This page outlines our original framework designed for the proposed problem and solution. This will be the framework that our group used to help with the identified problem of this project and the path towards our chosen solution.

The Process of Developing a Framework:

Using the frameworks examined in the underlying theories section of this project, we came to develop an original framework. Realizing that a visual such as a chart, graphic organizer, concept map, or infographic would be an appropriate medium to help visualize the proposed solution. Since the course also focuses on digital games, in the software development / game development industry, visual problem solving and examination of relationships can be expressed using a tool called a UML (Universal Modelling Language) diagram (Introducing Types of UML Diagrams. 2020). Any framework is composed of concepts and relationships. Combining key ideas from concept maps, UML diagrams, and the frameworks expressed in the underlying theories section, we were attracted to using the UML diagram for three main reasons:

1. The direct connection to digital game development (through software development models)

2. How it models relationships (which are so important in education)

3. How it expresses “top-down” hierarchical design (Basu. 2018)

The UML diagram uses concepts such as “nodes” and relationships relates to similar and related ideas in Computer Science. This diagram also examines ideas (called “objects”) and the relationships between them. It goes further to examine the properties and functions of those objects and uses a skeuomorphism approach (Wigmore, 2013). This framework development is a hybrid of those ideas:

See in the diagram, this UML diagram uses a legend to express the relationships between the ideas:

The diagram show the progress and connections of ideas towards our solution. The solutions primary ideas came from Jenna's research and ideas. Jenna developed the initial idea for a solution and developed through our working documents. From those ideas, we developed a tiered surrogate solution framework outline below...

The Tiered Surrogate Solution Framework:

From the above diagramed process, and Jenna's extensive research - the original framework below was developed. Explanation for this framework can be read about in more detail on our proposed solution page. In examining our professional relationships to the problem and as seen in a sub-section of the larger diagram above.

The relationships led to the development of this original tiered surrogate solution framework. From this sub-section you can see that all of our teaching areas are represented along with an established relationship to DGBL. The infographic below gives a visual representation of the concepts of our framework designed to engage the viewer and express our solution quickly and clearly (What is an Infographic? 2021). Further expanded upon on our proposed solution page, the infographic below illustrates our solution ideas graphically:

An animated version of this framework infographic can also be seen below (please allow some loading time to display):