Week 5 post

I think that conversing learning can be far more beneficial to some students verses others. While traditional instruction has its place and time other methods are useful. From my own experiences I know this to be true. I am dyslexic; furthermore I have two sisters that are handicapped. Traditional learning wasn’t always the best way for us to learn. I needed to hear the information out loud. Reading it confused me and took much longer for me to understand then if my teachers would lecture. Even now I find that I learn at a higher level and faster when verbally given the information verses reading a textbook. While not all students have learning disabilities I think that conversing learning can help even those students. The way you may learn one thing may not work in a different subject or topic. I think different forms understanding information is helpful to all.

I do think that students have different learning styles. For example: My sister can read something and remember it instantly while I may read something have to make flashcards and then study the information before it is in my long term memory. I also think that every student has different styles. I think people have a natural desire to categorize things and this is a perfect example. While some students may have similar styles I don’t think one person learns the exact same way as someone else. I have a hard time believing personality tests. I have an uneasy feeling that it is too similar to zodiac signs and such nonsense. I could take that exact same quiz tomorrow and have a different reading on it therefore I distrust it. I think I will know more about my students by studying them on a day to day bases not a personality quiz.

Spreadsheets

Spreadsheets are a great tool for teachers. I think for math teachers they can help present formulas, history teachers timelines, for English teachers they can form though bubbles and grammar tools. They can help us all with grades and keeping track of scores. I think with grading its ability to calculate is a great time saver as well as a fool proof way of getting accurate grades for students. I think spreadsheets will primarily help me with the former example.
As a soon to be art teacher I won’t be requiring my students to study or memorize information like most teachers will be. My students will be creating things under my instructions and this is where I think Spreadsheets will be most helpful to me. I can explain what to do but I can use spreadsheets for a step by step process to give them once I have finished my demonstration. Along with grading I think this will be my main use of spreadsheets.

Assignment #3

“Inspiration” came across as a new and improved version of Microsoft word to me. I thought that it was familiar enough that students that were inexperienced with it would be able to follow efficiently enough. The basic set up was very much Microsoft yet it had some great updates. I really liked its thought bubble diagrams and brain storm ability. I especially liked its adjustability. One of my favorite features was that it can create an outline while a student was making a diagram. Unlike hand written brain storms it can be deleted or added onto without fear of forgetting something. All while making a perfect outline.
Where I thought it would be most helpful for my students is during brain storms for art projects. Usually, artists must do thumbnail sketches before starting a piece. This is very much like the artists form of brainstorming. Furthermore, students are usually having to research for the subject matter of whatever piece they are doing. Usually, artwork isn’t just a pretty thing to look at. There is meaning and thought behind most artworks. Artists are inspired by history, politics, mythology, and literature just to name a few. While a first idea is great, many revisions must be done before a student of art can precede with his/her piece. I think “Inspiration” and blogs would be great tools to help with writing activities. Sometimes it is hard to see past all your ideas and see the bigger picture and I think these two combined could help my future students greatly. To first create a diagram then post the diagram for a class blog would then allow other students to add input that the artist wouldn’t otherwise have. Not only would this help the student posting the diagram but it would also open the other students up to new ideas and points of views. I think it’s also a great way to allow my students to grow outside of class. They can first cultivate their own ideas then respond and get feedback to ideas and diagrams via e-mail or blogs etc. I would be able to give my students the tools to learn without me being there, which I think along with educating your students should be a teacher’s goal. It is the desire to learn MORE and the knowledge on how to do so that will help a student the most after leaving your classroom. I think these two tools can do that for our students.

Assignment #2

I think that blogs are useful under the right supervision for schools. To include blogs in school curriculum needs structure but it has great possibilities to enhance knowledge and understanding for a class. I think it is also important to include technology into schools for practical reasons. Our society is evolving so rapidly and it is doing so through technology. To exclude lessons in this realm of knowledge would hurt a persons education at the end of the day.
I will use myself as an example... I never did a PowerPoint in high school. Shocking I know.. I wasn't taught nor was I ever asked to do a project with one. Due to that exclusion of my education once entering college I had more obstacles to deal with than those who were required to make a presentation with a power point in high school or middle school. I think blogs have the ability to bring great growth in a classroom and the lack of it could cause great harm.

As I have said before I plan to be an art teacher. One major issue that art teachers have is the inability of their students to articulate their meaning or feelings about a piece of art. This is due to several reasons. I feel that a major cause of this problem is the de-emphasize on verbal/written communication in art classes. Artists as a general rule express themselves through their art. That is their main source of communication. I think that a blog for an art class would help students enhance their ability to explain their and others art. To first share their art and then to have writing assignments geared towards them learning to explain what they thought or feel about a piece could help art students greatly. For instance, to have a vocabulary list and writing assignments that require they use the correct language would force them in a fun way to learn those things that will help them make better art. A blog could also help students pass along ideas of art projects that they otherwise wouldn't think of on their own. Through the process of making art there are many drafts to original ideas. I think to have a community of art students to bounce ideas around would enable students to create better art.

Kathryn Yates

About me

Hey everyone!

My name is Kathryn Yates. This is my first blog so its been a learning curve for me! I have always wanted a blog though so I am super excited that its our first assignment.

I have not lived in Texas very long. My family was in the Army all my life so I've only been here a little over a year. I am getting my B.S..I wish to be an all level Art Teacher. The arts are my true passion in life and I want to share that love with kids. I am hoping this class with give me the tools to help my students in a way I couldn't do right now. I plan to teach in South Carolina once I get my degree. I also want to get a Masters after I finish my undergrad.

I can't wait to get to know all of you!
I hope everyone has a great semester!