I teach art K-8 at a public school. I am trying to integrate technology into the art curriculum through the use of digital media. My school has a focus in the Fine Arts. During their middle school years, students can select Music, Drama, Dance or Visual Art as a focus. Instead of once a week they receive two forty minute classes a week. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to see the students flourish when given the time and opportunity to pursue an area of interest that gives them joy and helps them to express themselves. Many of the students I see during these classes are mainstreamed from their special education self contained classrooms. The art class is one of just a few opportunities for them to mix with other students their own age. I have seen wonderful growth and positive interactions among all of the students when they learn and work together.
I am interested in having my students make a stop motion animated movie because this will allow them to integrate and perform so many different skills. They will: write a story, create movie posters, draw story boards, create sculptures, paint two dimensional backdrops. In addition, they will learn to use a video camera, add sound and edit their video on a computer. Unfortunately I do not own a digital video camera. The number of students in my class, even if we take turns using a borrowed camera, prevents all of the student being able to complete a project within the duration of the semester long class.
I would like to purchase two digital video cameras, with memory cards and camera cases. Having these cameras would empower my students with the ability to tell their stories, and introduce them to skills they would not have a chance to experience otherwise. They would be able to see results and have a goal, combining media in painting, sculpture and time arts. Their ideas images and art work would be activated and available for viewing by our school community. We would upload their movies onto the school's website, sharing their talent with their friends and families.
Your help will both literally and figuratively bring an entire new dimension to the educational experience of my students. You can be sure that the cameras will be met with great excitement and will enable me to add media arts to my visual art curriculum for years to come. Experiencing the potential of video and computer technology firsthand will provide skills the students can use in many other aspects of their educational and future professional lives.
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