Standards V

Instruction that Incorporates Technology

Know how to plan, organize, deliver, and evaluate instruction for all students that incorporates the effective use of current technology for teaching and integrating the Technology Applications Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) into the curriculum.

The primary activity for a teacher is the development of motivating lessons that deliver required elements of instruction. Several times during the TATC program, we have been required to develop lessons that include a rubric, handouts, vocabulary lists, notes, and hardware and software requirements. These were activities that I have done many times and  I did not find them difficult, although they are always useful. What I had not done before was to prepare an example of the product and a step-by-step presentation based upon that sample. I usually guide my students through the steps as a group. Writing out the steps allowed me to recognize how many steps it took to finish a project and it will allow me to give some students the option of doing their work by following these instructions. Likewise, aligning the projects with the TEKS gave me the ability to not only identify these elements in a project, but also to specifically insert TEK elements that easily fit into the project's original plan.

Caption 18

Indicators: 7.2s, 7.5s, 7.9s, 7.10s, 7.13s,  7.16s, 7.17s, 7.20s, 7.21s, 7.23s, 7.25s, 7.26s, 7.27s, 7.28s, 7.29s, 7.30s, 7.34s, 7.37s, 7.38s, 7.47s, 7.49s, 8.14s, 8.19s, 8.20s, 8.22s, 8.25s, 8.33s, 8.35s, 8.36s, 8.37s, 8.40s, 8.43s, 8.44s, 8.45s, 8.47s, 9.20s, 9.30s, 9.36s, 9.37s, 9.38s, 10.41s

Artifact #18

Descriptors: Application of graphic design and design analysis; Lesson design; Logo design; Rubric; Step-By-Step instructions and handout;  Sample; Needed skills, Hardware and software; Searching the Internet; Download. 

Title: Hearts of Texas Teachers

Course: Extended Digital Graphics 

Date Created: December 2002

Source: My own knowledge and creativity, Internet

Media: Web Page, Graphics designed in PhotoDraw; PowerPoint Slideshow; PDF Documents

Description: The objective of the lesson is to create a logo and  a book cover for an imaginary organization. I decided that the focus of the book was to be a history of teachers in Texas. A web page was created as the medium for the information. A logo, book cover example, and the background were designed using a graphics software. Each item for a lesson plan was generated with the objective of providing a student or a teacher with everything needed to achieve a similar artifact. A rubric and a handout are included as well as a step-by-step slideshow which illustrates the methods used to create the product. A list of skills, hardware and software is given for teacher reference. A sample of the a finished product shows one outcome of such a project. Also included is an analysis of the product which reinforces the elements and principles of design.  

Rationale: Teachers are given an accessible and feasible plan with which they can motivate students to apply computer technology in a creative and applicable way. Students of graphic design should see how their skills might be put to use in the business world when doing projects like this one. Although they are given a set of requirements, they are also allowed the a wide margin when including their own creative ideas. Many skills are required. Graphic design skills with a good graphics software are incorporated text and placed on the book cover. As items are arranged on the book cover, the elements and principles of design as well as the  principles of desktop publishing are applied to round out a full project. 

Implications for future: I intend to use this as a project for a multimedia class. My hopes are to display the finished products in the library. My extended plans include creating a contest of these displayed items by having teachers and students who visit the library to vote on the most attractive, most meaningful, and most creative departments. Elements of this project might also be used in a smaller project, such as creating a logo. Students should first view and analyze examples of existing book or magazine covers, discuss the principles of design and of desktop publishing, then set about applying their own ideas, using computer technology as the mode.

Reviewers Comments: "Good directions that teach while giving the kids room to implement it as they see fit."

Reviewer Name: Steven Smiley
Title: Channel One Learner
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2002