Well, despite being handed a huge heaping helping of hidden curriculum the past few weeks, I am here. Obsessively overusing amazing alliteration in attempts to alleviate anxiety...but here nonetheless.
Alright, now that I've somewhat gotten myself to focus, oh, wait, just lost it...(staring at the screen, tapping my index fingers on the keyboard with major attitude...minutes...focus...eh, let's talk about You Tube. Not my original intent, but this video will make me smile. Let's watch it together, shall we?
I've had that one saved for a while. It makes me happy. Well, not happy...that's not quite the right word. It makes me calm. One might even say calm, cool, and collected...minus the cool part. As I was highlighting the words to italicize them, I hovered over each one, wanting to replace them with words more telling, more accurate...but I didn't. I don't know if they exist. For all the good and all the bad, all the certain and uncertain, insightful and shallow...for all of the ways that life makes us feel, sometimes words are not enough. For myself, I use art as my second voice; I use it as a way to reflect something in me that a mirror cannot.
Once I'm actually in a classroom, my job will consist of showing students the technical aspect of creating that mirror, how to look at it, what to do with it once they do, and how to voice its meaning to the rest of the world (if they so choose). I am not, nor will I ever pretend to be a master of all trades. I think using instructional videos in the classroom would help students grasp disciplines that fall within my weaker skill-set. I, not so secretly, love the idea of learning with my students. I think that there is a lot of value in that practice. Perhaps I'll address that in a later post.
With adequate previewing and screening of videos prior to use in the classroom, I think that resources like this are very beneficial. Below I have listed some links for quick reference.
TeacherTube
YouTube
K-12 Education on YouTube
Top 22 Sites Similar To YouTube from iSoftwareReviews
Monday, April 19, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Thing 21
Topic: Animoto
Be careful of what you wish for. It just might come true. Animoto allows you to create short or full length movies with pictures or video clips. You can add music as well. Discouraged because I have been slacking in the "Mom photography" department, I silently wished to myself "I really just wish I had something interesting to make this video clip with."
Little did I know, my wish would soon be granted....and BOY WAS IT GRANTED! Take a look at my video I created using Animoto.
Be careful of what you wish for. It just might come true. Animoto allows you to create short or full length movies with pictures or video clips. You can add music as well. Discouraged because I have been slacking in the "Mom photography" department, I silently wished to myself "I really just wish I had something interesting to make this video clip with."
Little did I know, my wish would soon be granted....and BOY WAS IT GRANTED! Take a look at my video I created using Animoto.
Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.
Now, not everyone will have the joy of having their living room redecorated with baby powder. Even so, there are many instances that would warrant the use of Animoto, especially in the classroom. Other than for personal uses, Animoto could be used in the classroom to showcase student artwork or projects. Individuals or groups of work could be displayed.
Students could make videos of examples of a particular style of art or artistic period. Teachers could use it as a way to assess student learning. For example, if the assignment was to "make a video with 10 examples of Renaissance Art" and a student includes pictures of contemporary art or Egyptian pyramids...then teachers would know that specific areas of concern need to be addressed.
It was pretty interesting making the video. The events that led up to it however...not so great. Memorable and entertaining...but not great. (I had just had the carpets cleaned 2 days ago!)
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Thing 18
Thing 18: social networking sites
I have had both a Myspace and Facebook account. Of the two, Facebook (or as some would say, "FB") is my preferred social networking site...but only because that's where my friends are. If they were on a different site, I would probably use that instead. I don't have many "friends," but it is because I'm somewhat of a FB snob. I use it to keep in touch with a handful of people.
I understand the positive and negative implications of using a social networking site, and while I can censor my own actions, I cannot do the same for others. This is important to remember...especially if you are the person with 800 "friends." In conservative or professional fields, as that of education, it is essential to be aware of elements such as these, as they can have an impact on employment.
There are many other websites educators can use to communicate with parents and students. I would explore other options before using Facebook for school purposes.
I created a Facebook badge that is on my blog page. You can view it from there, or you can click HERE.
I have had both a Myspace and Facebook account. Of the two, Facebook (or as some would say, "FB") is my preferred social networking site...but only because that's where my friends are. If they were on a different site, I would probably use that instead. I don't have many "friends," but it is because I'm somewhat of a FB snob. I use it to keep in touch with a handful of people.
