Reflection: for Week 5 EDLD 5366 Digital Graphics, Animation, and Desktop Publishing
I’ve gained a wealth of information in the Digital Graphics course. I learned about the principle of design elements in week one. I used the previous information about the principles of design elements to learn how to create a harmonious balance for my digital newsletter, logo and digital animation. I integrated the four design elements into my projects for weeks 2, 3, and 4. The information both new and old that I obtained, collected and read throughout this course helped me create digital projects that I didn’t know I was capable of creating. I learned about contrast, repetition, alignment and proximity by analyzing ancient manuscripts, a CD cover, newspaper and poster. By doing this assignment, I was able to gain an understanding about the four principles of design elements.
I used logo design software for Mac for my logo, Scratch software for my digital animation and Pages for Mac to create my digital newsletter. I incorporated the logo and digital animation from previous weeks into my newsletter. I strategically followed directions for each assignment and I was able to put everything together using previously learned information. I gained an understanding and clarification about the assignments by participating in the weekly discussions and web conferences where colleagues shared their experiences and gave helpful information and strategies about integrating educational gaming and other technology in their classrooms. I communicated with my colleagues and professors via web conference, email and discussion board. This interaction helped me gain an understanding of my assignments.
This course will help me in my future learning and how I will learn because I know that I can use readings, web conferences, discussion boards and blogs/wikis in future courses to collaborate and interact with my colleagues about course resources, material and information. The readings had a huge impact on my learning and understanding because I obtained helpful information for my assignments. One quote that I remember was stated by Halverson,” by providing compelling activities for motivating otherwise indifferent learners, video games can potentially help teachers improve the design of learning environments”. This brings an important question that I will research or investigate: how to integrate motivating, effective and interactive technology into the classroom and collaborate with other teachers to integrate technology into their classrooms? I believe that integrating technology in classrooms will help “digital natives” become successful lifelong learners.
Halverson, R. (2005). What Can K-12 School Leaders Learn from Video Games and Gaming? Retrieved from http://www.innovativeonline.info/index.php?view=article&id=81
