I love the idea of collaborative technology, though I didn’t see how it could be practical in a school with 800+ kids until I started thinking of the information that can be found online. When I need to know something, I go to google, type in my question, and within seconds I have the answer, or something in the ballpark to go on. I then thought of all of the information I teach my students in a year. How much of it goes in one ear and out the other? How many of the kids would like to see or hear the information again but don’t have a chance? I know that students learn on their own time, and some learn better at different times than others. I thought it would be great to create our own little Wikipedia, I’d call Gracemorpedia, and have the students write the articles.
I went and made http://gracemorpedia.pbworks.com/ for free that we can use as a school if other teachers are interested. Everything else needed to do it should be readily available, internet access, word processing software, and image software are already on the computers. I would just take the students’ saved work and upload it into the wiki.
I think this would be an awesome tool in any classroom, or even school wide. I hope to introduce it to my colleges, and hopefully get our own little wiki world going at Gracemor!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
Photo Story
I became so excited when I heard about what we were going to do this week. I love the idea of having narration to videos, and I enjoy the chance to add an auditory part to a visual subject. I immediately downloaded Photo Story and got to work (I finished at midnight on Sunday, I was that excited!) I then began thinking about how I could have my students do their own project. I am big into group work because some students are stronger than others and can help them along. I think research is very important, so the idea of having them research an artist seemed good.
This is a group project that will have to take place at school, so I would need to reserve a computer lab for students to use. I will also need microphones (at least 7 of them) that run around $20, internet access which is already available, and Photo Story 3 for Windows which is free.
I can see using this for tons of projects, from researching an ancient culture, to demonstrating a production process. I am looking forward to integrating this technology into my classroom in the future!
This is a group project that will have to take place at school, so I would need to reserve a computer lab for students to use. I will also need microphones (at least 7 of them) that run around $20, internet access which is already available, and Photo Story 3 for Windows which is free.
I can see using this for tons of projects, from researching an ancient culture, to demonstrating a production process. I am looking forward to integrating this technology into my classroom in the future!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Podcasting
One of my favorite projects that I teach is my 4th grade Graphic design project. I have taught this lesson 3 times, and each time it has changed. I try to integrate things from student’s everyday life as much as possible, so the information they learn in the classroom relates to their real world. Graphic design is something almost everyone sees every day. Even the computer screen you’re looking at right now has been effected by a graphic designer in some way (I see DELL on mine).
I am a story teller, and I love to talk. When I thought of a podcast I could create to go along with a lesson I thought of the funny stories and phrases I come up with when doing this project, and I thought they would be fun to record. I wanted to make something that would be entertaining. It is difficult to keep students engaged, and I know that students respond better when humor is involved. I also know that an effective teacher tries to relate lessons to the “real-world” in order to make the learning experience meaningful for students.
Podcasting can be relatively inexpensive. I used Audacity to record my podcasts, which is free to download. Microphones can be found pretty reasonably as well. I just found one on Amazon.com for $0.01. http://www.amazon.com/3-5mm-Flexible-Microphone-Laptop-Skype/dp/B00284VD02/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1278100030&sr=8-3 I’m not sure of the quality of the microphone, but it seems affordable. Others seem to range around $15-$25 depending on the brand. If you want a combo Microphone-Headset they range from $0.01 to $45.
I am looking forward to using podcasts in my classroom. I hope to do podcasts with extra information that my students can access about projects and pieces of art from their own homes.
I am a story teller, and I love to talk. When I thought of a podcast I could create to go along with a lesson I thought of the funny stories and phrases I come up with when doing this project, and I thought they would be fun to record. I wanted to make something that would be entertaining. It is difficult to keep students engaged, and I know that students respond better when humor is involved. I also know that an effective teacher tries to relate lessons to the “real-world” in order to make the learning experience meaningful for students.
Podcasting can be relatively inexpensive. I used Audacity to record my podcasts, which is free to download. Microphones can be found pretty reasonably as well. I just found one on Amazon.com for $0.01. http://www.amazon.com/3-5mm-Flexible-Microphone-Laptop-Skype/dp/B00284VD02/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1278100030&sr=8-3 I’m not sure of the quality of the microphone, but it seems affordable. Others seem to range around $15-$25 depending on the brand. If you want a combo Microphone-Headset they range from $0.01 to $45.
