1. Lisa Quraish
CIMT 543
Spring 2012
Dr. Ziaeehezarjeribi
Audio & Video
“This week you will be creating an audio and a video to support the ASSURE lesson plan.”
Introduction
Smaldino, Lowther, and Russell (2012) believe that “video is suitable in all instructional
environments and works with whole classes, small groups, and individual students” (p. 234).
One way video can be used to enhance learning in the classroom, is by teaching a specific
process (Smaldino, et al., 2012, p. 242). I have chosen to create a video that teaches students the
process involved in access of and navigation through a WebQuest. This instructional video
should prepare students to comfortably begin the actual assignment within the WebQuest without
worrying about where they should look first, or when/if they should click on a certain page.
An important component of videos used for classroom instruction, is that they contain
short, yet complete, segments (Smaldino, et al., 2012, p. 244). The video I have created is only 3
minutes long, but it adequately shares all of the information necessary for students to learn the
process of navigating through a WebQuest. A longer video on the same topic would bore
students and give too much information, possibly leading to lower retention.
Videography, which is the creation of video, requires preproduction planning, recording,
and editing (Smaldino, et al., 2012, p. 244). To plan, I first summarized my audience and the
objectives of the video. I then created a script detailing types of shots/graphics to be used,
transitions, audio (music), and narration. The final part of my planning was a storyboard that
echoed the script, although in a more visual manner that is helpful at quick glance. To record I
used a Sony Handycam, and to record the computer screen and edit my video I used Camtasia
studio, making it fit for use in the classroom.
1

2. Lisa Quraish
CIMT 543
Spring 2012
Dr. Ziaeehezarjeribi
Video Planning Document
Title of the Video Writing a Letter in Block Format
Target Learners The target learners are 22 fifth grade students at a rural elementary
school. The class consists of 12 girls and 10 boys. A number of
students qualify for free and reduced lunch, and three students are
identified as having learning disabilities. An aide from the special
education room comes in at least once a day to help the learning
disabled students, and they can leave the room for additional help as
needed. Technology has proven to be beneficial for engaging
students in content. Students have demonstrated an appreciation for
using technology in learning and assessments.
Subject Area Social Studies: The Great Depression
English: Writing and Formatting a Formal Letter
Learning Objectives Given Microsoft Word software, the learner will compose a letter in
block format and score 13/15 or higher on the teacher created “Letters to
Lady Obama” rubric.
The learner will demonstrate a general understanding of the Great
Depression by playing the teacher created PowerPoint version of
“Jeopardy: Great Depression Edition” scoring 5000/6000 or higher when
completing the game individually.
2

3. Lisa Quraish
CIMT 543
Spring 2012
Dr. Ziaeehezarjeribi
Script
Video Narration
Title of Video, music, fade out None
Close-up shot of presenter Hello, students! You’ve now come to the “Learn” step of your
WebQuest assignment. You need to learn how to write and
format a letter so that it
Graphic displaying text a) appears uniform and professional and b) successfully
conveys your request.
Long-shot showing presenter You are going to write a letter to the First Lady Michelle
and computer with Microsoft Obama, just as students your age wrote to Mrs. Eleanor
Word open Roosevelt over 70 years ago. You should have already read
many of their letters as part of your research.
Zoom in on presenter The format you will use to write your letter is commonly
called “block” or “business letter” format.
Recorded PowerPoint slide of You must always remember the Five Essential elements of a
Five Essential Elements letter written in block format. The five elements are heading,
inside address, salutation, body, and signature.
Transition to long shot of There are also a number of important formatting
presenter considerations.
Recorded PowerPoint slide All text is to be aligned left, with no indentations at the start of
displaying a bulleted list of paragraphs. Text is to be single spaced with one space
format considerations between paragraphs. Additional space is traditionally left
between the closing and typed signature for the writer to sign
in ink.
Close up of presenter Now, keep all of that in mind as we work through an example
letter. For this assignment, to ensure your privacy, everyone
will be using the school’s address.
Recorded computer screen You will be writing your letter using Microsoft Word. Here is
showing how to format my own letter. You can see, I already have the address of the
school at the top of my page, but it's in the wrong format.
Recorded computer screen The first line should be the street address. The second line
showing the heading should be the city, state, and zip code, and the third line should
be today's date. Now you are ready to move on to the next
element.
Recorded computer screen The second element is the inside address. The inside address
showing the inside address is the first and last name of the person to whom you are
writing and their full mailing address. Everybody's should
look exactly the same, because we're all writing to First Lady
3

