An emergent exploration of critical instructional design.

Portfolio Part: The Map of my Dreams

Workbook Page: Digital Submission

DREAM TECH TOOL

The Map of my Dreams

Step One

Imagine suddenly you have the power to design the technology tool for teaching of your dreams, unrestricted by cost, achievability, skills, the laws of physics, etc. What is it? What are its features? How does it work? Describe your technology tool in as much detail as possible.

I teach military history and much of my lectures focuses around the movements taking place during certain battles and campaigns. I dream of not only an animated battle map (as these exist on Youtube and the like), but one that reacts as I’m describing the battle (thus a real time feel) and operates in a 3D style that shows movement and positioning. I have no artistic skill, but the image attached below is from a website that features D&D maps, and it shows the level of detail I would dream of.

Step Two

Next, create some kind of visual representation of the tool, its interface, it being used, etc. Upload your image below.

Step Three

Now, based on the tool that you designed, consider: What instructional problem does it solve? What NEW problems might it present? Who does it include and who does it leave out? What does this tool tell us about you and your values? Consider these questions from the student perspective. What might their response to your dream tool be?

I think this tool would give students the ability to visualize the battlefield and elements the soldiers are contending with, and how that affected their movements and success on that battlefield. This could present problems in a distance environment as it would require proper access to fast internet, processing speed on their computer, and more. This would also leave out those who were vision impaired unless additional audio descriptive technology could be made available. For values, I believe this touches on my desire to ensure that students recognize the human elements of war and battle. That is it not a video game with players on a flat board, but a harrowing experience where the very elements can work against you. Further, I think this touches on my desire to make sure all students, regardless of their experience with military history, can easily understand how a given battle unfolds. My hope is that students would see it in much the same way.
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