Nawal Alqarni's Portfolio
AECT Standard 1.1 - Creating
"Candidates demonstrate the ability to create instructional materials and learning environments using a variety of systems approaches" (AECT, 2012)
Artifact 1 - Sphero Video
Description
The artifact is a video that was created in the Fall of 2018 semester for Dr. Joseph Kush’s GDIT 713 - Computational Thinking. We were required to create a video that includes an example of how the Sphero Mini can be used to integrate computational thinking into a class curriculum. The Sphero Mini is an educational technology tool used to teach coding and computational thinking skills.
Reflection
The main goal of this project was to evaluate the Sphero Mini and reflect on the effectiveness of using the Sphero Mini into curriculum to teach coding and computational thinking skills. In this project, I chose to use Adobe Spark to create a video about Sphero. I found that Adobe Spark was easy to learn, understand, and use for my purpose of making a short video. This was my first time using Adobe Spark. Thus, it gave me the opportunity to try yet another new technology. Additionally, it has allowed me to practice video design in a professional way using multimedia principles (Mayer, 2014). I focused in the video on reviewing the use of Sphero Mini and demonstrating its effectiveness in a lesson to teach coding and computational thinking skills. The lesson was about drawing shapes using the Sphero Mini for first-grade students.
This project was a great opportunity for me to use the Sphero Mini robot to integrate computational thinking into the class curriculum. The instructional video I created using Adobe Spark can provide educators with the information they need about Sphero Mini and can motivate them to integrate coding and computational thinking skills into a class curriculum. These skills can also be applied to many academic and social contexts, not only in STEM classes. Therefore, I believe that the knowledge and skills I gained in this course and this project demonstrate my proficiency in AECT’s Standard 1.1 which states “Candidates demonstrate the ability to create instructional materials and learning environments using a variety of systems approaches.”
Artifact 2 - Interactive PowerPoint Lesson
Description
This artifact was created in the Fall of 2018 for Dr. Joseph Kush’s GDIT 715 - Instructional Learning Theory, course. We were asked to create an interactive PowerPoint to teach a topic of our choice. The lesson was designed for 4th and 5th Grade, and it was about the solar system. It can help students to identify the planets, stars, galaxies, meteors, and comets in the solar system. Click here to download the interactive PowerPoint file and enjoy the interactive learning material!
Reflection
In designing the interactive PowerPoint, I applied multimedia principles (Mayer, 2014) to create an efficient interactive PowerPoint. I have used visuals, arrows, and color codes in each slide to facilitate learning of the content. I used also hyperlinks to help students navigate easily between the contents of each slide, to reduce the amount of time spent in the learning process, and to eliminate the cognitive load required for processing the material. The interactive PowerPoint also included a quiz at the end of the lesson with immediate feedback so that students were able to evaluate their own comprehension.
This work was a great opportunity for me to explore the potential of PowerPoint for teaching lessons in a professional way. I have gained knowledge and skills in creating hyperlinks and navigating between slides. The interactive PowerPoint is also great for self-learning and self-navigation, which can maximize student engagement. This work helped me expand my ability to design and create instructional materials using research-based principles.
Artifact 3 - APA Dissertation Template Video
Description
This artifact was created in the Summer of 2018 for Dr. Misook Heo’s GDIT 703 - Foundation of Instructional Technology, course. We were asked to record a video lesson for setting up an APA Dissertation Template using Camtasia Studio, a screen recording software.
Reflection
The main goal of this project was to efficiently and effectively use instructional technologies and present the work in a video-recorded format. In this project, I learned how to use Camtasia and create a step-by-step tutorial on how to set up a dissertation template using the APA style. This tutorial used multiple multi-media approaches to instructions; text, sound, video, and demonstrations. This project helped me expand my ability to create a digital recording of computer screen output, edit, share, and use different instructional tools.
References
Mayer, R. (2014). Principles based on social cues in multimedia learning: Personalization, voice, image, and embodiment principles. In R. E. Mayer (Ed.) The Cambridge handbook of multimedia learning, (pp. 345–368). Cambridge University Press.