Project Design Journal (PDJ) – Part 1: The Interface

LEARNING TARGETS:

»   I can use computer graphic tools and design processes to help me develop, new original ideas.
»   I can create a blog using Blogger.com to communicate my project ideas
»   I can completely customize a blog for aesthetics, organization, & smooth navigation 
»   I can create a custom organization system with smooth navigation using “labels” & “Pages"  »    I understand the responsibilities and ethics associated with publishing to the internet

EXPECTATIONS:

»   Create a blog using blogger.com to be used as a “Design Folder”.
»   Create a clear organizational system using labels & pages for the following areas.  Use these for the page names: OVERVIEW, INITIAL RESEARCH, DESIGN, PLAN, CREATE, and FINAL PROJECT.  Use these for the label names: Overview, Development Journal, Concepts, Plan, Creation Process , Reflection, and Final Project.»   Create a new “test” post for each label.  
»   Remove the “About Me Gadget”  
»   Remove the “Blog Archive” 
»   Turn off the Navigation Bar or Navbar 
»   Create a custom header image that reflects your project theme
»   Assign every post an appropriate label.

 

Design Folder - Project Design Journal (PDJ)

CLICK HERE FOR EXAMPLE TEMPLATE

The design folder is a compulsory component of MYP technology. As students progress through the different stages of the design cycle, they are constantly experimenting with ideas, researching topics, compiling sources, brainstorming issues, sketching possible solutions, making changes, rejecting proposals and critically evaluating their work. All relevant activities and outcomes should be recorded, and dated, in the design folder.

The design folder is a compilation of evidence that accompanies the final product/solution for a unit of work. Students formally record the results of their research, their various plans and designs and the evaluation of their finished products/solutions in the design folder. The design folder must be clearly divided into: investigate, design, plan, create, evaluate. It must begin with the student’s investigation and end with the evaluation. (The International Baccalaureate®)

Refer to my example: http://godevo.blogspot.com

 

Project Design Journal (PDJ) Setup Notes:

Requirements:

CREATE: Create a blog through www.Blogger.com using a “simple” template and choose one of the basic initial color scheme.  You can always change it later to fit your theme.

DESIGN:  Design a header image in Photoshop with the following criteria: 940 pixels wide and about 160 pixels in height. The height should be no larger than 300 pixels. 

DESIGN: Apply  a color scheme that reflects your project theme. Explore different color schemes that compliment you main header image.

CONFIGURE: Change the following settings to your blog. 

• Set blog width to 960. Set your right side bar to 260.  You can do this by selecting Layout > Customize > Adjust Widths.  
• Turn off Navbar  << Show Me How >>
• Remove the “About Me” gadget
• Remove the “Blog Archive” gadget
• Configure Blog Post Settings   << Show Me How >>
• Create a static “Home” page.  This sets your “Home Page” or the first page you will see, to an address of your choice. << Show Me How >>
• Make Private? Your Choice???  Change Settings: Settings:Posts and Comments  << Show Me How >>
• Remove “Showing posts with label *******, Show all posts” << Show Me How >>
• Remove “Subscribe to: Posts ( Atom )“  << Show Me How >>

CREATE:  Add a sidebar gadget containing a checklist link.  << Show Me How >>

CREATE:  Add a sidebar gadget containing a table of contents.  << Show Me How >>

CREATE: Create a top tab based organizational system for your PDJ. It must be clearly divided into: Overview, Development Journal, Concept, Plan, Creation Process , Reflection, and Final Project.   << Show Me How >>

 

 

 

Use the following format for the linked web address: http://YourBlog.blogspot.com/search/label/Overview