I understand the positive and negative implications of using a social networking site, and while I can censor my own actions, I cannot do the same for others. This is important to remember...especially if you are the person with 800 "friends." In conservative or professional fields, as that of education, it is essential to be aware of elements such as these, as they can have an impact on employment.
There are many other websites educators can use to communicate with parents and students. I would explore other options before using Facebook for school purposes.
I created a Facebook badge that is on my blog page. You can view it from there, or you can click HERE.
Thing 17
Topic: Discover delicious
I don't really know why this was so hard for me to complete! For weeks I've been looking at "Thing 17: not yet completed"...the title I used to save this spot in my list of blogs (so Things 1-23 could remain in chronological order). Each time I logged in, I would just stare at it, silently sigh, all with an Elvis lip and scrunched up nose. This 3 Step process seems to be the universal "Amanda"s disapproval-hesitation-procrastination/ugh-I-don't-want-to-do-this-ONE!" expression.
"Bookmark on Delicious" buttons are the new end punctuation mark for sentences, so it seems. In all actuality, I think the pop up window that displays all 5 trillion feeds/bookmarks/save-this/link/email/download/print options had given Mr. Period Question Mark the boot a long time ago. I just didn't know what those little buttons were all about.
So, what is Delicious all about anyways? The short version is that it is a way for you to remember (bookmark) and share your favorite webpages with others. Hence, the descriptor of social bookmarking.
Delicious would be great...if I didn't already have 5 other tools just like it. I use Stumble Upon, Zotero, some I have saved in a folder on my toolbar, some I have in an email folder, some are on my USB drive, some are stored in the North Pole. The point is...I have stuff bookmarked EVERYWHERE. To make matters more complicated, I have not perfected the art of tagging...so categories are not sorted efficiently. Too much of a good thing isn't a good thing; it's overwhelming!
I did learn some new terms, and I have provided links to them.
Linkroll
Tagroll
Social bookmarking sites are like super-sized value meals or funnel cake: Once in a while isn't going to be too bad....every five minutes, though, is a little too excessive and bad for your health.
I don't really know why this was so hard for me to complete! For weeks I've been looking at "Thing 17: not yet completed"...the title I used to save this spot in my list of blogs (so Things 1-23 could remain in chronological order). Each time I logged in, I would just stare at it, silently sigh, all with an Elvis lip and scrunched up nose. This 3 Step process seems to be the universal "Amanda"s disapproval-hesitation-procrastination/ugh-I-don't-want-to-do-this-ONE!" expression.
"Bookmark on Delicious" buttons are the new end punctuation mark for sentences, so it seems. In all actuality, I think the pop up window that displays all 5 trillion feeds/bookmarks/save-this/link/email/download/print options had given Mr. Period Question Mark the boot a long time ago. I just didn't know what those little buttons were all about.
So, what is Delicious all about anyways? The short version is that it is a way for you to remember (bookmark) and share your favorite webpages with others. Hence, the descriptor of social bookmarking.
Delicious would be great...if I didn't already have 5 other tools just like it. I use Stumble Upon, Zotero, some I have saved in a folder on my toolbar, some I have in an email folder, some are on my USB drive, some are stored in the North Pole. The point is...I have stuff bookmarked EVERYWHERE. To make matters more complicated, I have not perfected the art of tagging...so categories are not sorted efficiently. Too much of a good thing isn't a good thing; it's overwhelming!
I did learn some new terms, and I have provided links to them.
Linkroll
Tagroll
Social bookmarking sites are like super-sized value meals or funnel cake: Once in a while isn't going to be too bad....every five minutes, though, is a little too excessive and bad for your health.
10 Minute Mail
10 minute mail is AMAZING! For all those sites that you want to try but don't want to join...this website gives you a 10 minute email account. It's great for "confirming" emails.
Don't use this if you are going to need access to this email address later. It's only valid for 10 min (although it does give you the option for more time). So, what I did was use the address that they provided to create and conirm my account. THEN, I made sure I did all editing that I had to do. So, for my facebook page, I edited all of my profile info BEFORE I LOGGED OUT. This fulfilled my requirements; I can view (as a guest) but I can not make changes to the profile account.
Granted, this won't be useful for everything...but it definately helps.
Don't use this if you are going to need access to this email address later. It's only valid for 10 min (although it does give you the option for more time). So, what I did was use the address that they provided to create and conirm my account. THEN, I made sure I did all editing that I had to do. So, for my facebook page, I edited all of my profile info BEFORE I LOGGED OUT. This fulfilled my requirements; I can view (as a guest) but I can not make changes to the profile account.
