3. Model Digital Age Work and Learning

ISTE NETS-T #3: Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society.

a. Demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations

b. Collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation

c. Communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital age media and formats

d. Model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning

Technology: For this standard, I would use Blogger to develop an art room blog.

Activity/Lesson: This blog would be designed and operated by myself and would contain postings regarding general guidelines of the classroom, explanations of what students are working on, postings of student work alongside AudioBoo artist statements, and any upcoming news such as Art Shows or Displays. The blog would be a great way to connect parents to what their students are doing in school as well as give students some pride in having the chance to show off what they've done in the art room. As this progresses, I could give some student ownership to older students to create a post and put up material that is approved by myself. In passing on some ownership, I would be passing on to the students my knowledge of Blogger and teaching them about a new tool. 

Reflection: If students get enthused about an idea that they can take ownership of, it inevitably becomes something exciting and something they want to be a part of more and more. By posting current projects, parents have a way to generate conversation at home with their student. In posting student work, students gain some pride amongst their peers that their work was posted and parents can see what their students are doing when often times students throw their work away at school and don't take it home. This is a great tool to connect parents and students through the passing on of new knowledge. 

Example: The following is a link to an Art Blog I created while teaching in Connecticut.
Art Times at Grove