So I made an attempt at trying to search for some different interactive narratives online-but had the hardest time trying to find any :/ As a result I decided to checkout a link that Radha had on her blog. I was interested in the artist who had done the interactive narrative with the drawing of the body that you could click on— http://www.altx.com/thebody/ I thought it was such an interesting idea and a simple idea that we could create ourselves…someday

I played along and clicked on the links reading the stories that came up. The process was intriguing because you never knew where it might take you and to what story might show up on the screen. As I was reading the stories it seemed like I was reading such an intimate selection from her life. I had free rain and could  have access to anything I could find. It was almost as I had found this artists diary in some attic and was able to peruse it at my leisure- flipping from page to page skipping over sections if I please and focusing on others if there was something that caught my eye. It was an enjoyable experience that felt more like discovery then learning. 

I definitely agree with Radha that this is an example of interactive narrative. (Though I know this was discussed in class and we already came to that conclusion ) It is a perfect example where the viewer has the choice to click on what he/she pleases and the end of the “narrative” in a multitude of ways. The story will make sense no matter what order you click on the links of the images. (Though at sometimes it might feel like there is no end and that the story will keep going as you discover a new page full of links) I think that the idea of interactive narratives are a really important idea as a teaching tool in the classroom. I think that they can allow for students to experiment and create their own stories having them think of different outcomes or just the planning that goes along with a story that has no right way of being told. Interactive narratives can allow students who might not take the same path to get to the final answer excel still with in their own discovery of finding or getting to the right answer. No two people will approach a situation, process, story, or idea with the same plan, intention, or idea of how to figure out the outcome. What an important lesson to teach students. This can encourage creative thinking and other ideas and options when brainstorming with in a class.

I was talking to my roommate tonight… and christmas presents came up. Annie was saying she was going to get her nephew a camera. Her response behind it was because his dad is leaving for Iraq and he is planning on documenting the whole year of his life and his new brother or sisters life when he/she is born while his dad is away. I got thinking about this and what a cute idea it was to take photos of what’s going on everyday and record little movies as well for his dad. I got thinking that kids would really like this idea and latch onto it. I defiently think that by doing something like this in the classroom it would translate into a great documentation of the year. 

If students documented their whole years experience say being in 2nd grade where each week there was a different photographer that documented projects, ideas, presentations, visitors etc. at the end of the year the teacher would have a great overview for reference. Also in thinking of the students if they combined all the images into a DVD movie presentation then each student could perhaps have a copy of that school year to remember when they graduate and move on to the next grade. 

Just a random thought of something to do with a digital camera

So since I’ve been in bed sick for a few days- I’ve had a lot of time to think about my project… and to start getting things around for it. I know that I had wrote about starting up a website for my thesis and I still would like to do that but I feel that for right now I don’t have enough information and would need a bigger chunk of time to work on it. (Don’t get me wrong I will do it by the end of the year:D because I am excited about it) 

So my new thought about the project is still involving a website- Its kinda of a reaction from what I have been dealing with where I am working. The teachers there are very traditional teachers and focus a lot of product not process- they only send artwork home that looks good.????? Naturally this erks me a tad because I don’t think that way. The teachers I am working with seem to only use paper pencils sharpies and watercolors- lots of 2-D stuff that is very cookie cutter looking. There are SOOO many restrictions!! 

Needless to say this all brings me to my project. I am so sick of hearing teachers say they don’t have supplies, or any money or resources etc. I also hate how many of the teachers I am working with dont have an open mind towards using materials such as recyclables or freebie thing. Actually what bugs me is they dont understand how something like cardboard boxes and a little bit of paint can be transformed into something great. As a result I want to create a website that showcases my own projects that I have done that use these types of unconventional materials that mind be viewed as messy or unprofessional looking. I want this website to be a place that teachers can go too to get ideas for lessons, to view pictures of final pieces, to get a list of materials they can find for either free or cheap. The website will include reasons of why using materials like recyclables are good in the classroom, about why combining art making and play or role playing can be valuable in the classroom as well. 

