Newsletter Blog.

For project five, we had to create a newsletter about ourselves for our new classroom, parents and students. It was easier to work with InDesign now that I have more experience with it. It was odd to write about myself and to write about the future, and not something that is currently happening. It took some time to figure out what I wanted to write about, but I think I did a decent job with a newsletter. Although I don't really know. I wrote a bit about myself, my favorite artists, some stuff about Chuck Close (one of my favorite artists), and I included a sample lesson for teachers and students and family members to get a grasp on what I might be teaching and how. Hopefully all of these things would be valuable and useful in a newsletter.

Blog Assignment Twelve.

http://www.apple.com/ilife/iphoto/

I would have students take digital pictures of their work and upload them into iPhoto, and as part of a project, they would have to organize, label and exhibit the pictures and images in a slideshow. It is also a great too to keep images organized and easy to find.

http://www.adobe.com/products/soundbooth/

I would have students create a podcast about a certain artist. They would be welcome to work in pairs or groups, and they would have to focus on a certain artist or movement. If they were to focus on a certain artist, part of the project would be to create a fictional short story about the artist. They will be given a list of criteria to meet about what to have in their podcast. They could also delegate the parts and jobs to one another, as in some students will speak, others will cut and edit, etc.

Blog Assignment Eleven.

BLOGS I COMMENTED ON:
http://aedcomputerapplications398.blogspot.com/2009/10/self-portrait.html

http://azizaaed398.blogspot.com/2009/10/self-portrait-creative-inspiration.html

A. How did you decide which blog to review?

I chose to review Eryn and Aziza's blogs because they are both people that I talk to and am friendly with. I have two classes with Eryn and it's been nice getting to know her.

B. Why did you select the individual posting to comment on?

I chose the one's about self-portraits because I think that they are the most interesting to look at and read. I chose Aziza'z with her pictures because I was drawn to the pictures in and of themselves, and I also really liked the ones that she chose. They were really interesting and I like the reasons that she chose them too. I commented on Eryn's self-portrait answers because it was interesting to take a look below the surface and find out a little more about her.

C. How could you use a Blog in your classroom as a communication tool? If not, why not?

I think you can definitely use a blog as a communication too. It provides great ways to get your thoughts out and to share things that you like, dislike, enjoy or are interested in. To use it in a classroom would be a great tool, as long as the blog was geared towards the class and classroom setting. Students would have to be held accountable for what they post and write in their blogs, and they would have to be made aware of that. I would probably use a blog as a communication tool only in upper levels, probably high school, where hopefully the students would be mature enough to keep their postings school appropriate.

Resume Writing and InDesign.

Resume writing is always an interesting process because a lot of factors play into how your resume turns out. One thing is where you are at in your life and what your goal of your resume is: to get a job? To win an award? It could be for a number of things, and your resume will change with each thing. Another big factor in the result of your resume is who you go to to have look at and edit your resume. Everyone will tell you to have different information and to set it up differently and have a different layout and order. I guess when determining which is best, you should go with your instinct and what you feel is best for the reason you are presenting your resume.

InDesign is something that I am slowly getting the hang of, but it is still hard to use. I never quite know if I am doing it right, and if there is an easier way to do things. I am sure there are a number of tips and tricks that you can use in InDesign. One thing that seemed helpful was what Prof. Tabone showed us in class, about the different ways of formatting your document. The videos we had to watch for our other blog post would have been helpful too, if I had taken the time to utilize them.

Blog Assignment Ten.

• the importance of parental involvement in eduation

• communication tools that educators can use with parents/guardians

• what/why/how/where/when of communication between educators and parents/guardians

First RSS Feed:
http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/parents-involvement-in-childrens-education-117944.html

Second RSS Feed:
http://newteachersupport.suite101.com/article.cfm/contact_with_parents


I think that parent-teacher involvement is very important. As an aspiring teacher, I should be learning as much as possible about interacting with the parents as I am about interacting with the students. Parents play a huge role in a child's interest in school and in their development. When a parent shows interest in a child's progress and what they are doing in school and bringing home, that child is more eager to learn and to produce good results and they are more interested in impressing their parents. When a parent shows little interest in a child's education, doesn't care about their progress or how they are doing, that child begins to lack enthusiasm and starts to do a lackluster or poor job. A parents interest in their child's education reflects upon that child.

It is important for me, as a teacher, to build a good relationship with the parents. I need to be an effective listener for the parents. They need to understand that I am just as interested in their child's education and progress as they are. They need to be aware that "we are in this together" and not separate, or alone. However, I need to make it clear that I am only the teacher, and that they are the main influence to their child.