My digital history may not go back as far as some, but my life now consists of many different technologies including the internet, smartphones, and computers. As a young child my parents pushed more for me to be creative in my own gameplay, and thus I was never truly exposed to video games and technology such as that until I was older. As I became older, and school work demanded a bigger use for technology, I began using laptops to help me with my work. Now I feel I am mostly caught up with the world as far as technology goes, I may not have all the latest gadgets, but I know how to use the ones I have and I even know how to create art with them.
In this class I learned how technology can be a valuable tool in the art room. My most influential work was when I researched the drawing pad and discovered how apps on the Iphone and Ipad can be used to create art that seems as real as if it was done by hand. Before this research, my only knowledge of digital art was using complex programs like Photoshop or something simple but difficult to control like MS Paint. Both of these programs I did not care for. I was not aware of being able to draw on a screen just as easily as on a piece of paper. Now that I have used such a program, its almost tempting to go out and buy an Ipad for myself if only for the purpose of being able to draw on it.
For many children, using technology is not only helpful, but it’s also fun. For children, doing even mundane things can be more exciting when using technology. Such as making a power point as opposed to writing a research paper. I remember being particularly excited when I got to do even simple things in my computer classes. Also children will be more enthused if they get to use technology to make art. Perhaps this enthusiasm comes from the idea of technology still being a novel idea. People have been drawing on paper for thousands of years, but only recently have they started to draw on a flashy screen.
Technology can be useful in the classroom in many ways, such as the blog I am writing on. I started this blog my first semester for my English class, I used it again during my 2nd English class with the same teacher. Finally, I am using it once more to share my ideas of this class. I will say it was a new experience using a blog, but one I am glad to have. Through this class, technology has become less of an unknown enemy to me, and more of a friend. Before I thought technology really couldn’t be used as a tool in a normal art class. Now that I have this knowledge of how I can use technology, my only hope is that I will be able to teach at a school that will accept it in the same way I have.
