ATI FOCUS GROUP

APRIL 1996


WHAT HAS GONE WELL IN ATI?

Focus Question 1:
Now that the Art and technology Integration Project has been underway for a year, it is important to look back at how things have gone to prepare for the next year. Please list or identify aspects of the project that you believe have gone well. The list can also include any personal benefits that you have received from the project.


participant #1

The number 1 benefit that I received from ATI are the resources through Netscape. I also gained a knowledge of computers both personal and for students. I have been able to share what I have learned with my building staff. My students have learned how to research through Netscape. The students have used E-Mail to contact other schools allowing for interaction with other students their age.

My teaching style has changed for the better. I can be more of a facilitator and students are in charge of their learning experience. I was very happy that I had a background in Prairie Visions because the integration was easier. HAVE STUDENTS INVOLVED!

participant #2

The kids love what I have been able to bring back to the classroom for them; I have been able to reach children that I have not been able to reach in the past. I like the way that it addresses multi-modality and multi-intelligence. It also enhances our efforts with project production, varied presentation. The students retention and growth is improved.

participant #3

I benefited form support from Carl, ATI group, etc. I also was able to learn the available resources. The kids were enthusiastic and had a willingness to do more and to learn more. This has added interest and motivation as well as personal growth.

participant #4

The benefits that I have received from the project are as follows:

1.) Elevated enthusiasm for life!
2.) Beginnings have been made.
3.) Doors have been opened for interaction and collaboration.
4.) Supportive reassurance has been consistently present.
5.) Machine has been wonderful.

I have installed ppp connection to my pc at home.

participant #5

Teachers form other curriculum areas are seeking my input as to how they can incorporate art int their area of study. Students are using art to enhance reports that they are working on. I have become more aware of American artist as opposed to a heavy background of Western European Art.

I have enjoyed hearing and communicating with other teachers and sharing their classroom experience.

participant #6

I have made some great associations and have new ideas for teaching in the classroom . I am getting things done through electronic intercommunication. I have a new appreciation of art and new approaches to teaching science. I have found new uses for our computers. I have the html page for request and the E-mail is priceless.

participant #7

I benefited form the integration of all three groups. I also benefited from sharing.
The coordination of OMAW-GISH-SM was a benefit with the DC trip and Smithsonian and visiting the surrounding area. The follow-up visit with sharing in person about internet experiences. Student involvement was important.

participant #8

I find this a difficult question to answer. I am thrilled to see the results of everyone's hard work!!


WHAT MIGHT BE IMPROVED IN ATI?

Focus Question 2:
Now that the Art and Technology Integration Project has been underway for a year, it is important to look back at how things have gone to prepare for the next year. Please list or identify aspects of the project that you believe could be improved, or might have gone better if a different approach had been used.

participant #1

I think the following could have gone better:

1.) communication
2.) time to work on units of study that we are required to develop.
3.) *** much of my own time has been spent researching and downloading etc.

participant #2

I would like to address the following for this question:

1.) communication
2.) feedback
3.) time
4.) lack of images
5.) turn around time on images
6.) search engines for smithsonian
7.) categorising of info at museum.
8.) cross referencing
9.) computer (freezing)
10.) moving slide show

participant #3

The problems that I have encountered are communication, lack of time, computers going down and freezing, and moving "slide shows".

participant #4

I need to be teaching in the room with my machine so that I can get more kids familiarized with the net. I will try to persuade administrators again of the need. I need to do a collaborative project with a teacher and students in another school.

I needed to have Prairie Visions.

participant #5

Please assign/give NMAA catelogs to all participants (or at least a list of artworks which are part of the NMAA collection). It would be helpful to organize/categorize all artwork according to art styles, art periods, artist, historical significance or dates in order to make internet searching more productive. More artwork should be digitized. Have information "on line" as to background behind all artists whose work is pictured in their catalog. I am not patient enough to spend time watching the little "world" spin only to be told that there is no material found. There was not enough time to put together units of study. Textbooks provide a much quicker and permanent resouce in the classroom. Spend more time in the NMAA archives to search vertical files.

participant #6

I would like to see better cataloging of resources. Supply color printers and ink for each participant. There is a need for more active involvement from other museums.

participant #7

I would like to say don't forget what went well last year; as in be sure to do it again.

Art should be sorted/indexed by subject matter.

Request sheet for art to Smithsonian (complete) to include feedback from Smithsonian.

participant # 8

I offer the following contsructive criticism:

Due to our own developing infrastructure it is difficult to react promptly to numerous teacher's request

Would like to improve the quality of "contextual" information provided with the images.

Would like to be more involved in colaborative applications. Greater involvement goes hand in hand with reacting to numerous request.

would like to see greater efforts made in the area fo public forum commucincations i.e.
listserv, mud, e-mail.



Summary:

The consensus is that what has gone well is the positive affect the project has had on students. Teachers have been able to bring increased resources into the classroom enhancing the learning experience for all students and reaching some students who they may not have otherwise. Students have become enthusiastic with increased interest and motivation to learn. The project has helped students learn how to do research through Internet and given them more responsibility for their learning experience. Student involvement and retention has increased in the classroom.

The teachers all appreciated the opportunity to share and collaborate as well as the support they have received. They have enjoyed communicating with other teachers and sharing their classroom experiences. They also report being able to share their knowledge with other teachers in their building. A few have reported a positive change in teaching style; with new ideas for teaching in their area.

What might be improved is the cataloging and indexing of the resources. Several suggestions have been made including indexing by style, periods, historical significance and access to background information on artist. It appears that better
communication with the Smithsonian and feedback when desired would help with the frustration in this area.

Time has been a big drawback to some participants; including time to work on units of study and to research and download. Computers going down, freezing, problems moving slide shows and lack of digitized pictures have been major sources of the time consumption.

Teachers who have had Prairie Visions say that it enhanced their ATI experience; those who have not had Prairie Visions say that if they had it would have made ATI a more successful experience.


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bpawlosk@unomaha.edu, 5/19/97