Dewmi+Herath+9DTR+Unit+4+What+Can+I+Do?

My Investigation:

In this unit, we were given freedom to do what we wanted, as long as it was linked to the unit 4 question 'What can I do?'. in this unit, we had to create something that would help any one of our communities that we are involved in. For example, we could create a website, power-point poster, billboard, game, database and so on, as long as it helps any community we are part of. It doesn't have to be about our school community, it could be about any community that was outside of school. It didn't matter, as long as we helped that particular community.

I wanted to do this unit on the community and service activity, Book Distribution. Mainly because i wanted to help out children who don't have the privilege to read whenever we want like us. So i wanted to make people aware of the activity, and wanted to give the people more information about the activity and make sure it is not a fraud. I wanted to advertise book distribution, whilst still giving enough information to encourage people to join the club, and help little children in the Likuni Area in Lilongwe. I was part of the book distribution community and service activity, so i decided to make a brochure to promote it and tell everyone what we do and why we do this. I would make the brochure through Microsoft Publisher, so i have a template that i can change if i wanted to get the perfect design for the brochure. Of course I would actually create the designs, so i have an idea as to what i want the brochure to look like, so i can alter the template on Publisher. Also to make it difficult for me, i don't have Microsoft Publisher at home, so i have to do the whole creation stage at school. If i don't complete it in time, i would have to stay after school to finish it on time. I chose this topic because i think that book distribution is an important activity because not a lot of communities or villages have access to books or a good education. So it was amazing that this club could help those children in need. We also teach them about the story-lines of the books and teach them to read with the reading club we have at the same time. We take books from the national library and distribute them to different school around the likuni area. Once we have done that, we read to different schools during our time there every Wednesday afternoon. We read to them and sometimes ask them to read to us, then we ask them questions about the book to know that they understand what it was about; and if they have any questions we answer them. But the main problem is the time frame and the amount of students doing the activity. There isn't much time when we reach the Teacher Developmental Center (TDC), and there is a lot of kids and we cannot read to all of them, we can only read to at least 15 - 20 students. We all hope to expand that by increasing the amount of students doing this particular activity. So if there are more students, we can read to more children in the TDC.

That is what i plan to do. Make a brochure to promote this activity and make them understand that this activity is not just for community and service requirements, it is making a difference in the villages in the same area you are in. Since we live in this glamorous world where we have all the necessary things that we need, but there are others who are not so lucky to be in the same spot as we are. So it would be fulfilling if you help those children in need. I don't only want to make a poster when people cannot see exactly what we do. So i decided to make a power-point with a video and pictures as well as dramatic music to make the power-point heart wrenching and very emotional. :)

I went on the internet to figure out what makes a good informative yet interesting brochure. I found a few websites that helped me get an idea as to what to include in the brochure. this is what i found: Firstly a good brochure should me quick and to the point. Mainly because if it is droning on about a certain topic and it is too long, the reader won't pay attention to what you are saying, also they might not finish reading it and then your product would fail. So it must be quick to the point as well as short. Approximately 20-25 folds in a very informative brochure. In addition, we have to research about the topic first, so that we know what we want in the brochure. This way it is easier to shorten the writing, also you would be able to get the pictures to perfectly portray the message you are sending out. Secondly the brochure should have a large headline, so that it is visible from a reasonable distance and catch the readers attention. But mainly you need to figure out which kind of an audience that you are talking to. Like if it is for little kids, teens, or adults. So that you use that kind of language and keep the readers attention and keep it from wondering off to another topic. Thirdly don't overwhelm the reader with a lot of information. One single picture tells a thousand words, so you have to make sure that you have pictures to balance out the information. This way the reader can be intrigued by the topic and might even think of applying for it, or buy it, etc. Another thing to remember is to use AIDA which stands for: A - attention I - interest D - desire A - action You have to make sure that your brochure ticks all of the blocks, so that it makes the brochure a good and eye-catching.

Also the design of the brochure should be fun and eye-catching, because that is how people read things. They look and see if it is interesting, then do they begin reading. So even though your writing might be good and interesting, a dull design or colour scheme can make it unappealing. SO that wouldn't help promote your product or topic.

