EDLD 5364 Teaching with Technology Week 1 Reflection

This week’s readings focused on three areas: Constructivism, Connectivism and Cyborg, and how we use these in learning.

Constructivism is when the current learning makes connections with prior knowledge and exerience.  These connections are made through project based, hands on, collaborative, experimental learning. Connectivism rests in the idea that knowledge is out there in the world already you only need expereiences to make connections to that knowledge.  Cyborg takes things a step further and enhances the existing human.  Cyborg enhances human senses and links the human brain to technology. Cyborg is part human and part technology.

Constructivism and Connectivism are similar in that they make connections between information for learning to take place.  For students to maximize learning they must connect new knowledge to prior or exisiting knowledge to make those connections.  Once connections are make, more long lasting learning takes place.  Cyborg enhanced learning is more sci-fi sounding but on small terms realistic in today’s environment.  We already use hand held devices, computer prorams and technology to help students learn.  Although these are not implanted in the body like what Cyborg talks about, these devices do modify and enhance the learning environment.  Moving to an environment where the learning is not about the technology and the technology is seamlessly integrated is where leaning is maximized.

Works Cited

"Building knowledge: constructivism in learning - YouTube." YouTube. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Sept. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F00R3pOXzuk>.

"How People Learn:  Brain, Mind, Experience, and School: Expanded Edition." The National Academies Press. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Sept. 2013. <http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=9853&page=206>.

"Kevin Warwick: Cyborg Life - YouTube." YouTube. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Sept. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RB_l7SY_ngI>.

"The Changing Nature of Knowledge - YouTube." YouTube. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Sept. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMcTHndpzYg>.

EDLD 5366 Week 5 Reflection

Multimedia in the Classroom

It is a fact that we live in a multimedia rich world.  As a result, the way we incorporate, utilize and enhance education with multimedia is critical.  The Center for Implementing Technology in Education states that the younger generation is intimately familiar with multimedia technology, yet most of their time in the classroom is spent viewing printed text (Multimedia Applications for the Classroom).  It is our job, as educators, to help students meld the two, education and multimedia.  Before we jump in too deep we need to ensure student safety, effectiveness and mode of delivery. 

            Student safety is important when considering copyright, creative commons, and fair use.  Students need to be knowledgeable about these things so they can protect themselves from illegally using material from the Internet and other sources.  The Education Program at Creative Commons works to minimize the barriers of copyright while maximizing the safety and benefits to students (Education- Creative Commons).  Students also need to be safe in the way that they brand themselves online through photos, videos, text, Tweets, Vines, Instagrams, and other social media sites.

            Branding also extends to helping us effectively communicate.  That can be done through logos, color choices, and design elements being applied using the C.R.A.P. method (Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, Proximity).  Branding begins with a logo and color choice, but extends far beyond that into the idea and perceived value of a company (The Art of Self-Branding).

            Taking all of this into consideration, it is crucial that students learn the value of their own brand, how to maintain integrity online and how to effectively communicate online.  Teaching Audio/Video Production and Graphic Design classes brings this to the forefront even more.   As a part of my regular curriculum we discuss these matters.   As a result of this class, I plan on stressing these points more intently and providing more opportunities for students to produce positive brands and demonstrate proper, effective communication online.   It is imperative that students understand the implication of their online presence both now and in the future. 

References

Education - Creative Commons. (n.d.). Creative Commons. Retrieved August 17,2013, from http://creativecommons.org/education

Multimedia Applications for the Classroom. (n.d.). Center for Implementing Technology in Education (CITEd). Retrieved August 17, 2013, from http://www.cited.org/output_pages/printDefault.aspx?page_id=106

The Art of Self-Branding: Part One | Lealea Design. (n.d.). Web, Print, Graphic Design and Creative Solutions | Lealea Design. Retrieved August 17, 2013, from http://www.lealea.net/blog/comments/the-art-of-self-branding-part-one/

EDLD 5366 Week 4

Link to our group website.

Group Website:

https://sites.google.com/site/techtekupdates/home

Personal Website:

https://sites.google.com/a/bisdmail.net/nikki-looper/edld-5366--digital-graphics/week-4

EDLD 5366 Week 3

Stykz Animation

EDLD 5366 Week 2

During Week 2, we created logos.  I created a personal logo and my team got a head start on our web page and we created a group logo.  

In my logo design, I used proximity by overlapping my initials to create a single image that contains both letters.  I also used contrast by contrasting the two shades of purple to distinguish between the two letters. Repetition is used by staying with the same font for both letters.  Repetition is also seen in the decoration in the middle of the letters.  The bottom diamond shape was partially covered up when I overlapped the ‘N’ and ‘L’ so I duplicated the diamond and placed it in a separate layer above everything so that it would be seen across both letters without being cut off.   And finally, alignment is seen by the overlapping and alignment of the far right stem of the ‘N’ and the stem of the ‘L’ being on top of each other.

Personal Logo

Group Logo

EDLD 5366 Week 1

This Week we evaluated some examples for C.R.A.P. design principles and elements, wrote a reflection over viewing an ancient manuscript, designed a teaching tool for the C.R.A.P. design principles and elements.  Below is my reflection of the Ancient Manuscript and my teaching tool for C.R.A.P.

Reflection Over Ancient Manuscript

Week 1 of Digital Graphics has us examining ancient manuscripts to find examples of C.R.A.P. from hundreds of years ago.  My example, Psalm 1 Psalter, belonged to Sir Robert Cotton.  My first impression of this 1050 manuscript had me drawn to the colors used.  I was shocked with the amount of color used.  You can easily identify each of the C.R.A.P. principles:

• Contrast: in color between the heading and the rest of the text on the page, in size in between the heading and text on the page
• Repetition: fonts are kept to a single font used for the Old English and  a single font for the Latin text
•  Alignment: the title and first few words of the scripture are aligned along a drop cap for the heading
•   Proximity: both Old English and Latin renditions of the scripts are aligned throughout the page

     

    It is easily seen that there was great importance given tothis document that served as a prayer book.  The detail and attention given to the ornate design around the heading shows the time dedicated to design.  

Reference: 
Psalm 1, in a Burnt Psalter. (n.d.). THE BRITISH LIBRARY - The world's knowledge. Retrieved July 15, 2013, from http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/illmanus

C.R.A.P. Teaching Tool

Here is my C.R.A.P. teaching tool.  I have submitted the .pdf to Blackboard.

EDLD 5363 Week 5

This week we put finished touches on Assignment Templates 5.1 and 5.2.  We each had to write a group reflection and our ARP/Intern hour update.  You can read both of those in previous posts here on my blog.  This project has been a great experience and I look forward to working with these ladies again!


Here is a link to our Google Drive with all of our files:

https://drive.google.com/?tab=mo&authuser=0#folders/0B3MgUP6y0zg1VGdMckdGS19kNjg