Graffiti: A Digital Identity

I've just discovered a great website called teachingchannel as I was researching about formative assessment strategies. I began looking at more of the videos that might pertain more to this class, but was surprised that a lot of the lesson ideas do not integrate much technology into the lesson. One that I did find which incorporated technology is called, "Graffiti: A Digital Identity", posted below.

Throughout the video, the camera pans through the classroom and many technological tools can be seen: mac computers, a white board, notebooks, etc. The teacher begins by having the students plan out their graffiti tags (their names), on a piece of paper. The creative process includes researching other examples of graffiti which was done through the Internet. I enjoyed seeing that the teacher utilized both old (notebook) ways of planning with newer ways, such as the computer. 

The "Going Digital" section featured the process of "taking something from their sketchbook, onto the computer and designing in a way they're able to translate something that's done by hand into something that is digital." He continues on to say, "Personally, as a teacher, one of the biggest challenges I've had is learning the software." He does a demo in the front of the room using his own personal computer which is then projected onto the wall behind him. "It's about looking at the software as an addition to the lesson, as a tool and not necessarily as 'we're going to sit down and learn a whole piece of software'."

A lot of the students interviewed seem very interested in what he is doing-- one stated that he didn't like art, but he's like the computer so he likes that class because it is both of the two combined. The class also has a website, it has all of the resources the students need and can be accessed at any time from home or school. Each unit has an overview and expectations, as well as student work and links to student sites. 

Overall, I was extremely impressed with this teacher and think he effectively uses technology in the classroom. I personally would love to work the same way he does in  an art classroom, including an online blog where all of the information for the class can be viewed.