Introduction

Throughout this course, I explored how different forms of media can create engaging learning experiences. Before taking EDCI 337, I had little experience creating multimedia projects beyond taking photos and short videos. Over the semester, I learned how thoughtful design choices, storytelling, and multimedia principles improve communication and understanding.

This portfolio reflects my learning throughout the course by discussing my multimedia story, Daily Creates, and data visualization activities while explaining how they demonstrate the learning outcomes.

Looking back, I can clearly see my progress from someone who was unfamiliar with multimedia design to someone who can intentionally combine text, images, audio, video, and data to communicate ideas more effectively. I believe the knowledge and skills I gained in this course will continue to benefit me in both my academic studies and my future career.

  1. Contextualize how learning informs interactive and multimedia experiences.

At the beginning of the semester, I was not sure what exactly interactive and multimedia meant, but through the lectures and Daily Creates, I realized that effective multimedia learning is based on intentional design rather than the number of media elements used or simply combining different types of media. Studying multimedia learning theories helped me recognize how text, images, audio, and video can work together to support learning. For example, in my Week 5 Daily Create (https://thisismystudentblog2.opened.ca/2026/06/25/daily-creation-week-5/), I posted a photograph of a meaningful place along with an introduction in my first language. Although the photograph and audio presented different aspects of my experience, together they communicated my identity more effectively than either medium could have alone. In my Week 6 data visualization activity (https://thisismystudentblog2.opened.ca/2026/06/25/daily-creation-week-6/), graphs communicate more effectively when they present information clearly rather than simply including more data. Creating my own visualizations taught me that effective graphs communicate key information clearly rather than simply presenting more data. Overall, these experiences taught me that effective multimedia learning is achieved by intentionally selecting media that support the learning goal rather than using multiple forms of media simply because they are available. Sharing my work and viewing my classmates’ creations helped me understand that learning is interactive and encouraged me to improve my own multimedia projects.

2. Apply multimedia design principles in planning your educational resources

One of the most valuable concepts I learned in this course was Mayer’s Multimedia Learning Principles. Before taking this course, I mainly focused on creating media that looked visually appealing. However, I learned that effective multimedia design requires thoughtful planning so that learners can focus on the most important information without becoming overwhelmed.

I applied these principles most clearly in my week 6 data visualization activity (https://thisismystudentblog2.opened.ca/2026/06/25/daily-creation-week-6/).

When creating graphs about Manchester City’s 20256-26 season, I intentionally selected simple graphs without unnecessary decorative elements to follow the Coherence Principle. I also used clear titles and labels to draw viewers’ attention to the key statistics, applying the Signaling  Principle. In addition, I posted labels close to the graphs so that viewers could easily connect the text with the visual information, following the Spatial Contiguity Principle.

This experience changed the way I approach multimedia design. Instead of asking whether a design looks attractive, I now consider whether each design choice helps the audience understand the information more effectively. I believe this way of thinking will be useful whenever I create presentations, reports, or other educational resources in the future.

3. Engage in design thinking to create multimedia learning projects

The Daily Creates activity helped me understand that designing multimedia projects involves planning, adapting, and making thoughtful decisions rather than simply creating media. Before starting each activity, I considered what message I wanted to communicate and which type of media would best support that goal.

For example, in my Week 3 photography activity (https://thisismystudentblog2.opened.ca/2026/06/25/daily-creates-week-3/), I chose to photograph a single tree instead of a wider landscape because I wanted viewers to focus on one subject without unnecessary distractions. In Week 4 (https://thisismystudentblog2.opened.ca/2026/06/25/daily-creation-week-4/), I originally planned to record peacocks walking in Beacon Hill Park, but after finding them resting in a tree instead, I adapted my original idea while still creating a meaningful video. These experiences taught me that flexibility is an important part of design. By the end of the course, I became more confident in planning projects and adapting to unexpected situations.

4. Apply storytelling principles in creating effective learning opportunities.

Throughout this course, I realized that storytelling is not limited to written stories or videos. Personal experiences, photographs, sounds, and other forms of media can also communicate meaningful messages and help audiences connect with the content. By sharing my own experiences, I found that multimedia became more engaging and relatable.

