THESIS OUTLINE

I. Thesis Abstract

II. Introduction

a. Problem statement: Conventional simulators and online instructional methods fall  short in delivering higher order learning

b. Proposed solution: By utilizing direct manipulation with real-time feedback, a learner can better synthesize cause and effect relationships, thus bridging the gap between abstract concepts and the theory behind those concepts.

Thesis statement:

Conventional simulators and online instructional methods fall short in delivering higher order learning. By utilizing direct manipulation with real-time feedback, a learner can better understand how technical manipulation effect visual results, thus bridging the gap between abstract concepts and the theory behind those concepts.

III. Visualization Tools

a. History Of Visualization Tools

b. Advantages of Visualization Tools

i. Facilitated understanding of complex topics
ii. Increased familiarity with Interface

c. Dis-advantages Visualization Tools

i.   Can be misleading to the visitors not familiar with the metaphors used.
ii.  Cognitive Tools are incomplete.
iii. Can become outdated quickly.
iv. Experts & Research

d. Visualization Tools Examples

i. Yahoo body map
ii. TheSim Cam
iii. Camera Simulator

III. Direct Manipulation 

a. History Of Direct manipulation
b. Advantages of Direct Manipulation
c. Dis-advantages of Using Direct Manipulation
d. Experts & Research

IV. Visualization Tools & Direct Manipulation In Education

a. History Of Visualization Tools In Education
b. Advantages of Visualization Tools In Education
c. Dis-advantages Visualization Tools In Education

V. Methodology

a. Identify the problem
i. Conventional simulators and online instructional methods fall short in delivering higher order learning.

b. Provide a solution
i. An application that promotes higher learning through direct manipulation and interaction providing immediate visual feedback.
ii. Research
iii. Low Fidelity Prototype
iv.  User Testing
v. Revisions
vi. High Fidelity Prototype
vii. User Testing
viii. Revisions
IX. Additional Testing

VII. Thesis Final Prototype

1. Final prototype for the virtual camera
2. Film speed manipulation, providing immediate visual feedback
3. Shutter speed manipulation, providing immediate visual feedback
4. Aperture manipulation, providing immediate visual feedback
5. Shutter and Aperture manipulation, providing immediate visual feedback
6. Shutter, aperture and film speed manipulation simultaneously, providing immediate visual feedback

1. Evaluate and assess the effectiveness of the application in promoting higher learning through:

1. User testing
2. Class projects
3. Student project outcome

VIII. Additional improvements

IX.  Conclusion

1. Appendices A.
   a. Target Audience Testing I
   b. Target Audience Testing II
   c. Target Audience Testing III

XI. Appendix B. Prototypes

Thesis Outline

I. Introduction

A. Thesis statement:
Conventional simulators and online instructional methods fall short in delivering higher order learning. By utilizing direct manipulation with real-time feedback, a learner can better understand how technical manipulation effect visual results, thus bridging the gap between abstract concepts and the theory behind those concepts.

Problem statement: Conventional simulators and online instructional methods fall short in delivering higher order learning

Proposed solution: By utilizing direct manipulation with real-time feedback, a learner can better synthesize cause and effect relationships, thus bridging the gap between abstract concepts and the theory behind those concepts.

II. Introduction to Cognitive Tools 

A. History of Cognitive Tools
B. Advantages of Using of Cognitive Tools
1. Facilitated understanding of complex topics
2. Increased familiarity with Interface
3. Encourages website exploration to users familiar with the metaphors used in the website.

C. Dis-advantages of Using of Cognitive Tools
1. Can be misleading to the visitors not familiar with the metaphors used.
2. Cognitive Tools are incomplete.
3. Can become outdated quickly.

D. Experts & Research
1. Alan Cooper
2. Donald Norman
3. Kenneth Craik
4. David H. Jonassen

III. Introduction to Direct Manipulation 

A. History Of Direct manipulation
B. Advantages of Direct Manipulation
C. Dis-advantages of Using Direct Manipulation
D. Experts & Research

1. Alan Cooper
2. Donald Norman
3. Colin Ware
4. James P. Gee

IV. Visualization Tools

A. History Of Visualization Tools
B. Advantages of Visualization Tools

1. Facilitated understanding of complex topics
2. Increased familiarity with Interface
3. Encourages website exploration to users familiar with the metaphors used in the website.