I want teachers who are sick of the traditional classroom/art room to come to this website and see that art making can be fun and creative and it doesn’t have to be a strict cookie cutter way of learning. 

I have already started putting some of my ideas together and writing out some layout ideas and information I want to include in the site along with some pictures. I think this will be a fun site that teachers can go to and be inspired to introduce genuine creativity into the classroom in a inexpensive way

Its crazy to start thinking about a final project- I feel like this semester just started. As far as what I am thinking for working on for the final is probably a website. I have wanted to make one for awhile and figure this is a perfect chance to. Ideally I would like to try and focus my website on a larger project that I have in mind- that semi relates to my thesis, but is kind of on the back burner so I can focus on thesis. I would really like to try and create a website that teaches people about women in Africa, and how they are using the arts to make a living. My hope is to create my own program some day, where I will be able to build a school for young women where it focuses on the arts and on business- showing women they can provide for themselves. I am hoping my website will include, my blog I am working on about this topic, along with some organizations that work towards similar goals, I would like to make up a newsletter flyer that can be viewed monthly, and any other vital information such as fundraising ideas, plans for the school, areas that might benefit the most from a program like this etc…. I wouldn’t mind even trying to hook up a podcast to the website- I am defiently willing to experiment with as much as I can on this website- especially trying to add in my own artwork etc instead of using clipart like photos. 

This is such an exciting project to start- does anyone have any good ideas or something to add??

Some of you guys know I’ve been student teaching at the Fillmore Arts Center- neighbor to the g-town campus. I have been working there now for about 4 weeks and tonight I just realized as I was typing another blog for my internship class just how much the teachers there are not using their digital media resources. I am actually quite shocked because after hearing about all of the awesome free stuff that can be utilized online it seems like such a waste. Each teacher has 3 Macs in their classroom, or in the digital media room more obviously but surprisingly I would say most of the teachers don’t have any clue how to use them in some cases perhaps how to even turn them on. How is that possible living in such a digital world where students are completely absorbed in cyberspace that teachers aren’t fearful, or unaware of the possibilities it can offer students. Many of the teachers that are not comfortable with the Macs, are either PC lovers, or of a generation that never grew up with technology as a life style. It makes me wonder if digital media classes for all teachers should or shouldn’t be required? What about each year or twice a year to simply keep up with the growing evolution of programs? Is that to much to ask of schools and of the teachers? Why not offer workshops for teachers with lesson plan ideas of how you can incorporate the computer into the daily classroom activities? Or why not make sure that if a certain computer in this case a Mac is available in the classroom, then each teacher is taught how to use it correctly and efficiently before it is introduced into the classroom? Why isn’t this being done? Is it more of a budget problem? Is it a lack of understanding the importance a tool like this could offer a classroom? A lack of ability in the field? Or simply a disinterest in the subject? 

How can we make digital media interesting and EASY for teachers who have no computer knowledge and a fear of bringing it into the classroom?

After our presentation about dreamweaver I felt both excited and intimidated. I have been dying to learn how to create a website, but I think like Farolyn this stuff goes right over my head so I need to do a little reading or my own research about the program. I decided to check out some sites that had good instructions for using dreamweaver so I can start up a website-but more at my own pace (you new-bees understand ) 

http://webdesign.about.com/od/dreamweaverhowtos/a/dw_tutorials.htm

This seemed like a helpful site…. you can download a free trial of dreamweaver here to test it out first (I know we can use it at school but if you wanted to try it out at home) I also liked the fact that you can scroll down to the bottom of the page and it has specific questions you situations you might encounter that you can click on to learn more about it- nice and simple  

http://www.ncsu.edu/viste/how_to_use_DW/index.html

With this site- I loved how it catered to the visual learner- it has step by step instructions of exactly what Selila showed us last week it seemed- just in case we all didn’t catch it the first time It has what the computer should look like at each step when using dreamweaver and has it is writing as well in a separate column. Not to mention a handy vocabulary list. 

