Entry No. 3, 3/2/21 #flexibility

While doing the BRAINY tours, my perspective on online teaching changed. Originally, my only connotation with online learning was that of Zoom, and being easily distracted by anything else going on. After doing the BRAINY tours, I realized online learning could be fun and engaging. The Gregory Allicar's C.A.R.S. exhibition is interactive, and I was intrigued with exploring it. This experience showed me that any online learning platforms that I created needed to be engaging in the same way.

The interpretive strategies mainly used to make these videos was that of big ideas. The big idea focused on was that of identity. Abby and I explored identity through color in all of our videos, which helped tie them all together.

To me, the obvious difference between virtual and in person tours is one of communication and conversation. In person, a tour guide can see and interact with students. They are able to tell when children are engaged versus when they are confused or bored. Also, after questions are answered, guides can start a dialogue with the whole group, and dig deeper into meanings. While listening to a virtual tour, students are able to pause the video and answer the question; however, even though we ask follow up questions, we do not know if these strike the right chord with the students. We do our best to ask appropriate follow up questions, but the conversation then becomes one sided.

The most challenging part of designing the virtual tours was coming up with engaging questions to use with the students. It was simple at first to ask one or two questions, but after feedback, it became clear we needed to dive deeper and connect with students' everyday lives. After this, Abby and I had to think through each question and each word. Were the questions engaging? Were they too advanced? Could students connect the artwork and their concepts with everyday life? However, I did find it fun to actually create videos and voice recording and learn a little bit more about how to use that technology. Because of the pandemic, the world has become even more ensconced with using technology. As a future teacher, it is vital to stay up to date with technology to keep challenging students while incorporating new tools. Art should not just stay with oil painting and marble sculptures, but should embrace technology.

The art piece I have created focuses a lot on control, with each element chosen for a specific purpose. However, part of my piece - the canvas with the tea drippings - has an element of surprise. I know the tea will drip down and create fun and interesting patterns. Because I let the tea drops fall where they may, it leaves room for them to make beautiful designs. In the BRAINY tours, we have been very structured, choosing each element for a reason. But when children and students become involved, they add spontaneity. We do not always know how they will respond, what will grab their attention and what may fall flat. But, when we leave room for flexibility, beautiful things can come out of that. Students will surprise us with their insights and creativity, and as educators, we must be open their feedback (positive or negative). I also needed to stay flexible during the making of the virtual tours, because the information and technology were new to me. In order to be successful, I had to stay open to feedback about our tours, as well as flexible to the changing nature of video teaching.

As an educator, students will surprise me. Sometimes lesson plans will be too simple, and they need to be more challenging, or sometimes they will be too difficult and needed to be scaled back. This will also change from class to class. I need to be aware of my students, and what they are engaging in and what they are not. I cannot remain rigid in my lesson plans, but willing to change activities and questions in order to meet my students where they are at. Because of my flexibility, I will ensure that my students remain engaged, but they will also know I listen to them and their needs.

From our first BRAINY video on Binh Danh - Explaining Colors as Emotions

From our second BRAINY video - Comparing Binh Danh's portrait of the Buddha to Jess Dugan's portrait of Shabez