HEADSPACE

• Potential Uses (How do you use it now or how might you use it in the future?) 

Personally, I use Headspace quite often. Currently, I am using it at night, but occasionally, I also use it in the mornings when I have a bit more time. There are a lot of different relaxation audio and exercises that help me fall asleep at night. There are also many mindful breathing exercises that I try to do in the mornings. I hope that in the future I use it a bit more because it really does help me focus on myself and slow everything down just for a bit. 

• User Interface (UI) Reflection 

The design of the app is pretty simple after using it for a couple of months. there are a lot of bright colors but they are muted at the same time because the app has a dark mode. They definitely designed this app for the user because there are 10+ categories for people to find exactly what they are looking for. 

• User Experience (UX) Reflection 

I think that Headspace has a good impact on my productivity but only if I use it before I'm doing something. Like if I need to clear my head before working on an assignment, I'll listen to a short breathing exercise. my psychological health is also impacted but in a good way because um being more mindful of my time and what I'm working on. It's convenient because all I have to do is click a few buttons and then sit back and listen. After looking into the elements of UI I realized I really don't need this app, there are so many other resources that are free out there and that are just as good. I think that this app is great but not necessary. 

•  Digital Wellness Considerations 

most of the apps I use daily don't benefit me in the long run, but Headspace does help me because it helps me sleep. there are definitely other things (cheaper/free) that are just as good. But right now this is what works for me. Personally, I think that social media apps are more harmful to me because I constantly am comparing not only myself but everything to what I see online. I think that I can model digital wellness to my students by providing access to some free apps that are similar to Headspace that have breathing exercises and podcasts.  

• Thoughts on Accessibility (more to come on this topic next week) 

The content is easy to read and is comprehendible, there are a lot of videos and I think there is an option to turn on captions. there is an option to change the language to; Deutsch, English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. The only thing is that the app is not free, there is a student discount but it still adds up. 

• Applications to Practice: How might being aware of design (UI & UX) and wellness considerations benefit you as a future teacher? 

I think that being aware of UI, UX, and wellness considerations will benefit me as a teacher in the future for various reasons. One is that I'll be experienced and knowledgeable about the topic and I'll be able to help and answer any questions my students have. I'll also be able to share some of the cool things about these apps and the takeaways from each of them. I think that being mindful is such an important thing especially when it comes to the internet because nowadays people just scroll for hours, so I want to be able to share apps that don't have that effect on students.