Blog Topic #13 - Assuming Self & Other

The Emic

When stepping in, I can only begin by defining who I am in reference to education and my beliefs in the system.  I have stated numerous times that I believe we can NEVER learn too much, nor become too educated.  So, when it comes to my classroom, its students, the material or curriculum, and other affiliations within it, I can only say that I strive to have a seperate and complete learning institution within the learning institution.  I was a child who refused to learn.  Who found loopholes, created distractions, and avoided seriousness while in High School, and it is because of the hard lessons that I have had to learn (and endure) that have shifted my focus to primarily teachin ALL students the importance of learning and retaining information for the benefit of self accomplishment.  I am excited to see when a student "gets it."  When they get that look on their face that proclaims "I have figured it out."  From experience, I know that when I fall upon a moment such as that, I never forget it.  That is the satisfaction of knowing that the specific learning task was retained for that individual.  He/She wasnt doing the motions, they were learning, and retaining.

The Etic

When stepping out, I see a corrupt, political, misguided system that is NOT working.  I am not going to utilize this topic as a chance to "bash" the system, but only point out that when a teacher is put under the gun to cover so much material in a singular circumstance, that alot of information is hurried through when, at times, there is information that more time should be spent teaching.  This would be done in order to allow a student to retain information.  I read somewhere that when studying before a test, a person is MOSTLY storing the information in their short term memory (much like I did before an Algebra test).  Once the test is completed, the information is rmoved, and most of it is forgotten.  It is here that I wish to intervene into the system, and start focusing on Learning via creation, literacy, adhering to principles, and repetition of those principles rather than ONLY focus on curriculum to get you through a test, and then most is tossed.  I would LOVE to talk to the State board of Educators and our Govorner, Nathan Deal about how the system is beoing overlooked, misguided, and abused.  Also I would discuss how education is the foundation to everything.  money, jobs, lifestyle, the works!

Looking At The Evidence

What surprises me?  The statistical data that I am finding in regards to retained information, but with this generation...nothing is surprising  :0)

What intrigues me?  The idea of potentially creating an actual solution that may work and serve as a milestone for helping the IT generation stay off google and resort to the art catalogue in ther BRAINS!

What disturbs me?  The lack of excitement for today's youth to learn about and create physical bodies of work.  It REALLY disturbs me.

I think there will be many steppingstones and humps to overcome.  Firstly, I am still struggling a bit to actually zero in on the "Big Question."  I want to cover various things, vs. covering 1 individual subject. I feel like there could be humps with getting to the core of the students' indivual learning characteristics.  I am worried that my data may only hold true to a specific style of learner.  Maybe that in itself is a more revising effort coming out.  

Blog Topic #12 - What I Know

What I Know

I must admit that I am a poorly self-disciplined individual.  I am extremely disorganized, but have my own way of shelvng a filing my things.  I have never been a journal keeper, although I love the idea.  I just cannot organize my day enough to make this happen.  Therefore, I feel it would be better for me to compare the differences between not keeping a journal and keeping one.  Keeping a journal would better organize my data, thoughts, and ideas.  It would also allow me to keep a permanant reference of materials for research.  I do read Media Journal, Communication Arts,  Print Magazine, and occasionally, the quick literary review, but I do not typically have (or arrange) time to review journals.


Students today hate writing it seems.  We do a mandatory writing assignment (carefully coined), "Writing To Win,"  three times a week, and continue a sketch book called that I call Creative Caffiene.  They enjoy the visual Journal much, much better.  I have recently been forcing students to come up with written materials to go along with their assignments.  This helps students write about their own collective visualizations.

Google-ogrophy

learning retaining, and utilizing art curriculum (searched)

About 9,490,000 results (0.30 seconds)

After creating a search using the key words listed above, I found many hits that could take me down numerous paths in reference to my topic.  I have already learned that my topic may be a bit broad still.  I also learned that there are alot of helpful insights on curriculum creation, which excites me as I often am trying new things in the classroom.  

