New and emerging technologies offer so many exciting opportunities for business and education, yet the potential of technology is as effective as the individual who is using it. While I feel that it is very important to stay abreast of emergent technology and to explore the possibilities that it might have on our future, my real interest will always be the creative ways in which we can integrate and utilize these machines. In education, this means using technology daily, in innovative ways, to prepare students to be responsible, productive adults in the 21st century. Schools to be equipped with adequate technology on a limited budget; therefore, we need to find economical ways to keep schools up to date. Yet, I feel the need to reiterate…. Technology is just a tool; it is the human running the machine that makes the difference. That is why my primary focus will always be on the most effective learning experience that the machine is capable of offering students.
In visual arts, one of the most compelling uses of technology is digital storytelling. “Imagine a learning experience, supported and extended by the application of technology, that empowers students to create and contribute, all within the context of what they are expected to know and be able to do in the 21st century. Imagine that this learning experience provides students a compelling and competitive voice and enlarges the boundaries of their ability to communicate, potentially with a worldwide audience. This learning experience is digital storytelling.” (Retrieved August 7, 2009, from http://www.jakesonline.org/storytelling.htm ) There is always a story to tell, and students must learn how to communicate their stories using the tools available to them. Visual arts is becoming an integral part of communicating on the computer monitor today, and will certainly be a part of future communication. In our “flattened” world, students will need to know how to artfully communicate, and technology will be the means with which to do so.
Jakes, D. (2006, December 29). Capturing Stories, Capturing Lives: An Introduction to Digital Storytelling. Retrieved August 7, 2009, from http://www.jakesonline.org/storytelling.htm
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Emerging Technologies and 21st Century Learning- An Interview
Our Application assignment for Week 4, called for research into a Course Management System, such as Moodle, as well as, developing a persuasive presentation to convince our staff of the value inherent in on-line learning.
Since our school has already adopted a Course Management System, I opted to interview the principal and Instructional Technologist at Luella Middle School in Henry County, Georgia, where I am employed. We explored the advantages of our K-12 on-line Course Management System,and how it supports meaningful, authentic learning. We, also, reviewed the first year of implementation and discussed the plans for the next three years.
This podcast illustrates some of the "stumbling blocks" that such massive school change causes, and, certainly outlines the great advantages that on-line learning offers for the future of our school.
Since our school has already adopted a Course Management System, I opted to interview the principal and Instructional Technologist at Luella Middle School in Henry County, Georgia, where I am employed. We explored the advantages of our K-12 on-line Course Management System,and how it supports meaningful, authentic learning. We, also, reviewed the first year of implementation and discussed the plans for the next three years.
This podcast illustrates some of the "stumbling blocks" that such massive school change causes, and, certainly outlines the great advantages that on-line learning offers for the future of our school.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Reflection
Social networking is an endeavor that is best served when done with a group that is compatible with your social and professional interests. The experience of social networking in this class was interesting, and the resources offered through our network communications reflected each individual’s professional focus. Although, some of the sites held future potential for use in the art room, I felt that the networking experience would have been more effective if it had been grouped differently, with an emphasis on similar professional interests, rather than using a random grouping. I found myself wishing that I had access to other art educators, as I have begun to develop on http://arted20.ning.com/ What resources would they have found to be relevant in the art room? How would they integrate UDL and DI in their classrooms, and where does technology fit in this puzzle and the future of art education? As Smith and Throne (2007) state, “. . . . an interest-driven learning environment engages children.” I believe this can apply to adults, as well. The Fine Arts are quite different from academics. In these last few classes at Walden, I have begun to see the importance of developing a professional learning network. As the ITS program evolves, I believe there might be more value in encouraging cohorts to develop their own social/learning networks; although, I am not sure how that would work in an on-line classroom, the future value of this educational experience would have more collaborative potential.
Yet, due to involvement with cohorts and my plans to integrate our course content into instructional practice, there are immediate adjustments I plan for future projects. Of the many applications we have available on the school computers, Inkscape and Gimp are two that could be utilized the most in visual arts. Inkscape is an application that offers draw and paint features, and Gimp is an application similar to Adobe Photoshop that can be used to manipulate photo images. I need to become more familiar with these applications to better understand their potential. Then, I plan to incorporate more mixed media options that will include computer-generated art. I, also, plan to develop on-line course content, using our school-adopted learning management system, ANGEL. Initially, I would like to use the program for critiquing and self-reflection with a plan to add lessons, notes, and activities in the future.
