Life is full – (but short on technology)

Life is full – (but short on technology) 08/10/2008

A friend of mine ends every email with the following quote: "My hands are full, my days are full, but most of all, my heart is full."

She’s referencing motherhood; of which I can most certainly agree. These days, I too am feeling very full –my life is absolutely insane, and I love every moment.

After nearly a seven-year hiatus with higher education I have returned to the classroom to teach art again. I’ve been busy preparing a room for over 800 little ones, sorting supplies, and writing and researching lessons. It has been a lot of work but I’ve been thrilled through all of it… just thinking about sharing creativity and a passion for the arts brings out the giddiness.

Last week, all of my new children arrived on the doorstep of a brand new school. While I still don’t have everything I need for the year, we had a great time. The kids are so excited about art… & so am I!

I received high fives and hugs, danced the Cha-cha and dried at least two sets of tears. Make that three sets of tears… my youngest began kindergarten (my tears, not hers).

In the midst of getting my family ready for school each morning, car pool duty, setting up art supplies and planning projects, I continue to think about ways to integrate technology in my classroom. Right now, my classroom does not have a computer and my own Mac Book will not even connect to the school’s Internet. While frustrating, I am a firm believer that “Where there is a will, there is a way.”

So until I figure out the WAY… I will do what I can to incorporate the concepts that I find most important in the newest Internet technologies: collaboration, experimentation and choice. In addition, each time I use a technology at home to prepare for a lesson, I will also take a screen cast as I work. It may be a lot of fun to show DVDs to my classes of how I create digital stories, movies, and graphics. Who knows, maybe my students will become my biggest technology advocates…

Comments

Jim Harris

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 07:21:33

Are computers that important to art?

And what aspects of computers are important?

For example, is a large LCD screen more important than computer power? By the way, in our lab used by Campus School students, they almost destroyed the CRT monitors by trying to draw on them. The glass looks like it has permanent worm tracks.

You can get a cheap 22" LCD for under $250, but a 17" for $160 and a cheap desktop for $200 that runs Linux, or $300-400 for a Windows machine, or $800 for the cheapest Mac.

It might be possible to configure a Linux machine for $300, but is it something that you could use? And how many machines do you need to make classwork practical?

Also, do you have networking for your classroom? You should write a blog requesting other teachers to help you design the lowest cost machine that offers the biggest bang for the buck.

Linux also runs well on older machines, the kind that people might donate to you.

Ubuntu even offers an educational distribution of Linux.

Jim

Donate Durham NC

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 08:21:26

Computers are definately a necessity in todays day and age, there are many non profits around that usually can help donate computers to schools. Even just a simply e-mail blast or asking parents to donate old computers and puttin linux on them is a great solution!

Angela

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 22:32:35

Thank you for the information! I think I might have been too picky in my desire to have the newest equipment. I would consider myself fortunate to receive donated computers from our school parents... I believe that I will do as you suggest. Will let you know how it turns out :)

AestheTECH

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