final review

Looking back at the past semester we have done many projects that will be wonderful teaching tools for me in the future.  I'm going to review my most favorite projects below.

The photos are from my favorite slide from the flip chart in different stages of use. And that clue's you in the the flip chart was indeed my favorite project!

 

First the flip chart was really relevant and helpful for me.  Since I am older, I never used a white board or promethean board in class as a student myself.  So for me this was really the first time I have used it myself.  I really learned a lot and enjoyed the process of making the flip chart.  It was a great opportunity to learn the different techniques and see the different resources that are available for us.  In one of the classrooms I observed in the teacher used her promethean board for the intro for each lesson. This really caught the students attention and showed that she was prepared.  I think it also helped to keep the flow of the lesson organized so that she could
present it in the way she had envisioned without getting sidetracked.

My next favorite project was imovie.  I put this one here because it was totally new information for me. And also I can see the relevance that it would have in my classroom.  I could see how it would be helpful to use even in my blog by creating these little movie slideshows for parents to see their children's work. For example, I could make a highlight real for each student.  That may be really time consuming!  I could make one for each graduating 5th grader.  Or I could occasionally make one for a class project that went really well.  I could make them for myself for a portfolio of my students' best work.

I really enjoyed the inquiry based activities.  This is something I had never heard of before.  And I feel that as an art teacher it is a way to incorporate technology into the classroom.  I actually liked it so much that I made another one for one of my optional pages on my website.  I used it in conjunction with my art education class to make a multicultural learning center.  I feel that with these kind of activities pre-made, I can send kids to the computer to work throughout the semester if they finish projects early.  Or we could visit the computer lab and work on them together.

The website was another favorite with me.  It was great to get some ideas for layout and information that is helpful on a website.  Also, it was nice to learn tricks that make it user friendly and professional.  I have had some previous experience with websites, but this was still a new tool and I still learned relevant information pertaining to teaching.

The blog was really useful as well.  I have a lot of experience with blogging. So, it wasn't really new information.  But it is good to reiterate that blogging is important for the educational experience for me, for my students, and as a way to communicate with parents.

The resource wiki was another much appreciated project.  I have actually already turned back to that several time to use the sources.  I know it will come in handy in the future.  It's also great to get the perspective of other future art teachers and all work on that together.

I know that doesn't incorporate all that we learned in class but those areas listed above are the ones that I found most helpful to me in the future.

Thank you so much Dr O'Bannon!

Website

The website has been a great project.  I always look for one with my own children's teachers.  I think it will be a great way to communicate with parents in the future.

I do have my own photography website, which I put together myself using a pre-made template.  In a lot of ways it was similar to the google sites tools that we used.  But it was still different.  And it was much more expensive.  I am glad that I got the opportunity to use and learn this tool throughout the semester.  It is always good to have some free tools to use!  Because we worked on the website throughout the semester, I feel that I have a good understanding of how to use google sites.  I will feel confidant in my ability to change things or even to make a new site in the future.  It is great to know how to add the navigating bars to the bottom of pages.  Things like that really make a site user friendly. And that is a very important aspect of communication on the web!

I am also glad to have the projects from this semester all organized in one place. I will talk more about my favorite projects in my next post!

Digital Story

I was so happy to learn a little about imovie.  I have never used it before. Coming into this unit I had zero knowledge about imovie.  And honestly, the thought of trying to use it was very intimidating.  Now, I feel I have some of the basics down.  Although, I also learned enough to know that there is still a lot more that I don't know.  For example, I wanted to remove a photo that I had originally put into the program and I couldn't figure out how to do it.  I did figure out how to replace it.  Otherwise I might have started all over!  Sad to say.  I definitely did learn enough to be brave enough to try it again and try to go more in depth with my next imovie project.

I had fun with this project.  I think it's a great way to review information.  For example, the way I used it in this project was as a how to.  In this instance I would teach the lesson in class and then use the video as a great tool for students to be able to review the process.

This video is useful for a unit on visual culture where we talk about the importance of knowing that professional photos show unrealistic standards of beauty.  They are fun, but it's great to have the information and be informed!

Blogging in the Classroom

I have been a big fan of blogging for a while.  I started with a personal blog and then started doing a photography blog.  I really haven't been able to keep multiple blogs going at once.  But I do love the idea of having a blog for my classroom.  As an art teacher I would use it mostly for the parents to know what is going on in the classroom.  I really want them to see more than just a finished product.  I want them to know that there are concepts their children are learning behind the art work.

