Typical Texts

Unless you are taking art history there are no real typical texts in art. When I'm making art I look at everything: works by other artists, museums or galleries, large glossy art books with beautiful pictures, art magazines such as Art News, Studio Arts, Paper, Surface Design Journal, American Craft, Architectural Digest and sometimes archeology books on ceramics and textiles. Really, I think I will need to establish a class library and reference many different art books. Gardners is usually the standard art history text but so much in art history that still isn't covered. Of course there are so many visual references around us such as logos and advertisements. I guess really there aren't any typical texts for a general art class.

Digital Literacy

On a daily basis, I use my cell phone to talk and text, I email and occasionally use facebook, although not always on a daily basis. I am a late user to texting and facebook. I don't have internet on my cell phone. I don't like being plugged in all the time. I don't want everyone to know almost everything about me. I'm not much of a t.v. watcher, mostly because I really don't have time. I watch specifically what I want on the internet, usually netflix late at night. I'm more attracted to foreign films and quirky independent films, things that are more subtle and require you draw your own conclusions. I'm more interested in conversations where I can hear someone's voice, tone, fluctuation, it's easier to determine their mood and overall opinions. I mainly text when I'm angry, trying to avoid someone or because they've texted me and I realize they're in a situation where they can't talk.

I look at many internet sites on the arts, an artist a day, how to utube sites, artist blogs and websites. I do think these sites could be great tools to use in class. I also think ipods and music can be used in classes as a privilege for students and in combination with art projects. They could design and illustration images for their favorite music or use music as inspiration for certain kinds of projects. We could also upload their artworks onto the school's website as a digital gallery. I would be interested in setting up a class blog with short segment videos on artists, how to use materials as a supplement for their homework and look at each others work. We could  have critiques once in a while where they could text their classmates their thoughts and ideas about their work. This type of communication could be helpful with students who are hesitant to talk in class.

I think the possibilities for using technology are endless. A lot of it can depend on school policies and getting prior approval. While I still value speaking in class, working in groups and verbally communicating, I do think technology can be integrated with the curriculum to help make things more interesting and engaging for students.