Now I know that these sites cant tell you everything but I see them as a good simple start for myself and anyone else that is feeling semi- overwhelmed but determined to make a website.

What is the Internet?

The Internet is a worldwide collection of networked computers, which are able to exchange information with one another very quickly. 

The computers that make up the Internet exchange information using the same cables and general technology that your home phone uses- infrastructure

It is used the most for:

1. Sharing and exchanging information

2. Personal communication

3. E-commerce (selling things online)

Most people use the Internet in two ways, e-mail and the World Wide Web.

1. The World Wide Web is the name given to the entire part of the Internet you can access with your web browser software (explorer) WWW- consists of millions of web pages to access

2. Email- electronic mail, most popular feature of the Internet, now there is live communication as well

 

Background info on the Internet….

http://www.walthowe.com/navnet/history.html

Ideas for the Internet started forming around the 60’s and the first person to use it was a student at UCLA in 69’

The Internet was originally developed by university researchers and was funded by the United States Defense Department.  The Defense Department wanted its computer network to be able to communicate effectively.

 

Some common ways of connecting to the Internet include:

Internet service provider (ISP) by modem

Internet ready cable

Digital subscriber line (DSL)

Simply turning on your computer which is on a network at work or school connected to the Internet- wireless

 

How can we use the Internet as teachers? What tools should we be aware of?

Theme that the Internet makes up is communication… more access to the rest of the world.

These are tools that most teachers would use in their day to day life but haven’t thought of bringing them into the classroom…

1. Live web cams

2. Email

3. World Wide Web

 

 

Ways to integrate these tools into the classroom…

 

         Live Web cams-

                  Classroom teachers can introduce live web cams to students if field trips aren’t easily do able- Students can track daily activities of animals, such as on the National Zoo website, or be able to experience another country or region through web cams. Interacting with teachers and students live from other schools as well could be an option – a language class- teacher in France teaches French to a group of students in the US vice versa. Teachers can use it for conferences with other teachers as well as using web cams as a tool to do cooperative projects with other kids in other classrooms.

 

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/WebCams/

http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=234

http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/timessquare/

http://www.paris-live.com/

http://www.instacam.com/search.asp?searchbox=co&searchtype=state

http://www.aad.gov.au/Asset/webcams/mawson/default.asp

http://www.ostamyy.com/webcams-Antarctica.htm

http://www.phrasebase.com/english/classroom/

 

Article about using webcams in the classroom…

http://schools.becta.org.uk/index.php?section=lv&catcode=ss_lv_com_02&rid=551

 

 

         Email-

                  Pen pals seems to be a given here. With email, letters can get sent much easier and quicker compared to snail mail- pictures can easily be attached as well, making sharing information more accessible to people over seas and on the other side of the world. Teachers also can have more connections to other teachers not just in their area- but all over the world.

 

http://www.epals.com/

http://det.wa.edu.au/education/cmis/eval/curriculum/ict/email/

http://www.hardin.k12.ky.us/res_techn/TEC/integrate/emailnclass.htm

http://www.edusolution.com/classmanagement/email.htm

 

 

         World Wide Web-

                  The first thing that comes to mind is using the web for research in the classroom. The web also can provide students with an ability to have more freedom in their learning- causing many teachers to change teaching styles that drift towards a more student centered approach of teaching. The web also appeals to students- they prefer to learn this way they are use to it and it is part of their daily life, not to mention it is fun. Students can access information on just about anything, saving time and they can also publish their own work online receiving feedback from not other their teacher but other viewers as well.

 

There are a number of reasons why a teacher might choose to use Web-Based Instruction, including:

1. Enhancing student learning;

2. Spending more time with students working in small groups or one-on-one

3. Reducing repetitive teaching tasks;

4. Reducing paper flow and management

 

5. Providing improved instructional materials.

                 

http://www.studysphere.com/Site/Sphere_6401.html

 

Articles:

http://www.firstmonday.org/Issues/issue5_3/mathew/index.html

http://maxweber.hunter.cuny.edu/~mkuechle/kuechler-sscore-pre.PDF

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCR/is_/ai_69750213

 

http://www.edu.yorku.ca/~rowston/article.html

 

Can the web promote improved learning in the classroom?