Granted, this won't be useful for everything...but it definately helps.
Thing 16
Topic: Letter 1
Dear Zamzar,
I thought you would have called me before tonight. Seriously, how long does it take to send a quick little text, email, mail carrier on horseback, or message in a bottle? Apparently not as long as it takes you to find me. So many problems could have been avoided if I had your file converter...which WORKS, by the way...with EASE and beautiful SIMPLICITY.....but no! You had to hide from me and make me wonder where your were for MONTHS!
So, I'm letting you know that from this point forward...we are through! Don't try to make up in the morning. Don't send 5 dozen roses that create puncture wounds when you try to take them out of the 10 lbs of government-issued bulletproof cellophane wrap. Don't call me your girl...it's OVER! I'm downloading my OWN file converter.
Not yours truly,
Amanda
P.S. You can keep your online Calendar, your online Post-its, your new iGoogle homepage, and all of your other stuff you left on the steps for me to trip over. It's cluttering up my computer screen and I prefer to write these things down anyways.
............................................................
Topic: Letter 2
Dear Zamzar,
We both said some things we didn't mean. I actually really like roses, but not as much as I LOVE you. I tried the 13 Day Free Trial Download-able Converter...and it didn't compare to you! You're online. You're accessible from ANYWHERE. You're free and only take 4 steps. You're the love of my life. Let's give it another shot, shall we?
Smooches,
Amanda
P.S. I meant what I said about the homepage stuff though.
Dear Zamzar,
I thought you would have called me before tonight. Seriously, how long does it take to send a quick little text, email, mail carrier on horseback, or message in a bottle? Apparently not as long as it takes you to find me. So many problems could have been avoided if I had your file converter...which WORKS, by the way...with EASE and beautiful SIMPLICITY.....but no! You had to hide from me and make me wonder where your were for MONTHS!
So, I'm letting you know that from this point forward...we are through! Don't try to make up in the morning. Don't send 5 dozen roses that create puncture wounds when you try to take them out of the 10 lbs of government-issued bulletproof cellophane wrap. Don't call me your girl...it's OVER! I'm downloading my OWN file converter.
Not yours truly,
Amanda
P.S. You can keep your online Calendar, your online Post-its, your new iGoogle homepage, and all of your other stuff you left on the steps for me to trip over. It's cluttering up my computer screen and I prefer to write these things down anyways.
............................................................
Topic: Letter 2
Dear Zamzar,
We both said some things we didn't mean. I actually really like roses, but not as much as I LOVE you. I tried the 13 Day Free Trial Download-able Converter...and it didn't compare to you! You're online. You're accessible from ANYWHERE. You're free and only take 4 steps. You're the love of my life. Let's give it another shot, shall we?
Smooches,
Amanda
P.S. I meant what I said about the homepage stuff though.
Not a thing, but a lingering thought
Topic: Job-hunt/Where are the Art Standards listed?/ Where is the category for Art under teacher description and subject/Where is my voice??? <-- that last one was thrown in there to highlight my 2-week old sore throat and voice loss
I have been very discouraged lately. I find myself constantly having to validate my content area to others. That doesn't bother me so much as the fact that I am beginning to have to give myself mirror-based pep talks...to convince myself. Worry causes doubt; doubt causes fear; and fear causes you to panic about your Bentley-sized student loan debt...not to mention the whole hopes and dreams and aspirations thing. But you know...who really wants to do what they love anyways, right?
Newsflash: ME!
That being said, I am terrified that there will not be a place for me within a school simply because visual art is seen as a disposable subject. Not even a subject in the eyes of most. Something extra. Something non necessary. Something of lesser value than math, science, language arts, or history. I think study hall or bathroom breaks are seen as superior events than that of art class (and music, drama, or dance for that matter). It breaks my heart.
Rant complete. Now, a few words from our sponsors (not really, but I liked what they said).
