Hannah Fancher

Final Self-Reflection Report

EDU 506 Computer Applications and Resources in Teaching

When I began this class, EDU 506 Computer Applications and Resources in Teaching, I have to admit I was intimidated. Every time I try to take a computer class, including computer graphics in my undergraduate, I end up confused and I do not take away any skills or information that is useful to me. This in turn makes me feel inadequate because people of my generation are supposed to be magically wonderful and adept at using the computer. This class is an entirely different experience for me though. For the first time I feel comfortable in front of a computer with new programs and I am learning skills that not only help me in my other graduate classes but in the classes I teach as well. It is rare to experience this crossover of teacher-learner skills.

As a new teacher in my district I want to bring in fresh and innovative ideas. I feel that the skills I have learned in EDU 506 are the type of skills that I can share with my fellow teachers because they span such a large area. They can enhance lessons, PowerPoint presentations, curriculum development, WebQuests and even personal reflections. These are skills that will stay with me beyond the Oswego classroom and improve my student’s learning and overall experience. In fact, I am using the WebQuest this week to introduce a watercolor project to my Studio in Art Two classes!

Title: Assignment One/Lesson Plan on Children’s Book Illustration

Description: In this assignment I created a lesson plan for a project I did with my Studio in Art Two classes. The assignment was to write and illustrate a children’s book. This project was a group project with the finished books to be donated to the elementary school library. The lesson plan that I created includes text boxes and images with text wrapping around them.

Reflection: This is a project that I learned many useful skills from. I have always wanted to know how to insert a text box and how to make text wrap around an image. These are foundational skills that will positively affect all of my future projects.

Link: Click here to view my lesson plan

Title: Assignment Two/ Excel Document

Description: In Assignment two I created a Spreadsheet using Microsoft Excel. The data that I used in my spreadsheet was data that I collected from my class numbers. I used the spreadsheet to track and reflect on the changes in my class numbers from this year and last year. I also created a chart so I could compare numbers and reflect on them.

Reflection: This assignment was very interesting. Excel was probably the most intimidating program for me and I am glad that I learned the basics that I can use in many ways. I can also use this program in my own life, creating budgets and monitoring my savings account.

Link: Click here to view my Spreadsheet.

Title: Assignment Three/ PowerPoint Presentation on Op Art

Description: For Assignment three Hollie House and I created a PowerPoint presentation to teach our art students about Op Art. This presentation included information about the history of Op Art and also many interactive visual aids that will help students understand the art form. We also created action buttons and links to websites that teach about Op art.

Reflection: I liked this lesson because I use PowerPoint often and I learned some new aspects to the program. I never knew there was a main page and this made everything much easier. It was also nice to be able to share this project with the class and to see what they created. My Studio in Art One students really enjoyed the presentation and the interactive aspects of it.

Link: Click here to view my PowerPoint presentation.

Title: Assignment Four/ WebQuest

Description: I created a WebQuest that will introduce a new project to my Studio in Art Two classes. This project is an interdisciplinary watercolor project that includes architecture and local history. It will be one of the big final projects of the year for this particular group of students and I wanted to make the WebQuest for them so they could have a comprehensive introduction to what they are about to do.

Reflection: I feel so proud of what I created with my WebQuest and I think my students will enjoy working through the tasks. The program was hard to navigate at first but once I got the hang of it, it made sense. I am looking forward to creating more WebQuests and sharing them with other art teachers in my district and Association.

Link: Click here to view my WebQuest.