OctoEd Process Journal by andrea t

Thesis Process Book

Andrea Tscheschlog

Thesis Process Book

learn engage connect

OctoEd Process Journal

Table of Contents 5 Background 23 Problem/Solution 31 Visual System 59 Inspiration 00 Design Process

OctoEd Process Journal

00 Virtual Learning Platform 00 Website 00 Student Materials Kit 00 Process Blog 00 Social Media

OctoEd Process Journal

Background

OctoEd Process Journal

The Middle School Virtual Learning Experience

Goals/Misson

Topic: Middle School Virtual Learning Goal: help middle school children adapt, navigate, and learn in the on-line learning environment. Audience: Middle School Students & Teachers

OctoEd Process Journal

Background In 2020 the United States saw a drastic shift in the landscape of public education. Virtual learning came to the forefront, forever transforming the instructional methods available to our youth. This shift forced students and teachers alike to adapt quickly to a new learning environment. Some were successful, but many struggle, especially those in middle school. According to an analysis of 1st quarter results of middle school learners, the percentage of students earning Fs in at least 2 classes jumped by 83%. Middle School students are struggling to adapt to virtual learning.

OctoEd Process Journal

The Problem The current platforms available do not meet the specific needs of middle school learners. Elementary platforms are too juvenile and high school platforms are designed for older more independent learners. Middle school learners are somewhere in the middle of the learning spectrum. Yet instead of an age appropriate option, they were given platforms that are far too advanced and overwhelming.

OctoEd Process Journal

Target Audience My main focus audience are middle school students in grades 6 through 8. This age range represents a unique and transitional stage in human development. They are no longer young children, but not quite teens. They need a nurturing supportive environment in which to learn new skills and gain independence. Social engagement and interaction are a crucial part of their development and education. Middle School teachers work hard to provide engaging curriculum. However, the current learning platforms are creating a barrier between teachers and students. Teachers are frustrated and overwhelmed and want a more streamlined and developmentally appropriate platform. School administration want to find cost effective, robust, and all inclusive, educational tools for their districts.

OctoEd Process Journal

Audience Range Primary Outside

Target Au

OctoEd Process Journal

Outside

dience

OctoEd Process Journal

Audience Profiles The Elementary School Student

The Middle School Parent

Garrett Peterson

Monica Smith

Garrett Peterson This year we have to stay home and go to school on the computer. My teacher is really nice and teaches how to do everything. I am learning how to read and do math. It is fun to see my friends on the computer, but I wish we could play together on the playground. My mom helps me too and is super smart on computers. We play a lot of fun computer learning games. #male #age6 #elementaryschoolgrade1 #SeeSaw #VirtualLearning #momstayshometohelpwithschool

OctoEd Process Journal

Monica Smith Due to classroom space, my kids are going to school hybrid this year. They are home 3 days a week and in school 2. I work a lot, so I am home some days, and others I am not. I rely on the kids to keep up with their Zoom call and stay on schedule. Lately I have been getting a lot of emails about missing assignments. I have to sign up for an parent observer account to track what the kids are doing and if they are turning things in on time. But that is difficult when they use some many add ons and apps! #female #age46 #nurse #6thgradeson #8thgradedaughter #Canvas #Google #OneNote #Zoom #hybrid #fulltimejob

The Middle School Teacher

The Middle School Student

Peter Loftus

Makayla Cooper

Peter Loftus I have been a middle school teacher for 20 years. I have always preferred to teach my classroom through discussions and hands on activities. Adjusting to teaching virtually and blended has been a challenge. It is difficult to keep the students engaged. It is really hard to get classroom discussions up and running and students often sit silently and don’t seem to be learning, no matter how I try to get through to them. I spend most of my time helping them navigate the learning platform and teaching through slide shows so both my on-line and in person students can follow along. #male #age52 #middleschoolteacher #Canvas #Zoom

Makayla Cooper This year school is so weird. My best friend Crystal is learning from home, and I am in school. We are on the computer all day and sometimes my teachers barely talk to us because they are so busy with the kids on the Zoom class call. I get distracted by the virtual chat I have going with Crystal and a few other friends. Most times I am not sure what my teacher wants me to do or which app I should be in, it gets really confusing. I turned in the wrong assignment yesterday and got a 0. My mom is going to be so mad. #female #age12 #middleschoolgrade7 #Canvas #Google #OneNote #inperson #blended #bestfriendvirtual

