While observing at Hoose Elementary, I was walking in the hallway when I noticed that one entire wall was covered with computer "paint" drawings of a butterfly. I stared at them for a long time, as I was waiting for my co-op teacher, and thought that they seemed unimaginative and that they all looked the same! I would have loved to see crayon, or marker, or colored pencil drawings of a butterfly. These butterflies all looked identical, and it seemed kind of robotic to me.
After reading Chapter 6, I found that my mind was a little changed in regards to using computer paint programs in the classroom. I definitely agree that they are an excellent tool in teaching younger children that the computer is not just a toy, it is useful! I also agree that drawing projects can help the student practice manipulating a mouse; improving his or her motor skills. Our society is turning "totally technological" and I think it's great that programs, such as the ones discussed in the chapter, are helping to prepare students for the future. Yet I still just can't help but to think that art projects that aren't computer generated have a certain charm to them that can't really be replaced. Even after reading the chapter it's still hard for me to think that diagrams/pictures/drawings are better when they're computer generated.
As a teacher I will definitely be using the programs mentioned in this chapter ---- I just will not use them all the time. When my siblings show me their art projects from school, they are all "comptuer-ized". They have barely gotten to experience making a home made project. I understand that creating something on the computer is its own type of art, I just think that in elementary schools today, it can become overused - I've watched it with my brothers and sisters.
2 comments:
Ana, I completely agree with you. I don't know what my mom would have done if all of our art from elementary school was computer-generated. There just wouldn't be the same essence about it. Therefore I definitely agree with you that technology should only be used sparingly for drawing. Students need to learn all different types of media, and drawing for young children is something that they obviously relate to. It is wonderful that there are programs that allow these young students to express themselves using the computer. But teachers cannot lose sight of the focus that needs to be addressed within their classroom in terms of drawing exercises. If computers are all a student learns, he or she may become dependent on the computer and not as willing to learn in other ways when they grow up. This is the exact reason why it is important to be well-rounded, even at an early age. I think that you are taking away a good message from the chapter that you read.
I completely agree with you as well. I didn't like the idea of younger children, such as kindergartners, relying too much on a computer program. I also think that home-made art has a certain charm about it. Computer generated art just does not feel the same to me. It would be nice to use this at times, but it is important not to overuse it.
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