Multimedia Courseware Design Proposal

Name of Developer:Michelle AbrahamsDate: _11-14-07__

1.Overview

Program Title: Blast Off!

Grade or age level(s): grades 2-3

Major Goal: Students will practice using the computer to read, and comprehend

fictional electronic story, and its structure by navigating through the program and

taking a short quiz. This basic story is designed to assist young readers who do

not have extensive skills using the Internet, Flash programs, and computers. There

will be directions for the users to follow as they read through the story to guide

them with their potential first online reading experience. Hopefully, users will

become accustomed to reading from a computer screen, and improving their

dexterity by using the mouse.

Amount of Time to Learn the Content: Depending on either done in a

classroom setting, or privately; if shared computers in a lab are used, each student

should at least twenty to thirty minutes to read answer questions. This program

could also be used by students and their parents independently.

System Requirements: Microsoft Windows XP SP2, 512M RAM, 56k dial-up, Flash player 7.0, audio card, and optional speaker.

2. Program Description

Characteristics of Target Learners:

The learners are roughly in the second grade, with grade level reading skills. This program is designed for students who do not have everyday access to computers, and the Internet. Therefore, this may well be one of their first reading experiences online. They will need the ability to follow directions;stays focused, and use a mouse, or be assisted to do so.

Instructional objectives

:

1. Students will be able to read a fictional electronic book, using the mouse to

navigate through the pages, and answer quiz questions at the end.

2. Students will be able to demonstrate understanding of concepts of story

structures, like plot, middle, and climax through answering quiz questions.

3. Students will be able to recite ideas for possible story lines by sharing their

insights with classmates, teachers, and/or a parent/guardian.

4. Students will be able to use the mouse to activate button features, and also

watch movie clip animation.

3.Flowchart THE STORYBOARD NUMBERS ARE LISTED AS #1,2, ETC IN THE FLOWCHART

Unit Title: Creative Writing
Page #1 of 14 for this storyboard
Lesson Title: Reading Rockets!
Frame #: 1 from flowchart
Date: 11/12/07 / File Name: Blast Off!
Screen Description: Title Page,
Name of the book, with an image of a space ship and the moon. / Text Outline: only the title, and home. Next buttons
BLAST OFF!
A SPACE ODDESSY.

I think based on the age level, and developmental level it
is appropriate to ease into the book, and its content. Even though this page is technically the home page, I think having a link that says home is a good idea to establish continuity.
Unit Title: Creative Writing
Page #2 of 14for this storyboard
Lesson Title: Reading Rockets
Frame #: 2 FROM FLOWCHART
Date: 11/12/07 / File Name: Blast Off!
Screen Description: Details page: Dennis the Dog acts as a guide to help unfamiliar users get through the steps to get help, or turn the page. Static picture / Text Outline:
Basic introduction to story structure, including plot and climax explanations. This is to done ahead of time so they can recognize these concepts in the story, and take the optional quiz at the end. The text is not final, as it still has directions like explain plot, etc.
This character is based on a previous project I did for this class, it will serve as a guide to provide a reference point for main events, and further continuity with repetition. He will also be on the help page, and the quiz page. Although not part of the story, he serves as an integral piece in pulling this project together. / The dog will be brown, wearing a grey shirt, and beige trousers.
Unit Title: Creative Writing
Page #3of 14 for this storyboard
Lesson Title: Reading Rockets
Frame #: 3 FROM FLOWCHART
Date: 11.12.07 / File Name: Blast Off!
Screen Description: Dennis the Dog describes what happens on the help page, and how to get to the next page. Static picture / Text Outline:
These are basic questions new users may have, I may also add some questions and explanations in the final version
HELP PAGE

HOW DO I GO TO A PREVIOUS PAGE?
EXPLANATION
HOW DO I TAKE THE QUIZ?
EXPLANATION

As this project develops more, I want this to be as much as a computer literacy opportunity, as a reading one. / The dog will be brown, wearing a grey shirt, and beige trousers.
Unit Title: Creative Writing
Page #4 of 14 for this storyboard
Lesson Title: Reading Rockets
Frame # 4 FROM THE FLOWCHART
Date; 11/12/07 / File Name: Blast Off!
Screen Description:
A little girl and her cat greet the readers as they learn about her, and her magical secret. I will also make her hand wave, and the cats tail move with a movie clip from Flash. / Text Outline:
.This text is roughly what the final will look like, mainly establishing the main character, and her cat.

