Reflecting and Applying

December 6, 2009 at 10:21 pm (Uncategorized)
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As I look back over the past few months I can’t imagine how I was able to successfully complete so many intricate and elaborate projects with new software!  It has been a dizzying, overwhelming and exciting journey that I’m extremely grateful that I embarked on!  What is probablly the most rewarding is that I have been able to create tools, projects and activities that my students have been using or will use in the future.

This journey hasn’t always been enjoyable and rewarding however.  It was a struggle for me to see much of the value of our culture to be shifting to such a multi-media, and engrossed technological society, in the beginning of the semester.  Some of my beliefs still haven’t changed; I’ll continue to send cards, invitations and the like via “snail mail”.  Unless I’m completely brain washed I will most likely not join Facebook (despite the fact that it still takes months for me to get photos to family in different states).  I will however view teaching through a new and improved, web 2.0 world where it’s necessary to expose and involve my students to new technology that introduces and reinforces a whole new set of skills, understandings and problem solving techniques. 

I believe educators should be responsible for being familiar with technology and actively use and pursue new areas of it in their teaching.  Students today are much different than their counterparts, 10, 5 or even 2 years ago.  It should be apparent that we need to shift our teaching strategies, when students know more than we do about a particular subject matter, in our case technology in the classroom.

Since taking this class, I have a renewed enthusiasm for teaching art.  I feel as if I’ve discovered a new medium in which to create, critique and present my artwork.   So many ideas are constantly bouncing around and I become more and more excited when one after another start coming to fruition! 

I have so much to look forward to in the future,..I just hope my students are prepared to keep up!!!

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Crazy about Artsonia!

November 26, 2009 at 12:27 am (Uncategorized)
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6,314,136 pieces of artwork are being hosted at this site for friends, family and other eager artists to view!  Artsonia is the world’s largest kids art museum online!  Educators can now have a site to store their students artwork, while also making it accessible to the world!  Friends and family can view the artwork online, join the fan club and leave personalized comments.  Schools can even earn money when family purchases keepsakes with their child’s artwork on it, which is a big boost to the budget!

I am so thrilled to have found out about this site!  On my way to the NYSATA (New York State Art Teacher’s Association), the K-2 Elementary art teacher (in my district) who I drove with, was telling me about it.  And go figure, there was also an Artsonia workshop at the conference as well. 

We’ve been attempting to figure out how we were going to go about beginning our student’s art portfolios.  We’ve already begun photographing their work and organizing them by class and student.  Where we kept hitting a problem was when the time would come to purchase 350+ rewritable C.D.’s.  Whose budget would it come from, could we write a grant, would a retailer donate them?  Now finally, we have an answer…and so much more!  We’re planning on hosting students artwork at artsonia, and hoping families and friends will be more involved and aware of their children’s work.  Not only is this site great for managing photos, disk space and making children feel accomplished, but it’s promoting art as a legitimate, interesting an”money-making” discipline that ties people to one another.

Signing up as an educator and getting your artist’s portfolios rolling is easy!  Just watch this video tutorial and start snapping pictures.  It would be extremely beneficial to include an “About Artsonia” along with your student’s photo release forms and urge parents and family to regularly check and comment on artwork.  You’ll be amazed at how quickly your art program will grow in stature and funds!  Have fun!

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Finally Getting Somewhere

November 18, 2009 at 10:45 pm (Uncategorized)
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One of my first posts discussed the challenges and restraints of technology in a district and the inability to be efficient with technology.  I’m happy to say that upon discussing ideas, ways around and clarifying questions, etc. we (myself and the Technology teacher) have begun better understanding one another and things seem to look bright in our future.  In regards to having my own printer in the art room-things are looking good!  There was a misunderstanding and it was believed that I expected it to be paid for.  By no means would I request an item to be paid for that was soley for art students.  That was my point.  I didn’t understand why I couldn’t have my own printer for the art room as long as it came out of my budget.  It seems however, that perhaps next year I could order my own printer with my own art budget money!

With my enthusiasm practically bursting out of me every Wednesday morning, fellow educators can’t help but listen to my ideas and current technology projects that have me buzzing with interdisciplinary and differentiated lesson ideas.  I understand that there is still so much to know and I literally have only explored the “tip of the ice berg” but where I am I’m considered kinda’ tech savvy!