Smith, G., & Throne, S. (2007). Differentiating instruction with technology in K-5 classrooms. Belmont, CA: International Society for Technology in Education.
Retrieved from Education Research Complete database.
Yet, due to involvement with cohorts and my plans to integrate our course content into instructional practice, there are immediate adjustments I plan for future projects. Of the many applications we have available on the school computers, Inkscape and Gimp are two that could be utilized the most in visual arts. Inkscape is an application that offers draw and paint features, and Gimp is an application similar to Adobe Photoshop that can be used to manipulate photo images. I need to become more familiar with these applications to better understand their potential. Then, I plan to incorporate more mixed media options that will include computer-generated art. I, also, plan to develop on-line course content, using our school-adopted learning management system, ANGEL. Initially, I would like to use the program for critiquing and self-reflection with a plan to add lessons, notes, and activities in the future.
Smith, G., & Throne, S. (2007). Differentiating instruction with technology in K-5 classrooms. Belmont, CA: International Society for Technology in Education.
Retrieved from Education Research Complete database.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Final Blog Post
In order to implement the first goal of my GAME plan, I needed to learn how to construct an online course in our school management system, ANGEL. This was a priority that had been on my list since August, and due to the process of setting goals for my GAME plan, I have, finally, pursued the instruction I need to begin the New Year with the first facet of my online classroom, which will entail blog responses every two weeks. Therefore, due to the extra impetus of our course requirements, I am on my way to discovering the other end of online learning, from the instructor’s point of view. I am excited about beginning a reflective blog in my course because, very often, I neglect to pause for reflection during class time. Since visual arts is a hands-on lab, much of the course material is difficult to effectively teach on-line, therefore, I find that teacher-student interfacing is best served while working on art projects. The on-line option has provided additional opportunities for reflection and art history.
Developing an on-line learning community is still a work in progress. The form and quality it takes will depend on my persistence in making connections. I enjoy getting on the Internet, and exploring. What a wide open world it is, too…… I’m really looking forward to sharing thoughts with others to deepen my professional scope, and due to my GAME plan, these goals now have a sharpened focus in my workday. All in all, these goals can only improve my practice, and I’m satisfied that they are good choices for me, personally, as well as, professionally.
Developing an on-line learning community is still a work in progress. The form and quality it takes will depend on my persistence in making connections. I enjoy getting on the Internet, and exploring. What a wide open world it is, too…… I’m really looking forward to sharing thoughts with others to deepen my professional scope, and due to my GAME plan, these goals now have a sharpened focus in my workday. All in all, these goals can only improve my practice, and I’m satisfied that they are good choices for me, personally, as well as, professionally.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Using My GAME Plan Process with Students
The GAME Plan is really a very logical process for implementing goals at any age. To develop goals, implement activities or an action plan, monitor the progress of the plan, and then evaluate the plan will fit the pursuit of almost any set of goals, whether they are NETS-S goals or state standards. Yet, in this post, the focus is on the NETS-S standards. When considering these specific standards, I am interested in developing reflective blogs, as mentioned in previous posts, multimedia projects such as digital stories, and, finally, using applications for illustration and photo processing in the classroom, but I do have parameters in which to operate.
First, our school district allows no collaboration outside of the sanctioned learning environment called ANGEL. Blogs and wikis are possible through this interface, but only in a school-wide and/or classroom environment. We do have free applications that have been allowed on our network; such as, Inkscape, Gimp, and Windows Movie that can be used for the creative explorations in which I am interested. Therefore, many of my goals for the students can be realized, with the exception of blogs and wikis that would include a wider, global audience. Maybe these options are around the corner. We can only hope…
Any suggestions for creative uses of technology in the art room are welcome! No idea is without merit. Other points of view and thoughts stimulate creativity, at least for me, and I am always searching inspiration.
