user guide for educators
This online learning environment is designed to provide a space for freeflow and self-guided discovery, communication, and understanding. The multisensory learning environment exists within the context of an art museum, with the aim of educating mature adolescent and adult museum patrons on the evocation of objects and the various cultural and personal sentiments unique to every contributor. The website exhibits four collection themes: The Evocative, The Ordinary, The Gleaned, and The Relic; links to each are clearly displayed as icons on the home page. Additionally, navigation to the links of each of these themed pages remains static on the top right side of the user’s screen throughout the site. Each theme is explored on its own page, where users can scroll through the various collection exhibits and artifacts.
The website is hosted through Google Sites, however, some collections are incorporated through embedded Tumblr feeds or embedded Padlets. We have also embedded a Disqus discussion board on separate discussion pages. Below we have outlined the key functions that for ease of navigation are consistently repeated throughout the four collection theme pages:
Open Collections
Throughout the site ‘open collections,’ which are existing collections that participants can contribute to, are indicated with this title. Many are set up as Tumblr feeds that are embedded on the site. The user can scroll through the feed directly on the site, or they can follow a link to view the feed directly on Tumblr. Whenever there is an open collection listed, there is a submission function located nearby.
For further information on using Tumblr, check out their Help Centre.
Submission function
The submission function link is consistent throughout the site and appears like this:
➤ submit to this collection
When selected, it will open the Tumblr-operated submit function in a new window, where the participant can upload various modes of content such as text, a photo, a link, a quote or a video. This content will be submitted through Tumblr, and the curators of the space will approve and post submissions as they are received.
Ask function
The ask function link is consistent throughout the site and appears like this:
➤ ask us a question
Throughout the site, we ask participants to think about whether they have their own collections they want to share on the site, and when we do this, we provide a link to the ask function, so that they can provide direct communication to us while they are already engaged in learning and participation.
Padlet Boards (Embedded)
Padlet boards serve as collaborative mind maps or think-spaces where participants can connect and share their own content directly on the board. For certain open collections, we have embedded Padlet boards directly on our site, for ease of viewing. We have also included links that connect users directly to the Padlet, as accessing a board directly on the Padlet site provides the best functionality to contribute. Whenever we display a Padlet, we include the following link:
➤ collab on the Padlet
For further information on using Padlet, check out the Knowledge Base & Support section of their site.
Personal Collections
In addition to the open collections displayed throughout each theme page, we have also included several personal collections to share how others approach the act of collecting, and to provide inspiration for participants. Personal collections are displayed in various ways, whether through an embedded Tumblr, a carousel view of images or through video clips. Personal collections are not open for submissions, yet we do encourage users to connect with us using the ask function if they wish to inquire about sharing their own personal collections on the site.
Discussion Links
Each theme has a discussion page where participants can post their reflections, or engage in discussion with others. Throughout the collection theme pages we have many prompts asking participants to think about the content they are viewing and interacting with. Where these prompts exist, we have also included links to the corresponding discussion page that appear like this:
➤ discuss the evocative...
Participants can also access the discussion pages at the top right navigation centre. When hovering over any of the collection theme pages, a link to the related themed discussion will appear in a dropdown menu.
The discussion functionality is created using embedded Disqus discussion boards. For further information on using Disqus, check out the Support section of their site.