An Alternative to Adobe: Aviary’s Free Design Tools

Posted on 18. Jul, 2009 by in All Posts, Cool+Creative, In The News, Multimedia, Neat Video, Organization and Preparation, Positive Reinforcement, Reviews, Tech Stuff, Techniques, Technology and Gadgets, Tools and Miscellaneous

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If you’re looking for the image editing power of Photoshop or Illustrator without the hefty price tag you may want to consider trying the Aviary Suite.  It’s a free web 2.0 technology with a pro version available for $24.99 a year. Aviary is not only an image editing tool but it’s also a visual social network.

Users maintain a profile, contacts, favorites, access to chat boards, tutorials and more. Images created in the Aviary Suite can be shared with the community or kept private in a user account, and then saved in a variety of formats or downloaded to your computer.

Plus, users can import images from a URL, Aviary Library, Flickr, Picasa or Facebook directly into any of Aviary’s five programs – Phoenix, Falcon, Peacock, Toucan and Raven.

Phoenix does image editing and has tools like layers, masks, effects, undo history, and more. Peacock is what Aviary calls their “visual laboratory”. It features toolaviary-toolss like generators, effects and controllers. Toucan is their color swatches and palettes. It features many of the usual color palette tools but what really was interesting to me was their color deficiency preview tool. It allows you to choose from a list of color vision deficiencies and see how someone who is color blind would distinguish your color palette. It would be a great way to teach students how other people see the world. Toucan is a simple tool, but in conjunction with the other programs in the Aviary Suite you can create some amazing images. Raven is their vector editor program and the first of its kind on the web.  It allows you not only to create complex vector art but to carefully scale and create logos, clip-art, large print ready graphics, and t-shirt and clothing designs.

The newest program is an image markup tool called Falcon. It allows you to capture images from your desktop or a web page and edit them in your browser. It is similar to Skitch or Jing but with additional capabilities since it can be used in conjunction with Aviary’s other programs. Just install Talon, a Firefox extension for Aviary, and you can quickly annotate, mark, crop and resize your captured images. Or you can transfer the images to any of the other Aviary programs for more in-depth editing. Falcon would be a great tool to have students critique an image of their own, a classmates or from a pool of stock photos.

If you teach a computer graphics program at a middle or high school and are looking for an exceptional resource or additional tools to extend beyond the classroom lab, Aviary might be a solution for your program.  Students don’t have to stop creating once they leave the lab since they can log on and design anywhere there is an Internet connection.

Below are two videos featuring Aviary’s Raven and Falcon programs.

(Trouble viewing this video? Try this link.)

(Trouble viewing this video? Try this link.)

Green Friday: A Global Tour of Environmental Artists With Google Earth

Posted on 02. Apr, 2009 by in All Posts, Cool+Creative, Tech Stuff, Techniques

greenfridayEnvironmental art often causes us to stop, think and question. It can make the viewer connect to the past, question the present or inspire change for the future.

So when Craig Roland posed the question on Art Education 2.0, “How might we use art or design to promote a healthy environment and a peaceful, sustainable world?” the work of environmental artists came to our mind.

In response to Craig’s question, we at The Teaching Palette created a Google Earth application that highlights environmental art on every continent. The art and artists featured were chosen based on environmental impact at various locations around the world.

The Environmental Art Around Google Earth application is not a direct answer to the question; instead it is a compilation of many answers as a global tour of environmental artists with Google Earth.

So explore art and artists from around the world as they show you how to use art/design to promote a healthy environment and a peaceful, sustainable world.

Below is a video to help introduce you to the Environmental Artists Around Google Earth application and explains how to use it.

(Have trouble viewing this video? Try this link. If your school blocks YouTube try this iweb link.)

If you do not have Google Earth on your computer or need to upgrade to the newest version of Google Earth, click here.

**Download the Environmental Art Google Earth file as illustrated in video above.

Now that you’ve explored the environmental artist globe on Google Earth how can you utilize it in your classroom?

