Incorporating Technology

As a future art teacher, adding technology into the classroom may be somewhat of a challenge. In the video about Chatham High School, I liked how they were able to have smart boards. I think this is a great product to use when teaching students about art history. You are able to draw on the screen to show specifically what you are talking about. To incorporate this into the classroom, you can even have students come up to point out what they are talking about when referring to part in a piece of art.

Another thing I would like to add to my future classes is similar to what they did in the second video, Integration of 21st Century Skills: Hydrology. Here, the teacher brought the students outside to show them how things work in relation to hydrology. I would like to do something similar, in bringing students outside to show them street art. some may not consider it as art, so showing students this can help them relate it to something they are already familiar with.

Artwork by Banksy

I decided to concentrate on Standard 8.2 Technology Education, Engineering, and Design, Strand E. Communication and Collaboration, for grade 2, CPI# 8.2.2.E.1, students being able to use digital tools to facilitate local and global communication and collaboration in designing products and systems. The CPI states, "Communicate with students in the United States or other countries using digital tools to gather information about a specific topic and share results". This means that students in the second grade should be able to use tools such as computers, digital cameras and other software to be able to communicate with other students about specific topics and share their conclusions.

One way to incorporate this into the classroom is to start a blog or website that can be shared with another school, even if it is in the area or a town over. I think if the schools are nearby, they can see how students can think differently, even if they are in close proximity and now across the United States. A project can be developed, and students would then need to use a digital camera to photograph their work, use soft ware to upload it to the computer and then to the website. Then with the website, images can be shared by both schools to get new information about the project, human beings and society. This can then be discussed on the website, or just in the classroom.

Elmwood Park Public Schools

For this assignment, I decided to look at the website for the public schools in Elmwood Park. I picked this website because I have family attending the district and was curious to see what type of information I could find on the school's site. What I expect to find on the website is the school's schedules, important information regarding registration and permission slips. I would also hope to see more than just the regular, like events happening at the school. Even more specific, like what teachers are doing in the classroom, what they're doing in art class, in Math class.

The website is easy to navigate. There are many links on the left hand side and all the information given in the center. It's easy to find the school schedule and daily and sport events. They have various forms in pdf forms for parents to print and fill out. If you click on each school website, they list all the subjects and the teachers for the department. It was cool to even show different events happening in the middle school, with pictures of the events. I think this helps parents keep up with what their children are participating in, and even help them get involved themselves. One of my favorite things is on the main site, there is a Twitter for the superintendent.

I would like to see more of these events in all the school, including the elementary schools. i think it would be easier for the Elmwood Park district because it is a very small town, with only six public schools total. but overall, for most parents it is more than enough. The most important info being daily events and the school schedule.

Technology Knowledge

I feel like my technology knowledge is pretty good. I know how to use the usual Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel, plus Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. And when I need to install or download something, I barely have issues.

 

An issues I've been thinking about is how to integrate technology into an art classroom. When I think of integration, I think of using technology in art as a medium, meaning using a computer to make the art. I need to remember technology needs to be used as a tool. There's thousands of pictures of art on all museum pages, and I think that is a great way I can incorporate it into the classroom. I hope that I can learn many more ways where technology can help me with art.