Both the podcast and the promo video were created in response to what Eric and I saw as what Morrison et al. (2019) would describe as a felt need. In other words, given the steady growth of the podcast medium in recent years (Vogt, 2016), it made sense that an instructional product that covers the basics of starting a podcast would be of benefit to our audience. The analysis phase of our project (Molenda, 2015) started by creating a marketing avatar, or a fictitious person who represents the intended audience of the podcast; this avatar could be characterized as a person who has no knowledge of how to start a podcast. We then designed (Molenda, 2015) an episode of our own podcast to teach the basics by scripting out sections based on what we wanted to teach. The development (Molenda, 2015) of our podcast episode included the process of recording audio and video at the same time using a combination of Spotify’s Soundtrap and our computers’ built-in webcams. Finally, edited everything together later in Apple’s Logic Pro (for audio editing) and Techsmith Camtasia (for video editing). This artifact most closely aligns with AECT Standard 1 – Content Knowledge in its creative use of multiple types of technology to achieve instructional goals (Januszewski, Molenda, et al., 2008, as cited in AECT Standards, 2012 Version, n.d.); goals that also required us to draw on several instructional design models.

Personal reflection: This artifact has a high production quality with a somewhat low instructional value. In other words, I am quite pleased with how well I was able to edit everything together. I am, however, a little less pleased with the content itself, which comes across as more of a marketing product than an instructional tool. That said, I think Eric and I created a good artifact given what little time we had to plan, record, and edit it.

I created this product—the game concept design for Piano Storybook—as my final project for EDET 652, and it specifically reflects my personal skills as a musician and music teacher, and, in particular, my background teaching young children to play the piano. Piano Storybook represents a starting point for a plan that will eventually be a complete curriculum contained within a computer/mobile game, and it is designed to teach young children how to play and practice piano. It is also designed to teach aural skills and the basics of music composition. For Piano Storybook, I am both the Instructional Designer and SME; because the final product has not yet been completed, I do not consider myself to be the developer (though I have completed some basic prototyping).

Personal reflection: Of all the various instructional modules I have planned or created during my time in the M.Ed., I think this among those that have the most potential to be successful as an actual product. Though I started working on the prototype before I began the M.Ed., I did not as thoroughly plan out the gaming aspect or the instructional objectives, which are the key elements that could make Piano Storybook a success. Indeed, before pursuing the M.Ed., I did not really have a good idea as to how to effectively plan the pedogogical aspects of the game, but now, I think I have what would be needed to complete the project.