Artifact #1
Context:
This project has students research topics such as events, people, or other subjects using all available resources to complete the task. The Multi-genre project takes the place of the typical research paper that most high school students complete in English class. This is a hands-on activity in which students will acquire knowledge of the chosen topic by actually presenting items visually that represents the topic. The multi-genre project forces students to use creativity and requires them to use their knowledge of the various styles of writing such as organization and format. For example, rather than reporting that a particular person was born on a certain date, the student might create a birth certificate that actually shows how it might look during that period of time. The students are showing what they have learned about a topic visually as well as creatively. The students are graded by a rubric set up by the teacher and will present the projects orally to the class.
I created a multi-genre project of my own on Princess Diana in RE 5130, Teaching the Language Arts. There was so much information on the life of Princess Diana and I wanted to touch on all aspects but in a creative and tactful way. I chose to represent Diana’s life by creating a scrapbook full of pictures that portrayed a small part in every division of her life. I also found the actual obituary that was found in one of England’s newspaper’s websites and recreated what it would look like if someone were actually reading it. Next, I created an example of the front page of a typical tabloid that revealed some of the trials and tribulations that Diana went through in her marriage to Prince Charles. I also created a letter that a devoted fan would have written to her after death and left at the gates of Buckingham Palace just as millions of people did after the horrible news was heard around the world. Finally, I found an actual interview that was broadcasted on the British Broadcasting Company between Princess Dianna and Martin Bashir. The interview openly talks about Diana’s life, children, her failed marriage, eating disorders, and depression. I thought it was very important to include because it was Diana’s way to let people know of her unhappiness as the wife of Prince Charles and a member of the Royal Family.
Impact:
By completing this Multi-genre project, I was able to learn that students can display their different learning styles by displaying various types of art, media, objects, etc. The typical research paper is often times a long, slow process that students do not get excited about. By using the Multi-genre project in its place, they are merely replacing the dull research with fun and interesting new tactics and displaying it using their own creative work. Upon completion of the project, I was truly excited about presenting my work to my classmates. I not only learned new information about my topic, I was able to create examples of my topic that had substance and meaning.
Alignment:
Principle A: Instructional Expertise
After completing the Multi-Genre Project as part of the graduate coursework, I demonstrated instructional expertise by applying the theoretical, philosophical, and research bases for educational practices to improve student learning. I understood and linked subject matter and student's developmental and diverse needs to improve student learning. I used technology to create learning environments that supported the student's learning based on the subject matter. I also integrated literacy across the curriculum by creating the lesson plan and activities for the project.
Principle B: Knowledge of Learners
I incorporated knowledge of the nature of the learner, learning process, variations in learning styles and strategies for evaluating learning into planning, delivery, and evaluation of instruction. I designed and delivered instruction of the Multi-Genre Project that was responsive to differences to all learners within my lesson plans. I understood and respected differences between the learning behaviors and outcomes expected in diverse communities when creating my project for future classrooms.
I used research to examine and improve instructional effectiveness and student achievement when completing the Multi-Genre Project. I critically read and applied historical and contemporary educational literature to create lesson plans, activities, and artifacts to prove my research on the subject matter. I was also able to use action research to investigate educational subject areas.