DEVELOPMENT
This page includes a collection of the lesson plans I developed while attending Northwest Christian University's Masters of Education Program. From the beginning stages of my teaching career incorporated the use of technology integrated in curriculum. The progressions are iconic and budgets have restrained the incorporation of the possible uses in the classroom. There is an essential need for all students to be able to use a progression of skills and tools in using technology to obtain assets needed to be successful lifelong learners and ultimately successful adults. It is my desire to be the best I can be to ensure my students achievements by meeting them where they are and by inspiring them to reach their highest potential. I will work to ensure that their education is paramount.
Instructional aids included on this page, were developed using design methods that were learned and now show my ability to incorporate design strategies that enhance learning. These products were created to include design theories that aid learners in their ability to visually recall content from their memory with greater success than mere reading and listening alone will allow the learner to gain information.
The GAME plan is a simplistic but viable lesson format that teachers can use with realistic expenditure of time. This encourages teachers to remain on track in creating complete lessons that include necessary components which are proven to follow sound teaching practices. Making connections with optimal learning outcomes, explored by researching brain functions in how memory works in relationship to learning alternative teaching styles, are evolving.
Instructional aids included on this page, were developed using design methods that were learned and now show my ability to incorporate design strategies that enhance learning. These products were created to include design theories that aid learners in their ability to visually recall content from their memory with greater success than mere reading and listening alone will allow the learner to gain information.
The GAME plan is a simplistic but viable lesson format that teachers can use with realistic expenditure of time. This encourages teachers to remain on track in creating complete lessons that include necessary components which are proven to follow sound teaching practices. Making connections with optimal learning outcomes, explored by researching brain functions in how memory works in relationship to learning alternative teaching styles, are evolving.
Interactive Weather Lesson
The lesson is designed using the GAME plan design that is targeted for third grade students. It utilizes the standards set and includes technology based learning programs from the Utah educational site. I have used these sites to give my students the opportunities to obtain immediate feedback while learning, using interactive lessons. This particular lesson supports the curriculum and lessons I teach with a fresh and personal touch. The weather simulator is fun for adults to use as well and is encouraged to be used as a home-to-school connection. I think it is important to make the home and school connections coincide with the lessons I teach in the classroom. This gives additional support for parents in assisting their child with homework connections.
Second Grade Language Arts Lesson
Alternative Learning Styles course lesson: John Medina's research and suggestions from his book Brain Rules 2008 were applied in creating this lesson. I also, implemented and included links to short inspiring graphic animated videos designed by France 2 Disney Channel. These are 'bugs perspectives' and they allow a connection to kids from a bugs point of view. Character traits can be depicted through the storylines. This lesson brings the visual concrete actions of the bugs together with the experiences of children to allow students the opportunity to use their own words to describe their ideas and feelings. It also gives us the opportunity to teach them about character traits. The story lines also support a beginning, middle, and an end reinforcing stronger recall ability by using visual memory recollections.
EDUC 620 - Graphic Instructional Design and Production
Development of Instructional Technology
Development of Instructional Technology is more complicated than what meets the eye. At the beginning of these courses I had basic computer skills and limited graphic design abilities. The skills and abilities I have gained benefit me daily. The collaboration with colleagues about utilizing software applications to create desired effects in our projects has been beneficial in improving my skills. The tutorials on YouTube and websites referred to in our courses were enlightening and inspiring. Using the solid techniques I have learned helped in building foundational skills with my students. Included is some of the work I created in the Fall of 2012. This work was created in the courses I attended through NCU and while teaching full time at Veneta Elementary School. The following items were developed in EDUC 620 -Graphic Instructional Design and Production.
Flyer Rationale
This cover sheet is for the flyer that explains the rationale of the design methods used to enhance the learning outcome for third grade students. The flyer transitioned from the cover sheet displayed here and lead to a more developed final form. Trying to modify preset designs was painstaking work. As my skills developed beyond using minimal preset forms my confidence grew. There are times when the use of formatted themes can be time saving ventures that allow for unique adaptations. With the limitations these templates can pose, recreating the 'wheel' of programing is not what needs to be done, making use of formatted designs can be sign of wisdom. These design methods were refined by using PARC guidelines, as seen in final form below, which branched out from the original clues given in the rationale statement. This piece shows the baseline of my abilities and future work depicts the progress I have made.
