Thoughts on a Monday.......

I am looking forward to the CAEA (Colorado Art Education Association) conference this week anticipating gathering info to use in our 21C endeavors. Also, through our PLC meeting we have several technology projects that we as a team want to work on. Exciting stuff!

GOOD GRIEF! After reading the eloquent writing by some of my peers I decided that "a picture IS worth a thousand words". I could certainly paint an "eloquent" picture or, as in the words of Georgia O'Keefe, " I found that I could say things with color and shapes that I had no words for." Sigh!

I realized after our PLC meeting today just how much impact C21 has had on our process in the Art Department. Joe and I commented today on the technology changes over the past year that have occurred in our area due to C21. We ARE making progress! Thanks to the help that Jill has offered we plan to move forward with technology in the Art Department. We're getting there - hurrah!

C21 Session 9-25-07 Reflection

I have given a lot of thought to C21, the process, the sharing and just what I have gained in the past year. Today's session was a perfect example of the importance of this process. I love the sharing (both in best practices and philosophy). It is always a pleasure to observe my peers in action. Teaching is truly an ongoing process and I continue to learn every day. I have realized at this point that now I can look at where I am today with my teaching, process what we have learned in C21 and glean what is appropriate for my students. Technology is certainly the piece that is so valuable. I know that I have a ways to go yet but......baby steps are okay as long as I'm moving forward. I can only put into practice so much with everything else we juggle during the day. I know that I was stressing out because I could not grasp and put into practice and/or take advantage of the new technology that I was learning. Overload was setting in. Okay - not to worry. Don't panic - just do a little at a time and try to keep moving forward. I want to be the best that I can be for my students. Fortunately, the "constructivist" part is no problem. That is how we teach art. Weaving in these other components is the next step that I am working on. I do appreciate all that everyone contributes towards C21. I know that I am a better teacher because of all of you. Thank you all! On to the next baby step.............

21C & PLC'S

Where are we going????? I worry about the future with all the work that has been done by 21c in all of the cohorts. I have seen so many changes and progress in the changes that we all are making in our teaching. I would hate to see this all lost. What is happening in 21C ties in with what we are doing with our PLC's and should make a difference. We CAN make a difference and we CAN impact teaching and the educational system, but it will take ALL of us making that committment. I hear (from a few) that this is just another "ITIP"! I don't believe that. The PLC approach makes sense and can make a difference in the future of education. I think what we are doing in 21C can work hand in hand with what we are developing in our PLC's. I do hope that we CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Andrew Zolli's Presentation

I enjoyed the presentation by Andrew Zolli. He certainly left me with much "food for thought".
I do worry about everything being done by computers in the future. We must not lose the creative side of our society.......actually creating with materials and "stuff". The visual arts have a major role ahead of them if we in the future must all find our "creative center". The visual arts can certainly assist in the development our creative critical thinking skills. This is what we do. However, can we do it better? Can we help others in others disciplines with our constructivist approach to teaching? I believe we in the visual arts need to look at what we do now and how we can do what we do better. Also, how can we impact the constructive approach to teaching by assisting other areas of study? This could be HUGE for our students and how we can affect teaching in the future........the on-going continuous process of learning.

The LCD Projector

HURRAH!!! I am so excited!!! Today in Studio one of my students came in and started to tell me about going to the new Denver Art Museum. I stopped her, turned on the LCD projector, went on Google and pulled up pictures of the new section of the museum. THEN.....as I was showing pictures up front Julie told us about her experience in viewing the Hamilton section of the Denver Art Museum. It was QUICK - EASY - such an opportune moment. Oh my gosh - what a great tool! For those of you who have been doing this for some time, I wish I'd been there sooner. I can think of a thousand ways to utilize the projector and now will pursue various sites to get info from. MADE MY DAY!!!!!

