My Background as an Educator
After working for the corporate world as a senior marketing and communications executive for 10 years, I began my career as an educator in 2020. I have taught Computer Operations, Graphic Design, Advertising Design, and Digital Photography, to adult-ed students and high school students in Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley areas. In my class, students are exposed to critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, innovation and collaboration. They use the tools & technology and develop technical skills and gain knowledge with project-based learning opportunities, explore art and design careers, and prepare a portfolio for further education and careers in emerging professions.
Video: How have you integrated creativity into your instruction?
Video link: https://sites.google.com/lausd.net/franilyndacono/about-us
Takeaways from The Adobe Creative Educator Level 2 Course: Design Your Creative Class
A. Why it is important to design a creative class? Establishing the purpose of designing a creative class is essential in helping our students understand the importance of becoming creative thinkers and as they apply their skills to designing innovative and engaging learning materials. Diverse and inclusive learning environment will be emphasized in my class and communication through sharing and creative learning both will also be provided. With their creativity, students are expected to explore different creative ways to solve a problem, with a personalized and differentiated outcomes for each and one of them.
B. How to create a creative learning objective? It is important that it is aligned to the Career & Technical Education and Design, Visual and Media Arts standards. In backwards design, we as educators share the clear and specific learning objectives first then design the activities, assessments, and projects. Communicating the purpose of the lesson is about communicating clearly to all students by respecting the students' culture and language. Students make connections to prior knowledge, culture, language, big ideas, essential understanding and/or real-world applications. In my class, I endure that explanation of content is clear, accurate, innovative and connects with students prior knowledge, experiences and 21st century skills.
C. Options to Explore: Choosing the Right Creative Tool - As I am teaching graphic design communications, it is crucial to have access to high-quality design tools to create stunning visual designs and that students are trained to use these tools. The graphic design tools helps us experiment with distinct elements, such as colour, typography, and layout, so you can find the perfect balance for each project and provide a professional-looking product. Knowing about the wide range of graphic design tools in the Adobe Creative Cloud is important driving engagement, building critical skills, foster creativity and in developing a successful design career.
Adobe Education Exchange Resources into my Teaching
- Design a magazine cover on noted events or people, click the resource here: https://edex.adobe.com/teaching-resources/design-a-magazine-cover-on-noted-events-or-people
This design challenge is a practical task to assess how well students approach design problems by applying their design skills to a real-world scenario. The goal is not to focus on the end solution but to let students understand what their creative process is and evaluate where are their strengths and opportunities lie. The design challenge also aims to ignite students’ participation in contests and be able to create a quality design based on storytelling, suitability, and adherence to the theme of Adobe Education Exchange Challenge.
Women Leading Change Magazine Cover Resources - https://new.express.adobe.com/published/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:96512d21-94bd-4945-a105-d9839312fc3d?promoid=Y69SGM5H&mv=other
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