Newsletter Assignment

     My second assignment for the Instructional Technology class was to create a newsletter using the advanced features of Microsoft Word 2007.  This was a fun and educational project.  I have used the word processor for writing letters, class papers and making various forms coaching or administration type activities, but I realized that I wasn't using it to the full potential. I finally learned how to do some of the things that I had just wondered about before. I suppose being required to include certain items and formats made me read the Help menus or watch tutorials and learn how to do it!


    I chose to create a weekly newsletter style that would tell parents what we did in class that week. It would also be used as a way to communicate with both parents and students about upcoming events, the next week's topic, extra credit and assignments. I tried to make the important information clear, concise and easy to find, so I put it in tables. I was also careful to keep to a color scheme so it wouldn't look overwhelming.  Then I added in a feature article called the Element of the Week that could apply to a physical science class that would be learning about elements and the periodic table.


    In creating this newsletter I learned some new things with which I had no experience and  I also gained a better understanding of some tools I already knew how to use including:

• Adding clipart to documents from various sources
• Wrapping text around clipart and tables
• Using WordArt and customizing the text's shape and color.
• Using the advanced format with lines that show where text can go. (This is great!)
• Using columns and controlling where they start and stop.
• Arranging a layout using visual literacy principles.
• Placing tables and working with different borders and colors.

    I admit the assignment was frustrating at times when I had trouble gettting a table to stay where I wanted it or in getting just the right amount of information on the page that would fill the page completely but not exceed it.

    On the other hand,  I had a lot of fun being creative. I especially liked using clipart and working with WordArt. I am pleased with the final document and the knowledge and skills that I obtained while working on it.

Here is a picture of my newsletter document.