I have enjoyed collaborating with our group, and hope that we may continue exchanging ideas in our final stretch. Two more classes, and the next class has a really skinny book! Maybe that means we can spend more time exploring the Internet. Good luck to all of you
First, our school district allows no collaboration outside of the sanctioned learning environment called ANGEL. Blogs and wikis are possible through this interface, but only in a school-wide and/or classroom environment. We do have free applications that have been allowed on our network; such as, Inkscape, Gimp, and Windows Movie that can be used for the creative explorations in which I am interested. Therefore, many of my goals for the students can be realized, with the exception of blogs and wikis that would include a wider, global audience. Maybe these options are around the corner. We can only hope…
Any suggestions for creative uses of technology in the art room are welcome! No idea is without merit. Other points of view and thoughts stimulate creativity, at least for me, and I am always searching inspiration.
I have enjoyed collaborating with our group, and hope that we may continue exchanging ideas in our final stretch. Two more classes, and the next class has a really skinny book! Maybe that means we can spend more time exploring the Internet. Good luck to all of you
Friday, December 25, 2009
Revising My GAME Plan
What have you learned that you can apply to your instructional practice?
I have reflected upon the first approach that I would like to make on ANGEL, our online learning environment, and taken the first steps to building a reflective blog to use with my student after the new year. The first blog will still be a reflection on the description and interpretation of a famous artwork. Two weeks later, the second blog will be a reflection of their first project. At first, I thought this would be difficult because of the memory required to upload that many jpegs into the system, but the IT specialist figured out a way it could be done easily. I am hopeful that this plan will work. Therefore, I feel confident that I have learned what is required to begin building my online environment.
In attempting to build an online professional learning community, I have work to do. I have learned that simple attempts to begin collaborations (i.e., starting a blog, joining a group) are not sufficient to engage individuals in a fruitful collaboration. It is a busy time of year, and I need to be patient. Yet, with the coming of the New Year, I also, need to be more persistent in the exploration of Art Education 2.0, and find other venues in which to collaborate with other art educators.
What goals are you still working toward?
As explained above, I am still in the process of designing an online environment in which my students can reflect upon their own artwork, as well as, the artwork of famous artists. My development of an online learning community will also, take more time and persistence. Goals I will pursue as soon as Christmas, and this class are over. Time is a key element in realizing these goals.
If you are not ready to set new learning goals, how will you extend what you have learned so far?
My goals to build a course in ANGEL, is a work in progress. After I get the blogging underway, the possibilities are numerous. Maybe working on a collaborative report in small groups, using a wiki, as a culminating project each 12 week session, or making an infomercial on a famous artist. Can the students convince their audience that their chosen artist is unparalleled in the world of art, and that they must have the available artwork as an investment?
A professional learning community has unlimited potential. At this juncture, I don’t have plans to set new goals, the exploration of the potential of online collaboration is enough for me to pursue. Once I have gotten deeper into the process, more layers of discovery and communication will reveal themselves. I look forward to the adventure.
What learning approaches will you try next time to improve your learning?
There are many applications with which I would like to experiment. I have downloaded Inkscape and Gimp onto my laptop, and they are also available on each computer at school. It goes without saying, the academic teachers have been quite busy building their courses on ANGEL, and haven’t had the opportunity to become familiar with these more creative applications. Logically, these new applications are under my umbrella, and I would like to become familiar enough with them to help the staff expand their curriculums to include projects that incorporate the “new visual literacies”. If we all take a piece of the challenges ahead of us, and train each other, technology in education will seem less daunting.
I have reflected upon the first approach that I would like to make on ANGEL, our online learning environment, and taken the first steps to building a reflective blog to use with my student after the new year. The first blog will still be a reflection on the description and interpretation of a famous artwork. Two weeks later, the second blog will be a reflection of their first project. At first, I thought this would be difficult because of the memory required to upload that many jpegs into the system, but the IT specialist figured out a way it could be done easily. I am hopeful that this plan will work. Therefore, I feel confident that I have learned what is required to begin building my online environment.
In attempting to build an online professional learning community, I have work to do. I have learned that simple attempts to begin collaborations (i.e., starting a blog, joining a group) are not sufficient to engage individuals in a fruitful collaboration. It is a busy time of year, and I need to be patient. Yet, with the coming of the New Year, I also, need to be more persistent in the exploration of Art Education 2.0, and find other venues in which to collaborate with other art educators.
