Reflections

How are you using technology and how does/did it impact your students?

Amanda - Technology has completely changed the way that students are learning in my art class. One of the most recent changes that I have made in my teaching is having the ability for all students to view the process of a lesson being taught. Students often have a difficult time seeing the examples or the process taken in creating the artwork. The Aver Media document camera is helping all of my students actually see what I am talking about- instead of only a couple of tables who have the closest view.

Rachael Zenobi---I am using a variety of technologies in the classroom, and I can say the quickest most noticeable impact is how students react, how it grabs their attention!! They feel it is relevent, I believe. I use the Zoom Q3 and Ipod touch to record music that we are working on and replay it back for them. This is a great tool and they can "hear" for themselves what I tell them that I hear. I also have a pocket projector- this has been a great for visuals. I always include music history and images are needed to support this part of the lesson. Also recently sharing "recycled music" from UTube I am able to use both the pocket projector and Tweekers so they can hear and be inspired by recycled music. The Ipad has help with personal organization but also Virtuoso lets them "connect" that piano keys/notes/letter names are the same as the Orff Instruments. This connection goes a long way as I also do recorders and beginning band so the student can visually see on Virtuoso the letter names.

Aimee Vacanti- My use of technology varies from lesson to lesson but is primarily centered around preparartion and research. Using the many technologies I have acquired through arts educator, I am able to enhance my lessons in so many ways. From finding short videos, to playing inspirational music to printing photos for use in a new project, not one of the technologies I have purchased goes unused. I am finding everyday a new and innovative way to bring technology to the classroom.

Andrew - Students today have been brought up with technology, it is a part of their lives. Technology stimulates student learning and imagination. I use the iPad to show examples of artwork in history and video related to each project. We also use the netbook for image manipulation and simple flash animation.

Rachael Kelly~ I have been using my document camera to record every demonstration I do with the students, I then play this demo back for the kids throughout the class. I also transfer the videos to the ipod and the ipad for students who have missed class due to illness or band. Playing the demo over and over has really improved the quality of my students work, especially those who have trouble remembering multiple steps. I also have two special needs children in my art class, one that is blind and has severe brain damage and one that has multiple disabilities, I have used the ipad to help these students to participate in class. The blind student uses story programs to have the story read to him, as well as an animal sound program and musical sound programs. The other student uses some of the paint programs, but loves the musical instruments. I have used the ipad to locate photos for students to use during a project and for use during down time. I recently was doing a Warhol project combined with printmaking over a number of classes, a student missed all but 1 class so they did the assignment using the ipad. In the future I hope to have more ipads so that the class could do an entire assignment on them.

Liz: I have been lucky to have begun my teaching career at the same time as I joined Arts Educator 2.0, so my students have always been used to technology use in our music classroom. Throughout these three years, however, its use has become increasingly more common and the range of equipment available have expanded. When students enter the classroom and realize that we are going to be using audio and digital cameras that day to record their activities for sharing and documentation purposes, I notice an immediate change in motivation as it encourages them to do their very best. It excites them and pushes them to be more actively involved during the class period, and almost always improves the final product.

Michael- I use an iPod Nano and dock nearly every day. It allows me to have all of my music in one place (no more changing cds) and to move freely throughout the room without having to return to the stereo. I use a projector and screen to show videos. This allows my students to see clearly and without interference. Prior to having the projector, students had to gather around my monitor which usually ended in several students zoning out because they can't see the screen very well. I also use iPad in several ways. I provide guitar apps to my guitar students so that I can work with individual students without causing other students to sit and wait. I also use it to demonstrate instruments that I do not have in the classroom.

How are you using technology and how does/did it impact your documentation?

Amanda - Documenting student work is something that I find important in showing the process that was taken to develop a final artwork. I have taken photographs from the beginning of this collaboration amongst my students from both schools. With these photographs, I am able to prove that students have taken a pre/post test, that they have worked together in the process of their creations, and I am able to post these images on the wiki for my fellow CIG members to view so that they will have an idea what my students have been working on.

Aimee Vacanti- I love using photographs as a means of documentation. I have my camera and ipod out every day, all day long to save the memories of my students creating. My students also really enjoy looking at artwork from other students, especially students from my other school. Especially during this project, I shared photos almost every class period with my students of the other schools artwork that was being created to be part of this project. I also use photo documentation to keep a running blog of all of my projects.

Andrew - Our tecnology use involves searching for reference related to projects, image manipulation, and simple flash animation. Technology has enriched my documentation by helping me to include video, audio, and images of my experience.

Liz: It is a great deal faster and simpler to document during my class activities with our technology equipment. I have used an mp3 audio recorder, a flip portable camcorder, a digital camera, as well as computer software such as Audacity to record and preserve student work for visual and audio review.

Michael- I take pictures, video, and record sound bytes. This allows a visitor to my wiki to quickly see what I've done, how much I have done, how long I have done it, and to experience it first hand. It is no longer just reading, but witnessing and listening.

RachaelZenobi- The Vado, Ipod touch and Ipad have been instrumental in keeping me organized, documenting my work for the project as well as sharing other work with students in both of my schools. I think it is unmeasurable.

How are you using technology and how does/did it impact the inquiry question?

Amanda - One great use of technology which shows impact on our CIG inquiry question is student voice recordings. I have not done many voice recordings, however the recording I did yesterday was of a 4th grader explaining how she has enjoyed working with all of the other students. She is motivated and inspired to continue the collaboration process with her classmates.

