instructional analysis diagram, 2015

concept map of ipad game bug art

For my dissertation, I explored the culture of learning with technology through an ethnographic content analysis of the activity of learning with educational ipad apps. One of the ways in which I collected and documented data was through the development of instructional analysis diagrams. The purpose of the diagram was to map the design through methodical observations of available methods, strategies, and actions that are embedded within the app. I played each educational games dozens of times until I had exhausted every actionable item in the app. The user interface of the app was diagrammed using Adobe Illustrator. Squares indicated the steps of the sequence. Diamonds indicated decision-making steps (i.e., opportunities to tap or swipe, etc.). In cases where the user interface looped, roman characters indicated where the selection connected. Below is a sample from the app, Bug Art. Tools: Adobe Illustrator