BP3_iGoogleScreenShots

My home page.

Welcome to My World!

My iGoogle tabs reflect who I am and what I think is important… for the moment!  Initially, this started out as a simple process of creating the tabs and plugging in the requirements.  Unfortunately, I became obsessed with finding just the right gadget for each tab!  I am convinced that what I need will change and evolve as I learn more about technology! 

My ETC page.

In my own mind I thought I knew a lot about the net and about technology…boy was I wrong!  I am learning about tools, apps and gadgets I never knew existed! (Ignorance is not always bliss!)

I tried to make each page unique and still incorporate some common elements.  The elements of time, art and quotes can be found on each page. 

My FSO page.

Time is always important as an online student.  I have clocks on each page and most are set to Eastern Standard Time to help me with procrastination.  Art is something I simply love.  I included some form of art on each page to express my passion for design, images, styles and artists.  Finally, I hope to use the quotes as a source of inspiration or encouragement through the graduate school process.  I included quotes from artists, leaders, and quotes on teamwork to spur me on in my efforts to succeed.

My CBR page.

I find my new personal learning environment very useful, but old habits are hard to break.  From time to time, I must remind myself to use the environment I painstakingly created!  I am positive it will help me be more efficient in the months to come and that is blessing!

Of course, I will probably pass this assignment on to my IB (International Baccalaureate) art students.  I think a similar environment would help them with the necessary research for their investigation workbooks.  Their PLEs could eliminate constant wandering on the web and harness reliable resources in one area.  Instant access to art, museums and artists with just a couple of clicks! Imagine the joy on their faces when aimless searching has ended.

BP2_Image Spark

Imagespark is a creative tool that helps you collect, discover, share, tag and converge images that inspire you and your work.                            

                                                                                                                   - Imagespark website

My research of Web 2.0 tools was an interesting adventure!  There are so many cool tools and applications available to use in the classroom and it was hard to begin with just one!  However, I did manage to find a tool that I believe would be a great creative resource for me and for my students.

The tool I discovered was Imagespark.  Imagespark allows users to find, upload and share imagery to inspire their creative work.  I thought this would be a resource my students could use to spark ideas and concepts in art.  The tutorial was a simple movie illustrating basic operations (finding/sharing images) and how to create a mood boards to inspire your art.

The mood boards are areas to capture images that you may find or images that you may have on file.  I love photography, images and color!  I love the collage layout of the site and its collaborative nature.  I found the application simple and user friendly, so if I can use it, I know my students can do it! (I don’t want to use anything I have to read three manuals to understand!)

My photo of Multnomah Falls in Oregon.

Students can use Imagespark, Flickr or their own images to create a library that is uniquely their own.  Students are able to digitize their mind maps or idea banks to generate authentic, personal art. This application could be used in a student’s personal learning environment to help get the wheels turning or to help organize ideas or thoughts in the creative process.

Another aspect of Imagespark is the community board.  This shared mood board is a collection of images to select images submitted by users that you might add to your own mood board…very cool! 

My photo on the community board.

I am finally realizing the consumer and producer elements of the Web 2.0 world!  I didn’t just sit back and take the images; I actually uploaded an image to the community board.  This left me with an awesome sense of accomplishment!  To see an image that I had taken on a site with contributors from around the globe was amazing to me!

My photo is tagged!

I thought this application could give my students that same sense of wonder!  I am constantly telling them to draw inspiration from the world around them, as they create their own art.  The mood boards can remind them of what they like or love and hopefully this will act as a catalyst or springboard for meaningful art.

 I can see them using the mood board to upload their own images and using the community board to select images they find interesting.  The fact that images can come from multiple sources makes it unique.

Today, I introduced Imagespark to my students and challenged them to create their own mood boards. Hopefully, this will spark their imagination and encourage creativity in their work.  

I am anxious to hear their experiences with this creative tool and if they find it useful. Even if you are not an artist, I believe the mood boards could be used as a creative writing prompt, inspire music or compare photography styles form around the world.  

Try it; I am sure you’ll like it!

My mood board with my selected images!

                                           *Screen shots from Flickr and Imagespark sites.

BP1_Welcome to my Blogpost!

Welcome to my blog!   It is officially month four and I am still excited about the program!  I have learned so much and I am looking forward to the challenge in the months to come!  I have posted images of my target audience: my students!  I teach a very unique bunch and I know they are ready to give me insight on their learning process.  Feedback will be very important for this process and with the group I have...it won't be a problem!  I want to see how creativity, technology and student choice mix on a regular basis!

Let's see what happens!