Our Final Blog

For your posting, answer the following questions:

1. You have created a Blog and have been Blogging for 16 weeks.
What is your opinion of "Blogging"?

I actually am really happy we created a Blogger account for this class. Without this assignment, I would have possibly never have known what a "blog" is. I think this is a great communication tool not only valuable in a college classroom but in any classroom. There are no restrictions to what someone may want to write about, so this becomes a versatile tool that may be used in all classrooms. No matter what tool the instructor chooses to use, I think the most important lesson I have learned from creating blogs, is that it is important to create an open form of communication in a classroom, essentially an outlet for students to have a voice.

2. Did you find this to be a useful reflection / communication tool?

If I read this question before answering my first question I would have realized I was already answering number two in number one. =) As mentioned above, I truly did find blogger to be a great communication tool and very useful in our classroom especially since we only had the chance to meet once a week.

3. Would you use a Blog in your art classroom? If yes, how. If no, why not?

I think I would definitely consider using blogger in my classroom in the future. I am not sure if I would necessarily assign assignments through blogger, but rather allow this to be an open line of communication between my students and myself. It could also be an area for students to connect to one another ex. ask questions while not in class, catch up on missed assignments or classes, etc. Perhaps I would consider using Blogger as a personal art journal for my students to keep throughout the semester as a requirement. I do find creating blogs to be a great tool and will definitely consider its use in my future classroom.

Blog Week InDesign Video

1. GO TO: http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/video_workshop/

2. Watch the following videos under Adobe InDesign CS3:

- Working With Master Pages

- Managing Pages

- Using Layers

3. Describe what you learned from the videos.

From the videos, I best learned how to control my master page, work with adding and moving and duplicating pages, and working with selecting objects on a page.

4. Which video was most helpful in the creation of your Portfolio? Why?

I thought managing pages and using layers was most helpful towards developing my portfolio. I felt managing pages will be useful when working with many pages for my Portfolio, and I felt using layers will be helpful when I have many different objects on each page in which I will want to put in order and move around without difficulty.

ITSE Website

Answer the following questions:

1. What educator resources would you be able to use in your art classroom?

I this I would definitely use under curriculum, special education. It seems like the Don Johnston Corporation would be really helpful for a teacher. They provide supplement instructions and adapted lessons for children with special needs. By working with a team of professionals, better outcomes can be reached and the children can benefit. I could definitely use this in my future classroom to help create useful and appropriate lessons for my special needs classroom.

2. What NETS for Teachers 2008 would you be able to incorporate in your art classroom?

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments. Teachers:

a.	promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness.
b.	engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.
c.	promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes.
d.	model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments.

I believe I would use this because it is very relevant to a modern day classroom and introducing technology into the classroom is almost essential in today's age.

3. What resources from ISTE would you be interested in using to further your development as a future art educator?

I think one of the first tools I would use in News and Events. This can keep me updated as an educator so that I may be up to date on information and events occurring. I think I would also like to use Professional Development. This will keep me posted on events I can attend or be part of to continue my own education and keep me up to date on whats happening.