Friday, December 11, 2009

Sunday, August 09, 2009

Unit 6 Final Images and Justification













10 Composition Tips and Gestalt

My audience would be anyone interested in farming. My purpose is to inform my audience about our family experience as farmers.

I changed a few of my photos from my original draft. I did not think the contrast and framing examples I had were very good, so I went out and took two photos that would be more representative of those two composition tips. It was fun to actually go out and perform the tips! I also enjoyed this assignment because my husband and children were involved and represented through a farm theme. It was a great way to end the class.

As I stated in my last slide, I believe that this collection of photos captures gestalt. Because these photos have a theme, the pictures alone represent a specific event (part), but all the photos together give the audience the big picture of what it is like to farm (160). I also think because the images create a theme it gives the audience closure (162). The numbering of the 10 composition tips helps the audience follow the sequence of the photos/slides (162). My partner, Chatchada, suggested that I change the slides so that they all looked the same. I was using different templates throughout the presentation. Because of this change, I think that the repetition helps create similarity (162). Good idea Chatchada!

Some of the tools and actions used were color, contrast and repetition. I mentioned above how I changed the slide formats so that they would all appear the same and reinforce repetition. I also used lots of greens and yellows (John Deere colors!) which showed color contrast as well (178).

Overall, this was one of my favorite projects because I was able to share a side of myself that a lot of people are unaware of. Fun!=)

Thanks for a great class!



Friday, August 07, 2009

Unit 6 Original Images














10 Composition Tips and Gestalt

Hi Chatchada! Here are my farm pictures. I am still looking for better pictures for contrast and framing. Let me know what you think!=)


Sunday, August 02, 2009

Unit 5 Final Image and Justification

I emailed the image.

I was going to create an image about the 5 stages of the Writing Process, but that's all been done before. What my student's really struggle with is the difference between the Revising Stage and the Editing Stage. My original image became more of a document and didn't really serve the purpose I was shooting for. I deleted all the text in the text boxes and started over. I used a Writer's Inc. book for guidance. I wanted more of on introductory piece than what I had before.

The following are the techniques I used to show organization. Of course, as you can tell, I organized the text boxes for left to right and from top to bottom (121). The titles of the boxes are the top levels, the initial left justified details are the subordinate levels and the bullets (the check marks and the arrows) are the coordinate levels (122 and 133). I tried to show the difference in the top levels by using contrasting colors and bold text (133). I used chunking by provided space in between the subordinate levels, and I didn't use more than 7 chunks of information (125-126). I used two columns to show the differences between the two stages of the writing process (136-137). I added a little piece of clip art to help decorate with, and I chose one that had the same colors as my 2 text boxes.

After showing this to the students I would facilitate a generative strategy and have them summarize the differences, either through writing, a Venn Diagram or a Mind Map (148 and 152).

I'm still not satisfied with this project, but I believe it is an improvement from my original. I don’t know if this is really considered an image/visual; it has a lot of text and information. Am I wrong? Maybe it felt different because I created it in Word and not PowerPoint or Adobe.

Friday, July 31, 2009

Original Project - Unit 5

I will attach it in an email to my partner for testing. Chatchada, please post your comments here.=)

My audience is my 9th grade students in my English class. They really struggle with revision and editing. When I ask them to revise, they usually edit. I have added some specific suggestions/mistakes that are common to 9th graders. It's kind of boring, and maybe overwhelming??? Have I added too much stuff? Should I take out the questions and the suggestions and just leave the topics? It doesn't look very appealing.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Unit 4 Final Image and Justification



This image is a slide from a Poetry PowerPoint that I use with my 9th grade students. We have usually covered simile by the time we get to poetry, but they forget fast!

My original image was awful. I was obviously in a rush to put something together, and I never took the time to go back and make it better. This would have been a perfect example for Tuft!=) I'm glad that this class is giving me an opportunity to take a look at my own work that I use in the classroom with my students. It does give it more meaning for me!

In my original image there was a lot of competition going on between my background (the color gradient) with the figure (the text) (102). This is something that my partner, Chatchada, and I agreed on. I changed the background to plain white. I played with a black background, but it still did not seem to work well with the figure. The white background with the black font provided a nice contrast and the white space helped chunk/organize the information on the slide(111). I also changed the font style (as recommended by my partner) to a sans serif font because the original font was hard to read.

I made the title (figure) stand out by making it a larger font than the rest of the text, and I tried to show depth and dimension with the title by adding some color and applying an outline and light shadow (270 and 272). I used the same two colors (black and blue) that are used throughout the slide to show unity. By using these techniques the figure should improve the information the learner selects (111).

I decided to utilize two different text colors for contrast and organization. I thought that keeping all the text black would be a bit boring. I decided to leave the definition or information that related back to the definition in black, and then I made the example and the explanation of the example in blue. I thought that by using the two colors in this way would not only brighten up the image but also help organize this information (111 and 267). I think the black will help the learner select the most important information and the lighter color (blue) will be the second piece the learner will select (the example) (102). The use of white space, as mentioned above, also helps to organize this information.

I deleted one of the examples from the slide that I thought was extraneous (102). It was a bit too much information for one slide, and it was a more difficult simile for 9th graders. I stuck to one example and attempted to explain it well.

I added clip art to this image/slide as well. Knowing my 9th grade students, I need to keep them engaged whenever/where ever I can. I looked for appropriate clip art and thought that these two pieces help to emphasize the example and give the students more of a concrete visual (102).