C21 Session - October 3, 2006

I want to comment that generally speaking I am feeling much better about this whole endeavor and CAN keep a handle on things. Just need to really THINK about my priorities, where I want to go first with all this and what to approach or start first. Change takes time as I know all too well after being in education this long. My Masters program really helped me to begin this process some five or six years ago. New approaches, new ideas, etc. etc. How fortunate that the activities and research that we did in our Masters class all relates to Century 21 - exciting!

After hear Tony talk about grades last year, the thought of making major changes to my grading was a bit overwhelming. However, I have been mulling over and thinking about my system of grading ever since. I do believe now after hearing Tony AGAIN that I can make meaningful changes that will benefit my students. This IS all doable!

September 22 Session

I feel soooooooooooooooooooo much better after today's discussion. I have been doing a lot of thinking, making changes, talking to people, working with students but felt like I was letting you all down as a member of this group. I wasn't getting the blogging ("sharing") piece accomplished. Frustration was setting in big time!!!! I guess as educators, of course we would want to model responsible student behavior. I just could not keep up with it all. Thanks to all of you today for the feedback. Nice to know that others are feeling as I am - oops - WAS. I CAN do this and WILL continue the best that I can and try not to worry about what DOESN'T get done, but focus on what DOES get done. Our directive for today was a perfect example. As department chairs we were asked to turn in what our PLC meetings would involve. I had that all figured out and turned in. At 3:00 this morning I thought, no, we are going to spend one of the PLC sessions just working with the new projectors installed in our rooms. As a department we just went through the steps of using the projector and talked about various ways to make use of this fabulous tool. We're excited! We have been lacking the physical technology in our area and are ready to put all of this to good use. Being a "visual" as well as a "hands on" subject area, we will now be able to share visuals with our classes as we are talking in a very time efficient manner. How GREAT!!!! My mind is just racing with so many ideas that I need to slow down and sort all of this out. Take it a step at a time. I need to visit "my basement" now and then and find that balance in teaching and learning. I guess the most important part of this whole process is just trying new things and about growing. How can that not help but to be a better situation for my students. I know that I will not live long enough to be the ultimate teacher that I always strive to be...........maybe after all these years, that's what I've finally discovered. I feel so fortunate to be with such a wonderful group of educators at Arapahoe. I value you all so very much. Thanks for what you give me every day! On that note, I've said enough . . . . have a great weekend!

September 22 Session

I feel soooooooooooooooooooo much better after today's discussion. I have been doing a lot of thinking, making changes, talking to people, working with students but felt like I was letting you all down as a member of this group. I wasn't getting the blogging ("sharing") piece accomplished. Frustration was setting in big time!!!! I guess as educators, of course we would want to model responsible student behavior. I just could not keep up with it all. Thanks to all of you today for the feedback. Nice to know that others are feeling as I am - oops - WAS. I CAN do this and WILL continue the best that I can and try not to worry about what DOESN'T get done, but focus on what DOES get done. Our directive for today was a perfect example. As department chairs we were asked to turn in what our PLC meetings would involve. I had that all figured out and turned in. At 3:00 this morning I thought, no, we are going to spend one of the PLC sessions just working with the new projectors installed in our rooms. As a department we just went through the steps of using the projector and talked about various ways to make use of this fabulous tool. We're excited! We have been lacking the physical technology in our area and are ready to put all of this to good use. Being a "visual" as well as a "hands on" subject area, we will now be able to share visuals with our classes as we are talking in a very time efficient manner. How GREAT!!!! My mind is just racing with so many ideas that I need to slow down and sort all of this out. Take it a step at a time. I need to visit "my basement" now and then and find that balance in teaching and learning. I guess the most important part of this whole process is just trying new things and about growing. How can that not help but to be a better situation for my students. I know that I will not live long enough to be the ultimate teacher that I always strive to be...........maybe after all these years, that's what I've finally discovered. I feel so fortunate to be with such a wonderful group of educators at Arapahoe. I value you all so very much. Thanks for what you give me every day! On that note, I've said enough . . . . have a great weekend!