Final Reflections

    
     When I first started this class, I hardly thought thoroughly of incorporating technology into my future art classroom. I might have even been against the thought. I had this idea of preserving traditions and thought technology might only hinder my abilities as a teacher. I can proudly say my point of view has been changed, and I feel excitement when thinking of all the possibilities technology can help me achieve. This class has helped me become more organized and I feel confident in finding technologies that align to my standards. I wish to continue this blog or even create a new one when I become a teacher. I want to use it to keep a record of my thoughts and lessons. I want to be able to look back on it and find out what worked and what could be changed. I can't wait to be part of a teaching community, to get feedback and collaborate using technology. I can't wait to see my students' faces light up when I show them a how-to YouTube video, or when they make their first movie in iMovie. I want technology to be an aid in my pedagogy, and now I realize that it doesn't have to take over my classroom. It is here to provide efficiency in the classroom. To broaden students' horizons. To get them ready for a future that is moving at such a high speed. This changing world calls for changing classrooms and as a future educator I want my students to be as empowered by art as they are by technology.

Final Project

Increasing student understanding of artistic elements using the works of Wayne Thiebaud

      For my final project I chose to use the lesson plan I worked with in my CURR 310 Inclusion module. It is geared towards grades 8 or 9 for about 3 sessions. The objective is for students to become familiar with the works of Wayne Thiebaud and to create original works of art base on the components of the artist's works. Here is an example of his work, which is included on the lesson plan:

I knew it would be a challenge because technology wasn't incorporated into the lesson plan. Although it is ideal because it will make the technologies solely support my pedagogy instead of taking over my job.

     To begin, I made sure to identify the main educational goal of the lesson plan. This is to teach students about artistic elements of a painting. Using the style of the artist above, teaches them to be aware of the decisions they make as they create their paintings. The lesson will start by introducing Wayne Thiebaud and his work. I will provide a slideshow to ensure enough information, pictures, and facts are offered to the students. I will use a smartboard/chalkboard to write down key terms to make sure they know they're important to look back to. I will provide the class with graphic organizers to aid children with disabilities or to provide extra references for English language learners. I will then bring up a discussion about what the students think about his art. I hope this will help get them thinking about styles and compositions. This will line up with the standard 1.1.2.D.2 - Identify elements of art and principles of design in specific works of art and explain how they are used. Along with Nets-S Communication and Collaboration.
     After a discussion about the artist I will inform the students that they will have to create an original work of art based on these artistic elements. I will have them use computers to research  artistic elements and become familiar with the vocabulary. After the students are comfortable with the material, I'll give a demonstration on how to mix and paint a picture based on the elements. I will use a smartboard or computer to constantly have a picture of the finished product so students will know my goal. This aligns with the standard 1.3 - All students will synthesize those skills, media, methods, and technologies appropriate to creating, performing, and/or presenting works of art. They are learning from both technology and myself, what is expected of them when they paint their piece. They are also demonstrating Nets-S 3 and 4. 
      Students will then be expected to use vocabulary to describe various art forms and critique my painting (Standard 1.3.P.D.3). I will help facilitate the discussion so they use vocabulary words correctly and then later can critique each other's work as well as their own. I will make them vocabulary charts so they can reference back to the key terms. Also, I will write down any good comments about the painting on the chalkboard/smartboard for everyone to see clearly. Finally, they will complete a short vocabulary quiz now that I am confident they understand how to use the key words in a real situation. This demonstrates Nets-S: Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making.
     Next they will begin creating their art projects. They will create two-dimensional works of art while exploring color, line, shape, form, texture, and space (Standard 1.3.P.D.2) as well as use creativity and innovation, critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making. This is their planning stage. Before they get a canvas, I want to make sure they made decisions on what direction they want to go in. They can look up different desserts that they would like to paint and be given tablets to sketch on. I will also provide background music while they work because I think it provides students with a calming and inspirational atmosphere.
     Finally, students will incorporate principles of balance, harmony, unity, emphasis, proportion, and rhythm/movement in the creation of their work (Standard 1.3.8.D.1). They will be given supplies and time to complete their original paintings. Once they finish they will have a group discussion and critique each other's pieces. They will provide feedback and discuss the elements used in the paintings. They will take what their peers said and perform a self-assessment. I will ask them to take pictures of their works and we will compile it into a digital portfolio. This part of the lesson completes Nets-s Creativity and Innovation, Communication and Collaboration, Technology Operations and Concepts. They are creating their own artwork, discussing it with one another, and then using technology to archive it.

