A Pecha Kucha and the Challenging Rubric

I think I am finally ready to start recording my presentation. I have storyboards and scripts everywhere, but think I have one ready to use. It is REALLY hard to talk about a slide for only 20 seconds. I am hoping I have managed to cut to "meat" of each slide without losing my audience. Let me know what you think. Is there just too much info jammed into it?

Also, how has everyone been creating theirs. I am going to use iMovie for mine but was curious if anyone went with movie maker? photostory? voicethread? I only ask because I would like to see which program is most convenient. My goal is to show my students this Pecha Kucha next year and have them create their own.

As for the rubrics. I figured this would be a no brainer because I create rubrics just about every week in my classroom and LOVE them. Instead I am finding that it is far more difficult to create a rubric out of my comfort zone. I make art project rubrics, not multimedia ones. It sounds silly but I am really at a loss for what I should be evaluating on. I am really happy that I am having this difficulty because it is forcing me to reflect on my own assessing process. Do I create generic rubrics and not know it? I don't think so but wow...I am having a severe case of "rubric block"!!!!

Week 4

I know I'm a day late! (sorry!!)

I really enjoyed creating the prezi. I have used these before but I haven't really changed too many of my older presentations into prezis. After creating this one I have decided it is time to revamp (zen) some of my older presentations using prezi. Its sooooo simple and fun to present with!

As for the pecha kucha...

Well that's another story. :)

I have my idea and am gathering the images but still feel weird scripting out what to say. I am trying to make it as natural as possible sounding and not write too much. This has been a big challenge for me that I will be ecstatic when it is complete. I decided to make it a bit more informative than fun/ social. I hope to use this in my classroom next year as an example of pecha kucha and give my students more insight on photography styles. Trying to kill two birds with one stone!

Week three

Umm...I feel like I'm talking an art class again! woohoo!!! :)

This class is really fun for me and I love all the art integration. It's awesome to see how the arts are finally being used to promote more whole brain learning in the real world.

Now that that's out of my system...

I am struggling a bit with the homework and forums about changing your presentation style to meet more of the zen principles. What if you feel like you already do this in your presentations? Please don't take this the wring way as I am in no way saying that I an a "zen master", but I do use my art background to enhance my presentations. Now what do I do? Perhaps, I should be thinking about I how I can make the presentations better by expanding on what I already have or simplifying what I already have. Since I don't do slide presentations often I hope to change the few I have to make them even more dynamic. I am also thinking about how I use images in my classroom for discussion or examples--what about doing a pecha kucha? voice thread? the possibilities are endless. Presentations do not have to be powerpoints or smartboards!!

As excited as I am about revamping my current presentations and styles of presenting, I am also a bit concerned. The task seems somewhat daunting. Although change is good and necessary, it can still be uncomfortable and an uphill battle. Don't get me wrong I can't wait to try this ideas out--I just need to focus on taking the time to do it and do it right!

Art and Digital storytelling

I have really thought about this since my last post and have decided to create a few digital stories and/or pecha kuchas for showing demonstrations to my art classes. It might be a great way to increase student working time as well as helpful in classroom management. If I have more freedom to "float" around the room as they are watching the video or presentation I won't have to stop the entire demonstration to address inappropriate behavior. I will also have a copy of "how-to" for any absent students or confused students.

I started my digital storytelling journey on Thursday by video tapping a pottery wheel demonstration. With my schools technology integrator I plan on splicing it or taking still frames and using voice thread or audicity to narrate the steps. Using the digital storytelling format it will shorten the length of the demonstration so it can be viewed during class or after school. I can also post it to our website and have students that were absent view it on their own time.

I when I have it finished I will share it and see what you guys think! :)

Digital Storytelling...WOOHOO!!

I am so excited for this class. I am a freelance photographer and love taking pictures. One of my favorite things to do is to have the pictures narrate or tell a story-without the need for text. Although, I have never put a formal digital story together I can't wait to try.

I really hope to learn how do do this as well as find ways to teach this. I have been itching to have my students create a photostory on their favorite artist or art piece. I have yet to decide what the project would entail but, think after this class I should have a much better idea on how to go about introducing the project. (Photostory is a free microsoft application that allows users to create a presentation from digital photographs and you can narrate the story instead of speaking in front of a group of people.)

I also really like the posterous project. I have been having fun taking pictures without purpose. It has also been fun to see the images my classmates are posting. We are going to get to share our personalities in a new way- visual images!!

Module 5

I am really happy that this course what a part of this program becuase I was able to use so many of these different technology tools and strategies to my lessons since I have already been formally using marzanos learning startegies. I have some many more options for my lessons now and I love having all these different ways of teaching the smae material. It is really important to be able to reach all my students and I have found that by incorportating more technology into my lessons, I have been able to do that more sucessfully.

My biggest struggle with using these new tools and applications is that I have limited access to the computers and cameras needed to complete an entire project. (I have really large classes).

Week 4 strategies

This week I really reflected on the homework and practice chapter because my district has been struggling with this concept for the past couple of years. We can decide on what type(s) of homework can be assigned, how much of it should be given, is it graded and what is the purpose of homework? This chapter did a nice job explaining how homework should be assigned and helpful ways to use technology to do it in a non-specialist classroom.

I personally struggle with what I (as the art teacher) should be assigning to middle schoolers. I do believe that homework should be assigned with a clear goal and should be helping the students understand a goal they have been learning in school. I do not think that teachers should be assigning homework to students that is considered "new" material or "fluffy" material. What is the purpose of the homework then if it is not enriching the student or helping them understand the information better?

So back to the art world. I see great value in having the students practice their art skills such as observational drawing, just like a basketball coach would have their players practice lay-ups. In order for you to become successful and master a skill one needs to practice it. But There are things in art that cannot be taught by a teacher but is practiced by the student. For example, students that are working on drawing based off of a mood or emotion can't have their teacher give them a concrete goal for their drawing. They need to use trail and error until they get it or take a creative risk.

I then start to ask... Can you practice creativity? How does one assign homework on creativity?

I'm at a crossroads with what how homework and practice should be used. Sometimes you can't give the students the goal of the homework because it needs to come from within (self-directed). Hmmm... have I confused you yet!?

Lastly, how do you have students practice a skill with technology when it is a hands on skill they need to learn? I know of applications that will help them with graphic art but what about the basics?

I am just full of questions tonight!! Any advice? ;)