  • Use Google Earth to introduce a specific artist, environmental art movement or culture.
  • Use as an extension for early finishers to introduce them to artists from around the world.
  • Introduce a specific artist such as Andy Goldsworthy. Give a group of students a digital camera, have them collect a variety of natural objects, arrange them in an interesting composition and then photograph their Goldsworthy-inspired art.
  • Print images and have students write about their experience.

Explore the blogs participating in “Green Friday” by clicking on the links below.

The Skitch Sketch

Posted on 20. Jan, 2009 by in All Posts, Cool+Creative, Neat Video, Tech Stuff, Techniques

Skitch is a great visual teaching tool. It’s a free download for Mac users that allows you to upload a photo or take a screen shot of an image on your computer and draw or type on it.  Skitch is really no different than a simple draw program, but the difference is that it is EASIER and FASTER!  

Here’s the proof: I created the Skitch image on the left in exactly 1 minute 58 seconds.
Start by choosing a photo from Flickr, iPhoto or take a screenshot from the Internet. Next, use the tools on the either side of the Skitch screen to draw directly on the image.  It is that easy!  

I also use Skitch while discussing historical artworks by drawing arrows and labeling different areas of the image I want students to focus their attention on. It’s also a useful tool to quickly ”break down” an object in to simple shapes.  Check out the example below of how you can use the drawing tools to simplify an image of a bird for younger students to draw.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Got 3 minutes? Watch the Skitch demo below.

(Trouble viewing this video? Try this link.)

From Tagging to Teaching

Posted on 04. Jan, 2009 by in All Posts, Cool+Creative, Educators in Art, Techniques

Former tagger (graffiti artist) John “Zender” Estrada shares his talent by teaching L.A. youth. His class is called Skillz ‘N Action and takes place every Sunday at the Santana House in East Los Angeles. John teaches a variety of basic art techniques to help his students’ raw talents grow in the “no rules” world of graffiti. He shows us that talent and inspiration for art and teaching can come from anywhere.

Click here to read the full LA Times article about his amazing work with local kids.  There is also a short clip of Estrada in action with his students below.

(Trouble viewing this movie? Try this link.)

Education Made Easy by Jing

Posted on 01. Jan, 2009 by in All Posts, Cool+Creative, Neat Video, Tech Stuff, Techniques

Ever wondered if there’s an easier way to teach a colleague how you manipulated an image in PhotoShop. Want to share what you do with those nifty Google applications? If you’re like me then you’re the only art teacher in your building. There’s never enough time to help with daily tech questions, prepare lessons or collaborate. Now there’s a tool that allows you to answer technology  “how to” questions with out leaving your desk.

Jing Project is a free screen capture solution that will allow you to share what your doing on your computer with others. A fantastic tool for teaching short five-minute-or-less “how to” videos. The easiest way to show you what Jing is about and how it works is to use Jing. Just click on the videos below to see a great Jing “how to” from MacApperVideo and Jings official video.

(Trouble viewing this video? Try this link.)

(Trouble viewing this video? Try this Link.)

Twitter for Staff Development

Posted on 27. Dec, 2008 by in All Posts, Cool+Creative, Tech Stuff, Techniques

How many times have you sat in front of a staff development presenter frustrated because it wasn’t relevant or bored you to tears? If you’ve ever wished you could choose your own learning experiences then Twitter may be right for you.

What is Twitter? The video below has a great explanation.

I was wasn’t expecting much when I started using Twitter a few months ago. What could you possibly learn from others in two sentence increments? The simple answer is something new, every day. I’ve gathered great links to websites, fun tools for teaching, and a chance to smile at funny things that happen in education.