Sharing Inspriation

     I was shown this video through a social media network, and I was compelled to share it with fellow teachers. It is not about incorporating technology into the classroom, but instead about a teacher educating children about the importance of their lives and what really matters in life: happiness. It also made me realize how much technology plays a role in our lives as teachers. I wouldn't have had the opportunity to be inspired by this video if I wasn't part of social media. As teachers we need to take advantage of technology and spread hope, and inspiration to one another. This is what I hope to do by showing this video. I hope you then in return share it with a friend and build on this community.

Shelter From the Storm by John X. Carey

Technology in the Art Classroom

http://technologyinanartclassroom.blogspot.com/

     This is a blog I came across when researching how to integrate technology into the classroom. It is geared towards art classrooms and offers videos, pictures, and programs on how to introduce technology into your curriculum. It has a wide range of information from the progression of technology, to the importance and benefits of integrating it for students. They offer ideas and projects that students can do using technology and different tools such as Architect Studio 3D. It also provides many useful websites to further your knowledge on the programs. It's is a friendly, easy to understand blog that teachers can use as a resource for their classrooms.

"It is important that as teachers, we are up to date with the technology and current media that our students are using to communicate with one another. It is our job to "Move with the Times!" and this blog will hopefully help introduce you to some of the programs that are out there in technology land!"
-Adrienne Zajac
Aspiring Fine Arts Teacher

Envisioning the Future of Education Technology

Browse more infographics. 
"This visualization attempts to organize a series of emerging technologies that are likely 
to influence education in the upcoming decades. Despite its inherently speculative nature, 
the driving trends behind the technologies can already be observed, meaning it's a matter
of time before these scenarios start panning out in learning environments around the 
world." 

Reflections

 

     Interactivity #5 made me realize how lucky I am to be able to communicate with a teacher with such ease. It took literally minutes for the teacher I emailed to get back to me with her answers. I was shocked and pleased at how easy and efficiently I received them. It made me feel grateful to technology. Setting up appointments to speak with someone is a stressful and long process. Email gives me the power to access the wisdom and understanding of an experienced educator in minutes. It makes me feel like I have support in all that I'm doing. I know I can check in with someone who has done this all before. I can ask her what worked, what didn't, and how to improve. I have support at my fingertips and plan to use as much as I can when becoming a teacher. I think support is key and I know that I will feel confident knowing a friend, colleague, and a teacher are just a few clicks away.

Interactivity #5: A Standards-based Approach to Technology Integration

     The teacher I was able to interview is a young female from the Parsippany-Troy Hills school district. She is a High School art teacher, teaching various grades 9 - 12. I chose her because this is the grade level I hope to one day teach. Also I chose her because I have gone to her in the past with questions about becoming an art teacher. She shows passion and wisdom when it comes to her students and practice. The survey showed me that my teacher was not knowledgeable about NETS for students nor for teachers. She said she was unfamiliar with them, and did not even know if the state has implemented them. As for her school and school district, she said she believes they have not been implemented. She did not seem to know much about them, and gave little information indicating that she has.
     I was surprised that she wasn't familiar with these standards because I believe this school uses technology integrated into the curriculum. I know she is a passionate teacher and technology literate herself, so this came as a surprise to me. I don't believe the school is implementing these standards, but I do believe the teacher is aware of the importance of technology in the classroom, whether it be listening to music in class or using a digital camera. An art teacher, like herself, has many opertunities to use technology in the classroom such as to aid her in teaching as well as aiding the students to complete projects. This is what these standards are about and without even knowing them formally, I believe this teacher still practices them. This is why I was surprised at her response when it came to knowing about the standards, but I was not surprised when she told me about the importance of technology in the classroom.
     The school has many classes offered, which is different from NETS but they still promote technology in class, such as graphic design, computers, and digital photography. Some of which students need to graduate, which indicates that the school is fully aware of how important it is for students to be media literate and comfortable using technology. The school has a mac lab where students can use computers for homework, projects, and certain software such as iMovie.
     As a future educator it is my duty to speak to my colleagues about these standards. It is important that we are aware of both Nets-S and Nets-T. I think teachers would benefit from collaboration and discuss the best ways to incorporate these standards into our lessons, as well as creating new ones with the standards in mind. I would like to bring up their importance in a classroom and the impact they will have on both student and teacher. I hope that my future school district will implement these standards so that my colleagues are aware of them, but if not I will now be sure to discuss them with my fellow teachers.

Link to my Google Spreadsheet