This is the story of a little girl, with big dreams. Meet Sandy, she is a normal gal with a very abnormal secret. She has such a vivid and wild imagination that every time she dreams of going to some far off place, she well lands up going there, for real. “For real?” you may be asking, how is that possible? Well, Sandy comes from a long line of talented time travelers, her great uncle used to dream of being a mighty lion in the African jungle, and he landed up married to a monkey named Sheila, but that is another story. Oh yes, and Sandy’s cats name is Stanley.
I think it is important for young girls to have a heroine to identify with. This character happens to love dreaming of far off places, and she is also very interested in space travel. / Sandy will be wearing a pink dress, with a blue belt. The cat will be grey.
Unit Title: Creative Writing
Page #5 of 14 for this storyboard
Lesson Title: Reading Rockets
Frame #: 5 FROM FLOWCHART
Date: 11.12.07 / File Name: Blast Off
Screen Description: Sandy is her bedroom window looking at the stars thinking of going on adventures. This will be a static picture. / Text Outline: The text describes her ideas, and introduces the readers to her space fantasies.
Sandy loved to sit by her window late at night and dream of taking adventures. One night, she noticed a funny looking set of stars in the sky. “Hey, that is the Big Dipper I am always hearing about! But what is the Big Dipper, and why is our galaxy called the Milky Way anyhow?” Sandy wondered aloud. All this talk of Milky Ways, and dippers made Sandy think of ice cream and chocolate. “What if the Big Dipper is a place where you can dip your ice cream in your favorite chocolate mixture? Maybe the Milky Way is a place where cookies and milk line the streets!” Sandy exclaimed! Sandy’s cat Stanley didn’t think much of her fantasy, as she was always coming up with new ideas for old names. Just as Stanley rolled over to continue his nap, there was a jolt to the bed, and a loud rocket sound overhead!


This text is designed to provide a prelude to the upcoming adventure. I chose to do a static text here, as to not take away from the story, and the large amount of text reading for this frame.
Unit Title: Creative Writing
Page #6 of 14 for this storyboard
Lesson Title: Reading Rockets
Frame #: 6 FROM FLOWCHART
Date: 11.12.07 / File Name: Blast Off
Screen Description: Sandy is perched atop a rocket ship into outer space with her cat. There will be a button feature that when pressed will either motion tween the rocket or, show a frame by frame upward movement. / Text Outline: This text is kept basic, tells how she blasts off to a distant planet.
The background will show stars.

The next thing she new she was on her way into outer space, with Stanley reluctantly at her side! Luckily they found space helmets in the nick of time to keep them safe. The inscription on the rocket read, Planet Globotron, or Bust! As they were about to pass the moon, Sandy wondered if they would be welcomed with joy when they landed by the good inhabitants of Globotron, or just sent packing back to Earth? Click on the ‘go’ button to see Sandy and Stanley take off!

This text is fairly limited as the main focus on this page will be using the button option to see the rocket ship move upward.
Unit Title: Creative Writing
Page #7of 14 for this storyboard
Lesson Title: Reading Rockets
Frame #: 7 FROM FLOWCHART
Date: 11.12.07 / File Name: Blast Off
Screen Description: Sandy and her cat land on a new planet, and are a bit scared about the new environment and how they will be received. This will be a static text picture, or possible a motion tween with the ‘creature’ moving slowly toward Sandy. / Text Outline: The text in this shot is designed to create some tension, as Sandy is unsure of what will happen next on this new planet.


As soon as Sandy landed she was rather unsure of what was going to happen. From the distance, she saw a creature making its way over to her. Would it be friendly? Would they want to make friends and play, or maybe they don’t like humans here, and try to make them do the unthinkable….. ….chores! Stanley shuttered at the thought of doing more than his usual lap around the yard to make sure there were no mice around looking for trouble. Sandy took a deep breathe, and waited for the creature to approach her…

As with any story, it is important to establish some sense of friction or tension leading up to the climax. This helps young readers understand that a small amount of anxiety in a story is natural, and helps them stay connected to the finishing the story.
Unit Title: Creative Writing
Page #8of 14for this storyboard
Lesson Title: Reading Rockets
Frame #: 8 FROM FLOWCHART
Date: 11.12.07 / File Name: Blast Off
Screen Description: This is when Sandy makes a new ‘alien’ friend. The picture will be static here, but very vivid. / Text Outline: This text aims to sooth the reader’s worries about the possible danger, and set the stage for a fun adventure.

