Context:

The Newsletter was an assignment I made in Block 1 during the Spring of 2007. I made it In my CI 3750 class, Integrating Media and Technology into Teaching. Everyone in the class made a Newsletter under the advisement Jeff Goodman, our instructor.

Impact:

A newsletter is a great way for students, parents, and anyone else to get to know me. This is a simple way to cover a lot of information. Those who read it are able to see what my interests are, as well as why I am in the classroom. It prevents me from having to use class time to convey the information included in the newsletter. It is also a great way for me to make connections with my students. It allows for us to see what we have in common. The newsletter is also an easy way for students to tell me about who they are. It is interactive for them too so they can do more than just read it.

Alignment:

The Newsletter Assignment allows me to meet the following NETS-T Standards:

Standard V.C- Apply technology to increase productivity.

A newsletter is a great way to have technology increase productivity. It is a simple way to cover a lot of information by using technology. Those who read it will be able to learn a lot about me. By creating a newsletter, I would no longer have to call parents or meet with parents as often as I would have to without it. It allows all types of information to be sent home. By doing this monthly, I would be able to communicate monthly with parents and allow them to see what is going on in the classroom. The newsletters can also be modified to be used every year. It also gives me an easy way to have students provide information to parents, as well as have them communicate with me about themselves.

Standard V. D- Use technology to communicate and collaborate with peers, parents, and the larger community in order to nurture learning.

Technology makes the newsletter easily accessible by peers, parents, and the community. By having this online, it can be viewed by anyone interested in reading it. It is also a good way to have others interact with it and offer any ideas. They can also get their own ideas from it. Those who read it not only find out about my life and who I am, but they are also able to find common interests and information about the classroom. It also allows for me to update or change any information.

The Newsletter Assignment allows me to meet the following NCDPI standard.

Standard 16, Indicator 3- Teachers communicate with parents, guardians, and caretakers to build partnerships between home and school.

With this assignment, I was able to meet this standard because I can first make the newsletter as a way for others to get to know me. After this, I can modify it to communicate information about the classroom and anything else I would want to include. I can inform them on important dates, up-coming events, what we are learning, tips for students and their parents, and any other important information. It can also be used as a way for parents to communicate back to me any questions I include in it. This is a much better way to communicate with parents and guardians because it is always up to date. Parents are also given a clear understanding of what is going on in their child's class all the time.