Monday, June 24, 2013

Blabberize - Has nothing to do with EXERCISE!

Ms. Orange is back and she has now been properly introduced via Blabberize. (Not Blabbercize Nina!)

Blabberize! What's a Blabberize?

It's taking a still picture and making it talk. Some way electronically and digitally via programing you can make the mouth of your character move. You can then record your voice and/or the voice of whomever, singing, talking, screaming, crying... You get the picture, (haha, no pun intended).

You can also see the educational applications of this a mile away. You can take pictures of your students or use animals, (this of course is meant, as no reflection upon your students, just to protect their identities). Next record a story or phrase with a purpose using their voices or something electronic, and ta-da! You have a Blabberize! Here's their website: http://blabberize.com/make


...And here's my Blabberize:






Thursday, June 20, 2013

Let's Reflect: Did the Fat Lady Dance Yet?...


Photo by me




I can't sleep again!

Why?

Because there's work yet to be done! ...And sleep is for those whose work is done - that's when there is rest. A point at which one exhales with relief.

I preempted the conclusion of class with a celebratory meal of shrimp from Troha's. (You've just got to go there http://www.trohas.com/) I can't believe I ate the whole order. Hence, the true reason my sleep was interrupted, add to this, a tad bit of stress, since I have one more thing to do....

This is supposed to be my last post for my class, (I think some of my colleagues at my school are breathing a sigh of relief, because they've been reading these little notes, out of courtesy - "...She's old,.. humor her")...

At the onset of class, I remember asking, was it necessary to maintain the blog once the class was complete; but I now feel like... 'How can I take it down, how can I stop?'


My Free Art Friday Sample



It's alive! It's ALIVE!







I really like this means of communicating. Believe it or not, I am a bit of an introvert, ("Yeah right!" I am folks... really, I am!), but give me this "Mr. Mic" of the 21st century and all inhibition fall to the ground.

Tech in Ed, (sounds like a toy); is a bridge to possibilities, endless possibilities, (much like art).

Once upon a time, before I took this class, I thought technology was more of an add on, to ones instruction and yet with just five weeks of classes I see so many more benefits and understand that the dance between the two - the integration of tech and education should be more fluid, not just an accessory. There are so many FREE programs available that can enhance a students learning.

No, no, no, no!

I'm not saying that we should throw out the baby with the bath water or that we should be entertaining the dears with bells and whistles, but it's like offering options, because like it or not folks - look around you... Our students are different learners from even five years ago.

The brain of the child today is indeed wired differently. Just look at any child at the store in a shopping cart or sitting in a restaurant; they are pushing at buttons and/or looking at a screen. Some of you may not like it. You don't have to, no one is asking your permission - it simply is.

And all this from an art teacher!

I'm not saying we cast aside classical teaching style with the record player, (you can't beat the sound of vinyl), just adapt and you may be surprised that you can reach a few more dears than before.

...Well, I remember a time when listening to the radio, (it was a huge wooden box with fabric on it), during the last fifteen minutes of class, was integrating technology - this was back in the early 60's. It didn't replace Mrs. Parrish reading to us, (although, she didn't do sound effects like the radio), we loved both. Both made me a lover of books. The two offerings complemented each other - it was the dance and dancers need partners. A dance can be beautiful done by one - it's different, but done with another, enhances the enjoyment. Thus, technology with traditional education techniques cements the learning experience. It's the: teach a child to read a story aloud, write a summary, then draw a comic page about the favorite part. The learning is cemented in the brain.  

I am a classical sort of teacher and learner for that matter. I like instructing/demonstrating - hands on. I like to see children create with their hands, however, offering technology as an option is like offering colored pencils instead of just crayons; or clay instead of just building blocks. It's an option.

