Tool #6

(Interesting to note.... I just went to check my email and the email's I sent from my googledocs Tool #4 exercise were in my junk mail. Not sure why, there isn't another way for me to send the email, it's just a box to click on the doc...) ANYWAY.....

Tool #6 discusses using the tools in the class for instant feedback. I think blogs are a great way for feedback to parents as well as students to see what they are being required to do and what projects SHOULD look like when completed.

The wallwisher program, and others like it, allow for the instant feedback in the class. I do not think these types of things will work well in a classroom if they are only periodically used. I think if there were a way to post them where kids could see the results quickly and easily all the time make the best impression and they will become more and more familiar with using them!

For your Tool #6 Post:

1. Choose at least two of the tools from the above list. Create an account for each (if required) .

I have created a blog for my classroom using Blogspot/Bloggger.

I created a wallwisher board for use with the blog.

2. Use each of the tools you choose to create a sample of how you would use it in your classroom.

3. Embed the sample (preferred) or link to the URL.  

http://mrswaltonsartroom.blogspot.com/ and http://wallwisher.com/wall/mrswaltonsartroom

4. Share your thoughts on how you see the tools being integrated into your classroom. How do you see them encouraging participation?

I like the idea of a classroom blog. I have always liked it so that I could document the processes and procedures as well as projects in my classroom. I'd like to have expectations set up so that others can see how I run my class, etc.

Wallwisher seems fun and requires short answers, not long drawn out ones. I think the kids would like this opportunity.

Tool #5

THIS tool, I can do!  And do, do!

Assignment:

1. Use at least two of the tools above to create products. Think about your content. Create a “set” for one of your lessons! Or, consider providing the site as a choice for your students to create products. Make a model for a student created product.

The students will work using famous art quotes to create a storyboard set up using appropriate images that fit the characteristics of the quote.

http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/Comix/

Art Inspired Storybird is a cute link, but not what we would actually be encouraged to use an an art teacher. It's really cool to see the artist drawn images and be able to storyboard and write the story, but not as a class assignment. Cute site though.

Animoto is one that I use as an art teacher all the time to document the work of my students, student events, etc.... I absolutely love that you drag and drop the images and it puts the photos moving on beat with the music.

http://cms.springbranchisd.com/inthenews/Home/tabid/26095/post/building-sandcastles/Default.aspx is our news article which contains the most recent animoto from students creating sandcastles at Galveston, complements of the SBEF $5000 grant!

2. Then, embed both products in your blog or link to the products from your blog. **See Above

3.  Describe for your readers how you think each tool can be incorporated into your classroom - how you could see the tool being used by you instructionally and your students to demonstrate their understanding of a concept or topic in your classroom.

I love using animotos to set the "set" or "hook" of a lesson, or to show off an artist. The kids really are glued to the images that move quickly across the screen.

Tool #4

Okay, let me first say, I do not like Google Docs.  At all.  They make me crazy.  I think it's like Mac people not liking PC platform based things and vice versa.  It just frustrates me.  Kinda like eating peas.  I'll eat them to set a good example (okay, maybe not....), but I don't have to like them!

So, with that said.... I've done it, I've accomplished what was set out for us to do...on to Tool #4.

Tool 4 says:

For your Tool #4 post in your blog:
1. Create at least one document in Google Docs and share it with a few others on your campus or within your department. It could a team member, a department colleague, or another teacher with whom you plan a collaboration. Ask that person to comment or chat and real-time edit the document with you.  Done! Created a mini list of things I have to remember as an art teacher by month. I sent it to Mrs. Johnson, Ms. Reap, Ms. Ricco, and Mrs. Ache to comment on.
2. Create one form in Google Docs and send it via email to at least two other people and ask them to respond. Done! I created a budget spreadsheet that would give access to myself and the other art teacher so that we can see the "checkbook", giving Val and Dee access to view.
3. Briefly discuss how you can use the tools in Google Apps with your team or department. How can you incorporate Google Apps as a tool in your classroom? Which tools are you excited about using with students? I think I can try to figure out how to get the list of vendors together for the art fundraiser, etc... I would think that you could make an exam on Google forms if you have a way that all students could access it and answer the questions.