                 

         

         The whole idea of open source software is such a new idea for me- I had no idea that things like this existed just because I am not familiar with computer programs etc…. I think the idea of having open source software available to use is awesome, especially for teachers. With teachers turning towards a more technology based classroom- it seems like a logical idea to use open source software considering most schools have such a tight budget. This is a great alternative. Not to mention students have the chance to offer input on sites such as wikipedia- or their own wiki sites combining information together, and scanning to see if others have left points out- this is a good exercise for students.

         As I was searching for different programs that were free I noticed there was such a huge variety to choose from especially art-based programs. What a great alternative if students could spend time in the computer lab and work on programs such as illustrator, or make animated movies etc.- especially if budgets were lacking and art supplies were sparse. I think teachers are always thinking of a cheaper solution that is just as effective when teaching.

 

http://www.getmiro.com/ – Internet TV and video player

 

http://www.osalt.com/photoshop – List of open source software that is similar to Photoshop, illustrator, and has a ton of other options as well

 

http://connect.educause.edu/Library/EDUCAUSE+Quarterly/OpenSourceSoftwareinEduca/46592?time=1223854366 – Interesting article about open software in the classroom and its history etc.

 

http://www.hssd.k12.wi.us/bayport/staff/LMC_root/foss.htm – Someone has already gathered together a list of open source software that is good to use in k-12 classrooms J

 

http://www.networkworld.com/weblogs/smb/2006/012953.html

-Article about how schools save $$ on open source software

 

 

 

 

So I have to say I’ve been kind of putting this assignment of- I was thinking why would I really be interested in someone else’s blog I don’t know it just didn’t seem to appeal to me at the moment. Needless to say I changed my mind once I started checking some out. I can see it really being an interesting informal resource tool especially since some of the blogs I came across were just loaded with really great ideas, pictures and “stuff” to use in the classroom. Not to mention it is an awesome tool to just see what other teachers are doing in their classrooms and how they are run and the type of environment that is created- pretty cool stuff I have to admit its like visiting a bunch of schools and peeking into the door windows- I know we all are curious about what goes on behind closed doors at a school. 

Ok so I found this one site and it had a whole list of teacher blogs, artist blogs, and every other type of art related blog you could think of I thought it was pretty helpful here it is.. so check it out guys.

http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/links/blogs.html 

The blogs that I checked out were all from here the first one that I found was..

http://agoodthingintheartroom.blogspot.com/

I really just liked the idea of this whole blog the teacher posts something different everyday about the art room- something good that happened. I thought that was just a great way to document student learning, what worked that day in the lesson, surprises that come with lessons, and students imaginations. I don’t know how helpful this would be as a resource for other teachers but the idea that they could keep up with this blog for fun, and begin to think of little important things that happen in their own classrooms I think is at least a good idea. I feel like a lot of teachers could feel defeated after teaching all day, or that their lessons weren’t successful but by forcing themselves to find one thing even if its small that was successful then I could see it giving them a boost of confidence…. P.S. I love the simplicity of this blog as well there’s not a million confusing links and other things to make your brain go hay-wire. I love simplicity when it comes to computers because I feel successful!!!

Ok second blog that I found was this one…

http://jhh.blogs.com/anthos/

I opened this link and I loved how colorful it was, it seemed semi simple, and it had awesome pictures so thats 3 plus’ on my list. After going through it, it seems like the teacher doesn’t post to often but the fact that when she does she includes great pictures of all the work the students do, or of them with the work, just gives you a great feel. This site seems to be about interesting art events that are happening at the school, visiting artists, great projects the kids have done etc. What a great idea for schools to have- parents could easily check out news and such when they are at work. Its like an online newsletter. 

