroom. 

This is so true as well and it's important for me to remember as I move forward with my Softchalk lesson - if they can't figure out how to move around, they will become frustrated and give up. It's not that we should not teach them to problem solve, but the training in how to move around the lesson will be important.

White space on a page can make the really important content stand out. My issue is that sometimes, I have a difficult time finding images that allow me to hit the "right" amount of white space and the text I want/need to have on the page.

When I'm looking for something, the logo or branding is so important to me. I want to know immediately if I'm in the right spot. Logos help me do this. When I see the logo I'm looking for or that I expect to see, it puts me at ease, because I know I'm in the "right" spot.

Buttons or menus across the top of a webpage are very helpful when it comes to navigating a website. One issue I've had is that sometimes my buttons make sense to me, but to the new visitor the language I use to explain where it is taking the visitor doesn't make sense. Take for example, on our website we have something called "Instructor Center". This is the place our instructors who teach PD for us go to get information. To me this makes complete sense. That being said, I know that we consistently get questions about where to find instructor information. The label, "instructor center" doesn't resonate with the visitor. I have seen websites where there is a brief description appears on the screen when you roll over the button, but before you click. I'm not sure if these things help or if they add clutter.

A rule never rang more true, but at the same time it is so hard to follow. So often I find myself getting lost in the complexity of what I'm trying to do. Add this to my love of "little bells and whistles" and I find myself creating things that lack real substance.

This makes me think of what I call the "learning curve". If the learning curve is to long, people just move on to find something different that doesn't have this learning curve. Take for example graphic design tools. Over the years, I've downloaded gimp and seashore, but for some reason I've never quite gotten the hang of them. Instead I use a web-based tool called pixlr. It is easy and I've met with some success. That being said, would Gimp or Seashore provide me with more options and features, probably, but the learning curve is steeper so I've chosen to use pixlr. When I think of learners, I wonder how we can scaffold things so that the learning curve isn't so steep.

There are lots of ways to achieve unity: theme, banners, fonts colors, and object placement all contribute to a unified feel.

Also consider the space between chunks of information. Sometimes changing the size of a "blank" line greatly affects the overall design.

This final polish is an attention to detail that really makes a difference in professional looking design and audience appeal. It is worth the time and effort!

For educators, this would translate to "educational objective." Is the truly important educational information given prominence?

Yes, choice within limits so as not to overwhelm to the point of inaction...

Limiting the number of words per line is a design strategy that I hadn't considered before. 

"Typography" -https://diigo.com/08f26r I'm curious about different typography.  I was always told to use very readable font and avoid anything fancy. 

Students are even less patient than adults, so it becomes imperative that overall flow and navigation makes sense. 

This is important to remember.  I don't have to pack every slide/page on Soft Chalk full of stuff.  It was really overwhelming to create a power point presentation and stick an image on every slide - I thought it was too repetitive, esp. based on all the examples we've seen.  

This idea came up last week - and even in video examples that white space is ok, it is also ok to only have an idea, or a few key words on a slide/page, etc.

I'm not sure if the Fibonacci sequence is the same as the golden ratio, but it reminds of the rule of thirds in photography. 

Great!  Less pressure to feel like we have to cram a page full of content. 

This statement seems pretty basic, but I think it is important to help reduce reader stress. If I provide instructions for the beginner, they may become engaged and explore longer than expected.

This statement spoke about providing too much choice. I think it also applies to find text about the subject, so I think providing an easy to see and use filter or search box is important. I think about my lessons and if students want to review a specific part of the lesson, I want to make it easy for them to find it.

I think it is important for me to remember that my audience may scan for reasonable options or things that will help with an assignment, rather than click on each link in order that it is listed.

I think it is important that a web page and a lesson is obvious and self-explanatory. If a student has a question, they are may not be willing to wait for an instructor's reply. The student has now lost some of their motivation and engagement in the lesson.

The in-depth definations on how lines, shapes, color palette, texture, typography and form impact what / how a viewer interpret the information along with design is a key factor for consideration.

White space is an area that I've been learning more about with other work related projects. From what I am learning "white space" provides the learner/reader a chance to break before moving forward. It also serves as a point to reflect.

I didn't realize that the focal point of a lesson was considered to be labeled as "dominant" and all information in the area would be viewed as "subordinate". Size, shape, location, etc...clearly sends a message to the viewer.

This is an important item to remember when it comes to drawing attention to "key" information. I will consider trying this in a few section of my lesson.

This is another way to reference the importance and use of "white space" to give the viewer a chance to pause or in some cases reflect upon the content just read.

This is good reminder of another way users can work their way around different areas. I didn't see this as a 'form of navigation" until reading this section.

I had know idea that font selection would send a different message. This is something to be aware of when designing a lesson.

Great point!

Utilizing the rule of thirds is a effective way to capture your audience and help guide them in a specific direction. This is something I will consider when selecting images for inclusion in lessons.

If only that image weren't a tiny question mark in a giant empty box on my computer screen.

As I've been reading I've been thinking of my own website habits, and I'm not sure I'm a typical user...I'll read everything, and although I'll only click what I think is pertinent to what I'm looking for, I do it in a very linear fashion. (Well, as linear as web clicking can be, anyway. It's very systematic.)

