Passage to a New Kind of "Spreadsheet"

While searching for uses of spreadsheets in the art classroom I stumbled across

Collaborative Spreadsheet Art

in Google Docs.

I found an article explaining what spreadsheet art is and it was loaded with information, how to instructions and a link to step by step video (attached above). This is not the normal every day use of spreadsheets!

You can check out or bookmark the original article for yourself at:

http://freeware-shareware.suite101.com/article.cfm/collaborative_spreadsheet_art

I was so excited about my discovery that I continued searching for video on the topic and found the following example on YouTube.

I was thinking this would be a great project and so versatile. I could use it to teach Nonobjective Art/Abstract Art (mosaics/stained glass), tile making (working with clay), color theory or even art history (Native American, Aboriginal, African, & Islamic...Impressionist's etc.) .

The Technology Life Preserver: helping make sense of what we are learning

Diagrams, Maps & Webs
I have tried my hand at an Art Concept Map using the free Gliffy online program. I went with the same theme that I used on my slide show in the hopes I may one day be able to use it in my own classroom. I like maps and webs and I think they are a great tool for organizing complex art concepts. I had difficulty selecting the background color on my concept map and I look forward to hearing feedback on it.
http://www.gliffy.com/gliffy/#d=1857166&t=AMurphy_Shape_From__Space_Concept_Map_TPTE_486
Click on the map above to link with more information on the elements of art at http://www.alifetimeofcolor.com/study/g_art_elements.html.

Scavenger Hunt!: for the little buccaneer in us all

• Yesterday, Kyle, Lucy and I went on an art scavenger hunt with a university supplied digital camera. Our assignment was two fold and the first task was to "shoot and share" 12 images from our scavenger list. We did an awesome job! It was nice working together and a welcome change of pace to get out of the classroom and walk around campus.

• The second part of our task was creating an individual slide show out of our images. Unfortunately, when the substitute ran over the Google Presentation portion of lecture I missed it because we were still loading, formatting and sharing our images. Fortunately, I found the application user friendly when I put all of my information into a "Shape, Form and Space" slide show.

• I think my students will like creating their own version as a part of learning about digital photography.

Have a Safe and Restful Fall Break!

http://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dff6mhb_12h24k6tc5&interval=10

Land Ho! Picasa Web Albums

http://picasaweb.google.com/amurph17/Collection?locked=true#

• Digital images are the latest discovery in "Technology Land" and they include: jpgs, pmg, gif and tif files.

• Digital images can come from a digital camera, screen shot, cd collection, web collection or scanner.

Now I have one of each saved in my own Picasa Web Album. Picasa seems like a great place to store images because it's ready and waiting for you whenever you need it and you can access it from any computer. NO CD or jump drive to misplace or forget! I have created 4 albums of my own so far: personal, family, art, and tech class!

Bounty vs. Booty on the High Seas of Technology Land

Copyright law vs. Fair Use law

• Copyright protects use of images.
• Fair Use allows copyrighted materials to be used without permission under certain limits.

How this applies to the teacher:
Using an image, sound clip or video in a “face-to-face” learning situation is fine, but reposting to the Web is illegal without proper permission. The safest way to use materials is to make your own.

However, any images of students or their work should be used only after parents have signed a permission slip and the technology coordinator or administration of the school has approved their use. It is extremely important to remember never to post students' names with photos. The teacher and students use digital images in the classroom and understanding the laws regulating their use is important.

Learing to swim again...

Writing my very own lesson plan for the very first time, feels a little like learning to swim by having someone throw you in.

I am extremely glad we are getting the chance to review our lesson plans with the instructor in Google doc's. I do feel like this assignment mirrors what I will face in the real world of teaching. I am creating my lesson plan by myself and I miss the help I would have received from a peer. But I feel like, so far, I am able to keep my head above water.
My lesson is for a 9-12th grade art class and I found a wonderful set of books called "Art Talk" in the lab. Visiting the art section neatly tucked away in the back room was interesting. Now that I know it is there, I will definitely make use of it in the future!

Message in a Bottle: Called a Google Doc

Google Doc. has taken co-authoring to an incredibly new height. Instead of shuffling e-mail or jump-drive copies from place to place, you simply upload your original document, invite your "co-author" and let the editing and collaborating begin. Not only is this helpful to me as a student, I can't wait to use it myself as a teacher.