The Future of Educational Technology

It is a scary thought to think that people could be replaced by computers in any profession. We have already seen it at the grocery stores with the USCANs! It is beneficial for students to be exposed to the functions of tech learning, but they should also have teachers to guide them. I think that technology is going to be a helping hand in education, but not a replacement. As computer's abilities advance so will the student's knowledge.

I believe that eventually Virtual Reality will be in schools. This will allow the students to witness an educational experience with all their senses. It is very expensive, but I think it could become more widely available. A few years ago a 5 mega pixel camera was expensive. As time passes good technology becomes more affordable. Eventually, it becomes easier to purchase high tech, usually because something bigger and better is out there.

I can see that art class may turn more digital as time passes. Since computers are such a huge part of society today. Schools want to facilitate technological abilities in all subjects. Using the computer for art will help further enhance the child's tech skills as well as spacial and compositional awareness.

Audio Visual Technology

If I hypothetically was teaching in a school that did not have any audio visual technologies, I would compose a list of items I find to be crucial learning tools. I think that a digital camera would be one of the most used technology items. This is because it can be used to keep digital records of all the art work, especially the pieces that would be too big for a scanner. My art class absolutely needs a Television and DVD player. Sadly a lot of valuable education videos are only available on VHS, so maybe purchase a DVD/VCR combo. A computer is also needed as well as a digital projector for art slides, diagrams and time lines that will be used in instruction. I believe that a small library of art CD-Rom's would be a great extra learning tool for the students. This interactive art software will allow the students to visit museums and witness famous art firsthand. In addition to art history software, art programs are a must too, such as photoshop. Along with that a high quality photo printer is needed, so the digital artwork looks professional. The image above was done by an artist using photoshop and painter in combination. For more impressive digital art visit this website:

http://www.alphaomegadigital.com/gallery/digital_art_gallery.asp?offset=12

"I love Educational Technology...NOT!"

To be honest, I have to admit I was never a Technology guru. My 13 year old nephew has given me pointers with my window's issues, if that tells you anything about my abilities. I do find this class to be helpful for me, because it gives me exposure to software, websites, and many terms I have never heard of. It is exciting for me to finally have a computer, I've never owned one, that could explain my lack of experience. I have found that it is hard for me to keep up to pace with some of the assignments. I'm almost positive it takes me twice as long to do EVERYTHING the class entails. I wish there was a tech 101 on the graduate level, that would have been designed for me. I have had much improvement, I can do more than turn on the monitor and play solitaire! Way more actually. When it comes to my art, especially my photography I've always had a digital aversion, I prefer darkroom photo. The elitist mentality that computer generated photos aren't true art is my main argument. I've been forced to take classes in photo shop and painter and all that, it kills me. I want to have ink and paint on my hands, art is supposed to be messy! That's part of the fun! It is quite difficult for me to bite the bullet and integrate. However, I have found this new found appreciation for other uses for tech in art class. You don't have to just use the technology to create the art, you can use it for documentation, research and communication within the classroom.... So, I may not be as such an art snoot as I thought... I put my field camera away and bought a digital! I also threw out my portable disc player (that was held together with duct tape) and bought an mp3 player! This class has pushed me out of the stone age! So yeah, I am loving it. But no one said it was going to be easy. I have to call my personal Computer Technology Hot line AKA my poor PC savvy friend I call at all hours of the day to help me with the simplest of tasks. The idea of the computer crashing and losing everything is one of the characteristics of tech that I hate, I want control! Give me a chisel and a rock...

Blog via Art Class

Possible High School Art Class Assignment:

1.) Students log into teacher's blog to research three artists landscape paintings and styles. From the works of the Pointillism artist Seurat, Impressionist Van Gogh and Post-Impressionist Cezanne they choose a landscape painting for study.

2.) In class the student creates their "master-copy" of the famous landscape of choice. They use a copy of the Master painting as reference for style and technique After sufficient time the artwork will be scanned or photographed to be uploaded to the blog.

3.) Once the class has posted their online gallery, they will use the blog to begin their discussion. This should give the students opportunity to give and receive constructive criticism.

4.) The assignment allows the students to use the Internet as a learning and communicative tool. As well as see how one subject matter in art even with controlled style can still have unique individual characteristics.

Blogging in the classroom!

Blogging can be a great tool for educators, for it can be used for extended learning. As an art teacher I could create my own blog for my class to use for updates on assignments. It can be helpful with teacher to student communication. The blog could include websites that could help expand research on topics discussed in class. Having a link to specific websites will help the students see many artists works and read various articles. It will give the students exposure to E-learning, which can be part of life-long learning.