Flyer for Test Taking Strategies
This flyer is designed to remind students of the 5 step plan to 'Do Your Best On The Test' and to alleviate test anxiety. It was created to aid them in using a strategic approach to answering questions so they can identify correct answers as they have practiced in class. The visual images and content messages I observe in the world media, now appeal to my critical perspectives thanks to the knowledge I have gained this year.
As I find myself analyzing advertisements and learning aids, it leads to questioning my own designs and the 'professional work' of others. Time and money can play a major role in the creations we see, but quality images can be made with solid foundational use of good techniques at minimal costs. 21st Century Learners are impacted by PARC principles and the development of instructional aids. These are more feasible to create, using current technological tools. These tools are more accessible to most educators.
As I find myself analyzing advertisements and learning aids, it leads to questioning my own designs and the 'professional work' of others. Time and money can play a major role in the creations we see, but quality images can be made with solid foundational use of good techniques at minimal costs. 21st Century Learners are impacted by PARC principles and the development of instructional aids. These are more feasible to create, using current technological tools. These tools are more accessible to most educators.
Job Aid
The job aid poster provides visual icons and targets key concepts for student to use in 'Reading for a Purpose'. These follow easy to re-check steps. This is one of my first completed projects. This project stretched my prior experiences using graphic software. The patience of Michael Kaelin was impressive and his critical eye inspiring. Hoping to build my students confidence, by finding the positive work they do, is one of my goals, instilling in them the appreciation of how important it is to improve their own work.
Tri-Fold Pamphlet
This tri-fold pamphlet is intended for family use as a resource to use in support of establishing great reading habits at home. Its purpose is to develop ideas and strategies which families can use to support specific reading skills started in school. Included in this tri-fold there are a number of websites listed that may intrigue readers to explore other subject matters that can spark their interest to a variety of web-sites, resulting in increased understanding of concepts learned in school.
Be sure to open this trifold and discover the amazing amount of inspirational support and ideas. It supports great learning practices for third grade students. This project gives ammunition that makes the after school time explode with reading opportunities. Rather than saying, "You have to read now," the student desires the opportunity. Explore what your child is reading by using the 'Story Star' questioning strategies and link up with your child to reach 'Reading for a Purpose'.
This proved to be my most challenging piece and I revised it many times, as I saw more room for improvement. Patience is a virtue that is growing in me with respect to my own performance. Creating instructional aids with a 'critical eye' knowing it can be utilized in spite of its imperfections still greatly enhances learning experiences for my students. Perfection may be far off but I am still reaching to fulfill my potential. Potential grows with my uninhibited and eager efforts. Those efforts are made as I strive to apply all that I have learned. In seeking improvement the need to ask and receive help is empowering. Inspiring wisdom came from Instructor, Brian Kaelin with regard to the 'Five Minute Rule'; "If something gives you trouble (like Weebly, or any other program or online tool) don't fight with it for more than five minutes........seriously, just stop, get some help, phone a friend or professor for help, or just take a break, but don't fight it." This rule really spoke to me in that the more we learn the more we should reach out and help one another. Together we can solve so much more than we can individually. We are not expected to remain alone to fight issues that can be solved easier with help.
Be sure to open this trifold and discover the amazing amount of inspirational support and ideas. It supports great learning practices for third grade students. This project gives ammunition that makes the after school time explode with reading opportunities. Rather than saying, "You have to read now," the student desires the opportunity. Explore what your child is reading by using the 'Story Star' questioning strategies and link up with your child to reach 'Reading for a Purpose'.
This proved to be my most challenging piece and I revised it many times, as I saw more room for improvement. Patience is a virtue that is growing in me with respect to my own performance. Creating instructional aids with a 'critical eye' knowing it can be utilized in spite of its imperfections still greatly enhances learning experiences for my students. Perfection may be far off but I am still reaching to fulfill my potential. Potential grows with my uninhibited and eager efforts. Those efforts are made as I strive to apply all that I have learned. In seeking improvement the need to ask and receive help is empowering. Inspiring wisdom came from Instructor, Brian Kaelin with regard to the 'Five Minute Rule'; "If something gives you trouble (like Weebly, or any other program or online tool) don't fight with it for more than five minutes........seriously, just stop, get some help, phone a friend or professor for help, or just take a break, but don't fight it." This rule really spoke to me in that the more we learn the more we should reach out and help one another. Together we can solve so much more than we can individually. We are not expected to remain alone to fight issues that can be solved easier with help.
