EDLD+5366


 * Week 3 Assignment, Part 3.4: Reflections on Course-Embedded for EDLD 5366 Digital Graphics, Animation and Desktop Publishing **

**Self–Assessment ** The major project was to create a newsletter on Microsoft Publisher incorporating the four basic design principals, C.R.A.P. I truly enjoyed learning about Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, and Proximity and more importantly how to apply it to my newsletters. I hadn’t had time to explore rubrics much less rubistar. Dr. Yearwood required us to complete a rubric before started our newsletter, one way to implement backward design. The basic design demo was an excellent presentation of the four basic design principals, C.R.A.P. Desktop publishing gave me the opportunity to express my creativity.

Looking back, I have to say that I have not been diligent in sending out newsletters. It seems that my first eleven years, I would start sending our newsletters only stop within three months of the school year. Three years ago I moved down to fourth grade and replaced the teacher who created the newsletters. I stepped in his shoes and continued the weekly ritual. It was quite easy to follow the simple format he established. Now I am on a roll by having produced a newsletter all year long during the last three years. Then a year ago, I took a course with Dr. Yearwood, I learned that importance of newsletter in creating an effective communication tool. Since this class, I have been able to make my newsletters more informative and visually appealing. By the way, I always felt newsletters a waste of time because our parents did not read them. I remember skipping one week and I decided not produce a newsletter, well, I had parents asking if I would send another since their child lost their newsletter. Unfortunately, I had to explain that due to a short week, we were not going to produce newsletter. This is how I found out that the parents were actually reading them. Now I upload my newsletter on my web page with pride knowing that I have created a newsworthy edition. As Dr. Yearwood (2009) stated, “it is the motivation or need of humans to develop a way of communicating,” my newsletters are a way of bridging the communication gap for parents.

**Learn as a Learner ** My approach for completing my newsletter was to create a product and template that my grade-level colleagues could use. I feel that I was successful in accomplishing my assignment and creating an informative newsletter that would appeal to my parents, students, and coworkers. In my newsletter, I have added tidbits of information like ADD, insomnia, cyber-bulling, etc. or web links of information for parents. I create games, or cut and paste games or color blocks for my students. My interaction with colleagues and listening to their needs provided the special touch for our grade-level newsletter and my award winning assignment for Desktop Publishing.

I gained an understanding of the history of paper and printing, the use of terminology of fonts and publications and C.R.A.P. which are critical elements in developing an informative newsletter. I also gained insight to the effect I have on my students’. Dr. Yearwood’s (2009) lecture on Branding the Classroom was very informative, I never thought I branding myself nor my classroom. I decided to take the step and poll my students using the questions provided by Dr. Yearwood. I was very nervous and apprehensive, after all no teacher wants to hear they are boring, mean, the worst teacher on earth, etc. I do have a reputation of being the ‘mean’ teacher because I’m so strict and have high expectations. In fact primary teachers like to send their behavior problems to time out in my classroom. Some kids spend the whole summer praying that I am not their classroom teacher, yet once in my classroom, my students’ opinions change. They realize that I am not ‘mean’ just strict and that I have their best interest at heart. In fact many students remark that I’m just like their parents when it comes to discipline and expectations. According to the students’ surveys, I was delighted to hear that they liked my stories, the technology helps in understanding content, and they especially liked using technology themselves in creating projects.
 * Lifelong Learning Skills **

I incorporate the concept of branding in teaching character ethics. As Dr. Yearwood (2009) states, “Just as all positive aspects of a brand can be used to encourage or enhance …, all negative aspects of a brand need to be dealt with too.” Growing up today in our society students are faced with many challenges, peer pressure, cyber-bullying, sexting, etc. I challenge my students to create a brand of their own that will precede them in the future.

 **Reference **

(n.d.). Retrieved November 26, 2010, from rubistar.org: www.rubistar.org

Yearwood, J. (2009). Introduction [PDF document]. Retrieved from Lecture Notes Online Web site: []

Yearwood, J. (2009). //The Nature of Branding: Part ii. Branding the classroom.// [PDF document]. Retrieved from Lecture Notes Online Web site: []