Reflection 3 WEEK 4

IMAGES

Me at the end of the week!
Image taken from the 'commons' FLICKER

            "WE ALL LOOK AT THE SAME THINGS, YET SEE                                      THINGS DIFFERENTLY"

 CLAUDE MONET

My focus this week was on the Digital tool: Images. I chose to explore this option more as I think it will be one of the primary technology tools I will be using in my discipline areas of Visual Arts and Graphics.  

One of the many things I learnt this week was about Semiotic Systems (the study of how things make meaning) and different literacy modes such as written text (traditional literacy), image, sound, videos, dance etc that enhance a students capacity to make meaning out of things.

"Remember that different people are drawn to different semiotic systems. This is a major educational point. We need to provide the same information in multiple forms so that we communicate it more completely and powerfully to our students"Literacymethods.wikispaces.com:

Here are some ways digital images can be used as a significant aid in learning and teaching. The following points I have taken from a website- JISC Digital Media.  

Image can be used to:

• Inspire discussion of a topic.
• To enforce and extend language and common terms of the object being discussed.
• To stimulate students writing a story/poem about that image - enhancing creative and language skills.
• To encourage critical thinking.
• To enhance visual communication skills.
• To help identify emotions and mood.

Resizing and uploading digital Images

Image Resized

Image manipulated in 'BeFunky'
-possibly too manipulated!

I found I had no drama in reducing the file size of my pictures. It was a simple linear process on the mac computer. However looking at the technical manual to resize on a PC looked a little more complex. I might have to know that before I start teaching!

I created an account with 'BeFunky' and went to work and 'over manipulated' the image. It was easy to use but very basic it its functions.

Flicker – First time eva being on flicker! And I now know why everybody is able to freely access the
‘commons’!.....all the photos were prehistoric! And the rest of the pictures we could not use without permission – I was too scared to touch anything!….what a headache….next!!!

Yes, I obviously don’t understand it properly….I did waste a couple of hours on it though!! True story. Doing what? I have no idea…..reading…looking…reading…looking… and still no clue.

Created in ArtRage

I downloaded the free 15day full use trial on ArtRage and created a 5 minute masterpiece. Who would have thought! I played around with it pondering how my students would benefit from it.

Its just like creating art in a different medium I suppose. One that would produce far superior results. This was also easy to use.
I do feel with the use of all these imagining tools you should have a clear intent of what you are wanting to achieve before you go in there otherwise you could be just wondering in the wilderness in there.

Voice Thread - My Main focus

 As I perused the text on images,  I was delighted to discover – Voice Thread – a digital tool that allows you to upload images, videos, documents etc to a central place so then your students are able to access it and make a comment on it. It is a great way for students to establish an ‘interactive learning dialogue’ with their material and also develop their skills in higher order thinking (bloom’s taxonomy) through the analytical process of observing, critiquing and reflecting. Check it out!!

I did find it relatively simple to use however it did take a bit of time to set up but in saying this, there was plenty of well informed videos that were readily available on their site.

                                           

                                                     This space should not be here.

SAMR Model and Voice Thread

Old Way – Teacher holds up a picture of a painting in an art book in the front of the whole class to critique.

Substitution

The teacher uploads a picture of a painting on wiki space and the students critique the painting by typing their comments. Everyone can see other student’s comments and get ideas and clarity from them.

Augmentation

Teacher utilises Voice Thread to upload picture in a central space where students can access and critique the artwork from home using their voice. Students can hear each other’s comments by clicking on their identity. This will then help them with ideas on what they have to say.

Modification

Students collaborate with other students in different schools and critique each other’s artwork.

Redefinition

Students create a visual arts portfolio book using ‘voice thread’ with their own work to share with the rest of the world.

Swot Analysis and Voice Thread

Strengths

• Extension of classroom space – have the same quality teaching at home.
• Develops a  student’s capacity for aural literacy and visual literacy.
• Students may be more willing to do their homework because they don’t have to formally write anything down.
• Students are able to hear other student’s comments and learn from them (constructivism)

Weaknesses

• Students may need to write down on a piece of paper beforehand of what they want to say.
• Furthermore, students will need to learn how to articulate their words more effectively which would take time.

 Opportunities

• A teacher could plan a whole lesson using Voice Thread with the same effectiveness as being in a classroom and student’s who need to take time away from school because they are sick are still able to engage in schoolwork.  They won’t fall behind.

Threats

• Some students may be shy and intimidated with using their voice.
• Students may waste time on re  recording their voice if they don’t like the sound of it and waste time

Copyright Guidelines do apply when using images/video etc to upload. Click the copyright link located at the side of this blog for more info.

Until Next Time X