Multi-Media Project
In EDUC 630 at NCU, a short educational video was created aiming to inspire families to utilize reading fluency
and comprehension skills; comparable to those we use in the school setting. It was fun to create this with all third grade students and with input from the Third Grade Team teachers. It was amazing how excited they all were but shocking to see some students distracted and preoccupied by being filmed. Some of the third grade students natural reading fluency and speaking skills changed in the light of being recorded, some for the better and some for the worse. Planning a script for third graders to follow is more difficult than planning for adults. Repeated practice and modifications were needed for students to be able to stress key strategies we comfortably used in class. This video is designed to model our common language and skills, using strategies we implement in our reading programs at school. These can carry over for use by students and families at home.
and comprehension skills; comparable to those we use in the school setting. It was fun to create this with all third grade students and with input from the Third Grade Team teachers. It was amazing how excited they all were but shocking to see some students distracted and preoccupied by being filmed. Some of the third grade students natural reading fluency and speaking skills changed in the light of being recorded, some for the better and some for the worse. Planning a script for third graders to follow is more difficult than planning for adults. Repeated practice and modifications were needed for students to be able to stress key strategies we comfortably used in class. This video is designed to model our common language and skills, using strategies we implement in our reading programs at school. These can carry over for use by students and families at home.
The focus of reading in schools seems to be targeting standardized tests and mandated goals. Eliminating testing stress is critical when students are expected to meet benchmark standards. Student success is currently verified through standardized testing practices. Creating successful lifetime readers requires much more than testing results show. In fact to create the love of reading, students need to build skills and strategies for test taking but they also need to develop interests in reading that can enrich their lives. Reading for the love of exploring and gaining knowledge can be a key in reaching their dreams and solving their problems. Entertaining themselves and others can improve their reading skills too. Check out some ideas in this video that show ways that can help young readers create a passion for reading. See how some of these ideas help students overcome troubling issues and gain tips for improved reading strategies.
Make Your Own Reading Video
Encouraging family and friends to be creative and use what they have available to record and share reading is highly encouraged. Adding video recordings on YouTube links, of 'Readers Theater Productions' made by classes in our school is one of my goals. Families can find a treasured book and make the story come alive. Students can set up stuffed animals and read over the story lines as the characters are portrayed. This will eliminate the pressure of being filmed and gives students practice in creating character voice overs. It teaches them to let their imagination run as it promotes a passion for reading. It is entertaining as they practicing with different voices and tones. Giving personality inflections to a story leads to great discussions. Students are encouraged to share their ideas with others. Practice, practice and 'Do Your Best'!
Final Three Progression
Final Three Cover Sheet explains the progression and design elements that are portrayed through the development processes used. Include are the Flyer, Trifold, and the Informational Design from the work completed in the assignments. This demonstrates the variety of work accomplished. This is a summary of the progression of learned skills that include design elements applied to the final products created. This gives a rationale and lists the elements used in creation of these products.
Final Three Design Progression
The Final Three Designs were completed over an eight week course. This step by step process demonstrates the initial stages of the concepts through the most recent designs. The focus of each of these projects depict my design applications of learned strategies and tools use, concentrating on the theme of comprehension needs for third grade students. The design elements are not always easy to use when applying technology components. The more familiar I became with software programming uses, the easier the output of the design elements became. The options are endless when the development of sound design principles can be incorporated with applicable knowledge of program software. It was easy to get 'star struck' with 'free hand' design. By knowing the benefits of eliminating edu-junk and using eye candy that can add valuable visual recall in the learning process makes visual aids essential in education. Being aware of cognitive overload should be preventable by efficient educators. This sample starts from the very basics ideas to overload to the use and refinement of PARC principles: Proximity, Alignment, Repetition, and Clarity