Technology
The technology that seems best suited for my needs in my journalism newsroom is a ceiling-mounted projector and screen as well as an Elmo controlled from the teacher’s computer. This technology would be very helpful because it would make for a more advantageously, efficient use of time. Not only could I project example pages and samples of their own work, but students could teach, not just 1 on 1, but as the instructor for the whole class. When pages are made, we could reflect on positives and negatives constructively as a class.
Access to a joined screen enables students to learn more efficiently as they are all focused on that one large entity. Although we have shared drives, in InDesign only one person can have a document open at a time, and this way one student could have a document open he or she needs help on, and every other student can then be looking to the big screen to provide their input. Students, who are more familiar with InDesign/Photoshop, or I can depict certain uses or photo/design concepts to the whole class, allowing others to follow along on their own computer.
As time is of the essence, students who need more time to experiment with more advanced features (returning staff editors) can do so without being burdened by only having time to teach new members or new editors the basics, and this is something I could do easily if I had a projector. We can use the computer to project tutorials, common issues and thus their understandings and misconceptions can be cleared up. We can assess their beginning work and pages together without wasting so much paper unnecessarily. In order for everyone to get to look at pages, we often go through many reams of paper printing for staff viewing/editing. This technological tool would enhance our paper. I need to consider, what advantages will my students gain with the use of this technology that they couldn’t have without it? That answer is, many. It would be incredibly advantageous for the beginning design bootcamp for students to be able to follow along with either a senior staff member or me on their own InDesign document. Partnering works if I have enough proficient students. Losing all my editors last year and gaining 8 brand new students makes it nearly impossible to get everyone design-ready by the end of September. This projector and screen will make for a much more efficient and seamless introduction to everything students need to know before beginning work in InDesign and Photoshop.
Access to a joined screen enables students to learn more efficiently as they are all focused on that one large entity. Although we have shared drives, in InDesign only one person can have a document open at a time, and this way one student could have a document open he or she needs help on, and every other student can then be looking to the big screen to provide their input. Students, who are more familiar with InDesign/Photoshop, or I can depict certain uses or photo/design concepts to the whole class, allowing others to follow along on their own computer.
As time is of the essence, students who need more time to experiment with more advanced features (returning staff editors) can do so without being burdened by only having time to teach new members or new editors the basics, and this is something I could do easily if I had a projector. We can use the computer to project tutorials, common issues and thus their understandings and misconceptions can be cleared up. We can assess their beginning work and pages together without wasting so much paper unnecessarily. In order for everyone to get to look at pages, we often go through many reams of paper printing for staff viewing/editing. This technological tool would enhance our paper. I need to consider, what advantages will my students gain with the use of this technology that they couldn’t have without it? That answer is, many. It would be incredibly advantageous for the beginning design bootcamp for students to be able to follow along with either a senior staff member or me on their own InDesign document. Partnering works if I have enough proficient students. Losing all my editors last year and gaining 8 brand new students makes it nearly impossible to get everyone design-ready by the end of September. This projector and screen will make for a much more efficient and seamless introduction to everything students need to know before beginning work in InDesign and Photoshop.