I do however think about my time frame a lot, so i thought of doing the investigation and designs at home and then the creation would be done in school because i don't have Microsoft Publisher at home and am unable to complete it at home. However i could find the pictures and information for the brochure at home as well, so when i got to school i could just adjust my writing to fit in the brochure. So all i would have to do is just add the info and pictures instead of sitting on the computer think of what to write.

My Bibliography: > http://savedelete.com/8-killer-steps-to-create-an-effective-brochure.html [online] Accessed: Wednesday 29th May 2013. > >
 * Tana Goodman. Accessed Monday 20th May 2013
 * Leaflet & Brochure Distribution | Leaflet & Brochure Display Stands | Take One Media UK. Take One Media - Leaflet Design Top 10 Tips. http://www.takeonemedia.co.uk/why/79/[online] Accessed: Wednesday 29th May 2013.
 * SaveDelete - Technology News, Cool Software, Design and Internet Tips. 8 Killer Steps To Create An Effective Brochure.

My Plan:
 * Date || What?  || Problems I might have?  || Solutions  ||
 * 6th May ||  Investigation  || * I might not have decided what I wanted to do for the unit.
 * I might be confused as to what topic I wanted to do for the unit
 * I might not get enough info on what i am doing as a topic || * I could ask my friends what would be best for the time frame and what would suit me.
 * I could also ask everyone as to what topic would be suitable to the communities that I am part of. ||
 * 13th May ||  Design  || * I might not have a perfect idea for my creation, or it might not be reasonable with the time frame that we have. || * I could look at the topic I was doing and see what kind of designs that are appealing to the eye. ||
 * 27th May ||  Create  || * I might not completely finish the creation by the deadline
 * I might not follow the design exactly. || * I should stay a couple days before the deadline to try and finish it. Also make the poster part at home.
 * I could make a few changes, but if I need to make major changes I could talk about it in the evaluation ||
 * 31st May ||  Evaluate  || * I might not have included enough detail to my evaluation for the final product || * I could look through the brochure, look at all the pros and cons. Then ask my friends about what they think. Then i could inco-operate these ideas into the final product evaluation ||
 * Time Plan: **

**Monday 20th May 2013:** In this 55 minute lesson, i will begin finding pictures to fill my brochure. Firstly i will get pictures from Madame Taylor when we went to do the book distribution. Then i will go on the internet to get pictures of villages and people without the privileges to read and learn through books.

**Tuesday 21st May 2013:** I also still have a single lesson, so i will now start the designs for the brochure. I will brainstorm how i want it to look. along with how many fold it needs to have and the kinds of information that needs to go in it.

**Wednesday 22nd May 2013:** I have a 55 minute lesson today so i am going to go to publisher and look and several templates and color schemes that kind of looks like my designs, so i only have to slightly alter it. I will also upload my designs onto the wiki so i have it on my page.

home in making the poster through gimp and recording any changes i made when i was creating the final product. I want to at least get the poster done, so that when i go back to school, i can ask a few people as to how the poster is and what i need to do in improving it.
 * Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday: ** Through out the next week, i will work at school after school, a few times so i could at least get the first draft done. This way i can ask people what i need to improve and

**Monday 27th May 2013:** I have a single lesson, which is 55 minutes. So during the lesson, i want to ask a few students about my brochure. I want to get feedback, good and bad. I will also give them a survey as to what the product has and what it needs to have in addition. This is what the survey is going to be about: ** My Brochure feedback survey **
 * 1) What do you think worked best?


 * 1) What do you think could be improved on?


 * 1) Did it have enough information/Pictures? (Tick the box)

Yes: No:


 * 1) 1. What else could the brochure need?


 * 1) 2. Are the colours bold and go well with each other? (Tick the box)

Yes: No:


 * 1) 3. Does it have enough folds for a brochure?

Yes: No:


 * 1) 4. Would you like anything else on the brochure?