I am looking forward to using podcasts in my classroom. I hope to do podcasts with extra information that my students can access about projects and pieces of art from their own homes.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Data Projection
It wasn’t too difficult to come up with a project using a SMARTBoard for art. It seems like a hands-on tool like that would be perfect in my classroom. I found http://www.nga.gov/kids/zone/jungle.htm while searching for projects that had to do with the jungle and saw a huge opportunity to use it in my classroom. I do not currently have a SMARTBoard, so I have not been able to implement this, but I plan to as soon as I move into my new classroom next year.
Integrating Technology into Teaching on page 184 mentions that a SMART Board or other interactive white board will not make a poor lesson plan better, but will enhance a good lesson plan. I hope my lesson plans will be effective and fun for my students, and I think that the SMART Board will help me with this.
One fear I have is the use of other markers on the board. I have heard horror stories about Sharpies being used, and the entire SMART Board having to be replaced. The board alone costs around $1300, and the projectors run about $800. It really adds up when you add cords, instillation fees, software, etc. I’m blessed that I will have one in my room already, and I will be careful to keep students with markers away from it.
Integrating Technology into Teaching on page 184 mentions that a SMART Board or other interactive white board will not make a poor lesson plan better, but will enhance a good lesson plan. I hope my lesson plans will be effective and fun for my students, and I think that the SMART Board will help me with this.
One fear I have is the use of other markers on the board. I have heard horror stories about Sharpies being used, and the entire SMART Board having to be replaced. The board alone costs around $1300, and the projectors run about $800. It really adds up when you add cords, instillation fees, software, etc. I’m blessed that I will have one in my room already, and I will be careful to keep students with markers away from it.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Handheld Technologies
I have always been fascinated with computer animation, so when I heard about using Graphic tablets in the classroom I became very excited. I know that the students love to watch movies by DreamWorks or Pixar, and I love the idea of bringing those into my classroom. Many of the students in the school where I teach have little or no access to technologies like this, so Graphic Tablets would be an awesome teaching tool.
When thinking about using Graphic Tablets, the lack of funding came to mind. My dream would be to have one Graphic Tablet and one copy of Adobe Photoshop installed on each computer in our computer lab, but I don’t see this ever being possible. I couldn’t even get one copy of Photoshop for myself to use without having to pay money out of my budget. I researched prices and found some moderately priced Graphic Tablets. The Genius MousePen 8 x 6-Inch Graphic Tablet is $37.49 on Amazon.com. I have some classes with 31students, so that would come to $1,162.19 plus shipping and tax. I get $2 per student in the school equaling roughly $1600 for the entire art budget per year, so this purchase would not be feasible. My dream would be to have the Wacom Intuos4 Professional Pen Tablet - Extra Large, a professional grade tablet. These cost $789 a piece, equaling $24,459 for a classroom set. Oh, how I wish I could afford that.
If I ever did get Graphic Tablets for my classroom, then I would use them for drawing, coloring, and ideally for computer animation. Students would be so excited to be able to create their own characters, and I believe that this might engage them more in story-telling and writing. I hope that someday these will be available to us all.
When thinking about using Graphic Tablets, the lack of funding came to mind. My dream would be to have one Graphic Tablet and one copy of Adobe Photoshop installed on each computer in our computer lab, but I don’t see this ever being possible. I couldn’t even get one copy of Photoshop for myself to use without having to pay money out of my budget. I researched prices and found some moderately priced Graphic Tablets. The Genius MousePen 8 x 6-Inch Graphic Tablet is $37.49 on Amazon.com. I have some classes with 31students, so that would come to $1,162.19 plus shipping and tax. I get $2 per student in the school equaling roughly $1600 for the entire art budget per year, so this purchase would not be feasible. My dream would be to have the Wacom Intuos4 Professional Pen Tablet - Extra Large, a professional grade tablet. These cost $789 a piece, equaling $24,459 for a classroom set. Oh, how I wish I could afford that.
