Reflection Graphics

WGU Graphics Process Reflection Essay

Each year I begin my eighth grade math class with a study of hurricanes. This became study of reality in 2004 with back to back hurricanes hitting our town and creating two “Hundred Year” floods within the period of ten days. Hurricanes Frances and Ivan flooded our town, part of our school, and devastated our county with much of that devastation still visible today. These graphics that I modified can be used as part of that lesson in a PowerPoint or backgrounds in any presentation that would be produced.

These graphics work with my hurricane lessons for both national science and math standards as well as the current North Carolina math and science standards for eighth grade.

Science and Math Standards

1. Describe your experiences about using this product.

I wish I had more to say... There was nothing special about MS Paint or MS Photo Editor. They are basic programs that require little experience to use. They allow the novice to do the basics that need to be done.

2. Explain why you did or did not deviate from your planned design process.

There was no great plan or process to deviate from for this task. I simply followed the tasks as assigned.

3. Identify a use of this technology tool for teaching and a use for learning.

Teaching students to manipulate images for assignments using Photo Story, or PowerPoint, or some other presentation software allows them to both be engaged in the learning process as well as produce something creative that helps them retain the material. It allows me to create more interesting presentations as a teacher.

4. Explain why you had difficulty using a part of this technology tool.

I had no difficulty using this product.

5. Explain what you would do differently if you were going to design with this learning tool again.

I would not change anything since it met the need I had for this task.

6. Predict how you could use your experience to train someone else in the use of this tool.

I would simply sit with them, show them the major functions of this software, and most of all allow them to play. Playing is the best way to learn this type of software.

a math teachers discovery of educational technology