4. Lisa Quraish
CIMT 543
Spring 2012
Dr. Ziaeehezarjeribi
Obama.
Recorded computer screen The third element of your letter is the salutation. Remember,
showing the salutation we skip one line between paragraphs and elements, and write
Dear First Lady. Normally, in an informal letter, you'd use a
comma at this point, but in a business or block letter, you'll use
a colon. Now skip another line, and you're ready for the body
of your letter.
Recorded computer screen The body of your letter is the most important element. The
showing the body of the letter body of your letter should include at least two paragraphs in
which you introduce yourself, express your opinion or
concern, and address how the recipient could possibly remedy
your concern. You must sound professional and passionate,
and provide facts, reasons, and examples to support your
position. You should close by thanking the First Lady for her
time and reminding her of how she can contact you.
Recorded computer screen The final element is simply your signature. Since this is a
showing the signature formal letter, you’ll use the closing “Sincerely” followed by a
comma, then leave a few lines to actually sign in ink once you
print, and finally, type your first and last name.
Long shot of presenter That’s it! Your next step should be to peer edit with your
assigned partner and to check your letter against the “Letters to
Lady Obama” rubric available on the WebQuest before turning
it in.
Transition back to close-up of I’ll be available if you have any additional questions or need
presenter help brainstorming. Congratulations on making it to this point
in the WebQuest! You’re almost done!
Credits, fade music in and out None
4

5. Lisa Quraish
CIMT 543
Spring 2012
Dr. Ziaeehezarjeribi
Storyboard
Title Screen
•Wtiting a Letter in Block Format
Hello, students! You’ve now come to the “Learn” step of your
WebQuest assignment. You need to learn how to write and
format a letter so that it
a) appears uniform and professional and b) successfully conveys
your request.
You are going to write a letter to the First Lady Michelle Obama,
just as students your age wrote to Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt over
70 years ago. You should have already read many of their letters
as part of your research.The format you will use to write your
letter is commonly called “block” or “business letter” format.
You must always remember the Five Essential elements of a
letter written in block format. The five elements are heading,
inside address, salutation, body, and signature.
There are also a number of important formatting
considerations.
5

6. Lisa Quraish
CIMT 543
Spring 2012
Dr. Ziaeehezarjeribi
All text is to be aligned left, with no indentations at the start of
paragraphs. Text is to be single spaced with one space between
paragraphs. Additional space is traditionally left between the closing
and typed signature for the writer to sign in ink.
Now, keep all of that in mind as we work through an example letter.
For this assignment, to ensure your privacy, everyone will be using the
school’s address.
You will be writing your letter using Microsoft Word. Here is my own
letter. You can see, I already have the address of the school at the top
of my page, but it's in the wrong format.
The first line should be the street address. The second line should be
the city, state, and zipcode, and the third line should be today's date.
Now you are ready to move on to the next element.
The second element is the inside address. The inside address is the
first and last name of the person to whom you are writing and their full
mailing address. Everybody's should look exactly the same, because
we're all writing to First Lady Obama.
The third element of your letter, is the salutation. Remember, we skip
one line between paragraphs and elements, and write Dear First Lady.
Normally, in an informal letter, you'd use a comma at this point, but in
a business or block letter, you'll use a colon. Now skip another line,
and you're ready for the body of your letter.
6

7. Lisa Quraish
CIMT 543
Spring 2012
Dr. Ziaeehezarjeribi
The body of your letter is the most important element. The body of your letter
should include at least two paragraphs in which you introduce yourself, express
your opinion or concern, and address how the recipient could possibly remedy
your concern. You must sound professional and passionate, while providing facts,
reasons, and examples to support your position. You should close by thanking the
First Lady for her time and reminding her of how she can contact you.
The final element is simply your signature. Since this is a formal letter, you’ll use
the closing “Sincerely” followed by a comma, then leave a few lines to actually sign
in ink once you print, and finally, type your first and last name.
That’s it! Your next step should be to peer edit with your assigned partner and to
check your letter against the “Letters to Lady Obama” rubric available on the
WebQuest before turning it in.
I’ll be available if you have any additional questions or need help brainstorming.
Congratulations on making it to this point in the WebQuest! You’re almost done!
Credits
7

8. Lisa Quraish
CIMT 543
Spring 2012
Dr. Ziaeehezarjeribi
References
Quraish, L. (2012). Great Depression PowerPoint. Retrieved from
http://www.slideshare.net/819lisanicole/great-depression-powerpoint-for-webquest
Quraish, L. (2012). Great Depression WebQuest. Retrieved from
https://sites.google.com/site/usgreatdepression/
Scholastic. (n.d.) Business Letter Format. Retrieved from
http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonplans/format.pdf
Smaldino, S.E., Lowther, D.L., & Russell, J.D. (2012). Instructional Technology and
Media for Learning. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
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