Aya Jackson

Tools Used

Audacity
Canva
ClipChamp
Copilot
Notion
OBS Studio
Phone Recorder Application
Substack
Tiktok
Youtube

Overview

The Moonlit Archive is an independent media-analysis and informal learning project that utilizes anime and other popular media to explore psychology, philosophy, symbolism, and cultural themes. The project translates complex ideas into accessible video-based learning experiences and encourages viewers to engage critically with the media they consume.

Context

The project began as a way to combine media analysis with my background in psychology and instructional design. Rather than treating anime as entertainment alone, each video is structured around a central question and supported by research, textual evidence, and conceptual frameworks. The content is publicly accessible on Youtube and Tiktok and the audience is welcome to comment, which sparks discussion and provide ongoing feedback that informs subsequent content development. Additional content is available for viewing on Substack for select videos.

Conditions

The project is independently developed and produced with limited resources and no formal classroom environment or predefined curriculum. Content must remain accessible to a general audience while maintaining academic rigor. Because audience understanding cannot be assessed through traditional assignments or assessments, comments, questions, engagement, and recurring points of confusion serve as informal formative feedback.

Scope

The project encompasses:

Topic and audience analysis
Research and source evaluation
Learning objective and question development
Content sequencing and scaffolding
Scriptwriting and instructional storytelling
Video and audio production
Audience engagement and feedback analysis
Iterative revision of the content roadmap

An example involves the Sailor Moon series of analyses, in which audience responses to a discussion of Usagi as a Messiah prompted further investigation into the underlying concept of heroism and a reordering of planned content.

Role

Creator, Instructional Designer, Researcher, Writer, and Multimedia Producer

Responsible for the full development cycle, including identifying learning opportunities, researching source material, developing the conceptual framework, writing and producing the content, monitoring audience response, and modifying the learning sequence based on feedback.

Skills Demonstrated

Instructional design and learning experience design
Audience/learner analysis
Needs analysis
Content sequencing and scaffolding
Formative evaluation
Research and source evaluation
Critical thinking and analysis
Instructional storytelling
Scriptwriting
Video/audio production
Multimedia learning
Iterative design
Community engagement
Translating complex concepts for general audiences

Outcome

The project has developed into an active, iterative learning environment rather than a static media channel. Audience questions and comments are being used as formative feedback to identify gaps in understanding, refine explanations, and alter the sequence of future content.

For example, recurring audience responses to the question of whether Usagi's role as a Messiah is compatible with her fighting evil prompted a deeper examination of what constitutes heroism. Rather than treating the response as a disagreement to rebut, the creator identified an underlying conceptual prerequisite and moved “Usagi's Rocky Beginnings: What Makes Someone a Hero?” forward in the planned sequence.

This demonstrates an ongoing design → deliver → evaluate → revise cycle in an informal learning environment.