C. Dis-advantages Visualization Tools

1. Can be misleading to the visitors not familiar with the metaphors used.
2. Cognitive Tools are incomplete.
3. Can become outdated quickly.

D. Visualization Tools Examples

1. Yahoo body map
2. MacSpartan Visualization tool
3. Adobe Kuler
4. TheSim Cam
5. Camera Simulator
6. Cam Sim

D. Experts & Research

1. Alan Cooper
2. Donald Norman
3. Colin Ware
4. James P. Gee

V. Visualization Tools In Education

A. History Of Visualization Tools In Education
B. Advantages of Visualization Tools In Education

1. Facilitated understanding of complex topics
2. Increased familiarity with Interface
3. Encourages website exploration to users familiar with the metaphors used in the website.

C. Dis-advantages Visualization Tools In Education

1. Can be misleading to the visitors not familiar with the metaphors used.
2. Cognitive Tools are incomplete.
3. Can become outdated quickly.

D. Visualization Tools Examples

1. MacSpartan Visualization tool
2. Camera Simulator

D. Experts & Research

1. David H. Jonassen
2. Will Constello
3. James P. Gee

VI. Proposed Solution

A. An application that promotes higher learning through:

1. Direct manipulation
2. Direct interaction
3. Immediate visual feedback

direct interaction and manipulation which provides immediate visual results.
B. Advantages of Visualization Tools In Education

1. Facilitated understanding of complex topics
2. Increased familiarity with Interface
3. Encourages website exploration to users familiar with the metaphors used in the website.

VII. METHODOLOGY OF SOLUTION

A. Design the low fidelity in Photoshop and Illustrator
B. Program the simulator in Flash and HTML5
C. Test the rough prototype in beginning photography classes
D. Collect Data
E. Make revisions
F. Additional Testing

A. Evaluate and assess the effectiveness of the application in promoting higher learning through:

1. Class projects
2. User Testing
3. Student Outcome

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Thesis Outline

I. INTRODUCTION

1. Thesis statement

2. Problem statement

3. Proposed solution

II. NEW TECHNOLOGY AND ONLINE EDUCATION

A. Metaphors as visual learning tools
1. Metaphors and direct manipulation

B. Online educational websites

1. Blackboard eLearning platform
a. Advantages:

i. Information accessibility

ii. Conducive for none visual learners

b. Dis-advantages:

i. Linear and threaded interface
ii. Minimal visual learning tools

iii. Not conducive for visual learners

2. Apple in Education
a. Advantages:

i. Direct manipulation and interaction with the interface

ii. Conducive for visual learner

b. Disadvantages:

1. Not affordable for everyone

ii. Not accessible for everyone

III. MY PROPOSED SOLUTION

1. Build lesson plans around a custom designed simulator for eLearning introductory
   photography class as a visual learning tool that allows:

1. Direct manipulation

2. Direct interaction

3. Immediate visual feedback on:

a. Aperture setting
b. Shutter speed setting

c. Film speed setting

d. Color corrector setting

B. Each lesson plan would include:

1. Photography lessons on techniques and theory

2. Guided exercises using the simulator directly related to the lesson

3. Video tutorials

4. Detailed instructions as downloadable PDF file

5. Illustrations and diagrams

C. Bridge the gap for the beginner learner between theory and practice by:

1. Guided exercises using the simulator

2. In-depth lesson plans discussing the theory behind each techniques
3. Visual simulation that provides immediate feedback through direct     manipulation of each tool.

D. Online Standalone Simulators Advantages and Dis-advantages

1. Online Standalone Simulators advantages:

a. Useful for a user familiar with basic photography concepts

2. Standalone simulators dis-advantages:

a. No lesson plans or guided instructions for a beginner learner

b. The interface tools do not look like a physical digital camera which can     cause confusion for a beginner user when using the physical camera.

c. Confusing interface for a beginner learner

VI. METHODOLOGY OF SOLUTION

1. Design the simulator in Photoshop and illustrator
2. Program the simulator in Flash and HTML5
3. Embed in educational beginning photography website
4. Include guided lesson plans and exercises around the simulator
5. Test the new application to assess it’s effectiveness through:

1. Class projects
2. Project assessment
3. Student surveys

4. Questionnaires

V. CONCLUSION

A. Provide alternative methods of teaching so the student can choose the tool that best suits his or her learning style.

B. Minimizing the need for the learner to leave the website in search of finding relevant resources or tools for completing their assignments.