Mind Boggling Technology

Enrolled in a school district that had a Smart Board in every classroom, I would say that I had a decent exposure to the direction that technological advancement is taking the present and future education. However, it never ceases to amaze me when I learn about the latest creations, programs, and devices that are constantly coming out. Just today I watched some presentations on a new Multi-touch Smart Board, an interactive touchscreen table, and a program that can create 3D images using an Ipad Touch by just pointing the camera at a 2D piece of paper. It is so neat thinking about the potential of these technologies in the classroom.

I believe that any class and grade could greatly benefit from each of these new tools. Coming from a creative and interactive incentive, I could see using the Multi-touch Smart Board and touchscreen table to encourage collaboration of students on projects, research, review or skill practice. The great thing about collaboration is that students learn to work together to create fantastic results in efficient ways. Think about all of the expressive writing, graphic, and art projects students could work together on!

There is something about touch screens that connect you with what you are doing more so than a mouse. I think that graphic design classes would love working on the touchscreen table. To have everything visibly laid out in front of you makes projects more efficiently completed. Art History courses could have multiple resources, images, and projects open to refer to. It's like a desk with the resources of the internet literally at your fingertips. Its creative, interactive, advancing and really exciting. How cool!

Role of Technology

The art programs in schools are perfect places to implement new thinking, different forms of education, and creative presentation. The advancement of technology is offering countless of tools that we can all learn to use to better the learning environments for students. Students should have access to this advancement and the plethora of possibilities for it to benefit their education. It is just one more way students can express themselves as well as the subjects they deem important.

In the environment I choose to create I will employ technology tools that will open doors of opportunity for students. For example, tools such as Skype, Ustream, and Youtube can easily provide resources for students that would otherwise be unavailable. Devices that allow students to receive live stream or video chat can connect them to authors, artists, researchers and others who might not be able to come directly to the classroom and speak.

A second way I would like to bring technology into my classroom would be for students to have the opportunity to react with one another through collaboration projects, presentations, and digital portfolios. Programs such as Google Docs, Voice Thread, and Prezi can really enhance students presentations back to one another or the class as a whole. These outlets of information are different, allow for creativity, and advancement in student's skills.

As an educator I vow to always be open to creativity and new forms of expression. This goes for technology as well. Technology is such a large part of both the present and the future. Students will and do benefit from the implementation of it in classrooms. I will use new programs responsibly to create successful presentations, interact with students, express information or important points, and model the power of technology as a tool.

Future Goals

"I am all about experiential lifestyles inside and out of the classroom. Providing a positive opportunity for those around me, whether it is through my social life, work, or teaching studies, is what I strive to do every single day."

This statement is the result of hours of reflection of the priorities I value in my life. I am a person who enjoys and thrives on the presence and impact of others. I keep this idea of opportunity close to heart when I think about my future aspirations.

I strongly believe in the power of well thought out goals and working to make the process of achieving them an everyday habit.When it comes to my ideas regarding my future in education I think my most important priority is providing opportunities for students to discover their passions. I am choosing to pursue a degree in Art Education. This is definitely forward movement towards helping others have opportunities to pursue the things that matter most to them. This life is so enjoyable when we simplify to the things that make us happiest. Why shouldn't those same subjects be the ones we study and eventually work for every single day? I hope to teach in environments where that is a priority as well. Schools which special focuses, such as outdoor recreation, leadership, or semester programs are of great interest to me. I had an opportunity to visit a school like this out of Cascade, Idaho called Alzar School. This visit greatly interested me and opened my eyes to the possible avenues for the future. Not only to work at a school like this, but to implement this type of atmosphere into my classroom where ever it is that I find myself teaching.

I do love school. It is all I really know and can imagine myself doing. I would love to continue my education as far as I am able. Whether this is to come in the form of graduate school or some other option, I am not entirely sure as of now. I will remain open to opportunity as it presents itself.

Personally, I am striving to always create memory and experience for myself as well as others. I like to commit to mental and physical challenges that will test the person I choose to be. One important aspect of my life is the power of image and how we look at ourselves in the context of the present. I am currently striving to value the importance of acceptance of this power.

Goals are what excite us and motivate us to move forward. Looking at possibility is one of my favorite things and as you accomplish more and more, the aspirations become less daunting. I value the idea that I can give this to another individual through teachable moments. This simple concept is very satisfying and exciting in my mind.

Super Cool on Youtube

Smartboard

Today in class a group of us got a little exposure to the notebook program on the smartboard. This tool and technology can creatively benefit a classroom in so many ways. I went to a high school that had a smartboard in every single classroom. I have had the privilege to be on the student side of many lessons using this technology. I do believe that the smartboard opens up doors to interaction and student involvement. It is a new and different way to present information that students are attracted to. Teachers can seriously use this to their advantage in creating an environment that benefits students.

