What Websites Would We Want?

There are so many resources on the web to aid to the inclusion of technology in the classroom, it is sometimes difficult to discern what is best to use for which lessons. In this day in age, it is imperative that we incorporate technology tools into lessons so that students can go beyond the textbooks and get to creating and applying what they are learning. We need to ensure that our lessons are impactful and that we are utilizing what little time we truly have with our students. The technology that we choose to use in class has to fit the needs of our students and the curriculum, or it is not going to work as well as it should. There are so many web applications available, but my focus was on elementary art, because that is what I teach every day!  While creating a resource for my classroom on some of the best web 2.0 tools for art, I had certain criteria that had to be met in order to be included. The criteria were either pass or fail. If it doesn’t pass all three areas, it has no place in my curriculum. Simple as that! My three questions that I asked myself when evaluating tools were:

1.    Does it relate to art standards, creating art, evaluating and researching art history, or editing creations?

As an art teacher, the focus on art discovery, creation, and history is the main aspect of my lessons. Any technology that I infuse into my teaching has to be able to fit with the curriculum of my classes and enhance the lesson.

2.     Is it going to be easy and useful for students to use in grades K-6 for artistic purposes?

There are many tools that are applicable for art, but they may not all be easily grasped by young students in elementary school. The tools must have simple steps and be easily explained to students.

3.   Does it allow my students to create and edit in a way that they are unable to do otherwise or allow them to explore art in a personal and meaningful way?

We have books and DVDs on artists and the students should be able to explore art on their own and connect to artwork that they may not see otherwise. I also want my students to utilize the unique tools available for creating or editing artwork that is either not possible or not easily done in class by hands on production.  

In the following resource, I have included web tools that will be useful for sharing, creating, editing, and interactive art history exploration. Each icon is directly linked to the source for easy access and use!

Sharing Tools:

Prezi

Prezi is a web based presentation tool that utilizes a single canvas, as opposed to slides. It allows the user to zoom in on specific areas of the canvas and create a “path” for presenting. Students can create a prezi on any topic and share with others.

Google Docs

GoogleDocs allows the user to create and share documents, presentations, spreadsheets, drawings, tables, etc. It allows the user to import links and other items as well as share or embed the creation to allow collaboration. Students can share any document or presentation they make with the teacher and other students in order to collaborate and share.

Creating and Editing Tools:

Animoto

Animoto is a web application that allows the user to upload photos and videos and then create a presentation with music. The program analyzes the photos and videos and creates the presentation so that it is in rhythm with the music selected. It looks somewhat like a movie trailer when finished. It also allows the user to share the presentation when complete. It would be a great tool for students to use to make a presentation about a core experience trip they took.

Blabberize

Blabberize is a fun web application that lets the user upload a picture, then select a “mouth” for the photo. It lets you edit the size and shape of the mouth so that it fits the picture. You then can record a message. You could have students read a story, tell about an artist or author, analyze a piece of art, or any other type of lesson or presentation you are working on in class.

FotoFlexer

FotoFlexer is a website that is stellar for editing images and photos. The user can upload a photo or picture and then add filters or effects. The user can also decorate, distort, animate, and many other changes. We use this in art class for pop art, as there is a pop art effect that creates a Warhol type picture.

Wordle

Wordle is a tool that allows the user to generate a “word cloud” from text that is provided by the user or from a blog or website with an RSS feed. The “word cloud” that is created makes words that appear more frequently larger in the cloud. You can edit fonts, layouts, and color schemes.Wordle can be used by students to create a "word cloud" from books and stories from class, their own writing, or many other projects.

Tagxedo

Tagxedo is similar to Wordle, but it also allows the user to type in a word to search and it will create a “word cloud.” It allows the user to edit the shape, colors, layout, etc. Tagxedo would also allow the user to add the cloud created to products for purchase. Students could use this in the same way as Wordle.

Spell with flickr

Spell with flickr lets you type in words and then it searches flickr for photos of each letter typed. The user can continue to click each letter until the composition is as desired and then it can be embedded or shared. It is a really neat application for art purposes.

Scribbler

Scribbler allows the user to draw a simple picture and then when finished, hit scribble and it “sketches” what the artist drew. You can edit the colors and line thickness and then hit stop when it has reached the desired work of art. The artist can then take a screenshot of the artwork and save and share.

Storyboard Generator

This is a neat web application that lets a student either use a script that is already done or use their own script they write to create a storyboard to go with it. It allows the user to choose camera shots and camera movements to go along with the script. It is a neat beginners look at movie making and the art factors that go into it.

Storybird

Storybird allows the user to create a story and add their own illustrations or use artwork that is available on the site. It really lets students see the process for writing and publishing a book, but with the ease of doing it online.

Interactive Art History Tools:

Artsology

Artsology has many games and interactive investigations that explore art history and many other aspects of art. Students could spend hours on this site and not get bored, and they would be learning about art history without even realizing it.

Art In The Picture

This is a really cool site because students can explore art by choosing from lists by last name, art movement, country, or century. They can also choose the most popular artists or most popular paintings. A great place for students to explore art on their own.

NGA kids

The National Gallery of Art for kids website is great because it has some really neat interactive art exploration/creation applications for students to use. They use these on my activboard and their netbooks when they complete work in art class. The site also has many other links for resources.

MoMA Destination Modern Art

This is an interactive application that students can explore at their own pace and they lead the learning. A great introduction to modern art and very appropriate for even kindergarteners!

Google Art Project

Google Art Project is a really need application that allows the user to digitally visit and explore seventeen different art galleries. Students can control where they are “looking” and also view the artwork from the museums individually. My favorite part of this application is that it allows the user to zoom in drastically on the artwork and it shows so much detail that is important for exploration. The visual of van Gogh’s brushstrokes are difficult to describe without being able to show students in detail exactly how he painted! Fantastic!