Another plus for having a blog for art teachers is being to share lesson plans and inspiration with each other.  One of my favorite art photography blogs is done by one of my daughter's past art teachers.  She blogs more about what she wears.  I think it's hilarious and inspiring.  Letting parents get to know you is a great way to gain supporters for your program!

Digital Diagram

This week we worked on the digital diagrams.  Over all I liked this project.  It is a simple tool, but I can see how it could be useful in the classroom.
Personally, even though this project was fairly simple and straightforward I had more problems with it than I have had with any of the other project so far, just as far as the requirements were concerned.  For example, it was difficult for me to think of a concept in art with three subsets and three or more subdivisions.  I actually made four rough drafts on paper before I came up with my final concept.  And then there was of course the controversial issue of the textbook.  In my art ed classes we have never used a textbook at all for planning any of our lessons.  So the first time I have been asked to even look at an art textbook has been for this class.  Secondly, I felt that the rubric was unclear as to the purpose of the textbook/when it was needed.  And then also I haven't been able to get my file to load to my website.  I have tried Safari and Firefox, multiple computers, and uploading from my desktop or from dropbox, all to no avail.
All in all, it's been an interesting learning experience.  It's good to be exposed to new and different tools.  If my school owns this software I may use it if I see a good fit for it.  However, I think for my teaching area, it wouldn't be commonly useful.

Interactive White Board Flipchart

I had a great time with this activity.  I have never used a white board before, so I learned a lot with this process.  I can tell I am going to have to stop myself from spending too much time on these in my classroom.  I can see how it is a great tool to really catch student's attention by mixing things up. It will also be an excellent tool for me to have all of the online sources I am planning to use during a lesson all in one spot and ready to go.  I was able to tie in my color wheel theme for one of my slides!

I am also glad that we have the course pack with detailed instructions on the 9 different interactive activity ideas.  Thanks!

Morocco Inquiry Based Activity

The more we talk in classes about integrating technology into art class the more it makes sense to use inquiry based activities.  Especially for students who finish early or are advanced and need extra enrichment.

I decided to do an extra inquiry based activity for my optional page on my website.  And I chose the topic of Morocco.

One project that I really want to do in my classroom is a weaving project.  I felt that incorporating some information about Morocco in an inquiry based activity would be the perfect way to teach students more about the culture.  It will be a long project, so students will have time to complete it one at a time, if need be in the art room without using the technology lab.

Plus all these goats in the argan tree is really hilarious! I think students will get a kick out of that.

Scavenger Hunt

This week Rachel and I worked in a group taking photos of different types of lines for our art scavenger hunt.  We used our phone cameras and the dropbox app to complete the assignment.  I have got to say....I have really fallen in love with dropbox.  It is so helpful!  I love the convenience of being able to quickly have access to files when I'm on the go!

After finding the images we renamed them, resized them, and posted them to a picasa album is now on our websites.  

This is a tool that as an art teacher I know I will use often.  It is a great way to share photos and link them to my website in a slideshow format.

scavenger hunt

Resource Wiki

This week we worked on a resource wiki for art and music teachers.  This is a great way to save all of the resources that we have found online and share them with other teachers and students.  Sharing information online with other art teachers is really essential because there is typically only one art teacher at each school.  So it is great for us teachers to be able to have help from each other in different schools.  This is great for students and parents as well if they are interested in enrichment activities outside of school.

The process is a little time consuming to find the sites.  However, it will save time in the future, because you will know what is out there and will be able to know what lessons would be appropriate to integrate with the technology available for use.

Although it can be time consuming, as a whole you save time when you combine with the other authors of the wiki.  I would say it is a win-win.

Wiki Review

I found a great wiki called Art4cast http://art4cast.wikispaces.com/ that is written by Rosemary Mitchell from Woodrow Wilson Elementary in Utah.  She is an art specialist and she uses the wiki to communicate with the 30 teachers in her area.

Obviously a lot of the information that is on their wiki is specialized to their region.  However, there are a lot of videos and other information on it that can provide me with great ideas as an art teacher.

