Anneli Hershman
MA Candidate | Instructional Developer | Researcher
LATEST PROJECTS
View the Concept Document here:
Project |01
Final Capstone Project: Udio Game
Currently in development
Goal: To create an evidence-based, educational game that compliments the existing goals of Udio by providing interactive, collaborative experiences to build students’ semantic networks; a crucial component of reading comprehension that will increase understanding, vocabulary, and fluency.
Idea: This extension project merges UDL principles, comprehension and motivational strategies, reading brain research, theories of development, social learning theories, game design, and RAVE-O reading intervention components to create a semantic mapping game that compliments the existing goals of Udio.
Process: This project is currently in development. A final design document, literature review, and prototype will be available soon!
View the Design Document here:
Project |02
Rainbow Mountain: Literacy App
Goal: To develop a deeper understanding of lexical concepts through an engaging, interactive app that exposes children to the multiple (verbal and nominal) meanings of vocabulary words.
Idea: In order to climb to the top of Rainbow Mountain, the child must explore two meanings of each vocabulary word: verbal and nominal. The child completes a series of mini games for each meaning of the word in order to make a new association. The noun interaction is a matching or puzzle activity where the noun is repeatedly built into the environment. The verb interactions require the child to engage in the repeated action of the verbs. Once the child completes both the noun and verb activities, s/he receives a flag and is able to move on to the next level. By incorporating elements of neuroscience research and linguistic theory into the foundation for these games, this app is more engaging, interactive, and effective than the typical “flashcard” method that dominates other vocabulary apps on the market.
Process: Worked on a team of three to produce a design document and a functional prototype using a rapid prototyping software. Piloted this prototype with kindergarten-aged children to inform the development process.
Image Available Soon
View the Concept Document here:
Project |03
Reading Robot: Toy-App Design
Goal: To develop a reading robot toy-app system that serves as a preventative measure for developmental dyslexia and promotes a positive home literacy environment that fosters intrinsic motivation around reading.
Idea: Incorporates neuroscience research, reading development research, comprehension and motivational strategies, multi-component reading intervention elements, and linguistic and meta-cognitive processes involved in the precursors of literacy. This reading robot simulates a positive home literacy environment as well as provides opportunities for creative expression to introduce young children to the enthralling world of books.
Process: This idea has a strong evidence-based foundation that has been adapted over the last year to include social learning theories and UDL principles. This project is currently in the development phase.
View the Supplemental Document here:
Project |04
Learning to Fly Without Wings: Children's Book for Pediatric Psychology
Goal: To create a children's book that used a fantasy fiction story to serve as a preventative measure for childhood eating disorders by promoting awareness and self-acceptance.
Idea:The story takes you through the life of Lizzy, a lizard who desperately wants to be a glamorous dragon and will do anything to morph into a dragon, even at the expense of her health. In the end, Lizzy learns that self-acceptance and body acceptance are more important and her preconceived notions about the glorified dragons are soon overshadowed by the recognition that our differences make us special.
Process: This book was written and illustrated by myself along with a literature review on childhood eating disorders, preventative meausres, and the importance of self-acceptance within the family setting.