This feeling is very empowering, especially since I’m using and integrating everything I’ve created in my Educational Technology class, into my current art lessons.  I feel as though my students are more engaged and challenged.  I have the attention of faculty and administrators and I feel as though I’m setting my students up for a better prepared future by exposing them to new ways of exploring art through technology!

Has anyone else moved beyond that overwhelmed feeling, into the empowered one?  I think I’ve just been too overwhelmed for so long that it’s just become my life and I’ve gotten used to it.  For me things have been coming a bit easier and more manageable.  For once I’m beginning to enjoy the rigor of it all!

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Gradually Evolving

November 13, 2009 at 6:37 pm (Uncategorized)

Now that I have been getting used to new technology and becoming more familiar with certain software, I’m beginning to enjoy and look forward to learning more.  As overwhelming as it can be, I’ve been learning to “let some things go” and just do what I can.  As I become more technically “savvy” I’m feeling more comfortable with tackling new software and ideas!

As painful and as time consuming as creating a non-linear power point was, I’m really happy with the way it came out (also a big thanks to my partner in crime, Rachel)! “Fassa, Fassa!”  I plan on using the power point with all of my students when we begin our Color Theory unit!

Another project that I’m getting excited about is our Podcast.  Although it’s much more work, time away from family and a few gray hairs, I at least make it worth while.  I’m planning on creating a podcast around Native American work highlighting specific periods and genres like; prehistoric-1400′s, artwork about Native Americans from an “outsiders” point of view and Native American’s artwork today.  I hope in doing this, I will be able to get all of my 4th graders in the computer lab to be able to experience this podcast.  Currently they are studying Native Americans in Social Studies, and in art, it’s an exciting time for integrating all sorts of curriculum!

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21st Century Emergency Room

November 12, 2009 at 10:47 pm (Uncategorized)
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Upon feeling deathly ill this past Friday, I decided it might be best to visit the Emergency room (all doctor’s offices were already closed)!  My husband and I got there around 8:15 and were greeted by about 10 people sitting and waiting.  We approached the “Check In” where there was a young woman taking information down on a tiny strip of paper.  She asked for my name, date of birth, signs and symptoms and when they occured.  I slipped on a mask (because I think I was the only one who took the time to read the sign stating that if you had flu-like symptoms, to do so) and we found two seats (we would have moved closer to the t.v. if we knew how the night would play out)!  After about two hours of painfully waiting, we were finally called up to be “triaged” in.  The nurse, again, asked my symptoms, what my fever had been, took my blood pressure and my temperature.  Then he slapped a bracelet on me and told us we’d be the next up and it would be pretty soon!  Thankfully, we were finally going to get somewhere and I started feeling relieved that I’d soon know what was wrong with me.  After we had went back to our same two seats, another hour had creeped by.  My husband went to the front desk to ask what was going on and the receptionist simply said “I don’t know, I can try to go back and see”.  Except, she never did.  She just fiddled around with some paper work, made copies, sat at her desk and checked more people in (you know, writing their name and symptoms on a tiny strip of paper)-disgusting and angering, huh!!!

So as three more hours dragged by and my aches and pains got more and more severe we decided to let the receptionist know that we would be leaving.  I asked if we’d be able to get our $100 copay back and I was simply given a number to call.  I told her the only reason I decided to come in was because of the severe lower back pain I was having along with a high fever and flu-like symptoms.  I just wanted to rule out kidneys!!!  Upon hearing my desperation, she asked us to hold on while she got the same nurse we already saw.  I let him know and he dismissed any ideas of kidney problems, seeing that I wasn’t having any other symptoms that went along with it.  All he let me know was to take some Motrin for the aches and pains, drink plenty of liquids like Gatorade and get lots of sleep.  It took about 5 minutes for the nurse to tell us all of that.  That’s pretty much all I came into the Emergency Room to find out.  It took 6 hours and $100 to do so!

That’s what the Emergency was…and this is how it should be in the 21st century!  Each patient, as long as they were well enough and old enough to, would enter in their personal information and symptoms, etc. onto a computer system that would automatically log them in to the system where a nurse could monitor and keep track of it.  Each station would also have a blood pressure cuff (just like I use to use and play with in the drug stores) that the patient could use on their own.  The readings would automatically get registered under their information and sent on its way.  This way during Triage, the nurse would only have to take their temperature and verify that the signs and symptoms they entered, looked correct.  Hopefully by eliminating all of this back and forth registering, waiting, waiting some more, getting “Triaged” in, waiting, waiting some more and then going back to see a doctor for something that the nurse could have told you, service would be a few hours faster!

