EDLD+5366+Digital+Graphics,+Animation+and+Desktop+Publishing



Self-Assessment Out of all my classes I think that this was the hardest and most frustrating for me. I felt that there items in the syllabus that were not explained clearly and this caused more frustration and confusion on my part. We went back and learned about the beginning of writing and how people used to use symbols to create language. Through all the readings we also learned about paper, where it came from, and why publishers choose the layouts that they do when publishing. We learned what fonts to use and not to use, placements of pictures, colors to use and not use, and many more key items that are taken into account when creating newspapers or publications. One big assignment for this course was to create a 4 page newsletter. In week 3, along with working on our newsletter, we created a rubric for our newsletter project. We evaluated what constitutes a good newsletter and how the CRAP method of evaluation fit into the evaluation. The CRAP method is an evaluation of your contrast, repetition, alignment and proximity, (Yearwood, 2009). I have worked with newsletters before but not in the aspect of creating one using the computer only. One other adventure that we took in this course was to create our own avatar. I felt a little uneasy about this at first, so I really just did the basics that were expected of us. Listening and reading about fellow classmates experiences I really held back on experimenting with this opportunity. I am more at ease using my avatars in Farmville on my Face book.

Learn as a Learner Through the course I found myself not wanting to go the extra step when it came to items that I was unsure of, like the creation of the avatar. Knowing now what I did not know then about the opportunities out there with Web 2.0 tools, I probably would have done much more with assignments. According to Solomon & Schrum, 2007, p.8, as educational leaders, we should understand changes in the Web and how they reflect changes in the world around us. Thinking about this I feel that I should have gone the extra mile so that I could try to be at least one step ahead of my students. I believe that I could have communicated better with my fellow colleagues and professors and took the time to attend the web conferences. This would have helped clear up a lot of confusion in the beginning and I would have felt better about the outcome of the class.

Lifelong Learning Skills Using what I did learn during the newsletter activity will allow me to better implement ISTE standard V.D: use technology to communicate and collaborate with peers, parents, and the larger community in order to nurture student learning (Williamson & Redish, 2009). With this knowledge I can better myself as a communicator to my fellow colleagues, parents, and students. I can create newsletters that will be more attractive to parents and help students to create a one of a kind publishing. Also having the experience that I did with the confusion at the beginning I will now stop and ask the questions if I do not understand. I will remember that colleagues and leaders are here to help you succeed not fail.

References: Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). Web 2.O New Tools, New Schools. Eugene, Oregon: International Society for Technology in Education. Williamson, J., & Redish, T. (2009). ISTE's Technology Facilitation and Leadership Standards. Washington, D.C: International Society for Technology in Education. Yearwood, D. J. (2009). Basic Design Principles.