"Institutions... assign us ranks and place considerable pressure on us to fulfill our defined roles. We need something to help us restore our lost or distorted humanity. Each of us has suppressed feelings that have built up, a voiceless cry in the depths of our souls, waiting for expression. Art, both in practice and appreciation, gives those feelings voice and form." --Daisaku Ikeda from The Way of Youth
"The sound of the sea, the curve of a horizon, wind in leaves, the cry of a bird leave manifold impression in us. And suddenly, without our wishing it at all, one of these memories spills from us and finds expression in musical language... I want to sing my interior landscape with the simple artlessness of a child." -- Claude Debussy
I have been very discouraged lately. I find myself constantly having to validate my content area to others. That doesn't bother me so much as the fact that I am beginning to have to give myself mirror-based pep talks...to convince myself. Worry causes doubt; doubt causes fear; and fear causes you to panic about your Bentley-sized student loan debt...not to mention the whole hopes and dreams and aspirations thing. But you know...who really wants to do what they love anyways, right?
Newsflash: ME!
That being said, I am terrified that there will not be a place for me within a school simply because visual art is seen as a disposable subject. Not even a subject in the eyes of most. Something extra. Something non necessary. Something of lesser value than math, science, language arts, or history. I think study hall or bathroom breaks are seen as superior events than that of art class (and music, drama, or dance for that matter). It breaks my heart.
Rant complete. Now, a few words from our sponsors (not really, but I liked what they said).
"Institutions... assign us ranks and place considerable pressure on us to fulfill our defined roles. We need something to help us restore our lost or distorted humanity. Each of us has suppressed feelings that have built up, a voiceless cry in the depths of our souls, waiting for expression. Art, both in practice and appreciation, gives those feelings voice and form." --Daisaku Ikeda from The Way of Youth
"The sound of the sea, the curve of a horizon, wind in leaves, the cry of a bird leave manifold impression in us. And suddenly, without our wishing it at all, one of these memories spills from us and finds expression in musical language... I want to sing my interior landscape with the simple artlessness of a child." -- Claude Debussy
Thing 15 (incomplete)
Topic: Wikis
To Do: copy/paste my best curriculum idea from 23 things posts into APSU 23 Things Sandbox Wiki.
Once I decide on what I want to post to the site, I will comment about what, why, and so forth.
Art Tutorials Wiki is one that I will actually reference for class assignments. There are great tutorials for various aspects of visual art instruction.
To Do: copy/paste my best curriculum idea from 23 things posts into APSU 23 Things Sandbox Wiki.
Once I decide on what I want to post to the site, I will comment about what, why, and so forth.
Art Tutorials Wiki is one that I will actually reference for class assignments. There are great tutorials for various aspects of visual art instruction.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Failure Anxiety...to the MAX
I just realized that I am that person that balls hysterically when they fail at schoolwork. I was never the athletic kid, never the prom queen, never popular, never the best, never the worst. I was always average by default. Somehow, though, I always managed to do better than average. Granted, what took most classmates 30 minutes to do always took me 3 days...but I always completed it; always succeeded; and was always proud.
Today is not one of those days. Today, I defaulted back to average. Actually, it was below average. 33 minutes. My face has looked like Niagra Falls for 33..make that 34 mintues now. I had forgotten that I was that kid...and that a part of me still is that kid...the one that dwells on a B- for days...the one that gets sick at her stomach at the sight of a C...and the one that never lets herself forget the disappointment of a D.
Maybe if I would have called the repair guy sooner. Maybe if I would have emailed the files, double checked this, buckled down on that. Maybe if I could have made it to the missed class, I would have known how to do this, do that, and the other. Some of tonight was not my fault. I'm not upset about that. It's the part that genuinely was a lack of ...something...a lack of effort? time? ability? drive? Something. It's the part that I could have done better that makes me want to waller in self-loathing. (nope, not a typo...I said waller..like a pig in mud).
I guess there are just some things that we never outgrow...no matter how hard we pretend to.
Today is not one of those days. Today, I defaulted back to average. Actually, it was below average. 33 minutes. My face has looked like Niagra Falls for 33..make that 34 mintues now. I had forgotten that I was that kid...and that a part of me still is that kid...the one that dwells on a B- for days...the one that gets sick at her stomach at the sight of a C...and the one that never lets herself forget the disappointment of a D.
Maybe if I would have called the repair guy sooner. Maybe if I would have emailed the files, double checked this, buckled down on that. Maybe if I could have made it to the missed class, I would have known how to do this, do that, and the other. Some of tonight was not my fault. I'm not upset about that. It's the part that genuinely was a lack of ...something...a lack of effort? time? ability? drive? Something. It's the part that I could have done better that makes me want to waller in self-loathing. (nope, not a typo...I said waller..like a pig in mud).
I guess there are just some things that we never outgrow...no matter how hard we pretend to.
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