Artifact 4

Competency 12.3: Use computers and other technologies effectively and appropriately to communicate information in a variety of formats on student learning to colleagues, parents, and others

Context

This artifact is a newsletter to the parents of my future classroom. This newsletter was created in Microsoft Publisher. I used a digital camera to take my picture and imported it into my newsletter by simply saving it onto a disk. I added clip art in several places and I organized my newsletter according to priority of information and value.

Impact

When I graduate in May 2002 and have my very own classroom, this newsletter is going to be very handy when it comes time to prepare myself for the year. It is an easy and effective way to communicate with the parents and students. It makes them aware of the guidelines and stipulations that are expected throughout the year so there are no surprises, along with letting them know about upcoming events. The newsletter shows creativity on my part, along with the use of computer skills, such as using a template, adding pictures, etc. It generally serves as a basis for the year and of what is to come.

Alignment

The Newsletter to Parents aligns with Technology Competency 12.3. This artifact included detailed competency goals such as being able to produce materials such as newsletters, flyers, and school newspapers. They will also be able to design graphs/presentations of student progress, facilitate student presentations using multimedia presentations to colleagues and organizations, Conduct staff development sessions on technology tools for communication, and instructional classes for parents as well as deliver educational conference presentations along with developing web pages to share information and using email.

The Newsletter to Parents also aligns with INTASC principle 10. With this newsletter, I am able to communicate with a massive amount of people, parents and community. It is an effective means of communication as well as establishing cooperative partnerships with parents, and families. It is an advocate for students and student learning, because in the end, that is what is the most important and least focused on at times. The newsletter allowed me to use Microsoft Publisher and create an effective way to communicate to the most important people, quickly and precisely.