The other "C" word... Collaboration-Reading Reflection Week 2

After reading the first chapter of Web 2.0 New tools, New Schools, I was consumed by a number of thoughts. The foremost in my mind was collaboration.

In my experience, even though collaborative work is the norm for adults in the working world, for students it is a mixed bag. You can have success with learning and cooperation, or you get the group where the one motivated kid takes over while the rest do nothing. In the working world, there are devices in place (the boss, $, etc.), but for kids the devices are not as effective (grades, teacher and parent contact, etc.).

Could using technology be a way to 'level the playing field' when it comes to cooperative learning? In the text, the author notes that "Using collaboration and communication tools with educational methods that also promotes these skills-such as project based learning--will help students acquire the abilities they need for the future." (New Tools, New Schools pg. 45 {iBook}).

I have seen some great examples of cooperative student learning in one of our middle school technology classes. The students create a commercial for an item of their choice. The group then researches the item, gathering resources. They create a list of ideas that they work from (images, sounds clips, video excerpts, etc). Each group then splits up their list, then gathers the resources. After demonstration and practice using Flash, the groups embarks upon their misson to create a commercial. Flash is also taught at the high school on a more advanced level. This middle school project is a great way for students to work together and achieve success using technology.

As a potential technology teacher, I hope that observing effective cooperative learning activities helps me to develop lessons, units, and other curriculum that uses technology.

Yours,
Aaron

To Google Images, or not to Google Images...

Well, here goes an ArtRant!!!

As an art teacher, I love to watch the creative process in my students as they make their artwork. To see the gears turning as I challenge them to push beyond the easy and obvious make my day. The double edged sword of easy to access technology is that there is less emphasis on creating and more emphasis on 'just tell me what information I need and how to do it'. I challenge the students by being vague on purpose when asked a direct question.

Example:
Student: Mr. Witham, how do I draw zebra pattern?
Me: Well, what does a zebra look like?
Student: Well, they have stripes.
Me: What color are the stripes?
Student: Black and white.
(I know what you are thinking, but the debate over B&W over W&B is for another day)
Me: Good, straight or curvy?
Student: Mr. Witham,  can I just go on Google Images and download one?

Uh-oh!
This is where I have the good art teacher on one shoulder, and the bad art teacher on the other. Imagine a cute little fella in a white smock with a clean paintbrush in his hand, little round glasses. Conversely, a scrubby looking dude, half shaven with a red smock and paint on his face. The brush is dripping colors down his shirt sleeves and onto his arm and the floor (don't tell the custodian please!)

Good: You should really make that student image the zebra frolicking through the savannah! What do they see, hear, or feel? What does the zebra want? Why does he run? Why does he have stripes?

Bad: Well kid, go get your google image of a zebra and get to work!

This is my dilemma.

Is allowing the kid get the images off of Google letting them off easy? Isn't it the same as trudging up to the library and spending hours looking through the stack for just the right picture? Am I as a teacher allowed to let the students use whatever source material they want to use an inspiration for their artwork?

Don't I as an artist and appreciator of art use the internet to look at, evaluate, research, and enjoy art?

Of course I do!!!

Here is the key... I do let the kid get the picture off of Google Images. I then process with them and ask them questions.

What are you going to do with this image?
How will you change it to make it your own?
Will you change the colors?
Will you change the perspective?
Can you change the where or when?
Can you adapt it to what you need?
Is it appropriate for the assignment?
Does it fill the lesson objectives?
Do you think it will work?

Is it more creative to look up ideas then change or develop them into something else? Or is more creative to sit for hours wracking your brains for the moment of inspiration?

Soapbox time!

I believe that we need to allow students full use of the internet to gather resources that they will use to create their writings, drawings, comics, videos, music, etc. Teach them to use these resources to create new and exciting ideas!!! "Real" artists, writers, designers, etc. do this everyday! At my school there are far too strict rules for student and teacher use of the internet. They should be allowed to use a search engine of their choice, not the only one they are allowed to use on the school's website. They are filtered to the best of the tech people's ability. I have heard many students say to their teachers "I will just the project at home so I can use Google. No wonder kids often feel that school is a waste of time!


Yours,
Aaron Witham
ArtRant

First Blog ever!

I am creating a blog as part of my class Teaching in a Networked Classroom at Plymouth State University. I have begun work to be certified in Technology and Computer Education.