OctoEd Process Journal

Audience Profiles The Teaching Assistant

The Middle School Principal

Andrea Tscheschlog

Mariah Stevens

Andrea Tscheschlog I work with all grade levels and all learning abilities. Many of my students struggle to navigate the on-line learning environment. They are not turning assignments in on time, have a hard time following where they should be within the virtual classroom, and spend most of their time playing video games. It is also hard to help students virtually when I have so many struggling in person.

Mariah Stevens This year has been an exceptionally challenging year for students and teachers alike. Scheduling classes for virtual and in person has been difficult, so many classes are blended (with some in school and some on-line) Students are struggling with adapting to the on-line learning environment, and parents and teachers are frustrated. I am doing everything I can to help them.

#female #age42 #middleschoolteachingassistant #grade6 #grade7 #grade8 #Canvas #Google #OneNote #Zoom #onlinelearning #helpingstudentsallday

#female #age38 #middleschoolprincipal #Canvas #Google #Zoom #blendedlearning #virtual #inperson #easingfrustrationforstudentsteachersandparents

OctoEd Process Journal

The School Board Member

The High School Student

Jack Paulson

Charlie Jacobs

Jack Paulson I am very much in support of families choosing to keep their children at home to learn virtually, as well as those who want their students to learn in person. I think that it is important to use technology across all grade levels. As a business owner, I use technology everyday. The district has purchased licenses for See-Saw at the elementary level and Canvas for secondary learning platforms, but we are considering an option for middle school as well, as long as we can maintain our current budget. #male #age38 #businessowner #schoolboardmember #lookingforelearningprograms #costeffective #districtspending

Charlie Jacobs This year is my junior year and because of the pandemic my high-school is hybrid, which means I only have to go into school 2 days a week. My teachers only Zoom on Mondays and I get to work at my own pace the 3 days I am at home. I really like this laid back schedule and I love that all my work is on my laptop instead of having to carry around a ton of binders and textbooks. #male #age16 #highschoolgrade11 #CanvasGoogle #hybrid #gamer #computersavvy

OctoEd Process Journal

The Solution

OctoEd Process Journal

The Solution Goal: Streamline the virtual learning environment. Middle School students report that virtual classes are nearly impossible to follow, the format is confusing, teachers talk to fast, they can’t keep up and they are overwhelmed. There are far too many apps, add ons, and ways to submit, causing students to give up out of frustration.

Goal: help students feel connected. Social interaction is a vital part of the educational experience. However, with minimal contact with teachers and peers many virtual students feel isolated and alone.

Goal: Find ways to engage middle school students. This lack of connection often leads to a lack of focus and engagement. Students find themselves zoning out or distracted by tv and video games.

OctoEd Process Journal

DS Chart

1 I S D

Current virtual learning environments are too complicated with too many apps and add-ons.

Find ways to stream-line the middle school virtual learning environment.

2pt: Informational Website Design an Advertising Campaign directed towards district administrators and teachers showcasing a streamlined virtual learning platform designed specifically for middle school learners. • Website that provides information about licensing and buying options for district administrators • Video that plays on website that describes the features and benefits of the platform.

OctoEd Process Journal

Topic: Middle School Virtual Learning Goal: help middle school children adapt, navigate, and learn in the on-line learning environment. Audience: Middle School Students & Teachers

2 Middle School students get bored easily.

Many middle school students feel disconnected from their teachers and classmates in the current virtual learning environments being used in middle schools.

Find ways to engage middle school students.

Find ways to help students feel connected.

