Applied Instructional Technology

Course Learning Portfolio

Tara Charles

Fall, 2008

Title: Microsoft Word/Photogram Lesson Plan

Description: This assignment was intended to help me have a better understanding of all the options available in Microsoft Word. I created a lesson plan geared to high school photography students. The plans were for a photogram project, to help students learn how to use the darkroom equipment, processing techniques and chemicals. Students were introduced to the project the previous days by looking at examples of photograms by Man Ray and Moholy Nagy as well as with a darkroom demonstration showing how to make a photogram. This plan is for the day students would be making their own photograms. This project teaches students about how the amount of light (time and intensity), and the thickness/thinness of various objects affects the values on photography paper after being exposed to light and processed in the chemicals.

Reflection: This project helped me to learn about all the options available in Microsoft Word. I was able to use text boxes, color, fonts, Word Art, boarders, line styles, and graphics to help me to make my lesson plans stand out. These tools enabled me to make my plans look more interesting as well as to help various aspects of the lesson to stand out. Visually, it was easier to look at and to find the different elements of my lesson. I can also apply these tools to any worksheets, or materials I hand out to my students to make them more interesting and appealing to my students.

Link: Please click here to view my lesson plan.

Title: Excel Spreadsheet/Gradebook

Description: In this assignment, I was supposed to use Microsoft Excel to help me to organize data in my classroom. I chose to set up a grade book format in which I organized the grades for my students in one class and programmed the formulas in so that Excel would compute the averages. I decided to try a gradebook format because I thought that would be the most useful for me in my classroom. I organized the grades and assignments for a five-week marking period. I was also able to create a table to compare the grades on the photogram project in my classroom.

Reflection: I had never worked with Excel and had been unsuccessful the few times I tried to use it, before this project. For me, the most useful aspect of Excel is the graphs and charts that I can create. These will help me to compare data in my classroom. I will definitely be using this program for my EDU 508 and 520 classes in which I will have to display and compare the data that I collect for my research.

Link: Please click here to view my spreadsheet.

Title: Microsoft PowerPoint/Open House Presentation

Description: My PowerPoint presentation was a group project. We decided to create a PowerPoint for Open House Night for our students’ parents. We listed the equipment and programs that we use in our high school art classes, specifically addressing how we use technology in these classes, the importance of technology in reaching our students and its application in their future endeavors. We felt that parents may not be aware of all the technology we use, how we use it, and why it is an important part of their child’s education.

Reflection: I have used PowerPoint before, but did learn some new techniques I had never tried before. I learned how to add links to the web, sound, and how to make my presentations more interesting and creating using transitions color and pictures. I plan to incorporate more PowerPoint presentations to my art classes when we look at famous pieces of art. I also feel that I can have my students create their own presentations to show to the class.

Link: Please click here to view my PowerPoint

Title: WebQuest/Create a Gallery

Description: I created a WebQuest for my Photo I students. This is a high school class with a mix of students from grades 9-12, however, Studio Art students could also learn from this project. I asked my students to create their own gallery in which they chose five artists to “represent,” along with 2 examples of their artwork. The purpose was to find current artists that they like, to learn about the critiquing process, foster their appreciation for art and to begin to develop their own personal criteria for choosing art. I also wanted them to discover that there are many artists showing their work today and that there is good art outside of museums as well.

Reflection: This was probably the most challenging and the most useful project for me. I have never had the opportunity to create a website before, but have always wanted to try. I did find the project a little difficult and would have liked to refine it a little more, if I had more time. I do feel confident in my ability to make WebQuest or web site in the future and plan to incorporate this into my teaching.

Link: Please click here to view my WebQuest.