Wk5 Added Features Analysis Task

Now we've talked through some of the different ways in which children of different ages learn, we'd like you to undertake some basic analysis of example books with added features and put your thoughts (as pairs) in the 'comment box' under this post.

Please make sure that you've downloaded the .pdf of the presentation first as reference and then format replies as follows:

• Name of pair
  
• Name of book looked at & Author, Publisher(*repeat this per book you look at first).
  
• Describe the content of the title, the format of the book and any added features you think are being used.
  
• In relation to the information provided in the Powerpoint/.pdf (about the way in which children learn), describe how the added features and/or format might enhance the content of the book for the child. Please make sure you explain 'why' you think this.
  
• List the senses that have been stimulated and describe how the format / design does this - please make sure you explain 'why' you think this.
  
• Do you consider this an appropriate way to present the content (if ‘yes’ then why?). If ‘no’ discuss why and suggest an alternative approach. 

* Note down your responses, return the book and repeat the above with a different title. Make sure that you look at a minimum of three titles between you.

Your Client for the Module Brief

These were the videos (one of a number available) that I showed in session today for your client Gyles at Naturesbase in West Wales. Do make sure that you start any research by looking at their site/videos and the sorts of activities they do/for whom..

http://www.naturesbaseschoolcamp.co.uk/

Wk 4: While You Wait Task: Page Spread Analysis..

While you're waiting for tutor feed-in to learning teams I'd like you to spend up to 20 mins working through the following so that you've been able to analyse some of the aspects of someone else's page spread bought in.

Blog task while waiting in LT's: Comments on one example spread each in LT (not your own..).

• -  First write your name and who’s work you’re looking at.
  
• - Comment on what sort of age range you think the chosen spread is best suited for and explain ‘why’ you think this.
  
• - Comment on: the typeface used, the amount of type on the page and the manner in which it works with the art style (i.e. does it sit aside it, as part of it or is it illustrated maybe?). Explain ‘why’ you think this with each point made.
  
• - Comment on: the art style used. Even though it’s a working mock-up the visual style will have been chosen for reasons. What do think these might be? Do they help convey the topic or hinder in your opinion – please explain ‘why’ whatever your answers are.
  
• - If there were up to 3 things that you feel could be implemented to improve further your chosen spread if the task were done again – what might these be and ‘why’?

N.B. You should be able to add a comment to this post by clicking 'comments' at the foot of the post. If you already have a Google or Blogger log in then you can use those - otherwise you should be able to put up a comment formatted as above as 'anonymous' (follow any basic security instructions it asks if needs be).

Further Refs From Illustrators in Session & John Scieszka

Just to quickly add the videos that we looked at this week in session 03:

Julia Donaldson and Axel Shiffler

Lovely little featurette off the Guardian's website about the collaboration between author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Shiffler..

Link to Guardian article:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/childrens-books-site/video/2013/feb/13/julia-donaldson-axel-scheffler-squash-squeeze-video?CMP=twt_gu

BBC Audio Piece on Roald Dahl

An interesting audio piece on Roald Dahl and what made him tick..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/exploring-the-life-roald-dahl/13870.html

GDES3004: 2013 New Cohort

Nice to meet you all today.. Just a few quick reminders discussed in session today and please find attached a copy of the initial research task for discussion next week..

1. London Trip / London Bookfair: Mon Apr 15th

We'll be taking your group (and others) down to London on our usual S2 trip on the above date.. As mentioned, we're bound really by the couple of days that the Book Fair runs in the week then and monday fits the best..

All tutors in Illustration, Graphics, Animation, CDME have now been informed of this trip now. They're expecting you to check to see if there are any clashes with other modules and (if needed..) to get in touch with them to negociate around anything well in advance. In a similar way we've mentioned this trip in wk 1 so that you can do the same for any work commits that may fall on that day too.

There will be a mandatory research exercise set while there at the bookfair - linked to your brief this year. The rest of your day will be your own though. We'll alert you to further details nearer the time. The cost will be the 'standard' £15 RTN - which we've managed to keep the same now for about the last 6x years - great value for a day in London..

http://www.londonbookfair.co.uk/

2. Initial research task for next week

Please find a reminder of the initial research task attached. I'll be recording who brings back what for my notes when I look around the teams next week..

3. Questions and/or tutorials

If you have any subsequent Q's then do get back and I'll aim to get back to you as soon as able with a 'value for money' reply. As mentioned, I'm happy to give 20 min tutorials if you arrange in advance via e-mail. These can be either face to face or (if you've no other need to travel/spend train or travel fares I can do informally over Skype too).