Visual Design for Educators

Visual Design for Educators

Course Description: Design is a process, not simply a product, and it can be utilized across the curriculum! Exploring some foundational elements of design, we will learn how to communicate more effectively through collaborative creative expression. Students will actively engage in meaningful design projects focused on their work as teacher, mentor, and administrator. Shake off those dusty templates and get ready to discover your inner designer!

My Final Reflections

1. Why is design something that teachers and students should care about in their classwork?

Much of what I try to do as an educator is connected to modeling best practices for my students. If I throw together something for students with little thought for design, I am going to get the same stuff back from the majority of my students. In the long run this can lead to lack of engagement as students focus on just getting done rather than getting it done well. My goal is to challenge students engage in the 4 Cs of collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity. Good design can be a reflection of all of the 4 Cs in an activity.

2. What ideas did this course spark for you? What challenges do you anticipate? What questions do you still have?

I have been exploring creating more engaging presentations and HyperDocs over the past several years. As I’ve moved to a more student-centered classroom, design has taken on a bigger role. This course has opened my eyes up to a variety of design principles that I hope to incorporate into future creations and remixes. I am inspired to explore and create with a more critical eye towards design, starting with image use and font choices.

Design is still a challenge for me. My biggest challenge will be creating engaging designs that do not over complicate and distract from the objectives of the activity.

I still need to work on exploring and incorporating the various design principles from the GFC Graphic Design Course.