Reflections

At the beginning of the semester , I stated that my learning objectives were to learn scanology art, animation, 3d printing,  and  how to teach media projects in art class. This has been  quite an ambitious list of objectives to tackle. I feel very content that I learned some of what I set out to do, while some other things on my lists (such as 3d printing) need more time. Ultimately though , I learned a lot more than what was on my  initial learning goal list. 

A good life lesson is that  if you take initiative you can learn/ do anything ! This is especially true, when you have a maker space full of resources and good teachers. I am really proud of my new book making skills ! I took the laser cutting project as an opportunity to learn book binding. What I really enjoyed about this class is that I had the freedom to learn what I wanted to learn. Coincidentally, in the fourth grade class I was observing , the teacher taught her students how to make origami books. There was an exceptionally creative girl named Aurora, who made origami in her origami books. I had her teach me, and then further developed the process.  I will certainly bring book making into the art classroom. 

As for my goals, I feel very confident in making and teaching scanology art.In my art practice, I am very interested in natural world. I love the ways that leaves and shells look when they are scanned... lots of dreamy textures and shadows. 

Here is also a book I made that combines scanology and book making. This could be an other lesson plan to write. I will certainly combine dying arts like bookmaking and sewing, and combine them with technology. It feels very important to breathe life back into these historical processes. 


My second goal, animation, took a lot of perseverance. Though, I am happy to say that my hard work has payed off. Over the course  of the semester, I have made three types of stop motion animation. I have always wanted to learn this skill, so I am very pleased with myself! The first animation I made with hand made materials and a stop motion app on my cell phone called Stop Motion Studio.  My second video, I made in Dr, Burton's class with the help of some Tech Savy fourth graders. We made this with an app on the ipad and used collaged paper. My third stop motion, has been the most trying of them all ! I wanted to combine all my paintings together and bring life to them. I have always thought of my paintings as a fantasy world, and this is especially true in my animation. I used photoshop and After Effect for this feat. 

My third goal was 3d printing. I didn't quite complete my goal, but I got about halfway there. I learned how to model things to print and how to download things on thingiverse. I came up with some neat designs ! My next step, is actually printing them. I do plan on doing this next semester. 

My fourth goal was to learn how to incorporate technology in the art classroom. I certainly accomplished this goal. I learned lots of great platforms and knowledge to share with my future students. For instance, I really loved tinkered. Scratch I still need to play with more to confidently teach my students, but I know I can get there. I feel pretty confident wiht a basic circuit, and I can incorporate that into some art projects. Blogger is also a great resource for my students to use. It is great to have the google doc of al our lessons together to use as a reference. I learned a lot in this course, but I also feel like I just scratched the surface. 

I am excited to incorporate new technologies as well as old crafts into my art classroom. As we move forward, there are more and more digital skills that are students must learn to be successful in society. I know that the art classroom is a great place for my future students to learn and practice technological skills in a creative and fun way.  Maker culture is important because students will know that they can figure anything out !