Sunday, March 1, 2015

Web Technology Application Project

Kumihimo Weaving


Laura Funk
Web Online Technology Application Project (Thinglink)

Directions
1.  Visit the thinglink interactive board linked above.
2.  Explore the board and learn from the links and information provided.  View the tutorial video in the center of the board.  There is a more advanced tutorial video on the right of the page, but you are not required to learn the more advanced technique for this assignment. 
3.  Get the required materials; follow the process of the basic tutorial to learn the technique. 
4.  Make a cord at least triple the size of the one I created in the video to be sure you master the technique and process.  Both sides should be secured to be sure your weave stays in place.  As with any artwork, give thought to yarn color (design elements), neatness, and attention to detail (correct process).
5.  Submit a picture to the assignment dropbox in the course of you showcasing your completed Kumihimo cord.
6.  Write a brief description of the weaving difficulty and what you are choosing to use your finished project for (bookmark/bracelet/zipper pull/etc.) and will you use this weaving technique in your future classroom?  Yes or no and why.

Objectives
Students will utilize my thinglink interactive board to learn about Kumihimo weaving at their own pace.

Students will understand how to complete a basic Kumihimo weaving technique from start to finish from my tutorial. 

Students will create a Kumihimo cord with thought given to yarn color, neatness, and attention to detail (correct process).  

Students will be able to apply their weaving knowledge to teach others this simple Kumihimo technique. 

Kumihimo Weaving Directions (the weaving technique is showcased in a tutorial video on the interactive board above, but if you would like to read the steps to further assist in completing the process, then go for it!)

This is a simplified Kumihimo weaving technique that my middle schoolers love!  All the supplies you need are yarn, cardboard scraps and scissors.  To start, you need to cut 7 pieces of yard the same length.  Then you feed them through the center of your cardboard square and tie them off.  You’ve cut 8 notches in your cardboard, so you put your strings in 7 of those notches.  This leaves one notch empty.  This is OK! 

The easiest way for me to keep track of the notch is to cover it with my left thumb.  I then count 3 strings to my right, pull the third string out and put it in my empty notch slot.  I then rotate my weave board loom til the empty notch is infront of me and follow the same directions.  Cover notch with my left thumb and count 3 strings to the right, pull the string out and put it in my empty notch.  You follow these series of steps over and over again until you have your desired cord length.  You then take your strings off the loom and tie it off in a simple knot.  At this point you can use it as a bookmark, zipper pull, necklace, bracelet or keychain accessory.  My students love this project.  I typically set aside two 45 minute class periods for this, but could be extended depending on their enthusiasm. 



    Kumihimo Weaving Project Grading Rubric
    Teacher Name:  Mrs. Funk


    Student Name:     ________________________________________

CATEGORY
4 pts
3 pts
2 pts
1 pt
Understanding of Concept
The student can define the term "Kumihimo" and clearly explain how it is traditionally used and from which culture it originated.
The student can define the term "Kumihimo" and can describe the process and cultural traditions.
The student can some-what define the term "Kumihimo" and explain how it is traditionally used but is not quite clear on the cultural influence.
The student has trouble defining the term "Kumihimo" and describing the process or traditional usage.
Quality of Construction
The weave shows considerable attention to construction. The items are neatly trimmed. All items are carefully and securely bound. There are no stray bulges or messy strands
The weave shows attention to construction. The items are neatly trimmed. All items are carefully and securely bound. A few barely noticeable stray bulges are present. 
The weave shows some attention to construction. Most items are neatly trimmed. All items are securely bound. A few barely noticeable stray bulges or imperfections are present. 
The weave was put together sloppily. Items appear to be just "loosely woven without care". Pieces are loose and sloppy.
Design
The Kumihimo cord shows that the student took care in choice of color in their product design.
The Kumihimo cord shows that the student took some care in choice of color in their product design. however does not appear as successfully balanced.
The Kumihimo cord shows that the student took some care in choice of color in their product design. It appears there was not a lot of planning of the item colors.
The Kumihimo cord shows that the student took no care in choice of color in their product design. It appears little attention was given to designing the weave.
Time and Effort
Time was used wisely. Much time and effort went into the planning and design of the weave. It is clear the student worked hard at completing their weave at it was submitted on time.
Time was used wisely. Student could have put in more effort but the desired result was met by the required due date.
Time was not used wisely, but student did submit assignment within the required window.
Time was not used wisely and the student did not meet the due date requirement. The assignment was turned in late.

Date Created:  Mar 01, 2015 12:08 pm (CST)  Rubric made on http://rubistar.4teachers.org

Points Possible:  16

Student's points achieved:      /16




Sunday, February 22, 2015

Instagram Project Deliverable

Hello All!  I decided an easy way for viewing of my presentation would be to link you to it on my blog.  I created this page for my previous two grad classes, so the content prior to this post is from last semester.  Let me know if you cannot view it.

Also, for easy viewing, please turn the "autoplay" button to ON and then view the presentation.  Thanks.


