BEARBONES NEWS

Communities

2008-02-06T17:15:00.000-09:00

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.

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

2008-02-05T16:42:00.000-09:00

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"

2008-01-27T11:47:00.001-09:00

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

2008-01-27T11:09:00.000-09:00

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

2008-01-27T11:04:00.000-09:00

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

2008-01-27T10:46:00.001-09:00

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

Self-critique of presentation skills

2007-11-15T16:16:00.001-09:00

The most productive way to improve presentation skills is to watch yourself in action. Whether you are rehearsing for a role in a play, delivering a seminar, or speaking in front of a class, your appearance, intonation, timing, and diction influence the audience's interest and their absorption of what it is you are saying. The following are brief comments regarding my energy presentation (see link under Mother Earth).

My presentation is satisfactory. Given the limited space and time to film the presentation, I cannot be over-critical. A volunteer helped me line up the camera; we did one take. Aside from the last few minutes where I am too far to the left and slightly off-screen, the bulk of the tape is fine.

The water rationing discussion is clear, concise and thorough--not too technical, but interesting enough to raise the curiosity of listeners. I am usually much more animated and humorous when I speak in front of an audience. I find that having "props" are a plus (not used in this presentation) because they add another dimension to the room and they encourage interaction.

At times, I like to be “melodramatic” to make certain points. I also prefer to move around the room more than I did in this video. However, the constraints of not having a remote clicker, dealing with a shallow room space and trying to keep the speed up to keep the film short, challenged my style. I prefer to use a podium when a remote is not available. (The computer is at a higher level allowing easier access to the computer keys.)

Note: The topic of Water Conservation is an important topic, worthy of being included in an appropriate unit. I intend to use my Power Point Presentation in an environment/ ecology discussion.

MOTHER EARTH

2007-10-01T15:36:00.000-08:00

1970 - (April 22) the first Earth Day celebration created as an environmental teach-in, raised concerns about the future of our planet. Supreme Court Justice William O'Douglas asked,
"Who speaks for the trees?"

2007 - Over three decades later, headlines tell of us of climate change, global warming and continued pollution problems. What have we done during the last 30+ years to make a difference and conserve and preserve our natural resources? Can you make a difference?

Click here to learn about water conservation
Click here to view Power Point presentation
Click here to view video presentation

An Educational Philosophy

2007-10-01T14:56:00.000-08:00

My film, The Next Step, is a personal reflection of my purpose in the educational process. Developing an educational philosophy involved infusing experiences directly related to teaching and to life experiences outside the classroom. Everything we do affects us and the next step in our journey through life!
Click here to view film

Technological Culture in School - An Overview of One School

2007-09-13T15:31:00.000-08:00

The One to One Program (at the high school I am presently working in) allows students access to the latest technology via a personal Macbook loaded with the latest software! The individual laptops are a relied upon tool students and teachers actively use inside and outside classrooms. I discussed technology at the school with JB, the tech expert, and several staff members. Basically, for a small school in a remote area, it doesn't get much better. The hardware, software and expertise of a technology pro combine for encouraging potential.

What did I learn from doing this assessment? The problems and issues that occur in schools relying on computer labs are not a concern for a school involved in a One-to-One Program. Technology is incorporated into daily life at school like a notebook or pencil. Having projectors, screens, DVD players, sophisticated audio and visual equipment opens the doors to many creative learning and teaching options.
Click here to read more.

TECHNOLOGY AND ITS INFLUENCE IN EDUCATION Tools for the Mind

2007-09-05T10:40:00.000-08:00

Tools for the Mind, an article by Mary Burns, discusses whether technology in the classroom is really helping students be more successful learners. Where are the problems? What are the pluses? What are the minuses? Is a different strategy for computer usage needed?
Click here to read more.

Read/Write Web

2007-09-05T10:17:00.000-08:00

Read/Write Web, an article by Will Richardson, tells us about new technologies and how they can benefit education. He questions whether the definition of literacy needs to change with the times due to the advances of the technological age and the skills needed to be part of it
Click here to read more.

Listen to the Natives

2007-08-27T08:48:00.000-08:00

Are you a digital native or digital immigrant? Marc Prensky’s article, Listen to the Natives, discusses the needs and direction of education in the 21st century. He brings to light how teachers, schools and the 20th century educational system must adapt to be relevant in the technological age.
Click here to read more.

FUTURING - The Digital World's Influence on Education

2007-08-24T13:49:00.000-08:00

FOX Becomes a Better Person

In this 5-minute digital performance, Hannah tells a Southeast Alaska Indian (Tlingit) folk tale about how a Fox became a better person. She appears in front of a backdrop of original art showing pictures and scenes that illustrate the story she narrates (note: images in backdrop were added at later date in editing process). This is an excellent example of how old traditions (story telling and legends) can relate to the present (being transformed to a digital movie presentation). Hannah’s challenges included demonstrating the ability to remember a lengthy story, having confidence to tell the tale out loud and before a camera, experiencing acting, artistic expression and creating an entire project viewable by others. Her learning event was very artistic and personal. The project was an excellent venue for combining language arts, visual arts, technology and cultural tradition.
(RATING – excellent)

Click here to view film

School Train

Glen Bledsoe’s 4^th grade class experienced a unique way to learn about metaphors by creating a multi-lingual (Spanish – English) digital film. In the production, school is compared to a train; all the players and actions relate (students/passengers, cars/classroom, testing/pulling hard, homework/tickets etc.). This task required writing script, establishing a rhythm and dance moves, designing visuals, filming, researching train imagery, editing with special effects, labeling, and consolidating into a unified film.

This educational opportunity was a very active, creative, collaborative project, and probably quite relevant in the students’ eyes due to the fact digital film is something outside of school that is current and exciting. After taking part in such a stimulating project, Glen’s students may be more likely to keep on track - keep on track - keep on track…………
(RATING – excellent)

Click here to view film

Epic 2015

This short look into the (digital) future is very foreseeable. The mega giants of the digi-tech world (Microsoft, Google, Amazon and others) will continue to compete and grow, striving for control, money and the ultimate power while erasing the traditions of the 20^th century. How these tech powers will use their influence in politics and the direction that America takes will be the ultimate question.

How will the new tech power affect my classroom? On-the scene pod(Portable On Demand)casts could make things more relevant, i.e. in art class, broadcasting from the scene of a Christo Installation unveiling when it is happening could let students experience the excitement of such an event. In science, podcasting a discussion on coral reef bleaching from 30’ under the ocean, surrounded by pelagic sounds might have more impact than reading a text or handout. Podcasting worldwide will broaden perspectives on topics by allowing the voice of students and educators in other countries to comment on current happenings.

I believe incorporating this dimension in the class will excite and energize students. I also believe a balance must be achieved educating with other tools so that our society does not become "one dimensional" ( only digital learning).

Click here to view film

2007-08-24T11:46:00.000-08:00

THIS BLOG WAS CREATED FOR AND IS DEDICATED TO JASON OHLER'S TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION CLASS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA SOUTHEAST