JOURNAL ENTRIES

three key entries from the start, middle and end of my ignite experience.

First week back and with university mentor

After being back to ignite and online after brainstorming in the classroom, this week I researched the type of skateboard I would get. The lesson was mostly introducing the topic to the person mentoring us, so that they could get an idea of where we were headed.  We established that it was just an idea I saw around, and that I’d be completely new to riding. My plans were to research the board with parts, eventually being able to buy the parts from a local skate shop.

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How being online affected my project

While I think that online was difficult for other subjects, I would say that being online for ignite benefited me. If I were at school, I wouldn't have been able to ride the board as much and it would have been difficult getting paints and parts to and from school. 

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Week five term 3

I was able to do a page of my design options on the website, writing about why I did/didn’t choose them. I also sketched the final design in photo-shop, allowing me to see what colours I liked on the snake. I decided on pink, blue and orange. I also ordered the paint which should be on its way soon, then I’ll be ready to assemble! I found using photo-shop do draw up the design was difficult and would count it as a minor challenge along the way.  Many of the colours kept merging with each other even when I had fixed it, but I learnt to be extra careful that the outlines meet each other.

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Week one term 4

Over the holidays, I had gotten to the stage where my board was painted, assembled and ready to ride. The assembling wasn’t as hard as I predicted it to be, watching a video from braille skate helped. During this time, I explored brailleskate, a group of skaters whose aim is to encourage more people to skate, with providing videos of tricks, assembling and riding for skaters of many levels. I was even able to learn a first “trick” from them (it wasn’t quite a trick, but it did take some confidence). But before that, I got to riding at the top of my court along a smooth pavement where my brother was able to film my first attempts from the other side. While it took plenty of courage, I finally improved a little but my technique was off. Over the next couple of weeks, we had for holidays, I worked on technique and also riding down slopes for fun, I have been happy with my progress made. I got to make videos of me assembling, riding and painting the board which I used premiere rush for, adding them to the website. The challenge would be getting used to riding the board, while keeping positive too! Overall it has been a great experience, and I have learnt plenty about painting, riding and skateboards in general. I don't think there is much I would do differently!

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