Blog #3 that I found was http://elementaryart.wordpress.com/more-photos/

So this teacher seems so organized and seems to include all aspects of art education in here blog from lessons to blogs on why the arts are important. I thought it was cool that she had a link to her own blog with her work displayed on it- she’s a fiber artist. This blog seemed to be a great place that really documented the whole school year for these students, in 3 or 4 years I can see this being helpful to go back and see what worked and didn’t work with a lesson, how the politics of the arts have changed, and how classroom lessons and ideas have evolved. Such a great journaling device. Not to mention I loved on the right hand side of her blog that she had a list of resources to check out. 

Though neither of these blogs included students- most were for elementary ages though I think it would be interesting to see if blogs took off with this age group, I think that all three were successful tools in promoting the arts in schools, keeping parents informed, and really allowing teachers themselves to reflect on the classroom and what happened each day. I think that these are really important skills that help develop the art rooms in schools. Awareness about the arts I feel is so important- showing what they can do and their impact on students, getting people interested and excited about them as well. Many parents seem to simply for get about the art room on parent teacher conference nights and just focus on the classroom teacher, and I see these blogs as a way to promote the learning that takes place there. 

I have to say even though I know I have openly stated how much I dislike the new digital era…. I have to admit as I am approaching hour 2 driving lost in the car with the G-parents, I am really wishing we were tech savvy and had a stinking GPS system about now!!

In my opinion the tern digital media means anything that is technologically complicated and that I would need more then likely assistance figuring out. Lets say in someone who is tech savvy’s opinion the term refers to a way of life- How could the world exist without the internet, computers, video games, cell phones, e-books, surfing the web, GPS systems, I-pods, Photoshop, blogs….. the list keeps going. The more formal definition of digital media of course found on the Internet is….
(1) Any storage device that holds digital data, including hard and optical discs and USB drives.
(2) Any form of information stored in the computer, including data, voice and video. See digital media hub, digital media server, media and multimedia.
(3) Online news, which includes TV network and trade press Web sites, as well as blogs. (PCMAG.com)

Since we are living in a digital media society, it only makes sense to introduce the growing technology into the classroom. The students are only going to be introduced to more of these digital changes as they grow up, so I feel like it is important to stress how valuable these tools are for students. Growing up in a digital world opens so many more doors to research and knowledge. Communication is open between students from all over the world when they are signed on to the Internet opening connections between people of different cultures. I can see using digital media in art classes as a way to communicate an idea, feeling, or thought in different ways allowing for multiple ways of interpreting something. Digital media also offers a lot of flexibility and many options for “fixing” mistakes or changes with a click of a mouse, this allows for a lot of experimentation to take place when creating. Much of the new upcoming art has switched over to digital art instead of the more traditional paintings and drawings that have been seen. Now animation movies exist along with digital painting on altering with programs such as Photoshop and illustrator are becoming more popular. Instead of sticking with simply one or two mediums students can use many skills now such as painting, or photography then uploading it into a computer changing that image making a movie with it and recording a sound bite to go along with it, to get the same idea across as a single painting. Digital media allows for more versatility.

I really hope to in this class become more confident in using technology. I would love to be able to learn how to create a website, along with using the new versions of Photoshop and Illustrator. I am the type of person that strictly uses the computer for email and typing papers. I only recently starting using the Internet as a source of knowledge looking for information on topics I am personally interested in, not just for research on school related things. I know that’s lame but so true. I’ve become very addicted at learning about diseases and illnesses with all the information that is at hand by just typing in what I want to know. I also would like to become more familiar with making movies, I’ve only had one experience with creating one.

This summer I had a chance at making a movie for my kids at camp- if it even classifies as a movie because it was so primitive. Anyways we filmed the kids making commercials about a product that they made out of recyclables and then put them all together for a series of infomercials that could be presented at the Olympics ( We later learned the kids really thought they would appear on TV ☺ ) Anyways my movie was made in i-movie and included no editing. I did manage to add some sound to the beginning and got that to fade out when the kids started talking and I think I added one effect for the beginning opening credits but that was it. The kids this summer loved seeing the movie I just wish that I knew more so that I could teach them.