Netiquette

"Students need guidelines to assist them in learning to use online resources appropriately. For this assignment, you will create a list of grade-appropriate classroom rules to guide student use of the Internet, email, technology tools, mobile devices, and any additional grade-appropriate resources you might want to use with your students."

 Netiquette Presentation

 This presentation is a collaboration of  classroom rules to guide student use of the Internet, email, technology tools, mobile devices, etc. This presentation was created using Google Presentation and includes speaker notes on every slide for easy reference. This artifact is an example that advocates, models, and teaches safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources.

Jigsaw

"The Jigsaw method is a cooperative learning technique in which students work in small groups. Jigsaw can  be used in a variety of ways for a variety of goals, but it is primarily used for the acquisition and presentation of new material, review, or informed debate. In this method, each group member is assigned to become an "expert" on some aspect of a unit of study. After reading about their area of expertise, the experts from different groups meet to discuss their topic, and then return to their groups and take turns teaching their topics to their group mates."

Jigsaw Method

Collaboration is a huge part of what education can offer today. The jigsaw method that is previously described is one way that teachers can create an environment where students work together to achieve a collaborated result. When working towards a common goal, I feel as if the effort put forth by students is greater. It is like a team working together to be as successful as they possibly can.

If you had five computers in your classroom you could divide students into jigsaw groups of five people and have students from separate groups create their "expert group" to work together researching their specific topics on the five computers. Once students complete research they can regroup with the jigsaw folks and present information they found. This contributes to several motives of collaboration for students.

Benefits of this method include group work, interaction, communication and respect for peers. This is a drawn out process that students could get worn out on if repeated multiple times. I do like this method as a strategy to mix up the structure of a classroom.

Realm of Creativity or Succubus of Dread

What you are about to read is a reflection on goal setting. I believe strongly in this subject and it is something I think about everyday. I currently work for a student development program called the Outdoor Program here at Boise State University. We focusing on personal leadership development, experiential learning, goal setting, and feedback to improve the people we are and all that we can contribute to this lifetime. I am all about creating SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely) and supporting others in their endeavors as well.
So, it was totally awesome to read about this content from a teacher's point of view. The information I have been trained to embrace is truly something I can use in all aspects of my life, education included. I loved the importance of creativity that Chris spoke about in his book. Creating that vision and then running with it to see it become a way of life is something I really look forward to in my teaching adventures.

Reflections of Assistive Technologies

Josh's Story

Observing Josh and learning about his habits coming into preschool showed the importance of having an open mind to unique situations with students and to be willing to think outside of the box for assistive technologies that can assist them in their education as well as everyday life. Josh had a teacher who was patient and dedicated to his education and improvement. She observed Josh's tendencies and saw his love for books. She adapted to using a AT called the "Book Worm" which allowed for a recording device to be coordinated with certain pages in any given book.

Josh utilized this tool to bridge the gap from his nonverbal state, to one where he would follow along with his teacher's recorded voice. It was amazing to see the excitement he showed when the book could be read out loud. He controlled when the recording started for each page. I believe that this probably gave him a sense of independence when using the device. When feeling independent, I think it is possible for tools like the book worm to phase out while the student becomes more advanced.

It goes to show what powerful tools assistive technologies can be when paired with teachers and people who care to take the time to make them work for the the student they involve. These positive experiences of students doing what they love lead to better life opportunities and inspiration to use their gained knowledge.

Virtual School Symposium

Today class took place virtually through a UStream video put together by Chris Haskell. He was attending a national conference in New Orleans and UStream made it possible for us as students to be connected to him, see what he is experiencing, and for him to present to us in a nontraditional way. I thought it was so effective and neat. These current technology tools continue to just blow my mind about the possibilities for schools now as well as in the future. Teachers can go places that may benefit them in several ways as well as provide a resource and teachable moment for their students at the same time.

The subject of today's discussion was professional conferences and the benefits there of. I strongly believe in observation, learning from those around you, and sharing ideas that you may have of your own. Collaboration leads to a unique type of success; where we all take a little and give a little to create a world that suits us. Attending any sort of conference sets the stage for this to happen.

As teachers, it is good to switch up roles and become an active learner and listener. This type of observation allows you to take in information and apply it to your own classroom situations. Professional conferences provide for peers and resources that you can approach to further your knowledge and creativity.

An example of a conference that I would like to attend would be National Art Education Association Convention to be held in Fort Worth, Texas. The NAEA National Convention is an annual conference providing substantive professional development services that include the advancement of knowledge in all sessions, events, and activities for the purpose of improving visual arts instruction in American schools. As such, it is the world's largest art education convention.

The four-day convention includes over 1,000 participatory workshops, panels, seminars for job-alike groups . . . research reports, discussions, exhibits, and tours . . . keynote addresses by  world-acclaimed educators, artists, researchers, and scholars . . . with the opportunity to connect with your colleagues from all over the  world. Each year some 140-200 exhibitor booths displaying the latest art  textbooks, high-tech software, prints, slides, curriculum materials, equipment, and programs, as well as the latest studio and art history media are made available for examination and review to art educator delegates.