Sandy then heard the sweetest little voice, “Hi welcome, you have arrived on a very special day. It’s Big Treat Day in honor of the Big Dipper! My name is Odessa, and I have to go pick up my silly little brother from daycare right now. Do you want to join me, we can go to the party they are having afterwards?” Sandy was shocked not only was Odessa really nice, but she had an annoying little brother too, just like her. Sandy new that she shouldn't be worried anymore; she and Odessa were going to be great friends!

Unit Title: Creative Writing
Page #9of 14for this storyboard
Lesson Title: Reading Rockets
Frame #: 9 FROM FLOWCHART
Date: 11.12.07 / File Name: Blast Off
Screen Description: This will hopefully be the most detailed of all pages. It is main street where the celebration takes place.- see next panel for more description / Description continued: The streets are lined with lollipops, and cookies and milk are on every corner. There is free ice cream with a huge boat filled with chocolate for dipping. Hopefully the milk, cookies and lollipops will be dancing from a movie clip animation.


So off they went to grab Odessa’s little brother Neenon, and onto the party. “See today is the day everyone gathers on Main Street and we give thanks to the Big Dipper for lighting the way for our space ships when we travel.” Odessa explained as they rounded the corner to Main Street. “It’s absolutely wonderful!” Sandy exclaimed. “Don’t you just love it Stanley? Stanley, where are you?” Stanley had already jumped into a tub of yummy milk, and was backstroking in joy! There were lollipops instead of lampposts, milk and cookie lining the streets, and free ice cream. To top it all off, there was a huge boat filled with chocolate to dip your favorite cone in as many times as you like. They laughed, and played and ate candy to their hearts content. “What could be better than this?” Sandy wondered.

This is meant to act as the climax of the story. Also by now readers have used the button feature, and seen movie clip animation
Unit Title: Creative Writing
Page #10 of 14 for this storyboard
Lesson Title: Reading Rockets
Frame #: 10 FROM FLOWCHART
Date: 11.12.07 / File Name: Blast Off
Screen Description: This is when Sandy sees her friend Odessa with her family, and realizes she misses them. This will be a static picture. / Text Outline: This text aims to sooth the reader’s worries about the possible danger, and set the stage for a fun adventure.

Just then Odessa’s family arrived, and Sandy had a strange feeling inside. She loved being on this adventure, but seeing Odessa with her family made her miss her own family, even her weird little brother. So, Sandy made the brave decision to ask Odessa and her family to help her get back to Earth, after all she could always come back and visit.

This is aimed to provide a gradual ‘winding’ down of the story, and to set up an easy resolution for the main character, as she returns to Earth.
Unit Title: Creative Writing
Page 11 of 14for this storyboard
Lesson Title: Reading Rockets
Frame #: 11 FROM FLOWCHART
Date: 11.12.07 / File Name: Blast Off
Screen Description: This is when Sandy and her cat go back to Earth on a rocket. I think this picture will be static as, the previous rocket scene had a button feature. / Text Outline: The text here intends to wrap up the story, and provide excitement for the trip back to Earth.
The background, of course will have stars, and the rocket will show the engine blazing.


Thankfully, Odessa and her family new just how to help Sandy get home. They jet powered her magical rocket with sugar cane dust, and gave both her and Stanley brand new space suits to keep comfortable. In an instant they were off, of course promising to return soon, and keep in touch through email, who knew? Sandy held on tight and was excited to get home and write in her journal all about her adventure.

Unit Title: Creative Writing
Page #12of14 for this storyboard
Lesson Title: Reading Rockets
Frame #: 12 FROM FLOWCHART
Date: 11.12.07 / File Name: Blast Off
Screen Description: This Sandy’s house, where she and her cat are back safe and sound. This picture will be static, with a possible button feature, to hear a voice of her cat saying meow at the end, either it will be imported, or my recorded voice saying meow. This is not definite. / Text Outline: This is the end of the story, and asks the readers if they want to take the short self quiz. I think it adds a good sense of closure to have the story end essentially where it started, with her looking out her window.

Sandy and Stanley made it home just in time for their dad to say goodnight, and sweet dreams! Sandy sat perched by her window like she always did and thought of her great adventure. Just then she got an idea to go to another far off place. Stanley was just about asleep full from all the milk, and cookies one cat could possibly ever want, he perked his head up, and titled his head as if to ask, another adventure, we just got home. Oh well, hopefully this next one will have tons of fresh fish for him to eat. He laid his head back down and dozed off, as Sandy wrote in her journal of her exciting day. It was great to be an explorer. The end! Feel like taking a short quiz to see what you may have learned? If so, click on the quiz button below. If not happy trails, adventurers!