Final Reflection Report
This class provided me with a well-needed review of the basic programs of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. There is no doubt that technology is advancing and playing a key role in our society in multiple ways. It is necessary that as an educator we are familiar with all facets of technology and be able to incorporate it into our teachings as well as teach our students. In my high school years I learned how to use these programs, and through my undergraduate schooling I was fortunate to use these programs continuously. But through the years, I had forgotten certain details on how to enhance my use and presentation of these programs, and this class provided me with regaining the knowledge back. I admire that we were allowed freedom in topic on all of the assignments. I believe this made the experience and learning process enjoyable and interesting. There is not one program or project we did that I will not use again in my future assignments and/or teachings. My most favorite assignment of the semester was becoming familiar with Microsoft FrontPage. Until this class I had never heard of or used the program. I have always been interested in learning how to create interactive WebPages. This project definitely proved to be very resourceful: I can present this program in my portfolio using the project I created and I can confidently talk about my experience using technology enhanced projects to an interview committee. On top of all that has just been said, I am most glad to have taken this class with such a kind professor!
Title: Word Processing/ Memory Collage (seventh grade)
Description: This art project was designed to increase students’ knowledge of the Harlem Renaissance and about a significant artist from that time period, Romare Bearden. Bearden’s most popular artwork was his collages that were based upon memories from his childhood. In this project students created their own memory collage, incorporating mixed media and the internet, of an experience/memory that was important to them. New York State Art Learning Standards that were incorporated in this lesson were Standard 1: Creating, Performing and Participating in the art, Standard 2: Knowing and Using Art Materials and Resources, Standard 3: Responding to and Analyzing Works of Art.
Reflection: This project allowed me to become more familiar with Microsoft Word’s tools and how I can enhance my lesson plan presentation.
Link: Memory Collage
Title: Spreadsheet/ Project Grades: Art Class
Description: This spreadsheet contains data explaining student achievement in a ten week art program at Mill Middle School in Buffalo, New York. Students completed five art projects on various topics such as collage techniques, Aborginal Dot paintings from Australia, Symbolism found in pottery, Tessellations, and Totem Poles created by the Native Americans. This data also includes students final average taken from all five projects including a letter grade. A chart is also included to visually illustrate student acheivment.
Reflection: This program is especially useful for keeping track of student progress throughout the years. This program can also assist in evaluating your personal teaching style and answer questions such as what projects are beneficial for students and what are not.
Link:
Title: PowerPoint/Tropical Rainforest
Description: This power point presentation was developed in a group of three people. The purpose of the presentation was to educate ourselves, and our fellow classmates about the rainforest. We talked about key points such as: What is the rainforest? Why the rainforest is important? What resources come from the rainforest? What is happening to the rainforest? And how we can help the rainforest?
Reflection: After completing the presentation, I would conclude that it was educational to the class and inspiring for some people. This presentation inspired one classmate to choose this topic for his next project.
Link: Rainforest
Title: FrontPage/Rainforest Through Art
Description: This project was created through Microsoft FrontPage. The purpose of this project was to create a lesson for students’ that is completely accessible through the World Wide Web: The student will read the lesson plan online, get background information, the assignment, the rubric, and research strictly online. The topic I chose was educating students in the sixth grade level about the rainforest. With the help of guided questions students will learn what is the rainforest, what comes from the rainforest, who lives in the rainforest, what animals and people are native to the rainforest, and research artists who have devoted their art to educating the public about the rainforest. Students will create an acrylic painting of an inspired image either from an artist’s work or from a picture image. Students will accompany their artwork with a one-page explanation of their work and new knowledge of the rainforest they can share with others.
Reflection: I greatly enjoyed creating this assignment. This project will definitely motivate students to learn and happily complete assignments. I look forward to using this lesson in the future!
Link: Rainforest Through Art
