I am
integrating the use of technology into a lesson plan about Wayne Thiebaud. In
this lesson students will study the work of Thiebaud and produce their own
artwork based on his components. I am not just to adding in the technology, but
incorporating the technology so it “enriches and transforms” the way the
students are learning. I found integrating the technology to work out effectively
and enhance the goals of this lesson plan.
The
first technology that I incorporated into this lesson is a PLAYground canvas.
We were acquainted with this technological tool just recently, and I thought it
was a great way to introduce students to a new lesson. The students would be
assigned to explore the canvas prior to starting this lesson plan. The canvas would
include images of Thiebaud’s work, a short video about the painter and a video
that would explain the Pop Art movement. I would ask the students to comment on
the canvas. Their comment could consist of a question they have or what they
particularly did or did not like about Thiebaud’s work. I think giving the
students prior information about Thiebaud will better prepare them for the
lesson and class discussion the next day. The student comments can also be used
as a formative assessment.
For
the first class, we would use the internet to connect to the PLAYground canvas.
We would analyze the images and have a group discussion about the information
the students discovered about Wayne Thiebaud. We also would talk about the
students comments and questions from the “What do you think?” widget.
Since
Wayne Thiebaud’s style of painting consisted of creating texture from using a
lot of paint, another technology that I would incorporate into this lesson is showing
the class a video about how to add texture to a painting. I would also do a
demonstration, but I think showing a video will provide them with various ways
of achieving texture in a painting which may include a method that may take
many steps. Watching the way different people paint and the techniques they use
will give students the chance to experiment with the many ways they may want to
approach their painting.
An
additional technology that I added to this lesson is to have the students do research
on the computer for an image of a “sweet” that they would like to use in their
painting. It is very important to have references when painting. Allowing the
students to use the computer to find this reference is needed to successfully
complete their painting. While they are researching images, they may come
across a particular candy or dessert that they would have never thought to
paint. Using the computer gives them a vast selection to choose from. I believe
that this opens the door to creativity and will help them think “out of the
box.”
I
also added a class blog. The blog would not only just serve this individual
lesson, but is a technology that can be used throughout the year. When the
students complete their artwork, they would have to take a picture of their
piece and download it to the blog. This could be done at school or at
home. Each student would have their own
portfolio of work on the blog. Parents would also have access to this blog.
This would give them the opportunity to see what their child and other students
are working on in art class. Homework assignments, reminders and contact
information regarding the teacher would be posted on the blog as well.
On
the class blog I would have the students write a short paragraph about their
work, such as the inspiration, technique and medium used, along with the image.
They also would be assigned another classmate’s artwork to comment on. The
students would be informed on how to comment respectively to one another. I
believe that this is important because during class critiques, not all students
like to give their opinions. This would give all students the opportunity and
experience to analyze artwork. This also can be used as formative assessment.
It gives the teacher an opportunity to evaluate what the students understand
about the lesson through the paragraphs they wrote regarding their artwork as
well as their peer critiques.
For
the class critique, I would log on to the class blog and as each student
presented their finished painting to the class, we would review the comment
that was posted pertaining to their artwork. This would give a starting point
in conversation for the class as well as give all the students a voice in the
critiquing process.
You can find my Technology Integration Matrix for this lesson plan HERE.