Introduction

 

This WebQuest was designed by the Art Education: Visual Culture and Educational Technology course at The Pennsylvania State University. It was created as a way to teach students through interactive Web 2.0 technology, since we will not physically be in the presence of the students. This WebQuest is geared towards seventh grade students. It provides interesting content the students will enjoy but will also challenge and develop their artistic and technological skills. 

 

This lesson will emphasize the importance of storytelling and communication through new technologies and mixed media. The students will navigate through a five day lesson where they will construct a digital story book based upon a dream. Students will work in small groups. They will brainstorm a story line, stage and capture photographs, construct scenes using PhotoShop software, write a narrative to accompany their scenes, and assemble the final product in Photo Story 3. The students are asked to be as creative and imaginative as possible, using the technologies to push their artistic ideas even further. 

 

Learners

 

This lesson is designed for a seventh grade classroom. The language is understandable for a seventh grade reading level. The lesson involves aspects of reading, writing, and technology, along with the overall art making process. This WebQuest can easily be adapted for other age groups because the element of storytelling and communication is essential to every grade level. Simply increasing or decreasing the visual and technological requirements would be a way of adjusting this lesson for different levels of academic strength. 

 

Prior to completing the WebQuest, students will need to be proficient in the following:

• Reading comprehension; for understanding directions, requirements, and structure for evaluation.

• Creative writing; to develop an imaginative narrative with proper spelling and grammar

• Basic internet functions; Google search, download images, submit to class blog website

• Basic digital camera functions; turn flash on/off, take a picture, transfer picture from camera to computer

• Basic knowledge of PhotoShop software; how to import pictures, selection tool, crop, minimal layering, saving as JPEG image (a Prezi tutorial is available under the "Process" tab which goes in depth on the tools needed to complete this part of the assignment if students need a refresher)

 

Curriculum Standards

 

This lesson fulfills the following Pennsylvania Department of Education Standards for Art Education Grades 6-8:

 

A. Know and use the elements and principles of each art form to create works in the arts and humanities.

• Color, form/shape,  line, space, texture, value, balance, contrast, emphasis/focal point, movement/rhythm, proportion/scale, repetition, unity/harmony

 

B. Recognize, know, use and demonstrate a variety of appropriate arts elements and principles to produce, review and revise original works in the arts.

• Paint, draw, craft, sculpt, print, design for environment, communication, multi-media

 

C. Identify and use comprehensive vocabulary within each of the arts forms.

 

E. Communicate a unifying theme or point of view through the production of works in the arts

 

F. Explain works of others within each art form through performance or exhibition.

 

J. Incorporate specific uses of traditional and contemporary technologies within the design for producing,   performing and exhibiting works in the arts or the

   works of others.

• Explain and demonstrate traditional technologies.

• Explain and demonstrate contemporary technologies.

 

K. Incorporate specific uses of traditional and contemporary technologies in furthering knowledge and understanding in the humanities.

 

Process

 

 

 

 

Supplies Needed

 

To complete the digital storybook project, students will need the following:

 

• access to computers with Internet, microphone, PhotoShop, and Photo Story 3 software (one for each student)

• digital cameras/iPad cameras with upload capabilities (one per group)

• basic craft supplies, paint, markers, colored pencil, construction paper, etc, for students to make props if desired

 

Evaluation

 

Students will be evaluated on a scale of 1-5. They will be graded on their use of technology, craftsmanship, unity in the group, visual, and creativity. To earn the maximum amount of points, students will need to be extremely creative and unique while using Photoshop and Photo Story 3 software skillfully.

 

Conclusion

 

The students will become familiar with Photoshop and Photo Story 3 technologies. They will have a digital story book to reflect upon with the class. It is important to be expressive and be able to communicate your ideas to others. This project will hopefully be fun and beneficial to the students.