Standards VII

Desktop Publishing

The desktop publishing teacher has the knowledge and skills needed to teach the Foundations, Information Acquisition, Work in Solving Problems, Communication strands of the Technology Applications Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) in desktop publishing, in addition to the content described in Technology Applications Standards I-V.

Over the past year I have had the opportunity to develop my skills in the area of desktop publishing through the TATC program by creating my own products, observing the work of others and studying from The Non-Designers Design Book, by Robin Williams. Through this experience I have become a better designer and have learned much more about my software which allows me to be more creative. Because of my background in art, I can apply much of what I know about color, elements of design and principles of design to a desktop product. This, I believe, is helpful in creating something that is both functional and attractive. The TATC course has taught me to believe in my abilities. It has given me confidence and I look forward to being able to teach students the basics of design and watch them develop their creative talents in order to produce quality work.

Artifact #3 / Artifact #7 / Artifact #9

Caption 3

Indicators: TA TEKS: Standard I, 7.1s, 7.3s, 7.10s, 7.13s, 7.14s, 7.15s, 7.16s, 7.17s, 7.18s, 7.19s, 7.21s, 7.22s, 7.23s, 7.24s, 7.28s, 7.29s, 7.30s, 7.31s, 7.32s, 7.33s, 7.34s, 7.35s, 7.36s, 7.37s, 7.38s, 7.39s, 7.40s, 7.41s, 7.42s, 7.43s, 7.44s, 7.46s, 7.49s, 8.11s, 8.20s, 8.24s, 8.26s, 8.27s

Artifact #3

Descriptors: Desktop Publishing Document

Title: Desktop Newsletter

Course:104 Desktop Publishing

Date Created: January 19, 2003

Source: TATC Module 2 Interactive Guides

Media: Microsoft Publisher

Description: The assignment was to create at least a one-page newsletter that would be a learning tool for the novice desktop publisher. The newsletter was to include imported text, a graphic masthead, wise use of typography, headlines, pull quotes and columns. The assignment was also to use white space, proximity, repetition and graphics to create a well designed product.

Rationale: The purpose of this assignment was to familiarize us with the elements of design as well as use these elements to create an attractive document. Although we did not have to write this information ourselves, the process of putting it into newsletter format reinforced the topic. It also gave me an opportunity to produce a desktop publication that can be used as a learning tool in Desktop Publishing classes. I chose this artifact for my portfolio because I believe that I achieved the goals set out. The newsletter is well designed, attractive and informative. The resources provided in the course were so numerous that it was hard to take in all the information.

Implications for future: I enjoy doing desktop publishing very much. I can see myself using these skills for a second job or to benefit my church and community. The immediate future includes teaching students what I have learned through the TATC experience. The newsletter will be used in my Multimedia class next year as a sample of a well-designed publication.

Reviewers Comments: "The color scheme is eye-catching but soothing somehow. The layout, alignment and amount of white space makes it easy to read. Your newsletter was very attractive to me."

Review Name: Janice K. North

Date Reviewed: January 20, 2003

Title: TATC Student

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Caption 7

Indicators: Standard III, Standard V, 7.1s, 7.2s, 7.3s, 7.5s, 7.6s, 7.7s, 7.8s, 7.9s, 7.10s, 7.11s, 7.12s, 7.13s, 7.14s, 7.15s, 7.16s, 7.17s, 7.18s, 7.20s, 7.21s, 7.22s, 7.23s, 7.24s, 7.25s, 7.26s, 7.27s, 7.28s, 7.29s, 7.30s, 7.31s, 7.35s, 7.36s, 7.37s, 7.38s, 7.39s, 7.40s, 7.43s, 7.44s, 7.45s, 7.46s, 7.47s, 7.48s, 7.49s, 8.36s, 8.43s, 9.36s, 10.34s, 11.33s

Artifact #7

Descriptors: Desktop Publishing Brochure

Title: Desktop Publishing Unit Lesson

Course: 104 Desktop Publishing

Date Created: February 2, 2003

Description: This desktop publishing lesson was designed to teach the correct way to create a tri-fold brochure. It includes vocabulary, needed software and hardware and day-by-day lesson plans and a sample brochure. The unit was designed for one week of 50-55 minute classes.

Rationale: The rationale for the assignment was to provide a sample product of sound design and create a lesson around the creation of that product. Learning how to design a brochure using the correct typography, style, font and use of white space will reinforce the principles of design that we learned in 101 Foundations. I chose this artifact for my portfolio because it includes all the elements needed for a well designed product. The brochure along with the lesson plans and vocabulary can be used easily in the classroom. The resource that was developed through this assignment will be excellent for many of the TA courses.

Implications for future: This may be the most important of all the classes for me because I use desktop publishing so much in my job. In the future, I will be able to teach students a better way to design business cards, brochures and all other types of printed materials. This particular artifact will be used next year in my Multimedia class along with an assignment that I have done before. Each student will select a local business and create a tri-fold with valid information that could be a usable product if desired. (I have had students create tri-folds for their parents' business that they have actually used.) TATC has provided much needed resources and instruction so that I can be a better teacher as well as a continuing student of technology.

Reviewers Comments: "You did a super job on your unit. I am going to use this idea, thanks for giving such great instructions and complete vocabulary list."

Review Name: Deanna Drummond

Date Reviewed: February 4, 2003

Title: Student TATC

Caption 9

Indicators: TA TEKS 7.3s, 7.5s, 7.7s, 7.10s, 7.14s, 7.15s, 7.16s, 7.21s, 7.28s, 7.29s, 7.30s, 7.31s, 7.32s, 7.34s, 7.35s, 7.36s, 7.37s, 7.38s, 7.40s, 7.41s, 7.42s, 7.43s, 7.44s, 7.47s, 7.49s, 8.3s, 8.13s, 8.14s, 8.17s, 8.18s, 8.19s, 8.20s, 8.22s, 8.24s, 8.25s, 8.38s, 8.41s, 8.43s, 8.44s, 8.45s, 8.46s, 9.3s, 9.5s, 9.9s, 9.16s, 9.17s, 9.19s, 9.20s, 9.21s, 9.25s, 9.27s, 9.28, 9.29s, 9.38s, 9.39s, 9.40s, 9.41s, 10.12s, 10.37s, 10.38s, 10.40s, 10.41s, 11.12s

Artifact #9

Descriptors: Desktop Publishing

Title: Newspaper Advertisement

Course: Advanced Desktop Publishing

Date Created: April 25, 2003

Description: This artifact is a result of an assignment to create an advertisement to sell ourselves or our services. The advertisement had to be a .bmp or .png image file and had to be the correct size for a newspaper to be able to run it without conversion. It had to be a well-designed advertisement using what was learned in Desktop Publishing about the elements of design: contrast, repetition, alignment and proximity.

Rationale: By creating these advertisements, we learned a little more about the other people taking the course. This is always good because it opens up the lines of communication. Although this a relatively easy assignment, there are many elements that go into a good design and a product that will convey a message to a select audience. This assignment touched on many of the technology TEKS related to digital design, foundations of desktop publishing and the use of color.

Implications for future: This activity was fun and let me use my creativity. Also, the advertisement may be used sometime in the near future for my husband's new business. I would love to learn more about design and plan to re-read Robin Williams' book as well as others to keep me informed of new and creative ways to design products.

Reviewers Comments: "Nice ad, great layout and composition. Nice colors."

Review Name: Cheri Walker

Date Reviewed: April 25, 2003

Title: TATC Instructor

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