Liz: I think the use of technology impacts our inquiry question regarding student creativity in a positive way. I mentioned that I have been using technology throughout this project and have already noticed a spur in student motivation and creativity in and outside of the classroom. My next step is to prove this through out pre- and post-test and record actual students speaking about this experience.

Andrew - Technology is being used for reference, photo manipulation, snd animation. Technology does inspire students because it is familiar to them. When a student is confident with a technology it enhances learning.

Aimee Vacanti- I plan to use technology to document the students answering questions about the project and the processes we took to create our artshow. USing my ipod and vado I am able to document all of thier thoughts and responses to creating and viewing the artshow.

Michael- I will be able to document student responses in several ways, upload student videos, post student work, and use the wiki to post conclusions.

Rachael Kelly~ Technology was important to introducing the concept to the students, I showed them slideshows of recycled art, environmental art and videos about recycled art. We used the internet to find photos and images to use in our collaboration project. Using the document camera I was able to video the demonstrations for weaving and latch hook techniques and play them continuously for the students which really helped them along.

Rachael Zenobi-- It would not be possible to do the project without all of the technology that we have learned and equipment aquired in the last three years. Recording on ipod touch, audacity on the netbooks, videos on ipod touch.

Five years from now, the thing I will remember most about the AE2.0project is the sense of community in which I have gained amongst art educators. I started out as a first year teacher, only knowing the two other art educators in my district. Now, I have a great big pool of teachers that I have learned from and hope to continue to collaborate and learn with.

Amanda Barber

When I signed up for AE2.0, I had no idea that I would be applying all that I was learning to my music classes. Everything from my new technology skills to our CIG unit connected directly to my music curriculum and enhanced it greatly. The focus was not only professional development, but student-centered as well! Elizabeth Gessner Davis   I am proud of the fact that I went from being a reactive teacher to being a  proactive teacher  as a result of my participation in AE2.0.  Michael Bruno

 <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">When I signed up for AE2.0, I had no idea I would have so much fun. I got to work <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">with and network with the best art and music teachers in the region and complete a  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">project that positively impacted student learning. <span style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Michael Bruno <span style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">When I started with AE2.0 the most I ever did with technology was on a personal  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">level, not an educational level,  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">but now I know I could teach someone how to use mp3 players and tablets in the  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">classroom, meet virtually using skype, use wiki pages to collaborate with other  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">educators....I could go on and on. <span style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Michael Bruno <span style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Five years from now, the thing I will remember most about the AE2.0  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">project is collaborating with the other teachers from the other districts. My <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">"yellow" group was a great group of people that I really couldn't say enough  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">about. They motivated me... they encouraged me... they helped me... they <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">educated me... they COLLABORATED with me. We all used new technologies given to <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">us by the program and by this time we will be building new technologies along  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">with the ones we've used and learned. So five years from now I will remember <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">most about the AE2.0 project will be gaining the technologies and relations  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">between other arts educators to make myself a better educator. Thank you AE2.0! <span style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Ken Musko <span style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">When I think back over my AE2.0 experience, I would have to say the  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">defining moment occurred when I realized how technology and collaboration could  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">transform my students learning habits and my own teaching techniques. In the past, I <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">found myself isolated and unwilling to integrate technology into my art classroom. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">After this experience, I recognized how important it is to collaborate with others <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">and the importance of technology as a valuable teaching tool. This program has given <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">me a new perspective on my own practices. <span style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> <span style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Andrew Keener <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> <span style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">When I started with Arts Educator 2.0 the most I every did with technology was take  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">pictures with a digital camera, but now I know I could teach someone how to create a  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">wiki page, start a blog of my students artwork, or even make a movie using my iPod  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Touch! Incredible how much technology I utilize every day! <span style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">"Aimee Keslar Vacanti" <span style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">In 2 sentences I would sum up AE2.0 as  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">A powerful tool and experience for art and music teachers increasing their <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">collaboration, technology, practices, knowledge,  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">creativity, motivation, and inspiration that will thusly increase the student in the <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">exact same areas. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Developing a community of collegues that I trust, and appreciate their work, an ideas. <span style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Rachael Zenobi <span style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">When I signed up for AE2.0, I had no idea I would *learn so many great uses  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">for technology in my art classroom. I was also so thrilled to meet so many <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">talented art educators, share ideas and collaborate on a project. <span style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">When I started with AE2.0 the most I ever did with technology was  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Email, internet search, use websites, and powerpoint*_, but now I know I  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">could teach someone how to  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">create a wiki, blog, use the AverMedia camera as a teaching tool, create a  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Prezi, and use an iPod and iPad as a valuable teaching tool.* <span style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Rachael Kelly <span style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Five years from now, the thing I will remember most about the AE2.0 project is  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">our CIG work and the impact that it made on our students. <span style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">"Elizabeth Gessner" <span style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">When I think back over my AE2.0 experience, I would have to say the defining moment  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">occurred when  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">our many ideas for our project began to take shape. We reached the point where we <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">could visualize our final product and knew the steps that we need to take in order  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">to reach it. <span style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">"Elizabeth Gessner" <span style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">I am proud of the fact that I went from a music teacher that used only CDs and a  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">laptop to  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">one that uses a wide range of technologies to promote student learning and  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">motivation as a result of my participation in AE2.0. <span style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Elizabeth Gessner <span style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">When I started with AE2.0 the most I ever did with technology in the classroom was  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">use CDs and my laptop, but now I know I could teach someone how to create a  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">wikispace, use an iPod, and find applicable apps on an iPad for their classroom. <span style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Elizabeth Gessner <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">