EDUC 6305: Jackson Pollock

Today's assignment involved creating graphics in the artistic style of Jackson Pollock. I created the first image below, which I have entitled 'Whiskey Sunrise,' using the Pollock application at Manetas.com. Creating images at the site was a fairly straightforward process, but there were some limitations: only one color could be used, the user has little to no control over how the 'paint' is distributed beyond direction, and in order to save the image the mouse the Print Screen Utility has to be used. I enjoyed using the program, and made several images before coming up with one that I liked.

Whiskey Sunrise

In the process of making my first graphic, I found myself thinking that it'd be nice to have a broader pallet than orange and by backtracking the URL, I found a couple other interesting Pollock-oriented sites. I created 'Righteous Indignation' at Jacksonpollock.org and also perused iPollock.com, which is similar, but has a more gallery-oriented feel to it. At both sites the user can incorporate different colors, but the other limitations are still present and the color range is random.

Righteous Indignation

TPACK
Despite the limitations however, it was a fun process and while I don't see many educational avenues (CK) for the use of these programs outside of an art class (though English and history might be effectively related and used in cross-curricular creative, interpretive, or presentation oriented projects, and to place Pollock's artistic movement in historical context), I might use the programs for redirectional, brainstorming, and prompting purposes within my own classroom (P). As with previous assignments, the technological orientation of this activity ensures engagment of technological literacy (T).

Relation to standards
As stated before, the process of developing online graphics and diagrams relates to several ISTE NETS standards, primarily #1 Facilitate and inspire student creativity and innovation by promoting, supporting, and modeling creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness; and #2: Design and develop digital age learning experiences by developing technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress

Integration
As an English Teacher I will be required to teach English language and literature. The use and incorporation of graphic elements in my instruction, as well as facilitation of activities that allow students to engage in the same process, will be essential to meeting the needs of my students. Provision of redirectional activities and avenues for creative expression may also contribute to the effectiveness of this process. The quality of my classroom facilitation and inherent presentations may be improved by the systematic collection, development, archiving, and retrieving of electronic resources including graphic representations.