In the creating of my own newsletter and reflecting on the techniques learned and tips specified in the readings, I was able to create a product that I am most proud and will post on my teacher website at school. I based my newsletter on the technology that I have taught to students and teachers, the information that I have learned from both my job and the graduate program, and the tools that have been given to us for use in the classroom. I also incorporated the knowledge gained from readings based on the design principals for a successful newsletter.
As noted in “Planning Newsletters”, Annette Lamb (2005) states the essential component before the creation of the newsletter is planning. During the development of the technology newsletter, thought was first given to the subject matter that would be represented, the sections that the information would be divided into and the content within each of the sections. Decisions were also placed on who the audience would be and what was the purpose of the newsletter, all crucial components for a successful product.
After deciding on the audience, the purpose and the content, the next crucial step was the layout. I immediately referred back the C.R.A.P. method presented by Dr. J. Yearwood (2009) in “Design Principals”. The newsletter headings maintained contrast and repetition, while the photos were aligned properly on the page and maintained proximity to the article of reference. Upon completion of my newsletter, I consulted with several of my colleagues to verify that I had produced a successful newsletter that contained both content and meaningful flow. I verified that the white space contained in the newsletter did not cause their eye to wander but to stay focused on a continuous flow from beginning to end (Yearwood, 2009).
Through the planning, design and execution of my technology newsletter, I have become at ease with the concepts that I have learned and feel prepared to teach others these techniques in order to execute their own newsletters, flyers or other graphical designs.
Lamb, A. (2005). Planning newsletters. Retrieved from http://educscapes.com/sessions/publishing/planning.htm
Yearwood, J. (2009, July). Basic elements of page design. Retrieved from https://lamar.epiclms.net/Learn/Player.aspx?enrollmentid=1581016
Yearwood, J. (2009, July). Basic Design Principles. Retrieved from https://lamar.epiclms.net/Learn/Player.aspx?enrollmentid=1581016