Just a Thought!

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Andy Goldsworthy

November 8, 2009 at 1:19 pm (Uncategorized)
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For my fifth graders I decided to do something fun, adventurous and media rich.  Andy Goldsworthy is a fabulous nature sculptor, photographer and environmentalist who incorporates all of those attributes into a single piece of artwork!  Born in England, but now currently living in Scotland, Goldsworthy travels all around the world creating nature sculptures which he then photographs.  It was my goal as a teacher as it was Goldsworthy’s as an artist, to challenge my students to look beyond the things they walk in and step through every day.  To see the potential in any found organic object as a possible piece of artwork is quite a challenging task! 

After showing a quick Power Point on Goldsworthy and his artwork, I gave a few examples of sculptures, and discussed composition and camera use.  Their assignment was to find one-two types of organic objects outside and create an interesting sculpture.  Once completed they photograph it, rearrange it and then photograph it again.  They may use the same materials or try new ones out.  In the end the photograph of their choice would be considered their final product, just as Andy Goldsworthy does.  All in all the students did a great job considering it was early November, most of the leaves had already fallen and the wind had swept away many of the materials that would have been perfect to work with.  Thankfully there was a little nook on the school grounds where kids found their inspiration.  Alliums (onion family), leaves, pebbles, vines and sticks made way for some very creative sculptures and compositions.  Some students struggled with keeping to just one type of organic object, while others thrived with simple yet stirking materials! (Photos to come soon)!

This coming week, all 5th graders will be in the computer lab selecting their best photograph and working on a Compare and Contrast piece.  For the final project, students will choose a specific work from Andy Goldsworthy and compare and contrast it to their artwork.  After they have done so, each student will critique and explain their artwork.  The final product will be a typed on Microsoft Word 2007 and will be accompanied with an 8″x10″ of their sculpture and a 5″x7″ of the Goldsworthy image.  All artwork will be displayed around the school for all to enjoy!

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Moving Along for the Sake of our Students

October 23, 2009 at 10:05 pm (Uncategorized)
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As educators we are responsible for providing our students with the most updated curriculum, world events, most popular and desirable careers, and the latest technology, Right?!  Although that is quite never the case, we should try our best to offer students with as much as we can provide. 

And so, I wrote my research paper on Enhancing Art with Technology in the Elementary Art Room.  Of course I wanted to choose a topic that was directly related to what I am currently doing in my teaching career and figured there was still a vast amount of information and technology I had yet to learn and become familiar with.  Originally I had planned on writing about specific software, techniques and programs doing my best to explain what they were how they could be used and what professionals had to say about them.  Yet the more I began to research the more specific themes began to pop out at me that led me to the framework I wrote about.  I found that in the art room, technology aided in three broad ways; Differentiating Instruction, Creating Relationships (a Global Experience) and Preparing Students for the Future of Art.  Even though the latter themes would have been useful, I’m glad it turned out the way it did.  I feel now that others (not in the art ed. field) could read it and have it relate to what they’re specifically doing in their classrooms.  It’s not just an art advocacy piece, but a technology/”catching up with the times” advocacy piece!

While doing the research I found many instances where technology was referenced as a “tool” for learning and educating.  Just as a library, chalkboard or even pencil could be.  We shouldn’t soley rely on it.  Technology isn’t the only way we should bring information and learning experiences to our students, but it is beneficial when we do it in ways that enrich the curriculum,  open doors to new experiences (gallery tours online) or prepare our students for future careers in the arts.  Our students need to become more literate in technology and the possiblilites it provides.

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Wondering When I’ll Have the Time!??

October 16, 2009 at 10:59 pm (Uncategorized)
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All of this new technology can be extremely exciting but in the same token, very overwhelming.  I want to partake in all of this social networking and I’m so inspired  by art teachers’ lessons whom I haven’t even met.   Just reading others’ ideas and seeing student work gives me great ideas and gets me eager to share my teaching experiences and lessons.  I’ve just been struggling with balancing and prioritizing family, work and school.  It devastates me to see my two year old mis-behaving because she barely gets to see me anymore.  I’m forced to stay up  late just to barely keep up with my school work.  I absolutely love my job and am so grateful to have gotten the position, but just everything on top of one another gets to be a bit too much.  I really do enjoy taking Educational Technology but it never fails that I leave with a pounding headache.  I want to be able to play with and figure out all of the interesting sites, software and social networks that are out there, I just honestly do not have the time now.  And unfortunately, I’m the type where I’ll forget certain things once a few weeks go by.  I guess what I’m trying to get at is, Technology seems to be moving so fast that it’s nearly impossible to keep up, unless like Dr. Ransom stated, “it’s his job”!  Any suggestions?  Is anyone else feeling this overwhelmed?  How are you getting it all done and what are you doing to cope?

