EBSCOhost: Multimedia in the Classroom

EBSCOhost: Multimedia in the Classroom

FV Option 2

I have made a documentary about Myoats.com artwork created by some of my students. I work with a special population of students in an alternative school setting. They are all there to catch up on their credits so that they may graduate. Some of them are migrant students who were not able, for one reason or another, to finish their school year while others have been continuously in trouble with the law. Whatever their reason for getting behind, they seem to be very interested in and enjoy the Myoats more than some of the other technologies I have introduced them to.

PE6 GarageBand

I have created my first song on garage band using the loop feature. Problem is, I forgot to save with sound so there is no sound on my video. I will continue to work on this not only because I have to but because it is so much fun.

PE5 GarageBand

After reviewing the options, I have decided to try a loop. What it is exactly, I do not know.

PE4 GarageBand

I would like to know how to operate more features on GarageBand. So far the only thing I know how to do is use the voice feature.

W4 Reading

 
Teaching without technology
This article discusses a school district that is ridding itself of PowerPoint and moving to a more hands on style of teaching. I could see how relying only on PowerPoint could be boring but technology should not be the only thing used in the class. There should already be a good amount of hands on activities going on. Could that include gaming? Probably so.

 

Teaching Web 2.0 without technology

This is a very strange but interesting concept. What the author seems to be doing is having students collaborate during tests instead of having them test individually. It is a bit of a stretch to compare this type of teaching/learning to Web 2.0. This article might not be as much help to my ARP but I will keep it handy since the final ARP result is still a mystery since it will be continually evolving 

Teaching thoughtfully with (and without) technology 

This article makes a good point about the use of technology. It should be used wisely instead of just because. According to the author, the teaching should be facilitated by technology but not rely on it completely. It should also not be completely shunned either. He also makes a comparison to yesterday’s and today’s automobile and the technological advancements that could be invented later for use with teaching.

 

Advantages of teaching PowerPoint in elementary art

This blog is mainly about the positive uses of PowerPoint for elementary school art lessons. The author discusses some ways to use this in the classroom including how to save classroom time by using it. I agree that the more time is saved, the more time the students have to work on their projects. 

Teaching With Technology Today

This article is about an online database that contains information about art and art history. A site like this could be incredibly helpful in teaching my students and showing them some of the artworks of the distant and not so distant past. The database alone might not motivate the students much, but using the art that is contained in that database could help my students search for a particular artwork or artist for research.

Technology and academic achievement 

This site discusses the usefulness of technology in the classroom and also delves into other subjects such as math. The author also suggests that engaging lessons can be created for students with the proper use of technology.

PE3 Flash CS5

I created a simple and somewhat lousy animation on the Flash program. It does not matter how choppy it is right now. I was able to do this in a short amount of time and that is what's important. I will continue to play around with Flash and will hopefully become proficient at it quickly.

PE2 Flash CS5

I used a tutorial on Lynda.com and created this picture. It's very similar to Photoshop so far and I am no longer as intimidated by Flash as I used to be. I can do this.

PE1 Flash CS5

Adobe Flash has always been that program that I've been meaning to learn but I've found it to be very intimidating. The more I play with it, the easier it will hopefully become. I will take it step by step and try to enjoy learning it. Lynda.com will most likely help me learn this program with ease once and for all.

W3 Reading

Motivating non-drawing students

This article lists 10 things that could possibly help motivate a student who are hesitant to draw and learn to become self-learners. There was an issue that the author mentioned that seemed to grab my attention. According to the author, there is a general distrust of the educated. I do not have enough information about this subject matter bit it will be very interesting to research this. Perhaps this issue alone will help shape my ARP into something a bit different.

Learning with computer games and simulations

This was an informative article that went a little deeper into how to use games and simulations to motivate and give students some confidence in their abilities. There were some game links included that look like they could be very useful in class. It was more about education in general than about art but still has some very valuable information.

Changing the game: what happens when video games enter the classroom?

This is about the games Civilization, Civilization ll and Civilization lll and how they can be used for motivation and learning. The author discussed how the level of difficulty could be used to teach about learning in small steps to eventually reach the goal.