5pt: Prototyped Learning Platform

2pt: Middle School Materials Kit

Develop a streamlined virtual learning platform for

Supplemental print resources such as notebooks,

Middle School learners that is “all inclusive” and contains

binders and planners to use in conjunction with the

everything the students need within the platform.

virtual classroom so that everyone is using the same

• Home screen • Student Dashboard • Teacher Dashboard • Navigational system • Virtual Notebooks • Create a virtual classroom space for teachers and students to meet virtually, chat, and learn that is built

tools. Also a way to advertise the brand. • Planner/Assignment Book • Notebook • Classroom binder • Laptop case • Touchscreen Pens • Wireless Mouse

into the learning platform. • Video Chat that is built into the Platform. • Design icons in a playful style that appeals to middle school students. • Develop virtual chat program that mimics social media and works within the virtual classroom so that students can interact for peer discussions and group projects while still being monitored by the teacher. OctoEd Process Journal

Materials Matrix Virtual Learning Platform: 5 pts

Description: In most middle schools, the current method of education is in a virtual or blended format. Virtual learning platforms often leave students feeling overwhelmed, disconnected and disengaged.

Goal: I will design a middle school specific virtual learning platform Email Announcements that will help middle school children adapt, navigate, and

learn in the virtual learning environment.

Schedule

Classroom Prototype Includes:

App Library

Notebo

• Home screen • Student Dashboard

Audience:

• Navigational system

Middle School Students & Teachers

• Virtual Notebooks and workspace • Virtual classroom space for teachers and students to

Math

Science

meet virtually, chat, and learn and is built into the

Social Studies

learning platform.

Language Arts

Reading

• Video Chat that is built into the Platform. • Icons in a playful, easy to understand style that appeals to middle school students. • Virtual chat program that mimics social media and works within the virtual classroom so that students Art

Gym

can interact for peer discussions and group projects

Health

Music

while still being monitored by the teacher.

Purpose: Develop a streamlined virtual learning platform for Middle School learners that is “all inclusive” and contains everything the students need within the platform.

Goal: Find ways to stream-line the virtual learning environment and to engage middle school students.

OctoEd Process Journal

STE

ssroom

guage Arts

Music

Student Materials Kit: 2 pts

App Library Kit Includes:

Notebook

Website & Launch Kit: 2 pt

Grades

• Planner/Assignment Book • Notebook with submission and navigation guides for learning platform.

• Prototyped Website that provides information about licensing and buying options for district administrators. • Home page

• Classroom binder with organizational system

• Informational page with video

• Laptop case • Touchscreen Pens Reading

Announcements Connect Prototype Includes:

• About Us • Order Launch Kit

• Wireless Mouse

• Contact Us

Design supplemental print resources such as notebooks, virtual classroom so that everyone is using the same tools. These items will directly correlate to elements of the virtual learning platform.

Goal: Find ways to help students feel connected in the virtual environment.

Soc

• Pricing Options and Ordering

Purpose: binders and planners to use in conjunction with the

Science

Math

STEM

• 3 minute Video ad featured on website that describes the features, benefits, and pricing plans of the virtual learning platform. • Launch Kit that is sent Art out to teachers to trialGym the

learning platform that includes an informational brochure, teacher manual, student manual, an introduction video and a quick-start guide poster.

Purpose: Create an Informational Website directed toward district administrators and teachers that showcases the stream-lined virtual learning platform designed specifically for middle school learners.

Goal: Find ways to stream-line the virtual learning environment for middle school learners.

OctoEd Process Journal

Visual System

OctoEd Process Journal

Logo The name OctoEd was derived from the Octopus and the word Education. The octopus is a brilliant animal that creates intrigue and wonder, qualities that are important in any educational setting. They also have 8 legs. The OctoEd virtual learning platform has 8 primary directions that the student can navigate to in the virtual learning environment. The letters of the word mark are round and inviting. They are connected together to represent the connection the students will gain in this learning environment, to their peers teachers and education. The Octopus, Ed is our company mascot. He is friendly, and ready to help the students learn!

OctoEd Process Journal

Logo Variations There are three acceptable versions of the OctoEd brand signature. Version A is a shortened version for tighter spaces, abbreviations and brand recognition on productions. Version B is the vertical brand signature that can be used when applying the brand signature to a more narrow space. Version B includes the brand tag line: learn, engage, connect. It also moves the octopus to the front of the brand signature.

OctoEd Process Journal

Logo Anatomy The following diagrams illustrate the anatomy of each brand signature. There are threes parts that can potentially make up a brand signature: logo, word mark, and tag line.

