Action...Reaction

Media Arts

...You left cogdogroo out Bri (It was a particularly helpful one you gave me that I recall because it lists 50 storytools)

I am not as accomplished as Bri at using media BUT I totally recognise the importance of it. When I am a teacher I have decided that I will get Bri or another media artist to be my class artist in residence, so that I don't fail my students with my own ineptitude. Like Ken Robinson said, way back in the first week lecture, something like '80% of the jobs available to kids in 20 years time have not been invented yet'. I would reckon a lot of those jobs will involve media. I recall a report on ABC national about the importance of teaching kids computer programming skills, I have been trying to find it to post the link, no joy...but it has not been to no avail because the search has turned up abundant reports about media arts and education... http://www.abc.net.au/rn/lifematters/stories/2006/1575955.htm

Do it yourself computer games: an education story It is my understanding that these important skills and more are learnt through 'inanimate alice' which is why I was keen to use this free digital literacy, education pack (Bri has already provided the link) on prac. Problems I encountered had to do with getting tech people to enable the sound on the computers and when it was enabled the cacophonous distraction 'n disorder of everyones different soundtrack because they were moving through the story at their own pace.

n.b to self...Setting up the classroom seems to be a recurrent problem I have faced with visual and media arts.

Lina talks about teachers using media technology as an instructional tool, I think when they do this they are modelling technological skill. Grade one students I noticed take great interest in the workings of the interactive whiteboard or smartboard, I recall them watching/learning the teachers steps in finding websites. The smartboard wasn’t working on that latest prac, alas. So i suppose there is something in what Lina is saying about the problem of access.

I was on a road trip a while back and was conducting a visual conversation with my family, who were in Hobart. We were sending pictures and short videos to each other to mark my progress on the road, with text interspersed, on my cheap mobile. Mobile phones are media tools most kids have access to, I would like to explore  doing this in the classroom- short photo stories and videos using this medium...if only I knew how to get the photos off the phone and into one of those programs like 'moviemaker' ...I probably need to find out what bluetooth means too!

I got this timely email from inanimate alice the other day...

"Inanimate Alice.  We have just launched a refreshed website as well as a partnership with the whiteboard company Promethean Planet. 

http://www.inanimatealice.com/
http://www.prometheanplanet.com/

One of the most exciting features of these developments is the use of one of Alice's gadgets. We have pulled the gadget out of an episode and have brought it to life.  You will see it in the upper left hand corner of Alice's home page. Once you have registered as a member on Planet (it’s free) a click will take you directly to Alice's User Group page where you can interact first-hand with the gadget itself. 

From the gadget on Planet, you will be able to access a wealth of free new resources related to the series.  These resources include a trailer, a teacher’s guide, a literacy resource pack, a mind map ideas pack, a university schools of education pack, a whiteboard guide, introduction to and showcase for user generated content and whiteboard friendly lessons. "