The player: It's a mistake to use games to motivate good behaviour 

There could be a downside to using games if solely used as a motivating factor according to this author. They might lose their sense of fun and possibly become objects of obligation. Judging by some of the comments to this article, it is not a popular belief. I would need to research a bit more about this to see how many feel this way and if the author has a good and valid point.

 

When computers leave the classroom, so does boredom

There are some teachers who seem to not want to change with the times. This particular author wrote about how using PowerPoint has become boring and he would rather teach without technology. It seems to be mostly about PowerPoint and the boredom he thinks it brings to the classroom. This does not sound like a progressive classroom. I’m not saying there is no learning happening but there is more to classroom tech life than PowerPoint and if this is all he could do before and is unwilling to learn more technology, I pity both him and his students.

BP12 OMM Comic Sketch

I found Comic Sketch to be fun and entertaining not only for myself but for my students as well.

BP11 Comment to David Cheng

This is the link to my comment on David Cheng's blog.

BP10 Comment to Ginny Holm

This is my link to Ginny Holm's blog post.

BP9 Comic Sketch

Comic Sketch is a fun little interactive Web 2.0 site where anyone can create a comic strip or a series of comic strips. It is easy to read the comic strips. By moving the mouse from right to left over the strip, you can control how fast each panel scrolls. There is a rating system in place for the comics created that range from one to five stars that even the general unregistered person can vote with.

Creating a comic strip on this site can be time consuming. I thought it would be simple with ready made pictures but that is not so. It is much like a regular computer paint program where I had to draw the pictures on the computer by hand. The tools are a bit primitive and can create somewhat cheap looking comics with that homemade feel, although other artists have created some amazing anime comic strips and comic books.

The comment feature is a little different than other comment features I’ve seen anywhere else. Anyone can include a drawn comment or picture instead of (or with) the usual written comments. That adds a personal touch that any comic artist could appreciate.

I had one student play around with this site and he enjoyed it so much that he did not want to go to lunch without finishing his creation. The picture above is the beginning of his incomplete comic strip. He decided to create his own account when he got home. Anyone interested in creating comic strips can create an account and sign up as an artist and exchange ideas with other artists on the site. They could also play around with the program and create without an account.

I enjoyed this site and so did my student. This is definitely one Web 2.0 site I will use in my classroom. I believe that collaborating with others on this site can help foster my students’ creativity.

W2 Reading

Using Technology To Motivate Middle School Students

 This article discussed how middle school students are learning more with hands on technological activities. In the article, there were several digital suggestions to bring into the classroom. These include E-Pals, WebQuests, and the use of digital portfolios.

 

Raising Learner's Motivaiton In Art Class

This site addressed the connection between low motivation and classroom management. The author discussed some possible causes and solutions to this problem. There is no mention of using technology as a motivator but it is a very informative article, especially for those who are new to teaching or those that need a refresher.

Technology: Motivating The Modest Achiever 

This article was not so much about using technology to motivate the art student but how it can motivate the not so motivated student in any subject including math and writing. In The subject matter is not as important as the actual motivation of the child. The author sites 2 web sites. One could possibly help increase motivation and boost math skills and the other site can connect the student to other students globally.

Critical Issue: Using Technology To Support Limited-English-Proficient (LEP) Students’ Learning Experiences

This was a very interesting article for me because it discusses the LEP, or Limited English Proficient student. My school district has one of the highest LEP populations. This article does not go into detail about the types of technology to be used or even anything about art. It just seemed like a site that could be beneficial not only to my Action Research Project but to my teaching in general.

 

Why Use Technology? 

On this site, the author discussed 3 stages of technological evolution and also contained a top 10 list on reasons technology can be useful in the classroom. This article was very informative and could be very helpful to my ARP.

 

BP8 OMM Myoats

BP7 Comment to George (Jim) Miller

Here is a link to the comment I made on Jim's blog.

BP6 Comment to Jeet Chadha

Here is a link to my comment on Jeet Chadha's blog.

BP5 Myoats

 

Creating artwork on the computer is not a new phenomenon but Myoats is a Web 2.0 site that has made it a bit easier and more affordable.

Myoats is a wonderful Web 2.0 tool used for creating works of art. At first it appeared as a great tool for drawing only patterns and shapes, but the more that I explored it, the more that I could do with it. This site can also be used to create original drawings of all sorts ranging from simple patterns to much more complicated works. One of the things I liked most about Myoats is that it can be used for students of all ages from elementary school through college and beyond. I followed some of the links, such as the Most Liked. There were some amazing creations that could surely rival the best digital artists.