 * 1) 5. Would you like more information or pictures? (Tick the box)

Information: Pictures:

Other (please explain):

I sent this survey to many people in my class, along with a sample of the brochure, but sadly i only got 3 replies, Fatima, Tana and Theodora answered my survey. I wasnt happy that i didnt have enough feedback, however, it is ok becuase at least i got feedback so i know what to work on. ** Tana/Theodora Brochure feedback survey Answers **

 Good Pictures and they balanced well with the information.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">What do you think worked best? **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Color scheme. You could've used the BMIS color scheme. Make the colors pop and stand out.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">What do you think could be improved on? **


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Did it have enough information/Pictures? **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Yes

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.5;">less information, but not too little and not too much and more pictures.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> What else could the brochure need? **


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">Are the colors bold and go well with each other? **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Yes


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Does it have enough folds for a brochure? **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Yes


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Would you like anything else on the brochure? **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">More contact information


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">Would you like more information or pictures? **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> pictures

** Fatima Brochure feedback survey **


 * 1) ** What do you think worked best? **

Showing what the whole activity is about.


 * 1) ** What do you think could be improved on? **

If you included a picture in the title page about book distribution.
 * 1) ** Did it have enough information/Pictures? **

YES


 * 1) ** 1. What else could the brochure need? **

NO
 * 1) ** 2. Are the colours bold and go well with each other? **

YES


 * 1) ** 3. Does it have enough folds for a brochure? **

YES


 * 1) ** 4. Would you like anything else on the brochure? **

NO


 * 1) ** 5. Would you like more information or pictures? **

Pictures

My Design Specifications I want my final brochure will have:
 * A lot of touching pictures
 * Relevant information about the activity
 * A title page that catches the eye
 * Should at least have 3 folds
 * Include other information that go into a brochure in general (i.e. contact info, business name, etc...)

My Design:


 * First Design: **
 * Front: **


 * Back: **

This design was good, however i wanted it to have less info about the activity. There was too much information so the reader might get bored and not continue reading about the activity. It did have touching pictures because i did choose the pictures before hand so that i could just add them in instead of wasting time choosing pictures. It had relevant information about the activity, as well as what we think. The title page however seems a bit boring, and it shouldn't be, to catch the readers attention. I did have 3 folds so that there is enough space to put all the information and pictures. I also did include the other general information because i thought that was very important if the person wanted to join. It would be ridiculous if the person wanted to join, but didn't know where to go. I didn't choose this design because i wanted the title page to be interesting, and catch the persons eye. The title is the main part of the brochure, so if it is boring it wouldn't be read by anyone.


 * Touching Pictures ||  YES  ||
 * Relevant information about activity ||  YES  ||
 * Title page that catches the eye ||  NO  ||
 * Should have at least 3 folds ||  YES  ||
 * Includes other information (contact info, business info…) ||  YES  ||

**Second Design:**
 * Front: **
 * Back: **

I kind of liked this design, however it still didn't have a title page that catches the eye. T here was too much information so the reader might get bored and not continue reading about the activity. It did have touching pictures because i did choose the pictures before hand so that i could just add them in instead of wasting time choosing pictures. It had relevant information about the activity, as well as what we think. The title page however seems a bit boring, and it shouldn't be, to catch the readers attention. I did have 3 folds so that there is enough space to put all the information and pictures. I also did include the other general information because i thought that was very important if the person wanted to join. It would be ridiculous if the person wanted to join, but didn't know where to go. I also thought that the design was not exactly to my liking because i hadnt included a colour scheme that i was to follow to help em make the brochure pop and really colourful.


 * Touching Pictures ||  YES  ||
 * Relevant information about activity ||  YES  ||
 * Title page that catches the eye ||  NO  ||
 * Should have at least 3 folds ||  YES  ||
 * Includes other information (contact info, business info…) ||  YES  ||

**Third Design:**
 * Front: **
 * Back: **

I also liked this design because it was similar to the others, but it still didn't have an eye catching title. There was less information that was to go to this but also there was a long speech added to it, so i think that, that would make it boring. Also i didn't think the pictures i have were enough for all that information, plus i don't think i would have enough space to get all the elements onto the brochure. I included exactly what i wanted in the design, but the layout wasn't exactly what i wanted.


 * Touching Pictures ||  YES  ||
 * Relevant information about activity ||  YES  ||
 * Title page that catches the eye ||  NO  ||
 * Should have at least 3 folds ||  YES  ||
 * Includes other information (contact info, business info…) ||  YES  ||

**Fourth Design:**
 * Front: **


 * Back: **

I liked this design like the others, but it kinda had the same title page layout, by this time i gave up and decided to tweak it during the creation process by adding a few pictures here and there. For the absolute final, i will include a few pictures where there are spaces, so there aren't many blank spaces that make the brochure dull and boring. I will also choose a colour scheme once i get templates for the brochure through Microsoft Publisher so that i have a rough idea as to what kind of colours go well with the layout and what i was doing.


