Standard III

Task Appropriate Tools in Problem-Solving

Use task-appropriate tools to synthesize knowledge, create and modify solutions, and evaluate results in a way that supports the work of individuals and groups in problem-solving situations.

Reflection

I have learned from TATC that there are many appropriate and "correct" tools for completing various tasks. What works for one individual may not work for another. I feel that it is important to teach my students the basic concepts and give them the freedom to choose the exact method of going about how to do it. This will give them so much more room to grow and expand their skills and success. We must teach our students to learn how to make appropriate choices regarding tools in which to use in creating and modifying solutions. I know that through the TATC process, it was very frightening at first when I realized that we weren't learning software programs, but rather "concepts," and it was up to us to master the correct tool for us, as individuals, to complete the tasks at hand. I look forward to teaching my students in the future that they can make intelligent decisions on the most appropriate tools for them to master tasks, whether working individually or as a group.

Caption 9

Indicators: TA TEKS: 7.5s, 7.8s, 7.9s, 7.11s, 7.22s, 7.23s, 7.24s,, 8.12s, 8.13s, 8.14s, 8.33s, 8.34s, 8.35s, 9.14s, 11.8s, 11.26s, 9.26s, 11.29s, 9.27s, 10.16s, 11.24s, 11.27s, 9.4s, 9.25s, 9.29s, 11.30

Artifact #9

Descriptors: Group work, companies, research, interviews, personal observation, impact on society, persuasiveness, marketing, role played, point of view, multimedia

Title: Impact Reports

Course: 100 Foundations

Date Created: August 12, 2002

Source: Group Project

Media: Web Page

Description: We formed groups or "companies" in the first week of this course. As a group, we were to select one of the TA subjects (Digital Graphics, Animation, Desktop Publishing, Video Technology, Multimedia or Web Authoring) to research regarding the impact that it has had on society. We were to analyze the impact on society through research, interviews, and personal observation. Some of the things to consider in the reports were concepts related to persuasiveness, marketing, role played, and point of view.

This report's main goal was to be a resource for others interested in our chosen TA subject. We were to list resources that others could access to learn more about the impact on society that our subject has had.

The company report requirements:

• A brief introduction as to the TA subject.
  
• A brief history of the impact that the specified TA has had.
  
• Resources listed with a brief summary of each resource site. Two or more resources should be referenced to each company member with the exception of the group leader.
  

The company member responsibilities:

• One person will volunteer to be the company leader. This person will make sure things are moving and happening like they should.
  
• The company leader will be responsible for compiling the report with input from the company members and posting the final report.
  
• Each company member, except the group leader, should have three or more resources attributed to them.
  

The company report could be provided in any format that the company chose to use. For example, it could be an attached document (preferably a pdf or .rft format), a web page, or a PowerPoint presentation.

Also as a company, we were to select one resource from our research that we thought was the best reference on our TA subject and it's impact on society. We were to add a brief summary of the article or website in the Web Links area.

Rationale: I included this project as an artifact because I felt like it exemplified the concepts associated with Standard III. We worked as a team in our own individual ways, and we each used the tools that we thought would best suit our needs and fulfill our roles in the project. All of us together fulfilling our responsibilities gave us one unit melded together in harmony to become a resource for people interested in the subject of multimedia. Our hope was that the resources collectively and individually were of value to our peers.

Implications for future: In the future, I hope to use the basic concepts associated with Standard III and the Impact
Reports to demonstrate to my classroom students the ability to work as a group, yet be able to express individuality in the process of completing the tasks in the project. We all relied on the others to make a successful project, and our cohesiveness in completing our goals gave us all the support that we needed to have a successful report.

Reviewers Comments: Just took a real quick tour through your site. I thought your "Reflections" at the end was a nice touch. I am impressed with your use of multimedia in the classroom. I am a first year BCIS teacher and am anxious to become as experienced and comfortable with multimedia in my classroom as you guys are now. (not necessarily in bcis but as i grow in the TA field.)

Reviewer Name: Carol Z. Luttmer

Title: 2002-03 TATC Student

Date Reviewed: August 12, 2002