Hello.

This is a selection of work I've done in recent years.

I like programming best when combined with design to solve problems for real people, so generally I design and code user interfaces, though I'll dabble in game dev and print/crafts as well.

e-Portfolios & blogfolio pilot

Client: UBC Office of Learning Technology

Role: Web Application Developer, UX Designer, EDUCAUSE 2005 Presenter

Dates: July 2004 – Oct. 2004

Many e-Portfolio users at UBC disliked the software offered by the university because it either forced them to be too rigid (allowing them to simply fill in boxes), or offered almost no structure (almost required them to be web developers to accomplish their goals). Furthermore, a lot of portfolio software was built for the administrators and institutions hosting the sites, rather than the students using them.

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I developed a conceptual "blogfolio" model with Kele Fleming, Alison Wong, and Brian Lamb with these issues (work flow, simplicity, user interaction, ownership) in mind. We presented this model at the EDUCAUSE 2005 conference to an international audience, and at the 2004 UBC e-Portfolios conference.

I was the main developer, and was also responsible for developing and delivering training materials to users in workshops or online. I also gathered user feedback and was one of the main contacts for users using our prototype.

Our "blogfolio" prototype was driven by PHP and templates in Movable Type, with MT acting as a light-weight CMS so that the user would not need a deep knowledge of web technologies to customize their space. The templates were modular and could be customized by the user. The model was piloted and the university continues to search for models that are as user-friendly as possible.

I think part of its positive reception had to do with the amount of attention blogs had been receiving then. But I think what appealed most to people had less to do with the technology and more to do with how you felt when you used it: it was more like something you owned, rather than something you used.

Looking back at my old work, I still stand by what I said before: I'd much rather see portfolio software geared towards the end-user (i.e. the student), and not the institution.

Things people said: