I am coming into EDCI 337 as a Teacher Teaching on Call (TTOC) who recently graduated in the spring with a degree in elementary education. I have a strong background in pedagogy and am beginning to see myself as a developing multimedia designer. Most of my experience so far comes from designing learning experiences for elementary classrooms that focus on storytelling, visual thinking, inquiry and hands-on learning rather than highly technical digital production. I am comfortable planning with curriculum goals in mind, using Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and designing for a range of learners, including students with language-based and learning needs. I see multimedia as a way to support learning in meaningful ways, not just as something that looks visually appealing.
My experience with digital and multimedia tools is practical but still developing. I have used tools like Canva, Google tools, Mattermost, WordPress and other basic digital platforms, but I am still building confidence when it comes to creating interactive media and working with web-based formats. This is definitely an area where I want to grow. Right now, I would describe myself as someone who feels confident in my teaching decisions but more cautious when it comes to the technical side of design. I understand why thoughtful design matters, but I am still learning how to bring those ideas to life digitally.
One of my main goals in EDCI 337 is to become more confident and intentional when designing interactive multimedia learning experiences. I want to move beyond relying on pre-made templates and start creating original resources that are grounded in learning theory and good design principles. I am especially interested in exploring how storytelling, symbolism and visual narrative can be used through formats like comics or simple web pages to help students make meaning and stay engaged. These approaches feel closely connected to the kinds of learning experiences I already enjoy creating in elementary classrooms.
This course feels well timed for where I am in my learning journey. I am motivated to better understand how learning theory connects to interactive and multimedia design choices, especially when it comes to accessibility, cognitive load and how information is presented and flows. I also want to spend time working through design thinking processes such as brainstorming, prototyping, testing and reflecting, ideas that I was introduced to last term in my design thinking course, in order to help my work feel more intentional and less like trial and error. I am also curious about how AI can be used as a creative support for generating and refining ideas, while still being mindful of ethical and educational considerations.
I expect the biggest challenges for me will be technical, particularly learning new tools, working with web-based media and turning ideas into interactive formats. Instead of avoiding these challenges, I plan to take them on in manageable steps, ask for feedback early and use examples to guide my learning. I also see value in learning alongside my peers and using collaboration as a way to problem-solve and expand my thinking.
Overall, my focus in EDCI 337 is on growth. I want to build my design skills, increase my technical confidence and learn how to create interactive multimedia experiences that are thoughtful, accessible and realistic for real classroom settings.
