Truly a Class with Class.

As are all of Beth's classes. :D

I love the classes that are formed around class discussion (probably because I love to talk). This one is even more enthralling simply because it's based on 30 completely different projects done by 30 completely different people all of whom are lost in one way or another. We all have questions and we're all really on different levels of this thing. Some people have NO clue what they're going to do. Some people know what they're going to do but don't know where to go from here. Some people have already started their projects. But, regardless of where we are, I love that we are willing to help each other figure this Capstone out together.

I think the basic idea for this class is brilliant. There definitely needs to be a class that explains the ins and outs of Capstone. Still, I think there are a lot of kinks to work out.

Today's class wasn't particularly helpful for me. But I still enjoy being involved in class discussions and helping (hopefully helping as opposed to hindering...) others iron out their ideas.

Ideas for Capstone

For my project, I would like to create a website that is entirely controlled by eye movement. Wherever the user moves their eyes that is where the mouse would move and you would blink to click. I would also like to have the color scheme be controlled by the users heart rate. Knowing that color affects mood and mood affects heart rate, I would like to utilize that to ultimately keep the user in a positive, happy mood, but not have them feel too energetic or restless. This is a lot. SO for my other two Capstone ideas, I've broken it down:

Idea 2: A website controlled by eye movement/blinking.

Idea 3: A website who's color scheme is controlled by heart rate.

Ultimately, I would like to do both, but if I can't one will do.

Why take two semesters?

As I stated, Capstones are an opportunity for New Media students to shine and create a project that's innovative and creative. Well, if we're supposed to create something that's really going to knock the socks off everyone, it's probably not going to be something we learned in class (otherwise everyone would know how to do it...) which means the project is probably going to require some research and planning and plotting and crying and hair-pulling-out. That takes time to do efficiently.

I know for the project I would like to accomplish, this is going to take time...

Two semesters gives every student time to do something truly awesome if they use their time wisely.

What is a Capstone Project?

I see Capstone Projects as an opportunity for New Media students to shine. This is our time to show off what we learned and what we can do. This is also probably the best (and in some cases only) opportunity we'll ever have to do some off-the-wall project and be completely creative and innovative.

I do also see Capstones as being a hoop to jump through to graduate. But that's technically completely accurate. It's up to the student to make it a dull hoop or a flaming hoop of awesomeness.