Skip to Main Content

GHS 210: Freedom and Movement

Evaluating a Good Project:

When looking at student projects from previous semesters, think about how well they accomplished the following:

  • Content - does it contain useful information? Are there noticeable gaps of information? Is it on topic and seem accurate?
  • Writing - is it clear, concise, and easy to understand?
  • Layout/Structure - does the layout of the site make it easy to navigate? Does the layout help guide you through the content?
  • Use of Sources - does it use several, credible sources? Are they cited properly, yet unobtrusively?
  • Images - is there a good balance of image to text? Do the images relate strongly to the topic and other content?

Get Organized!

 

FIRST: As a group, confirm your AUDIENCE, PURPOSE, and TOPIC

  • What does your audience already know and what do you need to explain?

  • What is the scope of your topic? [note: this may continue to evolve via research]

  • Why did you pick this? What do you want to contribute to the Scholarly Conversation on this topic?

 

SECOND: Research, read, & learn

 

THIRD: Begin storyboard/wireframe

  • Group closely related concepts and information sources

  • Determine an order

    • If you are creating something freeform, your viewers don’t necessarily have to go in a set order, but they will always start somewhere - make sure you provide a solid introduction and clear navigational options

  • Create a visual of your project’s progression or layout/structure

    • On the visual, identify where specific pieces of information, media, and attributions should go

 

FOURTH: Review and revise as necessary

  • Identify areas where additional information or media may be needed

  • Have someone from your intended audience give you feedback

  • If you have specific questions, reach out to a classmate, your professor, or your librarians

Organizational Tools

Digital Storytelling

Digital storytelling elevates the age-old tradition of storytelling to new and emergent heights by coupling stories with digital tools that aid in their telling. From Microsoft PowerPoint to video editing software to web-based applications, the tools at a digital storyteller's disposal vary widely in terms of complexity and effect. A digital story can be stripped-down, as in the case of a narrated PowerPoint; or it can be artsy and embellished, as in the case of a highly produced video. The possibilities are as numerous as they are exciting. (from the Digital Storytelling LibGuide)

 

Mind Map

Image of a Mind Map

A Mind Map is an easy way to brainstorm thoughts organically without worrying about order and structure. It allows you to visually structure your ideas to help with analysis and recall.

A Mind Map is a diagram for representing tasks, words, concepts, or items linked to and arranged around a central concept or subject using a non-linear graphical layout that allows the user to build an intuitive framework around a central concept. A Mind Map can turn a long list of monotonous information into a colorful, memorable and highly organized diagram that works in line with your brain's natural way of doing things.

Mind Mapping Tools:

Credits:
Definition of Mind Mapping from mindmapping.com
Mind Map on how to create a mind map by Vitaly Kolesnik is used under a CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 license

Storyboard

Storyboarding is the process of drawing out the plan for a video or linear project, such as a Prezi.

When conceptualizing a visual media project from beginning to end, consider creating a storyboard, a graphic organizer used to sketch out each scene and document its accompanying narration, titles, music, camera angle(s), animations, and transitions.

Image credit: Storyboard Template by 70Jack90 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Wireframe

A website wireframe, also known as a page schematic or screen blueprint, is a visual guide that represents the skeletal framework of a website. (from Wikipedia)

This blog post offers a good explanation and additional slideshow examples of wireframes (the first slide in their slideshow is below as an example of a sketched wireframe).

Wireframing example

Infographic

Infographics are graphic visual representations of information, data, or knowledge intended to present information quickly and clearly. They can improve cognition by utilizing graphics to enhance the human visual system's ability to see patterns and trends (from Wikipedia)

We think that this Piktochart Blog: Layout Cheat Sheet for infographics has the potential to be helpful in mapping other types of projects. The sheet itself is below!

Want to make your own? Flat Icon has millions of free icons (PNG is always free, vector images require a paid account).

Infographic Layout Cheat Sheet

CONTACT

Email Butler University Libraries
Irwin Library: 317-940-9227
Science Library: 317-940-9937

Like us on FacebookInstagramFollow us on Twitter