EDLD5366+Course+Reflection

EDLD5366 Digital Graphics, Animation, and Desktop Publishing focuses on the history and development of graphic communication. I also gained knowledge in designing various digital communication products and layouts for diverse audiences. This references standard TF-I.B.3 model appropriate strategies essential to continued growth and development of the understanding of technology operations and concepts. The four basic design principles are contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity which all work together to make a masterpiece of artwork. Each week I had the opportunity to go to the British Library online website to identify and study the different design principles in the manuscripts and ancient books. Also, it was interesting to learn about the history of graphic communication of writing and drawing to see where it all began many centuries ago. This references standard TF-II.F.1 assist teachers as they identify and apply instructional design principles associated with the development of technology resources.

To complete the assignment I would study the lectures and demos very closely. All of the information was used to complete the different assignments for the week. For the end product I had to design four-page newsletter that represented my school and provoked a pleasing response. Before I designed the newsletter I was instructed to create a rubric that might be used to grade my own newsletter. This gave me a chance to specify all of the requirements I thought were necessary to produce a professional product. The newsletter was graded on having the following criteria: consistent design theme, layout, real photographs, and the use of basic design principles that represented a graphically pleasing layout. I also had the challenge of working with effective use of headline styles, text columns, and jumped copies. Since our campus didn't have a sample of our school logo I had to design one from scratch which was really challenging to design without previous experience. This references standard TF-III.A.5 use methods and strategies for teaching concepts and skills that support use of media-based tools such as television, audio, print, media, and graphics (refer to NETS for Students). However, at the end of the course I was very pleased of my finished product. The newsletter turned out better than I expected and the teachers at my school loved it. I spent endless hours trying to make the newsletter perfect and to represent our school in a positive manner. I learned a wealth of knowledge from this course about graphic design and how to produce a quality newsletter. I have a greater appreciation for all that is involved in the graphic design industry. This references standard TF-V.C.1 model advanced features of word processing, desktop publishing, graphics programs, and utilities to develop professional products. "Writing will continue to be a core skill for all students, because some information is simply communicated most effectively in text.......Students must master a range of practical and technical skills involved in expressing ideas effectively and compellingly" (Armstrong & Warlick, 2004).

I must acknowledge that this course was one of my absolute favorites that I've taken in the master's program. Looking at the beautiful artwork and being able to recognize how graphic designers create advertisements was truly a wonderful experience. Each week was intense but I looked forward to the finished product and knowledge that I learned throughout the course. In the future I definitely will reflect back over the readings and demos that were so instrumental to my learning. Now I love to create various publishing products and I will remember everything that I've learned to design future products. "Rather than simply learning the basics of how to use a technology tool, teachers must learn how to use the tool too improve teaching and learning in their classroom. Training is embedded in instruction, not isolated from it, and is driven by the skills that teachers need to use the technology in the classroom, not by the technology itself" (Jones, 2007). Another highlight during the course was creating my own personal 3D avatar in second life. Second life is a communication tool and social networking site for collaboration. As a lifelong learner I would like to further explore the possibilities that would exist for elementary and secondary age students. Those individuals less knowledgable might view Second Life as just a game but I see it an exciting future learning opportunity. "Today's education system faces irrelevance unless we bridge the gap between how students live and how they learn" (Solomon & Schrum, 2007)