As we discovered in class this week there are many ways that mobile devices can be used as productive and useful tools within a classroom setting. We have been prompted to identify at least three ways that the cell phones could be used within our classroom and two of them need to be specific to our subject areas. Due to my wanting to apply all three examples to my area of interest, all three of them have to do with the use of mobil devices within the areas of an art/ art history classroom (secondary education).

Things that would be really cool to do...divide the kids into groups making sure that at least one of the kids has a cell phone...

1. Make them take 3 different pictures both outside/inside that challenge the idea of "what art is". This is in correspondence to a unit on contemporary art and how artists continue to challenge the notion about what art is and how/if it functions.

2. Another way is to make them take a picture of one object of the groups choice and all have them draw or paint their own representation of that one item. It will display the individual creativity of each member of the group as well as be an example as how each artist has made their own representation of the same objects and places but each is unique. Such as the differences between the trees of Van Gogh compared to the trees of another artist.

3. It can be used as a museum scavenger hunt where I could text them a prompt such as "find me a painting that falls into the realm of realism or challenges the notion of identity or patriotism".

peace out

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social networks

Web based social networks such as Myspace and Facebook are free networks that are utilized to connect people to their communities whether it be a narrow or broad connection. An example of a narrow connection would be communication between classmates and family members, and a larger being a specific region or even country. The methods of communication are vast and virtually endless. Furthermore, the uses of such free web based communities as a tool for the classroom are just as valuable and endless.

Facebook can be utilized by adding certain applications that can enhance a students understanding of a subject, help them practice math facts, or even test their general knowledge in an area by having a test specifically made by the teacher.

One of my favorite applications on Facebook is the book shelf, which displays the books a person has read and even allows them to write their own reviews, share them and discuss with others who have also read that book. I feel this would be a great tool to utilize in the classroom. After a student has finished a book they would have a great time blogging about it on their book shelf application. Then students can go to each others pages and read about what the book was about and leave positive info about the blog. It could even be a graded assignment, instead of a teacher having to grade a paper, she/he could read the students review and even give a grade and feedback. I think it would be a fun and easy way to incorporate books/ technology/ writing skills and critical thinking.

sarahC

Other uses for powerpoint

As an ART History/ Art teacher I would use power point as...

A tool for students to be able to display their work at the end of the school year to the class. All art would be scanned or photographed and the students could have time at the end of the year to present their portfolio, in a fun and dynamic way as they discuss their techniques and inspirations through each individual piece.

Another way I would use it is just a looped slide show of various artworks (accompanied by music) playing as the students came into class. The world of art is way too vast to be able to cover even a great percentage of it within a given year, especially works done by non-western cultures. I would have a power point playing that focused on such non-western works. By having the inclusion of artworks being displayed on a powerpoint as a transition tool, the students would be able to glance over various other works produced throughout the world. Not only would it help their minds transition into the art setting, it would also help them to think critically about the ideas of art made around the world and how it is different from the ideas of western art.

sarahcoker

Valuable Tools for the Classroom

The various Civil Rights Acts that have been passed within the recent history of this country have all been to help guarantee equal rights to certain minorities and groups of people that had been previously overlooked or misrepresented. Such laws as ADA, IDEA and The Assistive Technology Act have helped to ensure that equal educational opportunities are available to the disabled children within the public school systems. With the arrival of the technological age of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, many new technological advances have been made to aid people with disabilities, allowing for them to have even better chances at educational success within the schools. Although all of the new tools are incredible resources there are some that are significantly important and realistically attainable when considering a school’s budget. For the visually impaired there are screen readers, a tool that reads out the text to the student. There are magnifiers and Braille displays or embossers. For the hearing impaired there are voice recognition soft wares available and even animated signing characters, which uses animated avatars to act out the words in sign language to students who may be completely without hearing. For mobility impairments there are onscreen keyboards and alternate keyboards that can be connected to the computers that can aid in any individual that has limited use of their hands or fingers. For learning and language disabilities there are screen readers, speech synthesizers and even word prediction programs. All these programs seem incredibly significant due to their seemingly easy attainability and incorporation within a classroom setting. It would not take a great deal of effort or stress in order to include any of these programs or devices into the classroom, yet would ensure that any child that had any one of these disabilities would have the right tools to help them succeed educationally.

Sarah Coker

Importance of Inclusion

One thing that is distinctly unique about America is the idea of the “American Dream” and one of the main factors incorporated into this equation of the American Dream is the right and freedom of all Americans to equal and fair education. Yet, this American dream of equal public education has not always been fairly offered to all of America’s citizens, and has only gradually been changing over the past sixty years or so. With such constitutionally passed laws as The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1975 (IDEA), The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1989 (ADA), and The Assistive Technology Act of 1998, this country is ensuring that all people, no matter their physical and/or mental conditions, are given equal access to public education. Inclusion of special needs students within public room classrooms is of vital importance. Special needs kids are entitled to the same educational influences as the rest of Americas’ citizens; it is their right as humans to have the opportunities and benefits the public institutions of education have to offer. Furthermore, the “culture” of the class will benefit by embracing the ideals of equality and freedom of all the individuals. It will help remove psychological borders that many non-handicapped kids may have been instilled with. By having such an integrated classroom all the students will be encouraged to accept individuals no matter their conditions, and truly participate in the diversity this country has to offer. Often non-handicapped children are taught that they are inherently superior than those born with disabilities. Having equal inclusion would help to dissolve such flawed ideologies. By having such equal inclusion, students will be encouraged to adopt more fair and equal ideals within their own lives, and realize that all people are entitled to the same opportunities no matter their physical or mental condition.

Sarah Coker

homage

check. check....edtech202

...and welcome and all that good stuff. I have no idea what else to say on this first go round...

oh except this...Everybody and their moms should go see the John Taylor Exhibit at the BAM!!! Also, the artist himself will be at the BAM on thursday Febuary 7th at 5:30 for a discussion of his works!

Its free for all students with ID cards and its completely worth it. Trust me!

http://boiseartmuseum.org/

diggity-bop,

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