RUNNING HEAD: Course Reflection

Allison Ballard
Course Reflection
MEDT 7490
University of West Georgia

RUNNING HEAD: Course Reflection

Learning Implications

This course Visual and Media Literacy for Teaching and Learning encompasses and
discusses various plans for identifying, evaluating and planning for the use of new and emerging
instructional technologies in K-12 settings, including those related to special groups. Within this
course we have investigated and evaluated trends and issues in the areas of Visual and Media
Technology. We have examined and evaluated principles of visual and media technology related
to instructional media and technology. As well as discussed the ways in which we can utilize
these various principles within our various instructional settings. I feel as though I have learned
innovative strategies as they relate to visual literacy. This is excellent primarily because I am an
English Language Arts Teacher. I am now able to teach students how to cite evidence utilizing
Visual and Media Literacy.
Issues
Issues that I have discovered about Visual and Media Literacy relate to The Elements of
Design. I felt as though this was the most challenging aspect of Visual and Media Literacy. The
Elements of Design seem as though they would be very understandable to an art teacher. The
elements of design are the basic units such as Space, Unity, Continuation, Similarity, Shape and
Balance, Figure/Ground, Color and Contrast, Camouflage. The Gesalt Theory is one that I found
as difficult as well.

RUNNING HEAD: Course Reflection

I hope to apply what I have learned in this course in my 6th grade English Language Arts Class.
In ELA teacher preparation programs student teachers must note the critical impact technology
has on our language and how students read, write, view and visually represent information. A
critical lesson to learn is that learning should be centered on the learner. Technology assists with
the modeling when we respond to students writing online.
Review of Learning
Although the Comprehensive Packet was the most time-consuming assignment I noticed
that I learned a great deal from this particular assignment. This assignments allows the
opportunity for communication and collaboration. The Comprehensive Packet allows
presentation of an Instructional Problem, Instructional Design Process, Redesigned Lesson,
Assessment Tool, Explanation, and we also got an opportunity to review ARCL Visual Literacy
and Competency.
My short-term career goals include becoming an Instructional Technology Learning
Coach or Specialist. My long-term career goals include becoming a principal at a school that has
a school-wide focus in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM);
preferably an elementary school. This is due to the fact that I realize that college begins in
elementary school. It is my goal now as well as my future goal to promote instructional
innovation and student engagement in active learning through innovative uses of technology. The
Comprehensive Packet will assist in this area. When developing professional development
strategies The Comprehensive Packet can be a tool that I can use.

RUNNING HEAD: Course Reflection

References
Bruce, B. (1998). Dewey and technology. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 42 (3), 22226.
Gilster, Paul (1997). Digital literacy . New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Golub, J.N. (1999). Thought worth thinking about: Reflections, connections, projections.
Virginia English Bulletin , Fall 1999, 52-54.
International Society for Technology in Education (2000). National educational technology
standards for students: Connecting curriculum and technology . USA: ISTE.
Logan, R. K. (1995). The fifth language: Learning a living in the computer age. Toronto,
Canada: Stoddart.