Here’s how to get started:
1. Go to Twitter.com and create a username and bio. You won’t know the benefits unless you give it a shot.
2. Find people to follow who share your interests. Art teachers on Twitter listed at The Teaching Palette and TwitterGroups: ArtEd20 are two great places to start.  Browse the Museum Twitter Group for access to great museums world wide.  Look and see who others follow – this is a great way to build your learning network.
3. Look at others’ bios, then look at their recent posts. Both are important in shaping what you learn.
4. Create your first tweet – share a funny line from a student or a favorite website. It is OK if you just sit back and learn through others “tweets” for a while . . when you are ready join in.
5. Add Twitter to your routine or make it your web browser home page.

Email us your user name and we will add you to the Teaching Palette “Art Teachers on Twitter” list!
Use the comment area below to ask questions or just let everyone know what your Twitter experience is like!

Simplify the Internet with “Tiny URL”

Posted on 09. Dec, 2008 by in All Posts, Cool+Creative, Tech Stuff, Techniques

In a post from October, I described how to use fun websites motivational tool to create a positive learning environment.  This classroom management strategy has worked out very well for me – although I have hesitated giving out some of my favorite websites with long URL addresses. (Some of these URL addresses are over 40, even 60 characters in length with underscore, slashes, #, etc.)
Tiny URL to the rescue!  This site allows you to shrink that insanely long URL address down to a few characters or even create your own custom address.

For example, one of my favorite interactive web sites integrates the glass art of Dale Chihuly, however, the students would need to type in the following address to access the site: http://www.childrensmuseum.org/themuseum/fireworks_ofglass/games_k2.htm#

Many students could probably do it . . . eventually.  But my guess is that more than a few would get very frustrated along the way and need parent assistance to type some of the special characters. If the students couldn’t access the fun sites – then why put in the effort?

Instead of giving them the Chihuly glass website in long form, I created a Tiny URL.  
http://tinyurl.com/glassbeauty
This Tiny URL  goes directly to the Chihuly page I want the children to access.

Now .  . . where is that “Easy” button?

Art and Science Collides with Paper

Posted on 05. Nov, 2008 by in All Posts, Cool+Creative, Neat Video, Tech Stuff, Techniques

Check out how the art of paper folding intertwines with math and science in Green Fuse Films’ new award winning documentary “Between the Folds.” Just from watching the trailer, I’m totally intrigued and can’t wait to see the whole film. I can already think of several ways this documentary can inspire or teach my art students. Share the trailer with your students and they will see the passion these artists have for the discovery of science and math through the art or origami. Below is a short description of the documentary from the films official site.

Film Overview

GREEN FUSE FILMS’ new documentary “Between The Folds” uncovers the stories of ten fine artists and intrepid theoretical scientists who abandoned careers and scoffed at hard-earned graduate degrees – all to forge unconventional lives as modern-day paperfolders.

As these offbeat and provocative minds converge on the unlikely medium of origami, they reinterpret the world in paper, and bring forth a fascinating mix of sensibilities towards art, expressiveness, creativity and meaning. And, together they demonstrate the innumerable ways that art and science come to bear as we struggle to understand and honor the world around us – as artists, scientists, creators, collaborators, preservers, and simply curious beings.

With breathtaking cinematography, animation and a beautiful original score, the film paints an arresting portrait of the mysterious creative threads that bind us all – fusing science and sculpture, form and function, ancient and new.

ABSTRACT "CRUMPLED" ORIGAMI BY FRENCH ARTIST VINCENT FLODERER

HUMAN FIGURES BY GIANG DINH

Interview with Tricia Fuglestad: Movie-making to Teach Art

Posted on 21. Oct, 2008 by in All Posts, Cool+Creative, Educators in Art, Neat Video, Tech Stuff, Techniques

Tricia Fuglestad, an art teacher at Dryden Elementary School in Arlington Heights, IL, uses technology to enhance learning in her art room. We love the movies she uses to teach art concepts, and wondered how she created them! Read the Q and A below to gain some tips and insight into the process of movie-making in art.

Our interview with Tricia Fuglestad:

Q: How long have you been creating movies to teach your students? My earliest movie dates back to 2002 with the Godzilla Educational Movie. I took some video clips from the movie Godzilla and used voice over and text to point out the art concepts I wanted students to use in their “Dinosaur in the City” project.