OctoEd Process Journal

Logo Clear Space The following pages show the clear space requirements and breakdown of the logo anatomy and measurements based on the measurement of x. X is equal to the lowercase o in OctoEd.

OctoEd Process Journal

Social Media Avatars The following two icons can be used as social media avatars and app launch icons on desktops, mobile devices and tablets.

OctoEd Process Journal

Typography The primary typeface used in all OctoEd designs is Montserrat. The old posters and signs in the traditional Montserrat neighborhood of Buenos Aires inspired Julieta Ulanovsky to design this typeface and rescue the beauty of urban typography that emerged in the first half of the twentieth century. As urban development changes that place, it will never return to its original form and loses forever the designs that are so special and unique. The letters that inspired this project have work, dedication, care, color, contrast, light and life, day and night! These are the types that make the city look so beautiful. The Montserrat Project began with the idea to rescue what is in Montserrat and set it free under a libre license, the SIL Open Font License.

OctoEd Process Journal

Montserrat Headers:

Semi Bold ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 0123456789

Sub Heads:

Medium ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 0123456789

Body:

Light ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 0123456789

OctoEd Process Journal

Color Primary Colors:

R12 G64 B93

R252 G191 B56

R0 G166 B144

R119 G192 B67

C98 M73 Y41 K30

C1 M27 Y90

C80 M10 Y54

C58 M0 Y100 K0

Secondary Colors:

R224 G192 B67

R255 G112 B98

R236 G0 B140

R102 G47 B92

R0 G0 B0

C6 M99 Y94 K0

C0 M71 Y57

C0 M100 Y0 K0

C61 M91 Y36 K24

C0 M0 Y0 K0

R39 G91 B169 C90 M70 Y0 K0

OctoEd Process Journal

Graphic Elements The visual system includes graphic elements made of three types of visuals: monotone photography, brightly colored circles, patterned circles, hand drawn illustrations, and thin flowing and overlapping lines. These elements appear throughout all OctoEd media, websites, products and publications in various combinations and layouts.

OctoEd Process Journal

Photography Style The primary subject of all photography is middle school students, either solo or in small groups. The students will all appear happy and engaged. They will all be engaged in or performing school related activities. The photos will be black and white and colorized in monotone blue/purple. The photos will be in circles overlayed on a colored circular background.

OctoEd Process Journal

Illustrations

OctoEd Process Journal

Patterns

OctoEd Process Journal

Icons & Buttons Icons appear throughout the OctoEd virtual learning platform and the OctoEd website. Icons can appear as white outlines on a colored circular background, white outlined icons with no color background, and blu icons with no color background. Buttons are rectangular with rounded edges and white text.

OctoEd Process Journal

Agenda

Announcements

App Library

Teacher

Calculator

Classroom

Connect

Done

Grades

Gym

Health

Language Arts

Math

Music

Notebook

Social Studies

STEM

Reading

Schedule

Science

Art

ON Send to Teacher

Send

Microphone On

Pen

Pen Selected

Raise Hand

Video Chat OFF

Microphone off

Bathroom Pass

Bathroom Pass Sent

OctoEd Process Journal

Class Schedule Icons

Math

Health

OctoEd Process Journal

Science

Gym

Social Studies

Art

STEM

Reading

Language Arts

Music

Menu Icons

Connect

Class

Notebook

Agenda

App Library

Grades

OctoEd Process Journal

Social Media Icons

Penn South

ON Add a Photo

OctoEd Process Journal

Post

Comment

Buttons Period 1 Enter

Period 2

Math Assignment

Share Screen

OctoEd Process Journal

Inspiration

OctoEd Process Journal

Mood Board 1: Connected

OctoEd Process Journal

Mood Board 2: Layered

OctoEd Process Journal

Mood Board 3: Playful

OctoEd Process Journal

Resources Source: https://fonts.google.com/specimen/Montserrat#about.

Source: Nam fugia doluptat quiae pa conse prorio cum nonsequam solorumet autet estrum harum, qui nonsequae magnat. Tem fugit asseque sunt excearu ptatuscia cuptasp eresequ idemolu ptaquod ipsusan daeptae volore, officidias iunt volut quatur?

OctoEd Process Journal