INKSCAPE

INKSCAPE

INTRODUCTION ABOUT INKSCAPE

Inkscape is a professional-quality vector graphics program running on Windows, Mac OS X and GNU / Linux systems. It is used by design professionals and amateurs around the world, to create a wide range of graphics such as illustrations, symbols, logos, charts, maps, and web graphics. Open Inkscape SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) uses W3C as a native format and is free and open-source.

ITS FEATURES AND FUNCTION

Object creation

• ·         Drawing: pencil tool (free drawing with simple paths), pen tool (creating Bézier curves and straight lines), line tool (free drawing using filled paths representing linear lines)
• ·         Shape tools: rectangles (may have rounded corners), ellipses (including circles, arcs, sections), stars/polygons (can be rounded and/or random), spirals
• ·         Text tool (polyline text, full edit on canvas)
• ·         Embedded bitmaps (with the command to create and embed bitmaps for selected objects)
• ·         Copying (direct copying of objects), including a tool to create patterns and arrangements for copying

Object manipulation

• ·         Shifts (motion, scaling, rotation, knitting), interactively by setting precise numeric values
• ·         Z-order operations (lift and lower)
• ·         Group objects ("select in the group" without ungrouping, or "Enter group" making it a temporary layer)
• ·         Alignment and distribution orders

Fill and stroke

• ·         Color selector (RGB, HSL, CMYK, color wheel, CMS)
• ·         Color Picker tool
• ·         Copy / paste pattern
• ·         Gradient Editor is capable of multiple stop gradients
• ·         Fill out the form (bitmap/vector)
• ·         Intermittent beat, with many predefined dash patterns
• ·         Path markers (end, start, and/or start marks, such as arrowheads)

Operations on paths

• ·         Edit node: move nodes, bezier handles, align node, distribute, etc.
• ·         Convert to path (for text objects or shapes), including stroke conversion to path
• ·         Logical operations
• ·         Streamline track, with variable threshold
• ·         Insetting and out setting a path, including dynamic and connected displacement objects
• ·         Bitmap tracking (color and monochrome paths)

Text support

·         Multi-line text

·         Uses any installed external fonts, including right-to-left scripts

·         Spacing, character spacing, line spacing

·         Path text (text and path remain editable)

·         Text in shape (fill shape after stroke)

Rendering

• ·         Full anti-aliasing display
• ·         Support alpha transparency for viewing and exporting PNG
• ·         Complete During Drag, rendering objects during interactive conversions

File formats

• ·         Create and edit a fully compatible SVG file format
• ·         Live View and edit the document tree in XML editor
• ·         Export PNG, OpenDocument, DXF, sk1, PDF, EPS, PostScript and more
• ·         Export command-line options and conversions

HOW IT CAN HELP IN YOUR CLASSROOM

• ·         To teach students vector drawing.
• ·         To draw maps.
• ·         Teachers can use Inscape to make worksheets.
• ·         Teachers and students can edit photos for presentations and publications.
• ·         Story telling after editing pictures using Inkscape.
• ·         Students can make a logo for the school logo competition.

SCREENSHOTS OF THE TOOL

Working with parents to create a safe and accountable classroom

A teacher's duties do not end when the school day is over. There are lots of works to do. Like lesson plan, assignments and test or book to be marked, and general organization tasks to be complete. One and very important responsibility which begins when the school day is over is to communicate with parents about their child’s academic performance. It is commonly thought that teacher-parent contact occurs only when there is a problem. But this is not true. I believe it is very important to working with parents to create a safe and accountable classroom.

Why should parents be involved?

Increased parental involvement with the school is beneficial for everyone, the parents, teachers, and the students. The most important reason for my belief is that involving parents will improve the relationship between parents, teachers, and students. And also will have a beneficial effect on the community at large. Moreover, the teacher gains a great deal of insight into their students, his/her home environment and the students-parents relationship. This means that by understanding the student’s home life, the teacher can provide differentiated assignments to address the student’s perceived weakness and build on their strengths.

Some of the challenges of working with parents

However, there are some challenges to working with parents. Like, parents can be disinterested in their child’s school experience. This is an especially difficult situation for teachers who strive to create an ideal learning environment for the students but cannot establish a partnership with the child’s parents. In such a case, the options for the teachers are limited. He/she can continue to offer their support, in the hope that the parents will eventually agree to cooperate.

Some other challenges like increasing number of instances of parents finding difficult to provide academic support at home, even if they would like to do so. For example, the percentage of single-parent families has been steadily increasing over the world. Single parents often need to support their household on one income. As a result, the parent needs to work longer hours to earn money and is forced to sacrifice the time which would have been available to support the child’s learning.

Some tips when working with parents

There are lots of tips for teachers to help them work with parents. Firstly, keep the parents informed of what is happening in the classroom. And teachers should be aware of the parent’s home situation, this will allow for easier communication and diplomatic handling of sensitive issues. Furthermore, teachers have to be patient when parents come with concerns. Because it is natural and normal for parents to worry about their children’s, so as a teacher we should make every effort to resolve their concerns. Moreover, be prepared to discuss plans and the reasoning behind them, so parents will accept a new situation more easily if they can understand why things are being done in a particular way.