Q: What motivates you to create these movies? These movies become an entertaining learning tool that quickly illustrates/teaches/defines art concepts. Students seem to pay attention to the videos (and even request them). Funny, they don’t beg for me to lecture, but they do beg for me to show them these movies.

Q: How do you begin? What is your plan? I write a storyboard. This helps me put images and text together for each scene and shot of the movie. I always try to think short and to the point. I throw in as much “meat” as I can get away with and sugar it with as much humor as I can invent.

Q.) What software do you use to achieve your outcome? I make movies in a variety of different ways. I have drawn and animated movies in flash (ie. Repeat) I have shot and edited movies in iMovie (see Interview with a Pencil at end of page) sometimes using Stupendous Software for split screen and picture-in-picture special effects. I’ve also tried using chroma key effects in Final Cut Express to replace the green screen with anything we wanted (see Swept Away.) Finally, my latest movies have been in Keynote where I animate images set to music (see Digital Portfolio)

Q.) What advice would you give a teacher who is considering using digital media to create similar leaning experiences? I’m still learning the answers to these questions. I find that AFI’s ScreenNation resources online have been really helpful for me in learning how to organize my movies and organize my students who want to make movies with me. Also, Jason Ohler’s website and Digital Storytelling in the Classroom book is a great resource. I also enrolled in an online graduate class through Wilkes University called Digital Storytelling where I was introduced to these resources and expected to apply their concepts in my classroom.

Q: What kind of permission process do you go through with the students before releasing a movie on the internet? I use permission slips to gather my movie-maker volunteers. Whoever turns in their signed permission slip by a certain date is included in the movie experience. This permission is redundant in my district since parents sign a media release form that gives blanket permission for internet, cable, and other media. However, I find that the permission slip is a great little advertisement for the art program and keeps the parents informed on the unique experiences available to their student. I have learned to ask for parent email addresses on the slips. This gives me a way to send the movie link to them directly when it is uploaded to my site.

Q: Do you use any specific hardware to help with filming or to capture sound? We just have a mini DV camcorder, tripod, USB external microphone, green screen, wireless mic, and lights. I’m always writing grants for more things when I see how it can improve our movie-making. Our newest addition is a 25 foot AV cord that plugs into the video camera and to the classroom TV monitor so all the students can help frame the shots. We used this technique when making What a Cheap Trick. Students on camera could see for themselves how they looked in the camera.

Q: I’m sure all of your students want to be in your movies. So how do you choose who participates in each film? That’s a good question. I intend to give each group of 5th graders one movie-making opportunity. But, time is a limiting factor. Movie-making is very exciting, energizing, and an extraordinarily creative process and I would encourage all art teachers to give it a try…your students will love it!

One of Tricia’s latest movie adventures conducts an “interview with a pencil”. Tricia asks, “Do your students press too hard with their pencils when they draw making erasing mistakes impossible?” According to Tricia, instead of lecturing on this topic let Mr. Pencil give some advice to your young artists.


(Trouble viewing video? Try this link.)

Interview with Mr. Pencil from Tricia Fuglestad on Vimeo

Images courtesy of Craig Roland: Flickr.com

Make Your Own Digital Whiteboard

Posted on 04. Oct, 2008 by in All Posts, Cool+Creative, Neat Video, Tech Stuff, Techniques

Have you ever seen those sleek interactive whiteboards and wished you could have one in your classroom? Well, now you can for a fraction of the cost. Check out researcher Johnny Lee’s Wii hacks on TED Talks. He demonstrates his homemade whiteboard constructed with the Nintendo Wii remote. Here’s a link to Johnny’s blog Procrastineering where you will find updated Wiimote whitboard instructions. With $50 and his instructional videos you could have one in your classroom by the end of the week!

Special thanks to my colleague Lauri for sharing this story with us.


(Trouble viewing this video? Try this link)

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