EDUC 6305: Self Portrait

Today's assignment represented another exercise related to the use of internet-based graphic applications. More specifically, we were instructed to create self portraits in visual likeness to the artistic style of Pablo Picasso; by use of the interactive tools located at Mr. Picassohead.com. The website provides several images, representative of various facial elements, which can be accessed and utilized by dragging each from the toolbar to the 'canvas.' From this point, the various elements can be individually manipulated to manage size, color, rotation, and orientation.

After playing around with the tools for a while, I was able to produce the image on the left. My self-portrait might also be accessed at the site gallery by clicking here.

All said, the assignment was rather enjoyable, and the only difficult aspects involved engaging my creative ability (or lack thereof) to use the elements provided in a remotely artistic fashion, and actually saving a copy of the graphic once it was completed (since it was created in a flash program, the 'Print Screen' utility had to be used to save and manipulate a copy).

TPACK
The application itself, has enormous potential within educational settings, both academically and on a more personal level. Within a classroom context (CK), I believe that Mr. Picassohead could be effectively utilized to illustrate various literary characters, events, and processes, which might then be used in a collective or collaborative fashion toward creating project-based assignments; such as book reports or illustrated texts. Also, as mentioned before, the process of creating graphics with this application necessitates significant use of creativity. This factor serves to make the application fun (P), engaging, and appropriate for student-centered activities; as well as a possible option for 'break activities' and activities related to creative writing. This application might also be used effectively to demonstrate and reinforce the teacher's technological literacy and competence in the content area (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; #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; #3: Model Digital-Age Work and Learning by facilitating effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support learning; and #4: Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility by promoting and modeling digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information.

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 which allow students to engage in the same process, will be essential to meeting the needs of my students. 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.