What goals are you still working toward?
As explained above, I am still in the process of designing an online environment in which my students can reflect upon their own artwork, as well as, the artwork of famous artists. My development of an online learning community will also, take more time and persistence. Goals I will pursue as soon as Christmas, and this class are over. Time is a key element in realizing these goals.
If you are not ready to set new learning goals, how will you extend what you have learned so far?
My goals to build a course in ANGEL, is a work in progress. After I get the blogging underway, the possibilities are numerous. Maybe working on a collaborative report in small groups, using a wiki, as a culminating project each 12 week session, or making an infomercial on a famous artist. Can the students convince their audience that their chosen artist is unparalleled in the world of art, and that they must have the available artwork as an investment?
A professional learning community has unlimited potential. At this juncture, I don’t have plans to set new goals, the exploration of the potential of online collaboration is enough for me to pursue. Once I have gotten deeper into the process, more layers of discovery and communication will reveal themselves. I look forward to the adventure.
What learning approaches will you try next time to improve your learning?
There are many applications with which I would like to experiment. I have downloaded Inkscape and Gimp onto my laptop, and they are also available on each computer at school. It goes without saying, the academic teachers have been quite busy building their courses on ANGEL, and haven’t had the opportunity to become familiar with these more creative applications. Logically, these new applications are under my umbrella, and I would like to become familiar enough with them to help the staff expand their curriculums to include projects that incorporate the “new visual literacies”. If we all take a piece of the challenges ahead of us, and train each other, technology in education will seem less daunting.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Evaluating My GAME Plan
As I reflect on my GAME plan, I see that my goals were fairly realistic, although the rigors of the holiday season, as well as, professional demands and my current academic pursuits caused me to adjust my timeline. At least, I now know how to design a course in ANGEL. The IT specialist gave me great instructions; therefore, it is my turn to do the rest of the work. My goals for the new semester will be dependent on my efforts to design basic blog requirements in Angel over the holidays, so that I can implement my GAME plan for the new six weeks. Although there are many events planned with friends and family, I will spend the few hours needed to take the first steps in designing an online learning environment to be used for the purpose of critiquing art and self-reflection.
I have not been as successful in creating an online learning community. To date, I have joined two blog groups, and uploaded many examples of student artwork to the site at: http://arted20.ning.com/photo/photo/listForContributor?screenName=2nmgv5x93cc4d A few were even featured on the home page, yet no conversations have evolved. My approach has been to ask questions about online learning, and put them “out there” in cyber world for sage responses. Maybe everyone is as busy as I am, and January will prove more fruitful. I had high hopes for this website because I admire Craig Roland’s insights on the integration of art and technology, and hoped that the site would have more activity. Yet, maybe I need to search for like-minded art educators on the site, follow their activity, and become a part of their conversations. Another Craig Roland site that I found suggests other sites for future collaboration that I intend to pursue.
In evaluating my GAME plan, I must admit it is still a work in progress, yet I am committed to accomplishing the goals I established in the beginning. Its success will depend on an increased amount of time and tenacity on my part. Sounds like a New Year’s Resolution, huh?
I have not been as successful in creating an online learning community. To date, I have joined two blog groups, and uploaded many examples of student artwork to the site at: http://arted20.ning.com/photo/photo/listForContributor?screenName=2nmgv5x93cc4d A few were even featured on the home page, yet no conversations have evolved. My approach has been to ask questions about online learning, and put them “out there” in cyber world for sage responses. Maybe everyone is as busy as I am, and January will prove more fruitful. I had high hopes for this website because I admire Craig Roland’s insights on the integration of art and technology, and hoped that the site would have more activity. Yet, maybe I need to search for like-minded art educators on the site, follow their activity, and become a part of their conversations. Another Craig Roland site that I found suggests other sites for future collaboration that I intend to pursue.
In evaluating my GAME plan, I must admit it is still a work in progress, yet I am committed to accomplishing the goals I established in the beginning. Its success will depend on an increased amount of time and tenacity on my part. Sounds like a New Year’s Resolution, huh?
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