EVERY WEB DESIGNER SHOULD KNOW AND FOLLOW THIS!!!

It definitely is for me - given how I seem to approach web pages (and after reading these I'm thinking I could be a lot more efficient) - registration to even use a site is a deal breaker. I can't think of a signal time that I haven't moved on.

However, I doubt this applies to SoftChalk in any way shape or form. I'm just sharing my thoughts as I read.

This will definitely apply to SoftChalk and will definitely be hard for my loquacious self.

Students are even less patient than adults, so it become imperative that overall flow and navigation makes sense. 

I think this is a good idea to remember.  I felt so overwhelmed during the power point assignment (having to add an image to every slide) that it was just too much.  This idea came up last week - and even in video examples that white space is ok, it is also ok to only have an idea, or a few key words on a slide/page, etc. 

This is where I think Moodle or other similar tools will have an advantage. I like that I will be able to group all relevant resources together for students. I have a lot of resources right now but they are all scattered..

I definitely agree with you about these online tools making resources more available. Like you, I have many resources in many locations. I am gradually moving the resources to my Moodle course pages and plan to expand this to include Diigo. Grouping the resources will provide students with a consistent location while working and provide me with a better method for keeping web pages current.

Formative assessments?

Good question - Would this be a good spot for using some of the online quiz tools that we saw on the Cool Tools website? Is it easier or harder to complete formative assessments in an online setting?

I am going to try to use next year with my CoPi blended classroom.

I hope to create some practice problems or a quiz using Softchalk.  I have never created anything myself for them to do online.

This is a great place for the cool tools for school, but there are so many out there I don't know where to begin. Also, it seems like everytime I find a tool that engages students a new and better tool comes out and I have relearn everything about that tool.

Students today live in a different world than the one most of us in this class experienced when we were young. Sitting for 45 minutes with nothing more than an overhead projector or chalkboard to look at and nothing more than a teachers voice to hear is just completely out of touch with the way students experience things outside of the classroom. As educators we need to keep that in mind or we really will have kids bored to death.

Students are multitaskers and grow bored when not challenged. Active and interactive learning is one way to keep them engaged. I also feel that as teachers we need to change our " tools" and raise the bar for learning.

In most classes, I think we have about 10 minutes to direct students toward the learning that we hope will happen that day. Then we have to let them get started on their learning and coach them as needed for the rest of the class. If there is confusion or a common thread shows up during the class time, the coach/facilitator/teacher might stop the student work to explain, or to have a student explain the issue, but otherwise, the focus is definitely not on the teacher. It's not about us. ;-)

This one is so simple, yet doing this effectively is probably on of the most important things an instructor can do to avoid problems down the road.

I agree, Bob. I think sometimes we believe students are suppose to be mind readers when it comes to what they will learn or be able to do.

My school went to putting the learning target on the board everyday. I think it was good, but should be incorporated with a "ticket out the door" activity.

I really love the idea that we can tailor courses to meet the needs of individual students. I would like to explore ways to have various paths leading to mastery. Once a student has mastered a concept, he or she can move on to the next concept. A student who needs more practice could be redirected to more learning activities on the same concept. One size does not fit all.

As I learn more about online learning and using Moodle, I am excited about the possibilities for differentiation. I see this as one of the greatest strengths of the format.

I love the idea of giving students ownership in their learning!

We need to keep in mind not all students have internet access at home. Online learning cannot be another way of separating the haves from the have nots.

This is the one that worries me the most. Between having enough computers and having them work when we need them.

Rigor and Relevance is the Characteristic of Effective Instruction that comes to mind as I read this. Good instruction is good instruction, regardless of the teaching modality. In a student-centered environment, as this suggests, students are encouraged to collaborate with others as they take their new knowledge and apply it.

This is critical. Without face-to-face interaction there has to be a method put in place for frequent contact by the teacher. Students always have questions and an inability to address those questions will lead to frustration.

Why should this matter. Unless it is a blended class the confines of the school schedule should be immaterial.

This is always important to me as a teacher. Students must know how they are graded before the assignment/project is started. This would be the same with online learning.

This is the standard that I'm most interested in. How do we make sure students are not doing the same old things only now with a computer? We need to keep the bar up there for higher-order thinking skills and critical reasoning. I'm hoing to gather ideas from class to help me do this.

This is very important when I teach the elementary students in the library because it is very easy for them to become lost in the lesson

This always worries me; is the content of my class the same as the state's content? My district has gone to content mapping which makes it very easy to know that we are following state standards

Hm. Just like poetry - the white space - the space not filled - can be just as meaningful or important as the space filled.

Who the heck is David Carson? OK - I searched him and found his site, and it's really.....difficult to look at -- all tiny words and horizontal scrolling. Yuck. Not for me.

And not open another page...and another page....and another page. I've been through more than a few LMS's that do this.

?

There's a new font designed to be good for those with dyslexia. Is this commonly available? Easy to use? Would it fit the bill for typography rules?

I've always wondered why that was...

I skimmed this article - I'm still not sure where the author is going with this, but I'm also thinking it probably won't matter in SoftChalk.