I definitely think that my revised image will be more effective with my students. I think that the contrast and use of the colors black, blue and white will help the learner select and organize the information on the slide. The clip art will help attract and control the students' attention and help them to visualize the example (266).

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Unit 4 Original Image for Independent Activity



The Independent Activities on pages 118 and 278 require you to pick your own project to work on. The slide above is part of a Poetry PowerPoint that I use for my 9th graders. The section of the unit this comes out of is a section on Figurative Language. Looking at it now, I realize it is awful! I obviously threw this together and never went back to make it better. This slide is on simile which should be a review for the students. The only way to go on this one is up!=)

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Unit 3 Final Image and Justification


I chose the first Challenge Activity on page 245 for this unit. The image in the center is the Longue Vue in New Orleans (http://www.ianadamsphotography.com/store/page23.html). It is the architecture I chose to resemble a letter. The users could be a class like ours on Creating Images. Ages are from 18 and up. Users would have some computer experience. This was created for the purpose of showing how text can also be an art form, and that text can be found in the most beautiful architecture.

The image on the left is close to my original image. I thought that this piece of architecture looked like an upside down "i". I used a San Serif font because the fountain has a rounded shape (221). I made the text thick and kept the fill color black for contrast (215), and I thought that the black resembled the color of the water.

The image on the right of the piece of architecture is a revised image. I wasn't sure if I was allowed to alter the original text (the "i"). I wanted to change the style of the "i" to more appropriately match the picture. I rounded the top of the column of the "i". My partner also suggested making the dot larger to match the pool of water. I used shapes to form a new "i", and tried to show depth (215) by the smaller end of the column of the "i", and I made it wider as it approached the round pool. I used proximity with white space in between the column and the circle (203). I tried not to leave too much white space in between because I wanted it to keep the form of an "i", to show that the column and the circle were related. I aligned the shapes in the center to show they were related and to show unity (210).

I included both images because I wasn't sure if I was allowed to alter the text to create a more fitting example.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Unit 3 Original Image for Challenge Activity #1

Architecture, LONGUE VUE, NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
http://www.ianadamsphotography.com/store/page23.html
















Okay, so I know this is very rough. The challenge was to match a letter form with a piece of archtitecture. I thought this looked like an "i" upside down. I tried working in Adobe Illustrator, and I have no idea what I am doing. I have some great ideas for improving this image, but I have no idea how to do it! I guess I'll be watching a bunch of video tutorials.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Revised Image and Justification

This is my revised image for my Literary Elements powerpoint show for my 9th graders.  This is the classic plot line sometimes referred to as Freytag's Analysis.   The design shape of my image is presented in a landscape design because of the wideness of the image (225).   In my original image, the elements of plot and the key words to define them were all the same size and boldness.  I decided to make the acutal elements bold and larger to emphasize them.  I put the definitions in smaller font.   The key words are in italics to make them stand out from the rest of the definition (64-65).

My partner suggested using gradients to show intensity.  I added light intensity/gradient at the beginning and the end.  I made the intensity of the gradient darker at the point of climax since that is usually the most intense/exciting point of the story (64-65).  Great idea Chatchada!=)

I think I have also including "chunking" as I presented each of the 5 elements of plot.  It has helped with the direction/sequencing(52).

I really wanted to make an analogy of the plot line to climbing Mt. Everest, but I thought it would be too overwhelming for one slide.  Maybe the following slide could be the analogy in an attempt to move the elements of plot into the students' long term memory (55).  Either using an analogy or having the students apply it to a common movie would help them integrate the ideas and make it more meaningful for them (52 and 66).

I was going to add a piece of clip art, but it made it look cheesy, so I deleted it.  I still hope to find the right picture to add to my overall image, but I want to find the right one.  I also thought I would add arrows on the lines, but I thought that the image made sense without them. These were two items along with the mountain analogy that I thought were extraneous, so I left them out for now(52).

I still feel that there are improvements to be made on this image and after the image (on the next slide) to make it more meaningful and effective, but I do see much improvement from my original design.

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Original or Starting Image


This is the image I am beginning with. It is actually an image I created a few years ago. This image is a part of a PowerPoint presentation on literary elements that I use at the beginning of the year for my ninth grade students. This should be a review for them. Looking at the image now, I know that they are many improvements needed. I am excited to make it better.

If you click on the image you will see a bigger version.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Unit 0 Hello

Here us my five line image of myself for my graduate class.  I know, it looks more like a ghost!  I'm bound to learn a lot! 
Here is my five line drawing for my graduate class./Users/hhsstaff/Desktop/dawn2.jpg

Monday, May 11, 2009

For those of you who were absent or did not earn enough points for the Romeo and Juliet discussions last week and Monday's seminar, here is a chance for you to earn points.

Respond to and prove the following statements: 2 points each, 3 points with a quote

1. Sometimes it takes a disaster to make people change their ways.
2. Throughout Romeo and Juliet there is a search for and changing of identities. Explain how this theme relates to the play.
3. Misfortune in life is a matter of fate.
4. People's lives are determined by fate.
5. Things are not as they seem.

Using one of these words create a statement of theme for the play and provide support for that theme.
6. Hate
7. Love
8. Infatuation
9. Selfishness


Write the number of the response on your blog post.

The total for an A+ was responding up to 8 times over the last week.

The blog will be closed on Thursday! Get Blogging!=)