Drawings from my sketchbook. I did not do nearly enough, but at least I tried.
Bonjour! I arrived home a few days ago and was struggling with what to include in this post. There was so much that I experienced and saw, great teachers that I met, and there was even time for just sitting and enjoying a cool breeze as it passed by my way. As I reflected on my three days in Paris, I realized that I was able to truly enjoy those moments because I allowed myself to be in there without any distraction. I left my computer at home, my cell does not work over seas, and when I did call home it was via pay phone at 6 a.m. Paris time. Each morning I managed to get up at 4 a.m. and was ready by 5; I used the time before our group met to walk to the nearest pay phone and call home to recap events. Luckily my husband didn't mind the midnight call and it was really great to be up and about before anyone else, walking the streets while listening the the birds chirp awake the day.
I am a huge advocate for using technology. I blend my classroom online and I am an avid user of social media. But just like anything else, there should be a balance. I am very thankful for having that and taking a break from the computer last week and I think I need to do this in the classroom as well.
No one should only teach using one method because not all students learn in one way. I hope to keep that in mind when my students enter my classroom in the fall. I will take my experience of being unplugged and use that same spirit when we go outside to be inspired or start a new project and take time to just experience the act of making art. Art is about being in the moment; so is living a full life. If I spend all of my time online and plugged in, then I am probably missing out on a chance to be out there in the world doing something. If I am always checking my cell or twitter or facebook, then I am probably missing the chance to really be in a moment with the person or people I am around. It might sound like common sense, but sometimes a trip to Paris isn't a bad way to be reminded that it is true.
I am a huge advocate for using technology. I blend my classroom online and I am an avid user of social media. But just like anything else, there should be a balance. I am very thankful for having that and taking a break from the computer last week and I think I need to do this in the classroom as well.
No one should only teach using one method because not all students learn in one way. I hope to keep that in mind when my students enter my classroom in the fall. I will take my experience of being unplugged and use that same spirit when we go outside to be inspired or start a new project and take time to just experience the act of making art. Art is about being in the moment; so is living a full life. If I spend all of my time online and plugged in, then I am probably missing out on a chance to be out there in the world doing something. If I am always checking my cell or twitter or facebook, then I am probably missing the chance to really be in a moment with the person or people I am around. It might sound like common sense, but sometimes a trip to Paris isn't a bad way to be reminded that it is true.
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