Of course, the problem comes in when there isn't enough tech tools for everyone. I have a potter's wheel - only one student can use it at a time. I wish I had at least ten or twelve more - that way I could have hand builders and pot throwers. Now, I have a one-to-one tool while 24 others stand and watch. Still, if you want to have technology in your classroom there's folks who are willing to get it into your hands. I have resources on my webpage that seem to make wishes come true at just a click.  http://mrsninabensonprofessionalpresenc.weebly.com/index.html

Indeed, this has been a wild ride for me. I took this class, EDU560 and EDU655, Language and Culture, for track movement requirements, (after the fact, I was told I could have taken graduate level art classes, since I am an art teacher). Still, I was where I was supposed to be. The experience has been life changing - all education should be - actually just waking up in the morning should be life changing. With each new day comes new opportunities to try again; to make a difference in at least one person's life. Of course, the change could be on the flip side - you can choose to be open to a new thought/perspective, at least one; it's how we keep moving forward.

Tomorrow is just the beginning...

Photo taken be me, sky arrangement by God










Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Mobile Devices: To be or Not to Be

This is my presentation on Mobile Devices:

Mobile devices are usually electronic hand held gadgets created to enhance, educate, make life easier and more. The educational possibilities are endless, as these devices are in schools worldwide. They are used to assist in the teaching of all subjects. Students of all ages use any one of a variety of mobile devices in classes. Teachers use mobile devices as well - as a means of distributing information/lessons and give a new twist to making lessons visual. Information is also shared with staff and parents via mobile devices.

There are pros and cons to the use of mobile devices that teachers but more so parents should be aware of and thus regulate. As adults we provide the technology, however, we must not randomly and freely provide such devices without responsibility. Students/children must be taught the proper use of these devices just as we must teach these entrusted to us on the use of a meat cleaver or power tool, or even a potter's wheel.


A mobile device is a tool to provide a piece of a lesson; like part of a recipe - not the entire cake instantaneously, we all have to work at it to make everything come together; parent, teachers and students.

What follows is just a sampling of resources available:

http://www.edudemic.com/guides/ A teachers guide to technology

http://www.microsoft.com/education/en-us/teachers/Pages/index.aspx A smorgasbord of ideas brought to by Microsoft

http://www.4teachers.org/ Need a little help getting technology up and running in your classroom - this is your site!

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2013/01/26-ways-to-use-comics-in-classroom-and.html#.Ubh35XBFqwM
Brace yourself...

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/ We all want to have fun sometime - Go ahead let the kiddies have some fun - they're learning and won't even realize it, until it's in their heads ;-)

http://www.ikidapps.com/2011/11/best-free-coloring-apps.html This keeps the darling busy with learning - but don't forget to read them a book at night :-)

...And now the prezi

http://prezi.com/8idn_bcxi9lp/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

...And these are some examples of mobile devices that I made :-) Of course, not the toys, but the mobile devices they have on their "bodies".



Sunday, June 9, 2013

Let's pause to REFLECT... To tweet or not to tweet

I feel like such a stalker - standing on the perimeter of everyone's life and reading over their shoulder about their days... But you can pick up tasty morsels that are simply too "tweet" to pass up,  (I just couldn't resist).

Here's an aside: I wonder if they, (whoever they are), are ever going to come up with a smell sensory computer. So, when you type in cotton candy one smells cotton candy.

Well back to the reflective post... I follow several groups and/or people, most dealing with education and/or matters of Christianity. I am focusing upon "educational" tweets of the MCA, Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago.

The MCA has exceptional resources and are a grand support to teachers, but of course in particularly to art teachers. They offer professional development to teachers throughout the school year and are very thoughtful and provide free parking and light refreshments for participants. They give us ample time to roam through the museum and also offer guided tours with plenty of discussion.

I have often come away from a PD with the MCA feeling respected, refreshed and given opportunities for new ideas for my students. They also provide programs for students and are eager for us to bring them into the museum free of charge and even provide busing for the Chicago Public Schools.

The majority of the MCA's tweets are about their continuous programs, (it's like they have something going every week). Here is a link so that you may visit their site; but remember to check out their teacher programs under education. They even have programs during the summer. http://www2.mcachicago.org/visit The link/tweet was directly from the MCA