Saturday morning was spent with other Art Educators from around Michigan at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. As a panelist for this PD, I shared my experiences with using technology in Art Education and gave examples and methods for integration to others. One great thing that the GRAM Educational team set up prior to the event was the hashtag #gramteachertech to help organize and archive ideas and resources gleaned from the event. 

Several key questions emerged that I wanted to address in more detail now that I have had some time to digest the whole conversation: 

I look at the use of technology in the art room in three ways: 
1. Teacher Tool 
As a teacher I use technology for creating presentations, screen castings, research for projects, gradebook/attendance, and PD. I use technology to stay up to date with information in my field and also use it to give demonstrations through my ELMO, projector, and other digital tools. I have recently transitioned into a blended classroom model through the use of Moodle to house information and also receive student assignments. You can find more information on this on the Blended Learning tab of my website. 
2. Student Tool
 I also use technology as a tool for students to create with. They make videos or digital collages to express ideas and visually communicate messages - but this is not ALL that they make. My most successful lessons either start with a traditional method and end with a digital tool or visa versa. Just because we use technology to create with does not mean we forget about painting, drawing, sculpture and the like. For a well-rounded program, there needs to be time for both (especially at the lower levels). One thing I had to rethink as a teacher once I started teaching, was that Art isn't just drawing. Drawing is one form in which Art is made, but there are many different ways to visually represent ideas. If I only focus on one task or skill or genre, then I am doing my students a disservice.
3. Classroom Tool
The most important way I use technology is as a tool for organizing the classroom. My blog, Moodle page, and online student gallery help me stay organized and my students stay informed on what is happening in class. One of the easiest first steps to incorporate technology in the classroom without feeling like you are losing any traditional methods is to start an online gallery with Artsonia. This also allows for your students to have a broader audience for their work and can be a great advocacy tool with parents and the school community.

I strongly feel that if we approach technology integration in the Art classroom as a way of doing business, then we will see a shift of the Art class as being a marginal thing that could be cut to a central need of every school. 

Not having the resources to incorporate technology is something that I think every teacher struggles with at some time in their career. When I was looking to add a Digital Art component to my curriculum 6 years ago, I started by finding exemplar programs from around the country and researched how using technology in their classrooms had impacted student learning and growth. After putting together a proposal and working with both teachers in my department and administrators, I was able to acquire equipment and resources to get started. I also wrote multiple grants (one of which you can read about here) to help build resources for my program. The result is multiple local and national awards for Digital Art and Video projects that my students have made due to the investment. If you are serious about wanting to incorporate technology, talk with your administration about being a pilot teacher with iPads, or iPods, or Macbooks. Write out a proposal and look to other programs as models. If you hit a roadblock with your administrators, check out potential grants or partnerships. The big thing is to not get discouraged if you hear a "no" the first time. Change doesn't always happen fast, but it can happen if you are willing to be patient with the work. 

Ian Sands' video How Technology Helped Me Paint With Mud explores how students can turn in their work digitally rather than giving the teacher a paper in hand. He uses blogs and dropbox to help organize student product (as well as show process) for this. I use Moodle to help me stay organized with students turning in work. One benefit from this is that it solves the no-name paper issue. It also helps the process of posting images online and I am no longer dealing with piles of papers on my desk. It can completely change the workflow in the classroom and streamline many aspects of the job.

I want to thank the GRAM and MAEA for holding this type of PD for teachers. Technology is an important component to education and I think having these kinds of discussions with teachers is important. Here are a few other reflections from participants from the day: 

I still get looks from some people when I pronounce my love for Twitter. They crinkle their nose, roll their eyes, and whisper a "pa-shaw" when I tell them how much it has changed my teaching life. 

Sharing content and ideas is a great thing to do and tools like Twitter allows it to be done despite of location. It really allows for people to come together without the barrier of flight costs or language to communicate and exchange ideas of interest. Two things happened within the last day that really solidified my love for this online tool. 

The first is the image created above by Stacy Lord. She is a Middle School Art teacher that has been a part of my professional learning network for quite a while. We first met on Art Ed 2.0 Ning, started by Craig Roland, and have continued sharing ideas through Twitter. She created this AWESOME lego depiction of all of the people in our PLN. I love the fact that she took the time to make something as awesome and shared it online. I am honored that she included me in the professional community we participate in even though we have never met face-to-face. It was a great boost to my day and made me feel good on an otherwise snowy/slushy day.

The second thing that happened was the result of a classroom collaboration with Ian Sands, a High School Art Teacher from North Carolina. He tweeted that he needed some material for his students to animate. I, along with others, gave him links to our online galleries. The result were amazingly fun animations that my students LOVED seeing. I was so happy to see the reaction - everyone in the class was hoping to see theirs selected. It reminded students that when they make art, people are paying attention and even using it to make new art. The moment was truly priceless.

Neither of these things would have happened if it were not for Twitter and the connections I have made with great teachers from all over the place. So, as silly as it may seem to some, I do love Twitter. I am not afraid to say it because it has helped me do so many things through the connections with others - including how adorable I would be in Lego form... 

I do not have children. I have been married for almost a decade and it has just not happened for us, yet. I am not in a big hurry to change. I like my life, but I hope to someday be a parent. 

Now, I am putting this out there because I have recently felt a little jarred from others who say, "Well, you have so much time to do (whatever I am doing in Arts Education or Technology), you must not have any children." And the reason is yes. I do have time because I don't have any kids. However, I am not sure having kids or not having kids is an excuse to do or not do something dealing with the advancement of something you care about. I know a lot of people with children who do a lot of things I admire and aspire to do (but I haven't found the time yet). 

It is just something I have been thinking about for a while. It has been bothering me (maybe because I would actually like to have kids at some point in my life) and I wanted to throw it out there. I have no idea what it is like to be a parent and I would never try and judge what others are doing with their time. I would hope that if I have children, I would want them to be the priority and the result would be a shift in how I share my time.

Be kind to others. What you say matters. You don't know what my history might be with wanting or not wanting kids - so instead of using it as an excuse to make yourself feel better about not doing what I am doing, please think before you speak.

Ever since our school moved to a 1:1 system a few weeks ago, my classroom has changed. I have been a strong user of technology for the past 5 years with my students, so I didn't think it would change so much once students got their Macbooks, but I was wrong. It has changed dramatically. 

As we are all still figuring out the best way to incorporate these devices into the everyday, one thing that I am pretty excited about is what I was able to do for a day like today, when I am unable to be with my students. Usually sub plans are the worst to deal with as a teacher. You know that no matter what you try to write down, nothing is going to substitute the expertise and ability of you as the teacher being there (that is why many teachers say it is just easier to be there than to be away from the classroom). 

With the help of our 1:1 system, I am feeling a little more at ease today. Instead of just writing everything down for the sub, I copied the plans for my students and emailed them what needs to be done. Instead of relying on a sub to try and figure out what they are supposed to be doing with their watercolor projects, I created a screen-casting of the demonstrations and posted on our Moodle page. I also encouraged students to email me with questions so I could help them if they get confused. 

Even though this is no substitute for me being in the room and helping kids in real-time, it is way better than what I had to rely on before. I am also able to see the kids work as they are handing it in through our Moodle page and give them feedback where needed. 

Technology has the capacity to do amazing things and this is one that seems obvious, but one I really wasn't expecting. 

How do you handle having a sub in your classroom? Have you used screen-castings to help the sub?