One example was my Week 2 Daily Create (https://thisismystudentblog2.opened.ca/2026/06/25/daily-creation-week2/), where I introduced a nostalgic Japanese graduation song. Rather than simply sharing the music, I explained its cultural significance and why it reminded me of my own graduation ceremonies in Japan. This allowed viewers to understand both the song and the personal memory behind it. Another example was my Week 5 Daily Create (https://thisismystudentblog2.opened.ca/2026/06/25/daily-creation-week-5/), as I mentioned in outcome 1 part,  I combined a photograph of a meaningful place with an audio introduction in Japanese. Together, these media helped tell a more complete story about my identity and experiences stronger connections with audiences and make multimedia projects more memorable and meaningful.

5. Describe and apply principles of effective interactive multimedia design.

The Multimedia Story assignment (https://thisismystudentblog2.opened.ca/2026/06/17/multimedia-story-final/) gave me the opportunity to combine different forms of media into one meaningful learning experience. My project documented a motorcycle trip to East Sooke Regional Park, where I used driving videos, nature photographs, and written descriptions to share both the journey and the destination. Instead of presenting each piece of media separately, I organized them in a logical sequence so that viewers could follow the experience from the beginning of the ride to exploring the park.

Creating this project helped me understand that effective multimedia design depends on how different media complement one another. The driving videos provided movement and context, while the photographs allowed viewers to appreciate the scenery in greater detail. The map provided viewers with geographical context, while the driving videos showed the journey itself and the photographs highlighted details of the natural environment. This project brought together many of the skills I had developed throughout the course and increased my confidence in creating multimedia content with a clear purpose.

6. Generate a variety of prototype artifacts including: comics, videos, and web pages.

Throughout this course, I created a variety of multimedia artifacts that developed my technical and creative skills. Each week’s Daily Create introduced a different type of media, including text, audio, photography, video, multimedia, and data visualization. Since I had little experience creating multimedia content before this course, each activity gave me an opportunity to experiment with a new way of communicating ideas.

Working with different media helped me understand that each form has its own strengths. Text allowed me to express ideas clearly, audio communicated emotion and personal experiences, photographs captured meaningful moments, videos added movement and context, and data visualizations presented information in a clear and organized way. Rather than relying on one type of media, I learned to select the format that best matched the purpose of each project. By the end of the semester, I felt much more confident creating multimedia artifacts and adapting my ideas to different media formats.

7. Use GenAI appropriately as a tool to support creative activities. (NOTE: ‘Appropriate GenAI use’ might be refusing to use GenAI.)

I used generative AI as a learning support tool rather than as a replacement for my own work. I mainly used ChatGPT to brainstorm ideas, organize my reflections, improve grammar, and better understand assignment expectations. These conversations helped me think more critically about my projects and reflect on my learning throughout the semester.

At the same time, I made sure that the creative work remained my own. I took all of my photographs, recorded my own audio and videos, created my own data visualizations, and wrote about my personal experience. AI supported the planning process, but it did not replace my creativity or decision-making. This experience taught me that generative AI can be a valuable learning tool when it is used ethically to support reflection or organization while maintaining academic integrity.

Challenges and Growth

One of the biggest challenges I faced during the course was learning to create interesting media. At first, I focused on making my projects visually creative. As the course progressed, I realized that effective multimedia design requires careful planning and international decisions that support the learner’s understanding. Another challenge was creating new content every week using different media formats. Since I had little experience with photography and audio recording, each Daily Create pushed me outside of my comfort zone. These challenges helped me become more confident in experimenting with new ideas and applying multimedia design principles with a clear purpose.

Future Applications

The knowledge and skills I developed in this course will be valuable in both my studies and career. As an Economics student, I often use the information through reports, graphs, and data visualizations. This course taught me how to present information more clearly by selecting appropriate media and considering the audience’s perspective. I will apply these skills whenever I create presentations, visualize data, or explain complex ideas.

Reference

EDCI 337. (2026). Interactive & Multimedia Learning course modules. University of Victoria. https://edtechuvic.ca/edci337/

The DS106 Daily Create. (2026). The DS106 Daily Create. https://daily.ds106.us/