 There is a section which provides links to other sites and resources that relate to many different art concepts and subjects. There is a section devoted to art advocacy.  And I really enjoyed the film about their art-based community project "Procession of the Species."

I think it has a great layout and color scheme for an art wiki.  The links are accurate, it is up to date and relevant.  A helpful navigation bar is on the left.  I'm not a fan of the revolving text in one place, I find it distracting, but other than that I think it is a very successful wiki.  I think they must have a great art program from what it shows.

Inquiry Based Activity

I really enjoyed doing the inquiry based activity.  It was a really good way for me to see how I could apply the resources available online in a classroom setting that would be relevant to the information I would like the children to learn.
I really love the films at Tate Kids.  They are hilarious and a great way to learn.
The Moma Site for kids is also a really great way to learn about a few different artists and specific paintings.
The only challenge to using this in an art room would be having the technology available.  We might be able to arrange a visit to the technology room.  Or the students could take turns using the computer in my classroom.  It could be an activity that is available throughout the year when they finish another project early.  If there is no technology available in the art room it may not be something I will be able to use.

using WebQuests in the classroom

A WebQuest is a great tool to use in the art classroom.  I had not heard of one before we learned about them in class.  They are an inquiry-based lesson where all the information is found on the web.  You can learn more about WebQuests at WebQuest.org.  There are four important tasks in looking for a WebQuest.

 First you want to look at its use of technology.  Does it make use of technology that makes it better to use than a book or a worksheet?  Are all the links current?  Are the websites it links to reliable with good information for students?

Then you need to consider group work.  Group work is an important element that is desirable in a WebQuest.  And often each member takes on a role, which is a fun way to learn the information.  It makes each member take on responsibility.  If each member is responsible for an element of the project there is less of a chance of having people check out on the project.

Efficiency is an important element.  Does the WebQuest help you make good use of time?  Is it easier to find the relevant information through this source?  Is the site laid out well and does the navigation system make sense?

And then finally, does the WebQuest make use of higher order thinking?  Does it challenge the students?  Do they begin to draw conclusions and make decisions for themselves?

The Underground Railroad is a good example of a WebQuest that makes use of all four categories.

When I am teaching I can look back at this post and evaluate the WebQuests toward this criteria to find helpful sources for my classroom.

Website Evaluation

I did a website evaluation on Tate Kids.  I think the process of the evaluation is helpful.  Although it does take some time, it give you the confidence as a teacher that anything the students might come across in their searching would be both accurate information that backs up concepts they learn in my classroom but also age appropriate material.

It is also important to know what browser specifics or plug-ins are needed, so that when you go to use the site in class there are not time sucking technical glitches.

It is also a good idea to be familiar with the site if students are using it in class so that you can confidently answer any questions regarding the games or content the students are using.

wikis

Wikis will be something that can be used in art classes for virtual field trips.  Children can do research on the place we wish we could go as a class and post their favorite things about the place together in one spot.

I could use it for an editable list of supply needs for school parents.  This is so much better than sending out a reply all email.  As long as the parents understand how to use a wiki.

It could be used for students to post an art work and others could get on and list what elements and principles of design are used in their artwork.

It could be used for art history classes where students gather information about artists.  Or where I put artist information.

And finally it could be really helpful if I have a network of other art teachers.  We could use this to work on projects together.

Hello my name is: Andrea

I am so excited to be back in school pursuing my masters in Art Education.  I love the arts and can't wait to share them with children in the school setting.

I am excited to finally have a technology class!  It is so much easier to be taught the exact steps instead of trial and error or teaching myself which is what I had to do to start my photography website and blog.  It is also very nice to utilize free tools!

One of the things that I was most excited to learn so far in this course was the existence of social bookmarking tools.  There have been many times I wished I had my bookmarks while away from my computer.  I have also wanted to share certain bookmarks with others.  Now that I know about social bookmarking I can't wait to give it a try.

Another "Aha" moment was concerning wikis.  I did not realize what they were.  And it is a great way to work with a group.  As an elementary art teacher I don't foresee a practical use of either social bookmarking tools or wikis in the classroom.  But I could see how both of these tools would be useful in networking with other art teachers and sharing lesson plan ideas or online sources.  Since art teachers often work alone in the school it is nice to see that technology can help us build a nice network and support system for ourselves.

I am looking forward to a great semester of learning many new things about technology.