Blow up the gradebook?

Blow up the gradebook?

The concept that schools are changing faster than they ever have, that schools will change more in the next ten years than they have in the last one hundred, is an overwhelming and exciting idea that should be seen as an opportunity to create a better environment for students to achieve what they wish.

One of my most prominent visions is to help others discover their own passions and then to give them the resources they need to pursue those passions. In a school that gives students free rein to create the education that inspires them this suddenly comes more than possible.When students are excited about what they are learning, it makes for a better experience.

Imagine students who can efficiently move through school learning about the things that matter to them. An environment like that would  allow for students to be inspired to develop further than a traditional style classroom ever would. Without quizzes, due dates, and redundant homework, school suddenly becomes an exciting place for students that sets them up for their own idea of success. Personal success leads to more drive in personal passions. I believe that this will develop a society that is incredibly capable, able to move forward, and who are aware of resources and pursing goals. 

New Kind of Student

After reading a bit of text out of Haskell's book Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse or Your First Year of Teaching a theme that really stood out to me was that students are ever changing as time progresses. My generation of students are different then any prior and will be evolving to expect more and more out of school environments as they change and grow with us. Well, that is what we hope they will do anyways.
As a future teacher, it is my job to think critically about how I can create a classroom that will give students opportunities to be inspired to find their passions. In an era where information is readily accessible to students, it is now most important for schools to provide for the motivation to take in content and turn into something useful in their lives. Students should have the option to do things that are important to them. Schools are the best place for this to happen.

Back to the Future

http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x30plj
http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x31upf
http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x324c3

These videos, created in 1987 may have seemed outlandish at the time, but twenty plus years later the creators should be astounded at how similar reality has become to their past visions. These short films are pure evidence of how quickly technology evolves and how what we dream up can easily come reality.

One example of how these videos from the 80's relate today is how the injured athlete can easily stay up with the rest of the class from his home. When students are required to take an absence from school email, telephone, internet, and web camera setups all make it simple to get information and to stay connected with the teacher and or class. A second similarity to the short films and education opportunities today is that information is literally at the fingertips of the students. At any time if a student is feeling motivated to gain knowledge in a given area, the internet and vast array of resources available makes it easy to stay up with the  expectations of the class. This was represented when the injured student was at home finding information about the history behind the creation of the word "marathon". There are also all sorts of options for us to talk to computers, computers to talk to us, and for computers to connect us with peers.

A difference that I can think of when comparing the videos to reality today would be the way we react to technology. We do not act the same way that the characters in the video did. I suppose that would be a cultural difference relating to the time periods. I think that my generation of students relate to technology as if it is a second nature. It would be difficult to predict how humans will relate to future developments. As far off as they may have thought they were, I give props to the creators of the videos for getting a nearly accurate vision of what was to come.

Review & Evaluate a Spreadsheet Integration Project

The second grade pumpkin project was the first spreadsheet integration project I read about. It sounded like a fun activity to do with young kids, especially if it were seasonal.
This project started out with the question: Do larger pumpkins always have more seeds? The class was divided into groups who each had a different size of pumpkin. The students were then instructed to estimate the weight of their pumpkin as well as the number of seeds it contained. The second part of this project involved students collecting and recording data. Data included actual weight, observation, and number of seeds that were inside. This is when the students could really get hands on and separate the seeds from the pulp and make several observations about their pumpkins. The data was then transferred to an excel spreadsheet and created into a couple bar graphs. The project concluded with comparison and discussion. 
Being interested in Art Education, I like projects that are fully hands on. A project similar to this one could be completed in unison with a general education teacher. I like the different aspects to the pumpkin project. Scientific thought, math, computer technology, and hands-on learning are all touched on. Once all of that is completed I could easily add on a pumpkin carving project to finish it off. Who doesn't like carving pumpkins??

A Few Words About Me

Heya!

My name is Krista Klebenow. I am originally from a small town in Nevada where I was raised in a wonderful family. I have been brought up to love the outdoors and all that this world has to offer. When I was young I found that I absolutely adored school and have wanted to be a teacher ever since!

This is my second year at Boise State working towards obtaining a teaching degree in Art Education. I have been playing with colors for as long as I can remember and don't want to stop anytime soon. One of my biggest visions for this life is to help others discover their passions as I have discovered mine. I hope to be a reliable and steady resource for those who need a little support pursing the things they love to do.

In the mean time, I love to play! I work for the Boise State Outdoor Program as a trip leader and white water raft guide. I enjoy spending my time outside and with people who are willing to have fun. I am all about experiential lifestyles inside and out of the classroom. Providing a positive opportunity for those around me, whether it is through my social life, work, or teaching studies, is what I strive to do every single day.

 Cheers!