EDLD 5326-Week 5- ARP Blog Update

I am currently about to begin my final course in the Masters of Education in Educational Technology program. My reflections involving my technology courses have been complete. However, I  still need to complete my reflections involving my administrator courses. All of my hours for my internship plan have been complete, all that’s left is to include the last activities I’ve completed within the last couple of months. In regards to my action research project, it is complete. All my data has been collected and I am ready to include it into my report. My next steps in completing the program are to pass my LCE so that I can get approval to take the TeXes Exam for Principal Certification. I plan to take the ILD course during the second week of June through Region 5 which is located in Beaumont, Texas. If all goes well, after I complete my ILD, I plan to apply for my Principal Certifcate and obtain my certification by August of 2014.

EDLD 5366 Course Reflection

Course Reflection

This course provided me with an excellent insight on various programs to use within the classroom. Firstly, I was very comfortable with this class because of the professor, Dr. Abernathy, and the same group of classmates I have had for the past 3 courses. I knew nothing about Desktop Publishing and was hoping to get an idea of what it was about. Within the first week, we were introduced to the C.R.A.P. model which consisted of four basic design principles: Contrast, Repetition, Alignment and Proximity. We were able to analyze and use the C.R.A.P. model to distinguish the different principles, if any, that were used with various flyers. In addition, for week 2, we were to create our own logo as well as a group logo by using the C.R.A.P. model. The transition from analyzing various flyers in week 1 to actually creating your own logo in week 2 was an excellent way for use to practice hands-on the design principles. Week 3 consisted of creating an animation with the Stykz software. I am always so eager to learn new programs and this was definitely a week of learning and absorbing what I learned from the program. Week 4 was my favorite week because it allowed me to work with my team from the previous class. We had such great chemistry then that it transferred over to this class so that we could produce an excellent webpage. Overall, everything that I have learned, I plan to apply it whether it be towards to students, parents, or other fellow teachers.   

References

1.) C.R.A.P.- Basic Layout and Design Principles for Webpages - YouTube. (n.d.). YouTube. Retrieved August 18, 2013, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF_mWi6r-9I&feature=youtu.be

2.) Stykz • Home. (n.d.). Stykz • Home. Retrieved August 18, 2013, from http://www.stykz.net/

3.) Williams, R. (820). The non-designer's design book (3rd ed.). Berkeley, Calif: Peachpit ;.

EDLD 5366 Web Conference Reflection

This web conference took place on August 10, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. Dr. Abernathy started off the class by mentioning that for week 4, everyone would provide the same webpage as well as a link to our google document which would provide the contributions that each member in our group has done. She also mentioned the different certificate programs that will soon be added to the Educational Leadership program at Lamar University. She did mention a change for week 5 which she will include in the week 5 overview/announcement. In addition, she mentioned that week 5 will consist of a reflection and she would like for us to include that in our webpage created from week 4. A reflection is what you knew coming in, what you learned, and how can you apply in the future. It was a very quick web conference as we wind down towards the end of this course which is quickly approaching the following week.

EDLD 5366-Week 3 Animation

EDLD 5366: Exploring Ancient Manuscripts

In order to create an adequate graphic design, the C.R.A.P. is a perfect model to follow. C.R.A.P. contains the four basic design principles which consist of: Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, and Proximity. In addition, not only must the graphic be a decent visual representation, it must also flow with everything else that is going on throughout the website, poster, business card, etc. For the first assignment of EDLD 5366, we had to explore a set of ancient artifacts and use to the C.R.A.P. model to identify the principles. The use of certain colors is definitely used throughout every page. Colors such as yellow, red, green and blue are repeatedly used. It seems that the text follows the same style and font size. In addition, the alignment seems like it’s a 2 column style text throughout. The color of the text is consistent alternating from black to red every once in a while. In addition to repeatedly use of colors, the use of other characteristics such as birds, structures, and people remain consistent. It seems that everything in this bible flows with one another and creates a great graphic representation.

EDLD 5363-Final Video Project

EDLD 5363- Campus Supervised Hours and Action Research Brief Update

My campus-supervised hours have been quickly accumulating. I have roughly about 500 hours completed and documented. It seems that everything falls into place at the right time. In addition, as soon as I am done with a certain task or project, I quickly document and reflect on it so that I will not forget about it and wait until the last minute to try and remember what the project was about. Certain activities/projects I have done have been STAAR Development through Technology Instructor during the summer, Assistant Resident Director for the Texas Governor’s School Program, as well as hosting a “How To Build Your Own Website” session during the district’s Technology Staff Development Day. 

In regards to my action research, I have coordinated one activity/informational in regards to informing parents of ELL students of the STAAR Tests. However, with recent changes in the education field, I find it the right time to host another informational to inform parents and students of said changes. One thing that has changed is my location. I will focus more on the “gap” that exists between ELL students between high school and higher education. I will be working under the direction of the newly Dr. Ashley Spicer-Runnels who is the director of Student Development and Leadership/Student Engagement at Lamar University.