 * Touching Pictures ||  YES  ||
 * Relevant information about activity ||  YES  ||
 * Title page that catches the eye ||  KINDA  ||
 * Should have at least 3 folds ||  YES  ||
 * Includes other information (contact info, business info…) ||  YES  ||

My Creation: I created a brochure and using the information from the survey i conducted and Tana, Fatima and Theodora answered, i altered it so it was much more interesting. I also changed some parts of my design so that i could fit it with what i wanted.

Modifications:

I made a few modifications because i didn't exactly make a design that i liked without having to change it, so i just altered the fourth design. Firstly i decided to take the long encouraging completely out because, who wants to read a whole page about something when you could just look at pictures with a few captions. Secondly i changed the pictures location because i didn't have enough space to fit all of them and the information. I had to cut down on a few pictures because of the space. Thirdly i changed the order of the last section because it didn't flow with the rest, it was chopped up too much that you would've gotten confused. So basically i changed part of the structure, so that it was much more organised.

My Evaluation:


 * __Investigation:__**

For my investigation I think I should get a 4 because I think I did well and included what was required. I included the design specification, problems and solutions. I described them in detail; however the design specifications weren't in much detail. So I think I really do deserve this grade maybe higher because I worked hard in this part of the unit because I was determined to help the book distribution community. I did have a few problems while I was doing this because I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do for this unit, so I kept changing from one thing to the other. So my investigation was edited to whilst doing the creation stage because I changed what I wanted to do. So I partially had to change everything I did. I also kept asking what topic I should do and what creation I should do. So when I kept changing I got annoyed because I wasn't going to finish on time with all the time I wasted trying to get a topic.


 * __Design:__**

I think I deserve a 4 as well for this because I had over 3 designs and compared it to the design specifications. I described what I thought about the designs and explained why I didn't choose it or why I didn't choose it. I had quite a bit of detail, so you could tell exactly what I thought about the designs. I also indicated why I chose the design I did and what I thought about it. I didn't exactly want to do a lot of designs so I just chose the best from the 4 and made changes. So I think I could have actually drawn the designs like I wanted in the first place instead of altering the designs already made before.


 * __Plan:__**

For the plan I don’t have to grade myself because we were given the dates, however I did write the problems I might face and possible solutions for the problems. I think that was a good idea because then I could look at the solution when I get to the same problem that I have listed in my plan.


 * __Create:__**

I think that I should get a 4 for the create part because I did include a lot of what I wanted to do from the designs. It also followed the designs, but I did make changes to it because I didn’t have enough time to write too much, also because there would be a lot of writing and not enough pictures; that is what I want to avoid because then it would be too boring. I did however put in pictures where the long speech is going to be, so that the reader can have a look at what the activity is all about, instead of reading what it is about. I should have managed my time better because I was rushing to put in the pictures yesterday. (June 4th). I didn't like rushing because I don’t do a good job then, so I decided I really need to manage my time better, not only in ICT but every subject.


 * __Evaluate:__**

I think this evaluation deserves a 4 as well because I did evaluate in detail each of the stages I did. I described my process in each stage in detail so you could have an idea as to what I did and what I faced throughout the process. I also did what was necessary to do in the evaluation criteria.

__**Overall Evaluation:**__ I thought that this unit was enjoyable because i wasn't stressed into doing something i was not comfortable with, or not good with. So i really enjoyed getting information about book distribution because i really wanted to help a lot of young children who didn't have the privilege of getting a good education. I also enjoyed making the brochure because i thought it was fun to get the pictures and going to read to them. I did have phases of doing a lot of other things other than the brochure because i didnt exactly think most of the things through.

NOTE TO FELLOW STUDENTS/TEACHERS:


 * Hey guys I was wondering if you could just add a discussion post on what you think of my unit and what I did for this unit. Also if you can suggest some opinions, it would be great. **


 * Thanks **
 * Dewmi ;) **