November 2011 Archives

Henry Jenkins addresses new media and how it affects the classroom. He says that if you are limited to the kinds of technology that some students may be left behind. For example, some school have internet blockers that don't allow students to reach social networks and media sites that is crucial to progression, and moving forward in technology. Teachers are 'shutting down' technology. It is almost like this new way of teaching is being shut don't because it's not traditional. By giving the students room to grow, and explore online, validates the experiences that they have.
There is also a break in the knowledge between students and teachers. Teachers are fearful and feel undertrained and are nervous that by teaching this way they may loose control of direction in the classroom.
The web provides space for both students and teachers to learn and observe what is going on in current time. By boxing ourselves in we are sheltering the full capabilities of students. Let people know what you are doing and gain support in teaching. There are so many available outlets to express education.
By using digital media there are skills that are gained. Not only educational but socially. Combining skills with technology can generate a higher power of education. It is possible to teach a typical topic in a creative way. It is also an outreach to meet many needs of students with the new ways of digital media.
An example Jenkins uses is a teacher who develops a tool kit with GPS and a scavenger hunt to collect data and physically walk around and seek answers to problems. These activities can be presented as a game and are interactive so they keep students engaged the whole time.
Overall Jenkins points out very encouraging words about how and why to incorporate digital media into the classroom. I think it is important to take his words seriously because what we are learning know are OUR tools, and by knowing this we can have a larger impact on the students of the future.

Jenkins, Henry, perf. Big Thinkers: Henry Jenkins on New Media. PBS, 2009. Web. 16 Nov. 2011. .

White Board Story Board Animation

Grade Level - 5th Grade
Time needed - 4 Class Periods

Focus: The focus of this lesson is to introduce digital media into the classroom through art creation. The students will create a narrative 2D animation on the white board, using dry erase markers, based on a poem of choice.

Objectives:
a.The students will demonstrate knowledge and use of the technical skills of the art form, integrating technology.
1.Describe a variety of tools, materials, and techniques used with software and hardware for creation in the media arts. (4.1.2.2.1)
2.Describe how photo, video, and sound- editing are used to create original products for expressive intent. (4.1.2.2.2)
b.The students will demonstrate knowledge of the foundations of the arts area.
1.Describe the use of elements in media arts such as image, sound, space, time, motion and sequence. (4.1.1.2.1)
2.Identify structures used in media arts such as chronological and spatial. (4.1.1.3.2)
c.Respond to or critique a variety of creations and performances using the artistic foundations.
1.Justify Personal interpretations and reactions to a variety of media artworks. (4.4.1.2.1.)

Motivational Resources:
-PowerPoint on whiteboard animation
-Youtube examples

-Teacher Example
-Shel Silverstein's Book, Where the Sidewalk Ends.

Art Materials: Photoshop CS3/5, Garage band, iMovie, Digital camera (preferably a digital SLR) with a memory card, Tripod, Whiteboard, Whiteboard markers (in a variety of colors), Eraser, Cleaner to clean the whiteboard.

Introduction to the Lesson: White board animations are easy ways to tell stories filled with movement and energy. The animation is made up of many frames with small movements with in each frame to create smooth gestures. As each frame builds it becomes a story. Like a flipbook, each figure is drawn out and then slowy added to, or subtracted from to create movement through space and time. You can either show sequence, where something is done step-by-step, or you can show movement by morphing in image slowly. As the figures are drawn out a picture is taken and then the object is changed. This step is repeated over and over until the desired storyboard is filled (Murphy).
Whiteboard 2D animation is also a great creative tool because it allows the artist complete creative control. The possibilities are endless. Whatever is desired can be created on the whiteboard using markers and erasers. The additive and subtractive qualities give you control and the colors allow dimension without distracting from the story.
A storyboard should be created so when it comes to creating the animation it is clear which steps need to be taken. Without this is becomes experimental, which is not always a bad thing.

Bibliography-

Murphy, Mary. Beginner's Guide to Animation. New York: Watson-Guptill Publications, 2008. 68-69. Print.

AnimationLessonPlan.docx