I could try using alternate keywords, or sources, but I feel that the qualitative research is going to be out there.  I am also stemming my basis of research through working with previous students from past art classes that are pursuing degrees in art, as well as working with students that are currently taking my course. Any information that I would deem nominal would be printed and downloaded.

Bibliography Practice

I can always use more material when working on a study.  After all, my life motto is you can never learn too much.  I can easily eliminate some sources that I felt were valuable, and I am still considering condensing my big question even further. Most of my researched material is in the same genre, but I am going to use video, as well as tool and alot of interviewing students and other teachers.  If I were to refine my paaper again it would be more specifically focused on retaining art curriculum in  a world of instant gratification of web sources.

Chapter 2 - What works - Torbett

Chapter 2.  What Works?

Explore Trial Questions

-How can teachers utilize curriculum to motivate students to learn, retain and apply art as a problem solving method in everyday life?

Position Yourself

- I am an educator. I feel it is my place to ensure that all students are equipped with the necessary tools needed for essential life skills. This goes above and beyond the classroom and lends a primary focus on the everyday life of individuals.

-There could be ethnical issues based on the cultural communities in which the studies would have been conducted.

-The best-served student would be those whose primary focus relies on leadership qualities and capabilities.

-There could be ethnical issues of all ages and eras based on the cultural communities in which the studies would have been conducted.

-I choose to leave this topic blank.

I believe they should  face the difficulties, as that is what makes us stronger.

I will choose to redirect this question in efforts to better understand.  I do not fel the need to answer this again.

Blog Topic 10 - Brainstorming

Writing Process

• Good Grammar
• Wonderful Type and Text knowledge
• Effective communicator on paper
• Understand the methods f writing
• Teaching across the curiculum

Most audiences are complied of age groups 14-18.  We tend to write across the curriculu.  Using Historical authors as a sense of Illustrating words.  Also, slogans are used with appropriate text selections.

• How narrow or broad shoud a reserch article be?
• What is the format?
• What are the barriers?

I will dissimate my research on a more clearly focused agenda.

Blog Topic 9 - Inventory of Potential

As mentioned, at this stage, I have little organiztional skills and bad teaching habits.  I use the computers for all assignemt creations, and save them in folders which I print as I work.


I feel that the ultimate adjustment to make in my classroom is to provide a creative and enthusiastic envirnment that is not tarnished by out-of-line behavior.  I will need to have more classroom management and less close ended lectures. I have used learning maps in the past and they have proven to be a little effective.


I will make time for data review during my planning period.


List of Organizational Goals:

• Prepare solid Units
• Work the Units
• Append the lessons and create sound rubrics
• Survey the lessons with stdents upon completion

Blog Topic 8 - Better Preparing Myself

Biggest Strengths:

• Experience (4 years of Project Building & Execution)
• Ability to focus on the interested students/career oriented students
• I have many Advisory Board Members that are willing to help
• I have wonderful writing and communication skills
• I wish to fulfill the big dream of 100% of Introduction students following all three classes and passing the standardized test, while retaining the information.

Biggest Weaknesses:

• Lack of all necessary tools/equipment
• Lack of Time
• The class is an elective, meaning that students are sometimes pulled out in efforts to complete core assignments.
• I lack necessary research and implementation skills
• Lack the knowledge of finding GREAT resources

The most disastrous outcome woul dbe lack of praticipation in projectts, causing misbehavior and disruption in the learning environment due to lack of interest in topic.

Blog Topic 7 - Looking Backwards

While working backwards, I see a final result to suggest that my biggest goal in this research would be for EACH student to produce Solid works of art, enjoy and understand the processes, and utilize the processes to create better work based on application buliding processes that can be applied in basic problem solving skills.  


I wish to accomplish:

• Completed website displying strong pieces of work for each Unit that is taught
• Create semester long interactive groups in which students can discuss, blog, analyze, and VTS the work of other students offering constructive criticism as a means of improving art and learning tactful methods of delivery.
• An Art Show which exhibits student work while profiling the student
• Create an effective portfolio building expreience for future college and career students.