Communities

I have found that monitoring the following communities has been helpful in keeping up to date on technological, and communications developments. Since a good part of our personal and business lives depends upon equipment and software, being educated on the latest products and services available is extremely helpful.

• electronista.com
• techcrunch.com
• techmeme.com

I also have found a visual arts community that is quite active and addresses a wide range of topics in general forums and artistic forums. Living in a remote rural place makes it difficult to access current trends and advocacy issues. Access to this community connects me to the mainstream art world with comments from people around the globe.

• d'art fine arts

IEP Visual Arts

Unit: Message in a Bottle
A mixed media, cross-content challenge

Overview:
It is reported that early recorded messages in bottles were released by the Greek philosopher Theophratus, to help show that the formation of the Mediterranean Sea was influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. There is a long standing curiosity and certain romance about sealing a note in a waterproof vessel and casting it off to the ocean.

This unique project involves students in using technology and traditional, tactile visual processes while challenging investigative, emotional, reflective and decisive levels of thinking. In addition to the Visual Arts, Language Arts and History are entwined into this creative unit.

Click here to view project details and lesson plans
Click here to view project photos
Click here to read project story

"Digital Storytelling"

One picture is worth a thousand words (a trite phrase, but oh so true). Can a visual story teach or tell more than the written word alone? Can the images and emotions from inside you somehow be transformed into a unique film that will be remembered and cherished by those who view it?

My original story, Light My Fire, was inspired by snowy Alaskan winters, the amazing Iditarod dog sled race, and my personal enjoyment being a pet owner. Yes, dogs have their unique personalities and are like little people, meeting challenges of their own every day. Sometimes we find inspiration and succeed from the most unusual sources. Whitey and his team of mushers find spirit and the drive to win one of the most difficult challenges in the winter landscape.

Starting from an assignment I designed for a Visual Arts Class (understanding how color influences mood), my story grew through cartoons and the assistance of 24 paws into a delightful inspiring tale from the north country.

Light My Fire Click title to view film
a film about finding spirit and the drive to succeed
Storymap and assignment outline

Soon coming ... Raven's Angel
a film about compassion, hope, and love
Storymap and outine

The Over-dominance of Computers

In this article by Lowell W. Monke, issues are raised about the use of technology in the classroom (and life in general). He questions whether students are being distanced from direct contact with the living world because of their all encompassing use of technology and believes a balance in children's machine-dominated lives must be found.

Click here to read more

Assistive Technologies for Reading

In this article, Ted S. Hasselbring and Margaret E. Bausch discuss the use of assistive technologies to help students with learning disabilities achieve success. Several types of software are described including text reader software, content assist reading software, and text to speech software. How can these technologies help students and potentially bring them up to grade level in the inclusion classroom?

Click here to read more

Artistic Connections

A few favorite websites:

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City has a comprehensive website offering educational and research resources and image files. The MMA site keeps me in touch with art of the past and current thematic exhibitions. Online viewing can not equate to a personal visit to this fabulous institution of stimulating creativity. However. the site offers a connection to great art over 3500 miles away.

The Museum of Modern Art in New York City has an excellent permanent collection and exciting temporary exhibits. Their extensive website connects educational resources, current issues, superb images, and research resources.

The Collage Art Association is an organization of people involved with the arts at many levels: students, educators, museum professionals, artists and members of the business community affiliated with the arts. The website offers current information regarding careers, exhibitions, advocacy, news and research resources. Their annual conference addresses a myriad of artistic topics, new trends, legal issues, educational issues, techniques, materials and historical discussions.

See more interesting ARTISTIC LINKS under BARB'S BRIEF BIO in the right column