It is a fairly easy program to use and learn. For example, I created the image above in only a few seconds without the use of tutorials. The more I delve into it, the better artwork I know I can create. I would like to use this website in my classroom for lessons about digital art. I do not doubt that my students would enjoy using it as a creation tool. They will also be able to show off their artistic talents to anyone willing and able to view their art. This tool can help them harness their digital art skills to a whole new level. Artists all have their medium of preference. This will broaden the spectrum for my students. Some like pencil, some like paint and hopefully some will like digital art. This Web 2.0 tool will definitely be an essential part of my art class.

W1 Reading

Technology makes art education a bigger draw
This article explained the use of technology in the art classroom and how it has changed the learning environment. It informed the reader that there is plenty of information and software that could help the teacher motivate students. It could also open up new possibilities. For example, it discussed programs that could help students learn how to become animators, teach them how to draw and it reminded them that their art does not have to be perfect.

Schools still conflicted over Web 2.0 tools

  This article seemed to point out the obvious. Some schools have technology and some don’t. It discussed six different school districts whose use of technology was studied. Schools that did not have or use Web 2.0 technology could easily falling far behind those who did. It also talked about how the schools were willing to add this to their curriculum. Getting familiar with the use of these tools was not as big a challenge as it appeared.

How to integrate technology in art education 

This site was a quick review on simple ways to merge technology with art. These suggestions could easily be used in a high school art classroom just as easily as it could be used in an elementary school art program. This article was short and to the point. The equipment needed for this included a computer lab, a printer and software. It also mentioned the importance of showing off student work.

Technology's implications for art education

This site discussed the challenges that could come up in regards to using technology in the classroom. It included the fear many teachers and students might have in learning some new and innovative things. The author stated that future education and employment have changed and will continue to change as schools become more integrated with technology.

Rites of passage technology for the middle and high school classroom

This site delved into the type of computer needed for a well functioning technologically advanced art classroom. The kind of computer, the speed and the proper software were highlighted in this article. These could either help advance or hold back the classroom. Regular school grade computers would not be enough. The author went into detail on the kind of computer and software needed for proper technological advancement.

BP4 Schoology

Schoology

This site appears to have it all and I can see myself using it in the classroom. Teachers can create a virtual classroom for their students where they can turn in their assignments online and teachers can create their assignments and tests on this site.This is very much a digital classroom, much like our FSO. This would really come in handy for my students, especially my homebound students. This site is definitely worth signing up for.

BP3 Diigo Group

This is my Action Research page. It is a work in progress.

These are some of my critical friends that have been invited so far.

BP2 iGoogleScreenShots

 This is my Home tab with everything I need.

 This is my FSO tab

 This is my Action Research/CBL tab.

This is my ETC iGoogle tab.

Here are my iGoogle screen shots.

BP1 Google Reader

These are the 5 feeds/blogs I am following on Google Reader.

Nintendo Wii

This feed contained information on new video games for the Wii. There were reviews and ratings for each game highlighted. I wanted gaming to be part of my teaching curriculum and this is a good way to get the latest information, tips, tricks and fixes

Artshow

This site highlighted different artists and art shows across the country. There were art workshops to attend along with tutorials using many different media that included ceramics, sculpture, drawing, and photography to name a few.

Edutopia

The Edutopia site was founded by George Lucas so that education could be taken to a whole new level. This site not only created a site for teachers to blog, it was designed for everybody that has anything to do with education. This includes parents. The site itself was neatly categorized by grade level and type of school and the articles were seemingly endless. I could use this site for classroom ideas and to see what has worked and not worked in the classroom.

Art Education 2.0

Art Education 2.0 was a fascinating online community of art teachers. This looked like a fabulous place to exchange ideas, lesson plans and employment opportunities. It included art teacher forums and blogs. Becoming a member did take time, though. It is worth the wait.

Everson

This site had listings on upcoming art competitions from different states, regions and included online shows. The prizes offered to the winners included large amounts of cash and expensive electronics. Competitions like this could come in handy for art students of all ages and up and coming artists.