Write three "learnings/insights” that you will incorporate into your life as an educator. Write one paragraph per learning by stating the learning, reference/cite what Friedman stated that is important, and then how will you incorporate your learning into your teaching.
Be specific with at least two examples of how you will incorporate your learnings as an educator into your school environment.
1. I believe it is important to challenge my students. Without being presented with a somewhat forceful push, students may never realize what they can do. Art isn't learned, it's a natural ability that can be enhanced with practice. When students do not have that desire for practice, a challenge must be presented to get them to practice. In 2007 Friedman stated, America was going to be challenged, but, he insisted, the challenge would be good for America because we are always at our best when we are being challenged. I firmly believe we are always at our best when being challenged. As a teacher, I am strongly determined to push my students to their maximum potential and I believe the best way to do that is by challenging them.
1. I believe it is important to challenge my students. Without being presented with a somewhat forceful push, students may never realize what they can do. Art isn't learned, it's a natural ability that can be enhanced with practice. When students do not have that desire for practice, a challenge must be presented to get them to practice. In 2007 Friedman stated, America was going to be challenged, but, he insisted, the challenge would be good for America because we are always at our best when we are being challenged. I firmly believe we are always at our best when being challenged. As a teacher, I am strongly determined to push my students to their maximum potential and I believe the best way to do that is by challenging them.
2. To get to this point took a lot of new software innovation piled on the shoulders of earlier innovations (Friedman, 2007) Thinking about this quote really made me realize that technology is an ever evolving thing. There is no end to it. What we thought was the top of the line is now a mere foundation for bigger and better things. Students should learn to evolve with technology so that they can adapt to our new technological world. Without knowledge of how a calculator works, you can never figure out a computer. If you cannot xerox a flyer, then you will never be able to scan something into a computer and Photoshop it. I realize that since the world as a whole depends on technology so much, it is vital for students to learn how to use it as well.
3. I enjoy tangible items. Personally, technology frightens me. With the internet growing by the minute, books become forgotten. But there are images, videos, books, even from ages ago, that will now be searchable (Friedman, 2007). This quote really stuck with me. It made me realize that the books are not going away, they are just changing location. It is important for me to bring these things that we could not see before into the classroom. Through the internet, I can discuss with my students history through art. Online, it is possible to take virtual tours of museums that my students will never be able to afford to visit. There are many sources through the internet for me to bring into the classroom.
I think what sticks out most is your weariness in learning #3 -you aren't really into the technology movement and find yourself missing good old paper books. Nonetheless your awareness of how this evolution can help is a great start. Recognizing that books aren't going anywhere, it's just their location that's changing is great! Using Google Books, a Kindle or e-books in general is a great way to still get that sound Art History in.
ReplyDeleteThis awareness actually compliments your second finding: technology is always changing -enhancing. Right now you might not be aware of the best ways to incorporate technology into the Art room but surely there are ways out there or they are being creates as we speak! You and your students will only benefiting by jumping on board the technology bandwagon. Being proactive about incorporating these notions into your classroom is what's going to allow you and your students to get more involved in the flattening world. Imagine the art collaborations that could take place if your students could interact with graffiti artists in Russia or explore art exhibits at the Guggenheim of Spain. Grand things are going on with technology and like you said -it's that challenge that makes everyone better, so challenge yourself!
I can definitely relate to what you wrote in learning #3. I really like plain old books and would prefer to use a real book over an electronic version. However, the ability to search an electronic book or access it from anywhere is certainly a great advantage. And the cost is another great benefit. Books are expensive, especially high quality, full color art books, and not everyone has the resources to buy them. Being able to access those same images and history in an electronic form is much less expensive and you can interact with the art in a different way. I'm guessing there are places where you can view those images and zoom in to really examine all of the details, something you would never be able to do with a book.
ReplyDeleteThe internet does offer a lot of ways to enhance the student's experience and interaction with art and art history. However, what you wrote in learning #2 also still applies. Books are the earlier version of this technology in the case you are talking about. You can still incorporate books so that students can get the best of the both world, the experience and joy of real books and the great resources and interactivity of the internet.