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Digital Art Portfolios

October 9, 2009 at 6:22 pm (Uncategorized)
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When high school art students apply to a college in the fine arts/art education program, it is a requirement to submit a portfolio of specific work.  In my case, all of my work needed to be photographed and turned into slides as part of my application process.  It took quite a bit of time getting all of my work found, sorted and photographed.  And it wasn’t cheap getting them made into slides either.

I’ve always had this brilliant idea of creating a digital portfolio that begins in Kindergarten and follows the student up into the high school.  This way students would have a record of their artwork and already have it in digital form for college entrance.  Not only that but artwork (especially if there is a dog in the house, or younger siblings are around) doesn’t last forever and often get mis-placed or eaten!?!  I successfully created a digital portfolio for all of my students when I taught art elective courses at a high school for a year.  It was quite easy considering the largest class I had was 20 and my students during a year course only produced 10-20 pieces of artwork.  Every time a project was completed I’d photograph it right away and drop it into their folder with the title, date and dimensions (if applicable).  The end result was fabulous!  The students were so excited and grateful that they had a recordable CD with their artwork on it.  It made the whole “creating art” process much more authentic and professional!

In my current position I’m also planning on beginning the digital portfolios if I can get the resources to do so.  The only difference is I have 18 classes with 20-22 students in each.  Not to mention they often produce more than 20 pieces of artwork in a year!  That’s a lot of time, energy and money that I will have to invest into my students.  I do however believe that the payoff is worth it!  I still have some figuring out to do.  Once each class has completed a project I was planning on photographing each piece.  But what if for a particular piece of artwork their name is on the back, will I logically have enough time to do this, can I be sure that the teachers in the middle and high school will also add to each students portfolio?  Any suggestions?

While searching for digital art portfolios I stumbled upon two websites that host artists’ work.  The first is world art porfolio that gives ”access to artist portfolios, museums, galleries, high quality art by living artists, discussion forums and much more. You can add your site to their searchable link directory and contact the artists directly through their easy to use form”.  http://www.worldartportfolio.com/

I also was checking out this website: http://www.alphaomegadigital.com/karimkunst/ and found some beautiful pieces of digital art work.  The artist created them using Photoshop, Paint and Corel Draw software.  Surf the website and let me know what you think of his work!  Do artists nowadays put as much thought, skill and work into their artwork than, say, traditional artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Monet, Georgia O’Keeffe or Alexander Calder? What about glass artist Dale Chihuly?

by Karim Bouchnak

by Karim Bouchnak

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Taken Back by Twitter

October 2, 2009 at 9:41 pm (Uncategorized)

While learning about Twitter this week, I was quite blown away.  Just as Professor Ransom stated, the media corrupted the meaning and intention of this new social network.  As Twitter began to really catch on, I was so disgusted with it.  Why on earth would anyone take the time to notify others of where they’re going, what they’re eating or what they’re doing and when?  What is going on with society?  The media totally reinforced Twitter’s silly and impractical use.  I can recall a Verizon or T-Mobile commercial where there are parents and kids on a front porch.  The parents are busy “twittering” and e-mailing while the kids are giving them the “low-down” on what to do and what not to do with their phones.  The father is “tweeting” about just sitting on the porch and immediately that gives the perception that this social network is a waste of time. 

It really put it into perspective for me when Professor Ransom pulled up his Twitter account and sent a message out to his hundreds of followers regarding the importance and impact of Web 2.0.  Within two minutes a man from South Africa replied stating how he teaches a Web 2.0 class.  That really hit home for me.  How amazing, you can instantly chat, ask questions, collaborate and learn from people around the world.  It was so moving I’m surprised I didn’t cry (especially with everything that’s been going on lately)!  Who knew that while the media was sensationalizing its’ silliness, educators and others were taking full advantage of its collaborative, up-to-date and informative use!  It’s amazing how it just takes one person to see something differently to change your entire perspective on a piece of technology that might have otherwise been completely written off.

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