Introduction
In VISCOM, we were asked to create a "Defense of Learning" presentation showcasing what we learned in that class over the semester and justifying what grade we should receive. In my VISCOM Defense of Learning, I went over five projects that we had completed. Those five projects were; Abstract Portrait, Hands on Face Portrait, Illustrator Portrait, Surreal Profile Silhouette, and Droste Effect v1. After my presentation, I took questions and comments from the rest of the class. I was told by numerous people that this presentation showed I was ready for my sophomore Defense of Learning and that I had done an incredible job at designing it. A link to the full presentation can be found here or at the bottom of the page. (Available in PDF only). I had a perfect score and I ended up with one of the highest grades (if not, the highest) of the class at the end of the semester.
Knowledge and Thinking
To complete the Defense of Learning, I had to have full knowledge of every tool I used in Photoshop, Illustrator, and other programs over the semester. I knew the programs, the tools, the shortcuts, the techniques and everything else that was VISCOM. I excelled in photography and video creation over the course of the class. I went from knowing basic photography techniques and learning about lighting at the beginning of the semester to assisting my peers with photo shoots and video creation by the end. I even helped Mr. Means troubleshoot problems with cameras and computers. In my VISCOM Defense of Learning Presentation, I outlined not only two, not three, but five different projects. The requirements for the project stated that I only needed two, but I went into detail and described not just the process of making the final product, but the techniques used and the tools used. I went into great detail during the oral presentation and made sure to go over what I knew and what I had learned during the class. I also improved my skills in Illustrator, as well as Photoshop and Adobe Premiere Pro. I became very skilled in Illustrator because I spent about a month and a half completing various, tedious sections of the Illustrator Portrait.
Knowledge and Thinking objectives met from each project presented in VISCOM Defense of Learning
Oral Communication
I improved upon my oral communication skills tremendously by reciting my presentation and correcting the small errors I had in my speech. When it was finally my turn to present, I had no problem with connecting with the audience and establishing a good level of understanding/knowledge of what I was going to be going over. I used the correct terminology when describing the process I went through for each project. I was clear and spoke loud enough so that everyone could hear me. I gestured to the presentation slides and pointed out examples when I was explaining something. I was also confident, which is a small improvement compared to my previous presentations. To quote the Oral Communication Rubric, I went from "Demonstrates a command of some aspects of presentation skills, including control of body posture and gestures, language fluency, eye contact, clear and audible voice, and appropriate pacing: Presenter's energy, and/or affect are usually appropriate for the audience and purpose of the presentation, with minor lapses" (emergency) to "Demonstrates consistent command of presentation skills, including control of body posture and gestures, eye contact, clear and audible voice, and appropriate pacing in a way that keeps the audience engaged: Presenter maintains a presence and a captivating energy that is appropriate to the audience and purpose of the presentation" (advanced) . I made sure to get the audience's attention. maintain good posture/body language, and speak clearly.
How did you take ownership over your learning?
I took ownership over my learning by not being afraid to ask questions. Whenever I didn't understand something or I forgot how to do something, I just asked for help or asked how to do it. I wanted to get the most out of that class because it was my favorite . I enjoyed VISCOM so much and being in the class, learning about all of the different programs and having a hands-on approach to each project was exciting. I definitely wanted to learn anything and everything I could have so that when the semester ended I could apply it to both my school life and my personal life. I learned so much about Illustrator that now, in my free time, I try to complete portraits of celebrities just like we did in VISCOM. To quote the Agency Rubric, I went from "Actively participates in the activity/discussion, team meeting, or independent time and has strategies for staying focused and resisting most distraction" (proficient) to "Actively participates and takes initiative on the activity/discussion, team meeting, or independent time and has personal strategies for staying focused" (advanced). I did not want to miss one second of VISCOM, and I had a tremendous amount of joy just from being in the class.
In VISCOM, we were asked to create a "Defense of Learning" presentation showcasing what we learned in that class over the semester and justifying what grade we should receive. In my VISCOM Defense of Learning, I went over five projects that we had completed. Those five projects were; Abstract Portrait, Hands on Face Portrait, Illustrator Portrait, Surreal Profile Silhouette, and Droste Effect v1. After my presentation, I took questions and comments from the rest of the class. I was told by numerous people that this presentation showed I was ready for my sophomore Defense of Learning and that I had done an incredible job at designing it. A link to the full presentation can be found here or at the bottom of the page. (Available in PDF only). I had a perfect score and I ended up with one of the highest grades (if not, the highest) of the class at the end of the semester.
Knowledge and Thinking
To complete the Defense of Learning, I had to have full knowledge of every tool I used in Photoshop, Illustrator, and other programs over the semester. I knew the programs, the tools, the shortcuts, the techniques and everything else that was VISCOM. I excelled in photography and video creation over the course of the class. I went from knowing basic photography techniques and learning about lighting at the beginning of the semester to assisting my peers with photo shoots and video creation by the end. I even helped Mr. Means troubleshoot problems with cameras and computers. In my VISCOM Defense of Learning Presentation, I outlined not only two, not three, but five different projects. The requirements for the project stated that I only needed two, but I went into detail and described not just the process of making the final product, but the techniques used and the tools used. I went into great detail during the oral presentation and made sure to go over what I knew and what I had learned during the class. I also improved my skills in Illustrator, as well as Photoshop and Adobe Premiere Pro. I became very skilled in Illustrator because I spent about a month and a half completing various, tedious sections of the Illustrator Portrait.
Knowledge and Thinking objectives met from each project presented in VISCOM Defense of Learning
Oral Communication
I improved upon my oral communication skills tremendously by reciting my presentation and correcting the small errors I had in my speech. When it was finally my turn to present, I had no problem with connecting with the audience and establishing a good level of understanding/knowledge of what I was going to be going over. I used the correct terminology when describing the process I went through for each project. I was clear and spoke loud enough so that everyone could hear me. I gestured to the presentation slides and pointed out examples when I was explaining something. I was also confident, which is a small improvement compared to my previous presentations. To quote the Oral Communication Rubric, I went from "Demonstrates a command of some aspects of presentation skills, including control of body posture and gestures, language fluency, eye contact, clear and audible voice, and appropriate pacing: Presenter's energy, and/or affect are usually appropriate for the audience and purpose of the presentation, with minor lapses" (emergency) to "Demonstrates consistent command of presentation skills, including control of body posture and gestures, eye contact, clear and audible voice, and appropriate pacing in a way that keeps the audience engaged: Presenter maintains a presence and a captivating energy that is appropriate to the audience and purpose of the presentation" (advanced) . I made sure to get the audience's attention. maintain good posture/body language, and speak clearly.
How did you take ownership over your learning?
I took ownership over my learning by not being afraid to ask questions. Whenever I didn't understand something or I forgot how to do something, I just asked for help or asked how to do it. I wanted to get the most out of that class because it was my favorite . I enjoyed VISCOM so much and being in the class, learning about all of the different programs and having a hands-on approach to each project was exciting. I definitely wanted to learn anything and everything I could have so that when the semester ended I could apply it to both my school life and my personal life. I learned so much about Illustrator that now, in my free time, I try to complete portraits of celebrities just like we did in VISCOM. To quote the Agency Rubric, I went from "Actively participates in the activity/discussion, team meeting, or independent time and has strategies for staying focused and resisting most distraction" (proficient) to "Actively participates and takes initiative on the activity/discussion, team meeting, or independent time and has personal strategies for staying focused" (advanced). I did not want to miss one second of VISCOM, and I had a tremendous amount of joy just from being in the class.
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