Below is a link to my Instagram Deliverable Transcript.  I put it in a shared google doc, so I hope everyone can view it without issue.  Again, let me know if you have problems.  Thanks.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OQk9CGIoxyxp5KbsHx-ll3pRz5vHRAu0Rmg-6HPLoEw/edit?usp=sharing

*Sorry for the slight angle and movement of the video shots.  I had an interesting time getting all this to come together.  I ended up video recording myself with my iPhone showing everything on my computer, while reading my transcript from my husbands iPhone - so I had 3 devices going at once.  I made it work but at times it was a challenge.  Just so you are all informed ; )

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Final Project - Powtoon

I decided to keep the video short and sweet, so I added simple audio and fixed my transition issues, timing and put in my references.  My reflections are condensed in my bonus video below.  Enjoy!



Bonus Video Reflections!

Sunday, November 30, 2014

PowToon - Final Project - Rough Draft

I have condensed my Summary of Learning Powtoon Video into a rough draft for your viewing pleasure.  Please note that I still need to work on transitions, timing, and put in audio.  I will also have a few slides at the end to reference my quotation sources and credit my images.  I plan to ease the video flow with audio of me reading the slides and explaining why I feel they were important to include, touching on my growth throughout the course and in peer comments/interactions.

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Reading #12 Thoughts

Pg. 169 Motivations 
1.     To promote creativity and self-expression.
2.     To increase student motivation and engagement in the classroom.
3.      To strengthen students’ ability to resist the negative messages present in mass media, digital media, and popular culture about violence, materialism, stereotypes, and sexuality.
4.     To help students use their own voices for advocacy and social change.
5.     To modernize the curriculum and make it more relevant to students.

Quote #1
“When teachers use mass media, digital media, and popular culture to address social, political, and cultural issues, students develop the capacity to make sense of and critically analyze the world around them” (p. 168, Hobbs).


I find this absolutely true!  After creating my PSA for this class, I showed it to all of my classes one day last week and it inspired great discussions.  My students are 6-8th grade, but regardless of the age range, discussions and ideas were profound and unique.   My PSA cautions people of overusing technology and making it too important in our lives, while real relationships fall by the wayside.  Students of all ages have seen social media addiction occur either in their immediate families or in those of their peers.  Watching my PSA brought the subject to the forefront of their minds and many stated, “they had never thought of it this way before.”  Many students were going to mention this in their families in the hope of spending more quality time together and making sure they don’t break laws by being on their phones while driving, which many students admit their parents actively do.  This hit home to my age-group of students and if I made ½ of them think more seriously about the time they spend online, then I accomplished spreading awareness and a need for concern.  The more I learn about digital media and storytelling, the more I want to utilize these tools in my classroom.  It is a fun way to identify with the topics of discussion and “own” your opinion and creative freedom.  It is perfect for ART! 

Quote #2

“In building coalitions, it is important to respect and honor our varying priorities and find partners who can both support and challenge us” (Hobbs, p. 169).

There are 2 art teachers at my school.  My last colleague in the department left this past summer to go work in Marion county, at a school 2 blocks from her house.  I didn’t blame her for wanting the job that saves her from driving a half hour every morning and afternoon, but I was apprehensive over who would replace her as my departmental cohort.  I had no reason to fret because the gal who replaced her is much easier to work with, is very easy-going and supportive.  We both want to utilize technology more in our classrooms, so decided to devote a large portion of our budget this year to buying a department set of ipad mini’s to assist us with integrating technology in our lessons and providing easy resource venues for our students.  We are VERY fortunate to have this allowance of budget and I fought hard to get these devices approved and the money allocated.  We are extremely excited to get our 14-ipad minis to share and are over the moon happy to have our students start utilizing them.   We have not had the order filled yet, but it is going through the proper channels towards completion.  I feel so very fortunate that my colleague is motivated in the same way I am for advancement of skills and technology integration in our lessons.  We are on the same page for the long term and I can see our collaboration growing more impressive through the years.   We have varying skill sets with technology and I feel that it will be a dynamic pairing of attributes for our students to benefit from.  I am thankful in this month of holiday cheer for Michelle and can’t wait to see where these ipads take our instruction!  We have lots to look forward to, and we hope Christmas will come early for us ;)

Quote #3

“School leaders can inspire educators by helping teachers make large and small steps toward embracing new ideas and instructional practices” (Hobbs, p. 170).

In order to push through my application for ipad minis for my department (referenced above in my response to quote #2), I had to gain support and approval from my school Principal.  Luckily, she is very motivated to integrate technology into daily instruction, so the support was quickly and happily given.  It helped that money was put aside by me from last year, in order to fund our order completely, but I am sure she would have helped in any way she was able to make this dream a reality.  I know my department will implement the devices into our instruction immediately, and I am sure my Principal will request we share our tools and knowledge with other faculty members considering fundraising for their own class sets of ipads.  We will definitely share our motivation and experience once these devices have been received.  We won’t be able to contain our excitement I’m sure!!! I am very blessed to have such a cooperative and dedicated Principal who supports new ideas and tools for instruction advancement.  I know without her approval, we would not have been able to order our ipads.  It’s a win, win for me and my students!   

References