Digital Images Lesson Plan

Overview: 
For this lesson, I chose the beginning of the school year information. This is a critical time in the art room because it sets the tone for the whole school year and often students forget the details because they hear and see so much those first few days. Having visible references throughout the room -- in posters, computer screen wallpaper, presentations, and videos -- will help reinforce the information we go over within the first few weeks.

In terms of students using the technology, I would add this into my current stop-motion animation project so students can see how they can modify and add images using the green screen functionality within the stop-motion app on the ipads. 

Objective: 

• Students will learn the rules of the classroom
• Students will review procedures for transitions -- when I call for attention and when lining up at the end of the class
• Students will learn how to modify images using photoshop app on the ipad
• Students will learn how to add these new images to the stop-motion app in order to enhance their stop-motion animation movies

Digital Images: 
Students are inundated with digital images all day long -- on TV, tablets, ipads, video game systems, etc. They see these images through their daily lives and don't put much thought into where they come from. In my classroom, students have access to Photoshop on the iPads as well as other free graphics creation software packages. This software is new this year and we have not been able to implement it fully, however that is on the agenda for next year. We have been working with stop-motion animation, so they are becoming more familiar with using technology as a tool, just like they would a pencil or paint brush, however there is much more for me to implement. 

Application: 
So far, the only practical application I have for this project is using photoshop to modify images for the green screen portion of our stop-motion animation movies. This year they have been using the green screen and inserting images they find online or they take themselves. Next year, I will add the option to modify photos using photoshop, pixlr, and/or whatever other application fits the assignment. 

My biggest obstacles with these new applications and ideas is that (1) I have limited technology and (2) I only see upper elementary students once a week for 45 minutes. Students have to work in groups in order to ensure the entire grade level gets a turn.

Reflection: 
This was a fun one! I love making graphics and posters for my room. I found that art presents very specific needs that aren't covered by generic posters that can be purchased through a catalog or a service like Teachers Pay Teachers. The class presented some new software so I was able to use a variety of applications, new and old, to see the functionality as well as to test the ease of use for potential students.