Tool #3

Tool #3 deals with video sharing and watching.  Paying attention to fair use and public domain, etc... it is sometimes hard to find what is "legally" okay to show to students in order not to really mess up or set a "non-good example" for the students.  The answers to my Tool #3 assignment are in red.

For your Tool #3 Assignment:

1. Visit several of the video hosting/streaming sites mentioned above. Share with your readers which sites you found most useful for your content and why.  I think that teacher tube was interesting because they are all produced by educators (or their students) so the subject matter seems to be all school appropriate, content wise.  I had not used teacher tube before, so it was nice to poke around on that site.
2. Using any of the video resources mentioned above, find and select twovideos that may be useful resources in your classroom. Video on how to embed directly into blog post below.
    
   
   If they do not have embed capabilities, hot link them to your blog.    **See Below 
3. Articulate what you learned about copyright and fair use. What was new to you?   I really liked the Harry Potter Can Fly idea with "Homegrown, Public Domain, Creative Commons, Fair Use".  It helps to understand slightly better.  I like that it suggested that you make your own ideas and videos, etc... Creative Commons available to others.
4. Create a Dropbox account and add some files to it  How could you use this tool in your classroom?  I recently created a drop box and it was instantly filled.  I think it would be good to actually use this type of thing between teachers, even in different districts in order to share resources (example:  Loren and I have created a sketchbook full of warm ups that we use wiht our students on a daily basis.  While he was in the district, we had a shared file.  Now that he has left, the drop box would be handy to continue this collaboration and creation between the two of us so that eventually, we can publish our masterpiece!)

This is a video on Tessellations.  Although, it's on a geometry site, it shows that art and math can go hand in hand.  Enjoy a video on tessellations using one of my favorite artists, M.C. Escher.

Wanna paint like Pollock?!  HEre is a good abstract expressionism painting video showing students and teachers creating masterpieces as group paintings.

Tool #2

I'm getting the hang of blogging.  :)

I am working on a book for my kids with the things that we have done over the summer, and I was told that if I did a blog, and included photos, I could eventually print it into a book with a different program. I am excited about that.  I do not necessarily want people commenting on the blog, I would prefer to use this particular thing as more of a diary of sorts.

My "other blog" is www.whatsforsummer.blogspot.com  .  So you can see, I am actually "practicing!"

Building Community in the Online Environment is Tool #2 in this journey to achieve all 11.  So here is my attempt at Tool #2.

It says 

"For your Tool #2 Post in YOUR blog:

1. Visit at least 5 blogs - choose a few from the list below and a few from your campus wiki (on the right sidebar) and comment to one of the posts. To comment on a blog post, typically search at the bottom of the post for the comments link. Then, you will type your comment using your Google Apps account identity. Or, Visit 3 blogs and expand your PLN differently by signing up for a Diigo account or Google Reader and following the bookmarks/websites of 2 other Diigo members or websites.

http://artteachershateglitter.blogspot.com/ is a hilarious account of an art teacher who is pushed around to various schools and doesn't teach art lessons, but rather "art life lessons". The quote that brought me to her blog was ""I always loved art teachers because they were so bizarre. They were like the homeless people of the faculty -- all disheveled, wearing smocks, covered in paint, always digging through the garbage, looking for bottles and egg cartons and things." -Ted Alexandro"

2.  After completing the above, share you thoughts about building and participating in an online community and participating in a PLN. What points stood out to you from the commenting advice? Were you able to apply any of the advice in your comments? How did you feel about sharing your thoughts publicly? Was it different than when you're sharing your successes/challenges with your teammate?

Sharing my thoughts publically on a blog bothers me because I feel like I will lose the blog or not go back to it to know if someone has responded. I am all for discussion and talking with those, even those you don't know, about social and educational content online. It's different from sharing with my teammates because there is more of a "discussion" when it's one on one and you can judge what someone is saying because you know them, rather than assuming what they are saying or inflection in their voice.

1. Share the url or name of a blog or social network that you plan to visit in the future. What does that site have to offer?"

I plan to attempt to visit this blog more often. http://theteachingpalette.com/category/blog/ it has many various art tips, ideas, classroom management ideas, etc.