Web+2.0

Features of five Web 2.0 tools and how I can incorporate them into my teaching with examples.

1. __Prezi__ – This zooming presentation editor seems like a good Web 2.0 tool. It features a zoomable canvas that serves as both a big idea and a detailed idea in one and can even have a "YouTube" video embedded for specifics. I like that comments can be added to the presentation live. It also offers account storage in 3 sizes depending upon the needs of the user. The sizes are: personal enjoyment, public presentations such as teaching, or professional caliber. It can also be customized with a logo and kept private. Prezi encourages involvement with other Prezi users via Linkedln, Twitter, and Face Book. The last feature is different product levels. As a teacher, Prezi Desktop, lets me create and save presentations on my own pc in a .pez file format offline. Prezi Meeting is useful because presentations can be made in real time with other group members. That way it can be created, edited and viewed on a weekend with each user connecting from their home. I could have benefited from this in my EDS 3150 class! Prezi for iPad has a viewer application that allows the prezi to be downloaded to an iPad. A concrete example of how I could use this as an art teacher is that the zoomable canvas or big idea could be a lesson plan in itself, such as “Art projects in clay”. The zoom in details could show and describe different aspects of working with clay such as, supplies, slab building, throwing on the wheel, glazing, firing and clean up. An embedded demonstration video would enhance any of these aspects. The overall lesson plan canvas could be made to look like the artist studio with the different work areas within it detailed. Students could volunteer or be called upon to come up to the screen and zoom in on any part of the studio. It could be repeated or referenced as necessary at any time.

2. __Google Documents__ – Is a cloud computing tool that allows users to create and share documents on the web for free, with the data being stored on Google’s third party database system. It is intended to boost productivity for business. Because it is cloud based, any computer with access to the Internet can reach the master spreadsheet or document, eliminating the need for downloading and installing software. The main feature of the software is that it permits collaborative editing of a single version of a document. This eliminates multiple copies of files being changed, saved and then e-mailed back and forth by different people. It enables members of a corporate team to be in different parts of the world while working online on a single spreadsheet presentation for example. The components of Google Docs are: Documents, Spreadsheets, Presentations, Drawings, and Forms. It is compatible with Microsoft office and html file formats, which makes it easy to use. Files can also be moved from desktop to Google docs and edited. In the drawings section, flowchart diagrams can be created then attached to either the master document or spreadsheet. Because the software is for group collaboration, it seems I could use it as a tool for gathering information from all the students in a given class to one master presentation or drawing. For example, if the assignment was to observe different types of architectural styles in the neighborhood, students could easily contribute ideas or data any time, say over spring break, to the Google Doc that the entire class would then share and discuss at the next meeting date. The ability to access the master file quickly encourages spontaneity and can capture a thought before it’s forgotten, although you still need to think about what you’re contributing. Of course, this would be only for older students that have Internet access and ability to open a Google account, which is probably most of them. This software could also facilitate teacher planning for a school event or allow student data to be input into one master file by multiple teachers for compilation by the principal or district.

3. __Fontstruct.com__ – from the cooltoolsforschools drawing tools collection. This software features free type-design online. Personal fonts, usually an alphabet, can be created from a geometric grid, and then downloaded for interface with Microsoft. The modular grid is the main feature, because the user can use it as a tool to experiment with and try new type styles in a controlled setting, as opposed to drawing by hand. There are blogs and live sharing with other users, plus font design competitions offered so it becomes a fun hobby for some people. The way I would use this software in an art class is to teach typography, including classifications, characters, typesetting, type face, and type design. Fontstruct seems to have plenty of font examples for a guide, and students could use the grid as a tool to explore shape, proportion, character spacing, negative space and layout. The fact that the students could then, download and actually see the type face in use helps them gauge the success of it. Most likely however, a combination of computer generated and hand drawn type-design would work best in the classroom because it is not practical for everyone to have a proper workstation.

4. __Livebrush.com__ – from the cooltoolsforschools creativity tools collection. Livebrush is a digital canvas that lets the user create and embellish simple gesture drawings that he or she has made on the software or imported to it from another project. Drawing features include: motion control, decorative line, brushstroke style, texture, pattern, background, color, and special effects such as “smoke”. The result is a unique graphic design created from this array of custom options. The image can then be exported and used as a graphic for a website, t-shirt or anything. Livebrush also has a sharing forum for blogs, critiques, and collaboration with other users. An example of how I could use this as an art teacher is simply that it could serve as a demonstration tool for various drawing techniques. It can help students understand how to develop a composition by showing them the different steps and what to consider. I doubt if it’s practical for each students to do their own class work this way, because most art classrooms don’t have a computer for everyone, but I believe that an eye-catching, upbeat program like this would definitely get their attention and generate some enthusiasm and motivation. They could certainly take turns experimenting with it for ideas while working with conventional media for the finished piece.

5. __PBWorks__ – The basic education edition of PBWorks is a webpage that can be used by up to 100 students for free, and is cloud based, so Internet access is the only requirement to get started. It becomes a shared workspace for group collaboration, allows audio and video to be embedded, and can be public or password protected. The possibilities are great for schools because it could be used as part of a global classroom exchange, or a way for parents to see students’ artwork, or just a cool bulletin board. I like the idea of a single class web page because it is an innovative way to get the kids working together on something they can be proud of. It may help them learn the importance of cooperation and teamwork while being creative in expressing the character of the group. On the webpage, each student could show a drawing with a short sentence identifying them and they could put a check mark next to it for each project completed and turned in. There could also be a section on it posting concerns or comments about the curriculum for periodic discussion, and one showing a tally of points earned for a class prize or party. Also, different aspects of student work could be highlighted weekly or the best pieces could be showcased for the rest of the school to see on the main school website.