If I ever did get Graphic Tablets for my classroom, then I would use them for drawing, coloring, and ideally for computer animation. Students would be so excited to be able to create their own characters, and I believe that this might engage them more in story-telling and writing. I hope that someday these will be available to us all.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Technology for diverse learners
In my classroom I have a laptop that is hooked up to a projector, a desktop, and an optical mouse. There are microphones we can use, but I feel that I am loud enough, and there is no soundproofing between my room and the next. We have DVD players and VCRs. There are two computer labs in the school, and a SmartBoard room available if you reserve it.
Most of what I teach in my art classroom is hands-on. I have never had a student who was unable to physically create art, though some of my students still lack the fine motor skills needed to perform some tasks. I teach the special education students, and they sometimes get lost and are in need of a lot of help in order to create a piece of art. I also have many students who speak little or no English. Most of them are able to follow along visually and do not require a large amount of one-on-one assistance.
There are a few students in the district that are high-needs and have a personal aid that comes with them. In the past I have taught a deaf student who came with her own interpreter. Some teachers have shared their struggles to teach a blind student art. Others teach students with severe physical limitations.
As I began my search for technology, I was really interested in what was out there for blind students. As I looked I found the phrase Tactile Graphics. This involves printed materials, such as coloring books and maps, that can be purchased and used by blind students. Here is a link to one site that sells coloring books for blind children. http://www.tactilevisioninc.com/books_coloring.php
They cost around $10. I also found some grid paper that can be embossed here. http://www.tactilegraphics.org/products.html
The sheets range from $10-$35.
The ultimate tool for teaching blind students using technology would be a Braille and embossing printer. I found one called the Emprint SpotDot. It has awesome features, but it costs $6,995 plus $250 for training on how to use it. http://www.viewplus.com/products/ink-braille-printers/emprint-spotdot/
There are many other technologies out there that would be useful, but I feel that in art, hands-on work is most important.
Most of what I teach in my art classroom is hands-on. I have never had a student who was unable to physically create art, though some of my students still lack the fine motor skills needed to perform some tasks. I teach the special education students, and they sometimes get lost and are in need of a lot of help in order to create a piece of art. I also have many students who speak little or no English. Most of them are able to follow along visually and do not require a large amount of one-on-one assistance.
There are a few students in the district that are high-needs and have a personal aid that comes with them. In the past I have taught a deaf student who came with her own interpreter. Some teachers have shared their struggles to teach a blind student art. Others teach students with severe physical limitations.
As I began my search for technology, I was really interested in what was out there for blind students. As I looked I found the phrase Tactile Graphics. This involves printed materials, such as coloring books and maps, that can be purchased and used by blind students. Here is a link to one site that sells coloring books for blind children. http://www.tactilevisioninc.com/books_coloring.php
They cost around $10. I also found some grid paper that can be embossed here. http://www.tactilegraphics.org/products.html
The sheets range from $10-$35.
The ultimate tool for teaching blind students using technology would be a Braille and embossing printer. I found one called the Emprint SpotDot. It has awesome features, but it costs $6,995 plus $250 for training on how to use it. http://www.viewplus.com/products/ink-braille-printers/emprint-spotdot/
There are many other technologies out there that would be useful, but I feel that in art, hands-on work is most important.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Blog entry 1
What are your top 10 elements of a 21st Century Classroom?
1) Computers
2) Internet
3) Access to information and programs from home
4) Computer programs that incorporate objectives with things the students relate to
5) Technology that deepens learning (Microscopes, and other things to discover with)
6) Connectivity between teachers, students, and parents
7) Engaging curriculum
8) Collaboration with other teachers and students
9) Programs that enhance learning by allowing students to look deeper into a subject
10) Technology that saves time in order to allow for more student/teacher face to face interaction.
What kind of learning environment do I want to create for my students?
I want my students to be able to discover new things using the tools available in the classroom. I think that they should have every opportunity to better their knowledge and understanding of subjects by utilizing technology and supplies found in the classroom.
What resources do I have to help me create the learning environment?
I have a projector that helps me teach students in an easy to see way, and computers to access the internet and other programs. I have a computer lab and media center in my building that I could use.
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