AN AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITY BY BETH ANNA FOR THE ECOLE ALSACIENNE 2015
DIGITAL ART STUDIO IN ENGLISH
IMAGE: GOOGLE IMAGES
EVERYONE LOVES TO PLAY WITH TECHNOLOGY PLAY IN ENGLISH WHILE LEARNING ABOUT TECHNOLOGY, THE POWER OF IMAGES, SENDING A CLEAR MESSAGE WITHOUT WORDS, AND THE DELIGHT OF MAKING DIGITAL ARTWORK THAT IS USEFUL TO EVERY SUBJECT….
communicating and creating with technology than ever. Why not give them a place to use their skills in a school context that positively enforces digital ethics and gives them the opportunity to use English?
As an artist, I use technology to present my work, to develop ideas, and to share my professional activity through social media. But no matter what profession one chooses, mastering technology is an essential. And if technology is used well- with interesting imagery, good layout, and a clear message- the person behind it is better understood because of good communication. I propose an after school activity called DIGITAL ART STUDIO for either primary or junior high levels. This activity requires a computer room with internet access and the free program GIMP. The students must come equipped with a USB key and a digital camera (cell phones on airplane mode can be accepted). This activity should be two hours long, once or twice a week.
EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS
Kids are wizards with computers. The average child is more capable of
TITLE
MISSION
TOOLS
"MINIATURE BECOMES ENORMOUS"
Cut and paste an unsuspected object into a new space where it does not belong to exaggerate it’s size!
Internet, Gimp, imagination
"CHROMACITY"
Change the color of an object digitally and make a geometrical design!
Digital camera, Gimp, imagination, any random object or person
"A FAMOUS PHANTOM"
Make a digital self portrait without showing your face!
Digital camera, Gimp, imagination, personal belongings
"STAR ALBUM"
Create a digital image using cutting and editing techniques to make your own CD cover!
Digital camera, Gimp, imagination, images from the web
LEARN ABOUT
ART AND DIGITAL VOCABULARY IN ENGLISH In DIGITAL ART STUDIO, students will learn useful vocabulary and put it in context. This is NOT an English class…but it is an opportunity for students to practice language in a fun and non-stressful environment. A perfect way to practice what you
Global awareness today means using art and technology to communicate in an internationally understandable way. What an important tool! Both English vocabulary and computer technology will be employed to benefit the project outcome.
EVERY PROJECT IS CALLED A "MISSION". THE STUDENTS ARE GIVEN A MISSION AND MUST ACCOMPLISH IT USING THE TOOLS SPECIFIED. FOR EXAMPLE, « MAKE YOUR OWN STILL LIFE » HELPS STUDENTS TO CUT AND PASTE OBJECTS INTO A COMPREHENSIVE IMAGE BY PLACING THEM IN A SEQUENTIAL FOREGROUND AND BACKGROUND.
IMAGES FROM STUDENT WORK IN 2014
learned in school!
LEARN ABOUT
SENDING A MESSAGE WITHOUT WORDS
The average person sees more images per day than ever before in history. How many of them do you remember at the end of the day? The power of images is something that must be emphasised to the next generation. In DIGITAL ART STUDIO, students will be invited to reflect upon specific issues
IMAGE: BETH ANNA @BETHANNA.FR
and use current media to create their own views. For example: using the images we can find on the internet and even in Google Maps from our own streets, students will be challenged to make a statement that helps us understand the One of the most interesting issues
transmitted using digital imagery.
in art is the possibility of sending
What message do you want to
a message without using a single
send to the world? Who do you
word. But we often forget how
want to communicate with? How
many times a day we use images
can you combine images to make
to send a message: through
them stronger? All of these
pictures, social media, and even
questions are a part of the
in what we read and write. In
creative process and must be
DIGITAL ART STUDIO, students
used to help us make successful
will have the opportunity to
projects.
gravity of global warming.
LEARN ABOUT
THE POWER OF IMAGES
ALL OF THE IMAGES, STOP MOTIONS OR VIDEOS CREATED BY THE STUDENTS IN DIGITAL ART STUDIO WILL BE SAVED TO THEIR USB KEYS AND WILL ALSO BE GIVEN TO THE SCHOOL ARCHIVES.
develop ideas that can be
IMAGE: YUUMEL @DEVIANTART.COM
LEARN ABOUT
LOGOS, INTERNET ETHICS, AND COPYWRITING
Who do you share you work with
collaboration. The more, the
and how can you collaborate to
merrier as they say. And two brains
make art together? The workplace
are stronger than one! In DIGITAL
our students are destined for is
ART STUDIO, students will have
based on knowledge sharing and
the opportunity to work togetherin duos or in groups- to meet the challenges of each mission. For example, one student may
An essential part of DIGITAL ART STUDIO is
know more about photography
teaching students how to respect copyrights
than their partner who happens to
and use the internet’s resources with respect.
know a lot about stop motion.
For example, many artists and writers stuffer
Together, the students create a
from not being referenced in their artwork
project that they can use in their
and watching others get credit for their work.
science class and teach each other
People who are not artists can understand
their personal skills in the mean
this issue when it concerns their rights of
time. And the list goes on!
image. Simple steps must be learned by young students so that they may be ethical users of the unfathomable resources we
IMAGE: GOOGLE IMAGES
currently have access to.
There is a chain reaction of collaboration and discovery as students participate in DIGITAL ART STUDIO. It is for everyone.
LEARN ABOUT
COLLABORATION AND SHARING
DIGITAL ART STUDIO IN ENGLISH GIVE OUR STUDENTS A NEW PLACE TO IMAGE: JUGGAR.COM
DREAM…
BETH ANNA
Artist and Professor of Arts www.BETHANNA.fr • FB • T • I •